Contact Lens Fittings: Clear Vision, Lasting Comfort, and Eye Health

Your ophthalmologist begins by checking your overall eye health and vision, with specific attention to factors that could impact contact lens wear. This comprehensive approach ensures your lenses will rest comfortably and safely on your eye surface. The evaluation includes tear film assessment to check moisture stability and screen for dryness, a slit lamp examination to detect surface irregularities or inflammation, and precise vision measurement to determine the optimal correction for contacts.

Specialized instruments measure the unique characteristics of your eyes. Corneal curvature is measured with a keratometer to ensure the lens curve matches your eye shape. Pupil and iris size are measured to select a lens diameter that centers properly and provides clear vision in all lighting conditions. Tear film quality is evaluated to ensure your eyes produce enough moisture for comfortable lens wear throughout the day.

Based on your measurements, you will try diagnostic contact lenses to assess how they feel and perform. Your doctor places trial lenses on your eyes and uses a high-powered slit lamp microscope to evaluate proper lens movement and centration. Comprehensive visual acuity testing determines how effectively the lenses correct your vision during actual wear. Proper lens movement is essential for maintaining eye health, as it allows fresh tears to circulate beneath the lens and prevents complications. A follow-up visit is typically scheduled after about one week of trial wear to finalize the fit and address any comfort or vision concerns.

Learning to safely insert, remove, and care for your contact lenses is a crucial part of your fitting. For first-time wearers, our team provides hands-on training to ensure you feel confident handling your lenses before you leave. This education covers proper insertion and removal techniques, appropriate cleaning and disinfection protocols, and how to recognize warning signs that require immediate attention. Proper care practices are essential for preventing eye infections and maintaining comfortable lens wear.

Once your trial is successful, your ophthalmologist provides your final contact lens prescription. This prescription differs from an eyeglass prescription because it includes lens-specific details such as base curve, diameter, power adjustments for vertex distance, and the specific brand and material type. These additional specifications are legally required and ensure your contacts fit safely and provide clear vision.

An eyeglass prescription measures your vision correction needs but does not account for how a lens fits directly on your corneal surface. Contact lens fittings include measurements of your corneal curvature, eye diameter, and tear film quality that are essential for safe, comfortable lens wear. Additionally, the power of contact lenses must be adjusted from eyeglass prescriptions because of the different distance from your eye, especially for prescriptions stronger than plus or minus 4.00 diopters.

No, contact lens prescriptions are legally distinct from eyeglass prescriptions and include additional parameters necessary for proper fit and safety. These include base curve, diameter, lens brand, and material specifications that are not part of eyeglass prescriptions. Using an incorrect or outdated contact lens prescription can lead to serious complications including discomfort, corneal damage, and vision-threatening infections.

A comprehensive fitting involves measuring your corneal curvature with a keratometer to match the lens shape to your eye. Pupil and iris diameter are measured to ensure the lens covers the appropriate area and centers properly. Tear film quality is evaluated to assess whether your eyes produce enough moisture to support comfortable lens wear throughout the day.

A complete fitting for a new wearer usually takes 60 to 90 minutes, including the eye examination, precise measurements, trial lens evaluation, and comprehensive instruction on lens handling and care. For experienced contact lens wearers switching to a different lens type or updating their prescription, the appointment may be shorter.

Yes, many options exist for patients with dry eyes. Daily disposable lenses can be beneficial because they do not accumulate deposits and you start fresh each day. Lenses made from special moisture-retaining materials or with higher water content may improve comfort. Scleral lenses vault over the cornea and maintain a reservoir of fluid on the eye surface, making them an excellent option for severe dry eye.

Contact your ophthalmologist at ReFocus Eye Health Bloomfield (NW) right away if trial lenses cause discomfort, blurred vision, or irritation. Often, a minor adjustment to the lens type, size, curvature, or material can resolve the problem. Continuing to wear uncomfortable lenses can lead to corneal irritation, inflammation, or infection.

No, you should never expose your contact lenses to water from pools, showers, hot tubs, lakes, or oceans. Water contains harmful microorganisms including bacteria, amoebae, and other pathogens that can cause severe eye infections. Swimming with contacts significantly increases your risk of acanthamoeba keratitis, a painful and difficult-to-treat infection that can lead to vision loss. If you must swim with contacts, wear watertight goggles and discard the lenses immediately after exposure to water.

You should not sleep in your contact lenses unless they are specifically approved for extended wear and your ophthalmologist has determined it is safe for your individual eyes. Sleeping in most contact lenses makes you six to eight times more likely to develop a serious corneal infection. When you sleep in lenses, your cornea receives less oxygen, which impairs its ability to protect itself from microorganisms and increases the risk of microbial keratitis.

Place the lens on the tip of your finger and look at it from the side. If it forms a perfect bowl or cup shape with the edges pointing straight upward, the lens is oriented correctly. If the edges flare outward like a saucer or plate, the lens is inside out and should be flipped before insertion.

Yes, many children and teenagers can successfully wear contact lenses, especially for sports and other activities where eyeglasses may be inconvenient. Success depends more on the child's maturity level and ability to consistently follow proper hygiene and care instructions rather than age alone. Our ophthalmologists at ReFocus Eye Health Bloomfield (NW) can assess whether your child is ready for contact lenses during a comprehensive fitting appointment.