Contact Lens Exams

Are you interested in trying contact lenses but feel a little intimidated? Or maybe you've tried in the past and gave up because of discomfort, poor vision, or simply because putting them in was too much of a hassle. Contact lenses have come a long way and there's been tons of new technology put into them in recent years. Let's talk about what a contact lens exam entails and if it might be a good fit for you.

But first, a comprehensive eye exam

Before contacts can be prescribed, a thorough comprehensive eye exam should be completed. Your eye doctor will evaluate if the eyes are healthy and if contacts would work well for you. Testing vision, how the eyes work together as a team, and making sure there's no eye health concerns are important before starting the contact lens process.

Discussing contact lens options and preferences

After evaluating if contact lenses are a good option for you, your eye doctor will discuss the many choices available. We'll talk about what your goals are for contact lens wear and what you hope to get out of them. For example, if you're looking for something to wear entirely instead of glasses or just for going out. If you need them for a particular sport or activity, or if you're having complications like dry eyes and need to find a better option. If you're having problems with reading and need an option to help restore some of that near vision. There are many different lens modalities like daily lenses and multifocal lenses to help you see and feel your best. Your eye doctor can help you find a lens that will work best for you!

​​​​​​​Evaluating your tear film and ocular surface

Contact lenses are a medical device, and because they sit directly on the eye, it is important that precise measurements are taken so that we can find lenses that fit your eyes properly. During an exam, we'll take measurements of the curvature of your eye, evaluate your pupil size (because that can impact vision with certain lenses!), and evaluate if you have any dryness. Dry eye can be a large reason why many people choose not to wear contacts or stop wearing contacts. With newer lenses available now, it doesn't have to be the reason you don't wear contacts anymore. However, it's important that dryness gets evaluated and treated properly to set you up for the best success.

Why the actual contact lens fitting is important

Since contacts sit directly on your eyes, it is important to ensure they fit your eyes properly so as not to cause any complications. Not every lens will work for every patient. A contact lens fitting evaluates how the lenses fit your eyes so we can make sure they sit where they need to and that they are not too tight. With every contact lens fitting, we check that the lenses are aligned properly, move well on the surface of your eye, and that there's no signs of complications. That's why a fitting must be completed every year. Complications such as new blood vessel growth or infections can result if lenses do not fit and are not worn properly.

The trial period

We often can finalize a contact lens prescription for you same day. The convenience of having your Rx and getting your contacts shipped to your house is a huge perk! But sometimes you may need to test drive the lenses for a few days. In that case, it's important to notice what you like- or don't like- about the contacts. We can make any adjustments needed to the type of lens or the prescription if they feel blurry or uncomfortable. Your contact lens exam includes the trial lenses you get the first day and any follow ups that may be needed. Even when you purchase your boxes, here at Eyes on Dover, we can exchange any boxes that are unopened and unmarked just in case you feel that something may have changed.

Why online contact lens exams are a bad idea

We have lots to say about this! Contact lenses are medical devices, so it's important that they are appropriately evaluated on your eyes. With a lens that does not fit well on your eyes, you are at risk for several complications. For one, the eye gets oxygen only from the outside environment. So if a lens does not fit well, new blood vessel growth can occur over the cornea. This is problematic since the cornea needs to be clear in order to see through it. A poor fitting lens can also cause irritation and allergic reactions to the contact lens itself. Further, and probably most scary, is the risk of infections. An online contact lens exam does not thoroughly evaluate your contact lens wear history. When conversations about proper contact lens wearing schedules and hygiene are not being had, there is an increased risk for certain wearing habits to create infections. Sometimes, if they are bad enough and in a bad location, they can lead to scarring and blindness.

Another thing to note abot virual contact lens exams is that you are missing the entirety of an eye health evaluation. Without an eye doctor taking a look at your eyes, there's no evaluation of your tear film, checking for dryness, or even looking for other eye diseases that can happen without any symptoms at all, like glaucoma. Your vision is worth being taken care of by an eye care professional, not a computer!

​​​​​​​Did you know?

Contact lens technology has come a long way in recent years. There's been a huge expansion in available prescriptions. So if you weren't able to wear contacts in the past because of your prescription, it's likely that you now may be able to! There's also many more options for patients with astigmatism and those who need a bifocal. Check out our post here to learn more about multifocal contact lens options! If dryness or discomfort has been an issue for you in the past, ask us at your next appointment about new contact lens options that may be more compatible for you and offer better comfort.

To schedule your next eye exam and contact lens exam at our office here in Westlake, Ohio call or text us at 440-256-6894. Or send us an appointment request right here on our website!