Eye Exams for Contact Lenses

Regular eye exams help keep your eyes healthy and check for early signs of eye conditions. A comprehensive eye exam at Pickerington Eyecare checks both your eye health and vision. During this exam, your eye doctor will determine your eyeglass prescription. This prescription alone is not sufficient for contact lenses. The doctor may also check for any eye health issues that could interfere with the comfort and success of contact lens wear.

Even if another provider has told you that you can’t wear contact lenses, we may be able to help. Specialty contacts are available for patients with dry eyes, severe astigmatism, and more.

The contact lens industry continues to develop options that improve comfort, convenience, and accessibility. One of the first steps in a contact lens consultation is discussing lifestyle and health factors that affect your lens options.

You may choose between daily or monthly disposable lenses, as well as soft or rigid gas permeable (GP) lenses. If you have conditions such as astigmatism or dry eye, your eye doctor may recommend specific lens types or brands for better comfort and vision.

Let your eye doctor know if you are interested in colored contact lenses. If you are over 40 and have trouble seeing small print, your eye doctor may recommend multifocal or monovision lenses.

Contact lenses require a precise fit for each patient. Your eye doctor will take measurements to properly fit your contact lenses. Contact lenses that do not fit properly can cause discomfort, blurry vision, or eye damage. Here are some of the measurements your eye doctor will take for a contact lens fitting:

To ensure a proper fit, your doctor will measure the curvature of your cornea. A keratometer measures the cornea to determine the correct lens fit. If you have astigmatism, the curvature of your cornea is not perfectly round, and therefore, a “toric” lens, which is designed specifically for an eye with astigmatism, would be fit to provide the best vision and lens fit. In some cases, your eye doctor may use corneal topography to map the surface of your cornea in greater detail.

Your eye doctor may measure your pupil or iris using a biomicroscope, slit lamp, or manual tools. This measurement is especially important if you are considering specialized lenses such as gas permeable (GP) contacts.

One of the most common problems affecting contact lens wear is dry eyes. If the lenses are not kept adequately hydrated, they may become uncomfortable and cause dry, irritated, and itchy eyes. If you have dry eye syndrome, your doctor will check that your tear film can support comfortable lens wear. If not, contact lenses may not be suitable.

Your doctor evaluates your tear film using dye and a slit lamp or a small paper strip to measure moisture levels. If your tear film is weak, your eye doctor may recommend lenses designed to retain moisture.

After selecting suitable lenses, your eye doctor may have you try them to confirm fit and comfort before ordering. The doctor or assistant will insert the lenses and leave them in for 15–20 minutes before examining fit, movement, and tear response. If the lenses fit well, your eye doctor will order them for you. Your Pickerington eye doctor will also provide care and hygiene instructions, including how to insert, remove, wear, and store your lenses.

Your eye doctor may request a follow-up appointment to check lens fit and how your eyes are adjusting. If you are experiencing discomfort or dryness in your eyes, you should visit your eye doctor as soon as possible. Your eye doctor may recommend a different lens, a different disinfecting solution, or an adjustment to your wearing schedule.