Specialty Contact Lenses

You may not have known that a contact lens exam differs from a regular eye exam, but it does. Here’s what you need to know about them.

Whether you’re trying contacts for the first time or need a new prescription, you must have a contact lens fitting. The Canadian Association of Optometrists advises that there are risks involved in buying your contacts online as it may not be up to the manufacturing safety standards. When scheduling your appointment, make it clear that you need a contact lens prescription. That way, your eye doctor can allocate enough time to perform all the necessary tests. Have your regular eye exam and your contact lens exam with the same doctor since it will save you trouble.

Every contact lens exam begins with a consultation where your optometrist asks about your medical history and lifestyle. Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all contact lenses. Your doctor will consider your general health, hobbies, and profession to decide which contacts are right for you. The doctor will proceed by measuring your corneal curvature, pupil and iris size and shape, and evaluate your tear film quantity and quality.

If it is your first time wearing contact lenses, you will learn in the office the techniques of insertion and removal of contact lenses, as well as how to care for your eyes while using contact lenses to avoid any complications. If all is successful and the doctor determines that you are a suitable candidate to proceed with contact lens wear and you can handle them safely, trials of contact lenses are provided for you to take home. Those trials are included in your initial contact lens fitting fee. Please note that contact lens fitting service is a private pay service or can be covered by your medical insurance.

After your initial contact lens fitting, you will have to schedule a follow-up appointment. If your lenses fit well, your vision is sharp and you experience no discomfort, great. Your doctor will release your final contact lens prescription and will expect to check contact lenses on your eyes every year to ensure the ongoing good health of your eyes. But for some people, it takes a few tries to find the perfect lenses.