If you’re thinking about switching to contact lenses, you’re probably imagining a new sense of freedom. It’s an exciting step toward clear, comfortable vision without glasses, and the team at Optometric Group of Fontana, Upland and Rancho Cucamonga is here to help. But before you can start wearing contacts, you’ll need more than a routine eye exam.
A contact lens fitting is a dedicated appointment that goes beyond a standard exam to match you with lenses that fit your eyes, your vision needs, and your lifestyle. This extra step ensures your lenses sit comfortably and give you the clarity you expect.
A Contact Lens Exam vs. a Regular Eye Exam
You might think an eye exam is just an eye exam, but there’s a special process for contact lenses. A regular exam checks your overall eye health and vision for glasses. A contact lens fitting goes a few steps further to make sure your lenses fit just right on your eyes.
What Happens in a Comprehensive Eye Exam
During a comprehensive eye exam, your doctor checks your vision and the overall health of your eyes. This exam typically involves a series of tests to evaluate your vision and check for diseases. This type of appointment gives you a prescription for eyeglasses but does not include the details needed for contact lenses.
The Extra Steps in a Contact Lens Exam
A contact lens exam and fitting is where your eye doctor takes specific measurements of your eye’s surface. Think of it like a custom suit; it needs to be tailored perfectly to you. During this exam is a great time to talk with your eye doctor about your lifestyle and vision goals.
What Happens During a Contact Lens Exam and Fitting
The journey to comfortable contact lenses involves a few key steps. Your eye care team guides you through the whole process, so you know exactly what’s happening. Every step is designed with your comfort in mind.
Measure Your Eyes for a Perfect Match
Your eye doctor measures the curve of your cornea and the size of your pupil. These measurements help find a lens that sits correctly on your eye. This extra attention to fit helps the lens stay in place without moving around too much.
Check Your Tear Film
Your eye doctor may perform a quick, simple test looks at your tear film. This test helps determine whether your eyes produce enough moisture to wear contacts comfortably all day long, which is especially important if you experience dry eye symptoms. It’s an important step for keeping your eyes feeling good!
Try on Lenses
You’ll typically get to try on a trial pair of lenses right there in the office. There are many different types of contact lenses available, and your doctor will select one based on your measurements, lifestyle, and vision needs. Your doctor checks the fit and your vision with them in.
During this part of the exam our team can also show you how to insert and remove the contact lenses if you’re new to wearing them.
Why You Need a Special Fit for Contacts
Skipping a proper fitting is like buying shoes without trying them on, they might not feel right. A fitting helps make sure your contacts are both effective and comfortable. Your eyes deserve that extra attention.
Comfort Is Key
An ill-fitting lens can cause discomfort, dryness, or a scratchy feeling. A fitting helps you avoid these issues by matching the lens shape to your eye shape, and it’s essential for those who may need specialty contact lenses.
Clear Vision Depends on It
For you to see clearly, the contact lens must sit in the right spot on your eye, especially if you have a refractive error like astigmatism, where the curve of the lens is critical. A professional fitting confirms the lens is centered and provides the vision correction you need.
What to Expect After Your Fitting
Once you’ve found a good trial pair, the process isn’t quite over. There are a couple more steps to get you on your way with your new contacts. These final checks help you adapt to your new lenses smoothly.
Your Follow-Up Visit
You’ll typically wear the trial lenses for about a week. Then you’ll come back to see us at Optometric Group of Fontana, Upland and Rancho Cucamonga for a follow-up visit. This follow-up visit lets the eye doctor see how you’re adjusting and make any final tweaks to the prescription or fit.
Get Your Final Prescription
Once you and your doctor are happy with the fit and feel, you receive your final contact lens prescription. Then you can order a supply of your new lenses.
Tips for Happy Lens Wear
There is an inherent risk of introducing germs or contaminants to your eye with contact lenses. That’s why following proper hygiene practices is essential for eye health. A couple of things to remember are:
- Always wash your hands before you handle your contacts
- Use fresh solution every single time
- Keep your contact lens case clean and replace it regularly
- Always follow the recommended wear schedule
How Often Do You Need a Contact Lens Fitting?
Your eyes can change over time, so regular check-ins are important. Just like an annual physical, an annual eye health check helps keep everything in working order. It’s a proactive way to care for your vision.
You should have a contact lens fitting every year. This allows your doctor to catch any small changes in your eyes or vision. It also helps them update your prescription as needed.
Contact Us to Discuss Contact Lenses Today
A contact lens fitting is all about personalizing your vision care. And it’s an important step to maintaining good eye health for years to come. Our team at Optometric Group of Fontana, Upland and Rancho Cucamonga is ready to help you explore your contact lens options. Contact the team at 1 of our 3 locations in Fontana, Upland, or Rancho Cucamonga to get started.
