What to Expect During Your Contact Lens Fitting and Evaluation

If you’re considering contact lenses for the first time or looking to update your current prescription, a comprehensive contact lens fitting and evaluation is essential. This process ensures that your lenses provide clear vision, comfort, and support for your eye health. At Highlands Optometry, we take a personalized approach to contact lens fittings, helping you find the best option for your unique vision needs.

Why a Contact Lens Fitting Is Important

Unlike glasses, contact lenses sit directly on the eye, which means that even slight variations in fit and material can significantly impact vision and comfort. A thorough fitting ensures that the lenses align properly with your eye’s shape, size, and tear film composition. Poorly fitted lenses can cause discomfort, blurry vision, and even long-term eye damage.

What Happens During a Contact Lens Fitting?

A contact lens fitting involves several key steps:

1. Eye Examination and Prescription Update

Before fitting your lenses, your optometrist will conduct a comprehensive eye exam to check your overall eye health and update your prescription. This step is crucial, as contact lens prescriptions differ from glasses prescriptions.

2. Corneal Measurements

Your eye doctor will take detailed measurements of your cornea—the clear, dome-shaped surface at the front of your eye. These measurements help determine the appropriate contact lens size and curvature for a comfortable and secure fit.

3. Tear Film Evaluation

Since contact lenses rest on the eye’s tear film, your optometrist will assess your tear production and quality. This evaluation helps determine if you are prone to dry eyes and whether specialty lenses or lubricating eye drops may be needed.

4. Trial Lenses and Fit Assessment

Once the right type of lens is chosen, you will be fitted with a trial pair. Your optometrist will assess how the lenses sit on your eye, how they move with each blink, and whether they provide clear and stable vision. You may be asked to wear the trial lenses for a short period to ensure they remain comfortable.

5. Vision and Comfort Check

After inserting the trial lenses, your optometrist will conduct a vision test to ensure that they correct your vision appropriately. They will also ask about comfort, dryness, and any irritation to determine if adjustments are necessary.

6. Lens Handling and Care Instructions

Proper lens care is essential for maintaining eye health and preventing infections. Your optometrist will teach you how to insert, remove, clean, and store your lenses safely. Following these guidelines will help extend the life of your lenses and protect your eyes.

7. Follow-Up Appointments

After wearing your new lenses for a few days, a follow-up visit will be scheduled to reassess the fit and comfort. This step ensures that your lenses continue to provide clear vision and do not cause irritation or dryness.

Why Routine Contact Lens Evaluations Matter

Even if you have been wearing contact lenses for years, annual evaluations are necessary to monitor eye health and check for any changes in your prescription. Over time, your eyes can change, and new lens technologies may provide better comfort and vision correction. Regular check-ups help prevent complications such as infections, corneal damage, or worsening dry eye symptoms.

Get Started at Highlands Optometry Today

A proper contact lens fitting and evaluation is a crucial step in achieving clear vision and maintaining eye health. We take the time to assess your needs and find the perfect lenses for your lifestyle. Whether you’re new to contact lenses or need an updated prescription, our team is here to ensure a comfortable and successful fit.

Schedule your contact lens exam and fitting with Highlands Optometry and experience the difference of expert care tailored to your vision needs. Visit our office in Bristol or Wise, Virginia. Please call (276) 466-4227 or (276) 679-5612, respectively, to book an appointment today.