Are you considering wearing contact lenses for the first time? Or perhaps you need a new prescription or are experiencing discomfort with your current contacts? A contact lens exam is essential to ensure that your lenses provide clear, comfortable, and safe vision. At Eyes On Group in Worcester, our eye doctors offer specialized contact lens exams to help you find the perfect fit for your eyes.
What Is a Contact Lens Exam?
If you wear or want to wear contact lenses, you’ll need a contact lens exam in addition to your regular comprehensive eye exam. This exam includes specialized tests that evaluate how well your eyes can handle contacts, ensuring both comfort and vision clarity. These tests are essential for determining the right contact lenses for you.
Are Eyeglass Prescriptions the Same as Contact Lens Prescriptions?
No, an eyeglass prescription cannot be used for contact lenses. Glasses sit about 12 millimeters from the surface of your eyes, while contact lenses sit directly on your eye. A contact lens prescription includes specifics like lens brand, curvature, and diameter—details not included in a standard eyeglass prescription.
Why Is Contact Lens Fitting Important?
One size does not fit all when it comes to contact lenses. If the curvature of the contact lens is not well-suited to the shape of your cornea, it can lead to discomfort or even eye damage. To find the best contact lenses for your eyes, your eye doctor will measure the following:
- Corneal curvature: This measures the shape of the eye’s surface to determine the best lens fit.
- Pupil and iris size: The size of your pupil and iris plays a role in finding the right lens for your eyes.
- Tear film evaluation: This test checks whether your eyes produce enough tears to keep the lenses hydrated. If you have dry eye disease, standard contact lenses may not be suitable.
Trial Lenses and Fitting
After performing the necessary tests, your eye doctor will provide trial lenses to ensure that the contact lenses you’ve chosen offer clear and comfortable vision. This allows for any necessary adjustments to be made to the prescription, so you can enjoy optimum comfort and vision with your new lenses.
Schedule Your Contact Lens Eye Exam
Whether you’re a first-time contact wearer or you’ve been wearing lenses for years, it’s important to visit your eye doctor at least once a year for a contact lens exam. This ensures that your contact lenses are still providing you with clear, comfortable vision and that your eye health is maintained.
At Eyes On Group in Worcester, we’re here to help you find the best contact lenses for your eyes. Schedule your eye exam with us today!