Contact Lens Exam
Contact lenses can offer a convenient alternative to wearing eyeglasses. Many contact lens options are available whether you would like to wear them every day, during sports, or simply for special occasions. For many people, contacts offer flexibility and freedom that eyeglasses do not. Whether you’re new to wearing contact lenses, or have been wearing them for some time, you need a contact lens exam for a prescription to wear contact lenses.
What is a Contact Lens Exam?
While a comprehensive eye exam checks the overall health of your eyes and your vision, a contact lens exam specifically evaluates your eyes to determine if you are a good candidate to wear contact lenses. Contact lens exams are typically conducted in addition to a comprehensive eye exam, as your doctor will perform special tests to determine your contact lens prescription and proper fit. If you wear contact lenses or would like to wear contact lenses, please let us know when you schedule your appointment as your contact lens exam will be conducted in addition to the comprehensive eye exam.
One size does not fit all when it comes to contact lenses. At your contact lens examination at Pathway Eye, your doctor will measure the curvature of your cornea, the front surface of your eye. This measurement will help them select the best type and size of contact for you; for instance, if you have astigmatism, then you may need to wear a special type of contact lens called a toric lens. They may also check your pupil or iris size and observe the quality of your tears with a tear film evaluation to ensure you have sufficient tears to keep the contact lenses moist and comfortable.
Your doctor at Pathway Eye will also take your health history and lifestyle into account to help them make the right determination on the type of contact lens best for your needs.
Your Contact Lens Prescription
Contact lens prescriptions are very different than eyeglass prescriptions, which is why it is important to have a contact lens exam conducted. Based on the results of your examination, your doctor at Pathway Eye will provide a contact lens prescription that is right for your eyes and will meet the demands of your day-to-day life.
A wide variety of contact lenses are available. Your doctor may give you a trial pair of contact lenses for you to wear to find those that sit most comfortably on your eye and provide the clearest, most enjoyable vision experience.
The team at Pathway Eye will ensure that you know how to insert and remove your contact lenses, and if applicable, the proper way to store them. It is important to follow their instructions, particularly on the contact lens wear schedule, to ensure you enjoy comfortable, clear vision every day in your contact lenses, and to avoid developing an eye infection.
Contact Lens Follow-up Exam
Depending on your history with the contact lens prescribed to you, you may be asked to come back to Pathway Eye for a follow-up exam so that your doctor can check how the contact lens fits on your eye, whether you are comfortable in your contact lenses, and if your vision is clear. If you are interested in wearing contact lenses, contact Pathway Eye today to schedule your contact lens exam and fitting.
Schedule an appointment with an optometrist at Pathway Eye for a contact lens exam
Our qualified team of eye doctors is here for your contact lens exam and contact lens prescription needs, taking your health history and unique visual needs into account. Make your healthy vision a priority and contact our office to schedule your contact lens exam. Schedule an appointment for a contact lens exam at a Pathway Eye location near you at one of our Alabama or Tennessee offices.
Can I sleep in my contacts?
Some contact lenses are safe to sleep in, but not all. If you want to be able to safely sleep in your contact lenses, please let the technician and doctor know at your eye exam, and we can help fit you in the right contact lenses for sleeping.
Can I use my eyeglass prescription to buy over-the-counter contact lenses?
No. Contact lens prescriptions are very different from glasses prescriptions. Also, we don’t recommend purchasing contact lenses from online sources who may not follow the same standards for safe storage and transportation of the lenses.
Is it safe for me to clean my contact lenses with a homemade solution?
No. You should always use an appropriate contact lens cleaner or solution. Homemade solutions are not safe for use on contacts and can greatly increase risk of painful and potentially blinding eye infections.