What to Expect During Contact Lens Exams

You can enjoy the benefits of contact lenses and ditch the cumbersome eyeglasses. However, you cannot walk into an optometrist’s office and ask for a contact lens without undergoing comprehensive eye examinations. A contact lens specialist Edgewater will determine whether you are an ideal candidate for the lenses. 

Comprehensive tests like visual acuity determine if you need vision correction and are a base for further tests. However, contact lens examination helps an individual find the optimal contact lens prescription. These tips and tests will ensure you get the right lens that fits the unique curvature and eye size.

The Curvature and Cornea Size

The curvature test ensures the eye doctor finds the base curvature for the lenses, as the right lens size improves its appearance and functionality. Your doctor will use a keratometer, an instrument that shows how the light reflects off the cornea. The light reflection makes it possible to measure the curve of the cornea. Additionally, you may ask the optometrist to use the corneal topographer instrument, which improves the accuracy of the results. The test will indicate the color-coded details of the cornea, thus making it easy for patients to choose the contact lenses which resemble their eye color. However, you can improve your appearance with contact lenses that don’t resemble the natural color of the cornea.

Pupil and Iris Size Test

The size of the pupil or iris affects the size of the chosen contact lenses, especially if you choose rigid permeable lenses. The optometrist can approximate the size of the pupil by holding a card with different pupil sizes close to the eye. However, you will obtain the right pupil size using an automated instrument as it shows the exact pupil size and measure the horizontal and diameter of the pupil.

Tear Film Evaluation

The test shows the ability to wear the contact lenses successfully, as it determines if you are the right candidate for the contact lenses. The test shows issues such as dry eye syndrome affecting contact lens wearers. You may experience irritation, itchiness, and discomfort due to dry eyes. Your doctor will recommend eyeglasses or special contact lenses for mild dry eyes.

Contact Lens Trial Fitting

Your optometrist will recommend contact lens fitting after an exam if you meet all the requirements. You will wear the trial lens for a few minutes, and the optometrist will record your reaction to wearing the lenses. They will determine the lens’s appearance, comfort, and visual acuity. You might try different contact lenses until you find the one which meets your needs.

Contact Lens Education

Your doctor will educate you on how to care for your lenses after finding the ones that meet your needs. They will teach you how to insert and remove the lens from the eyes properly. After choosing the right lenses, you will visit the optometrist after a week to evaluate and correct any arising issues.

Eyeglasses can be cumbersome, and you may wish to switch to contact lenses. However, you should take some tests to ensure the contact lenses are ideal. First, you would take a curvature and cornea test, which improves the possibility of having the right lens size. The pupil and iris exam and tear film test are ideal during the exams, as they determine the suitability of the lenses. Finally, your doctor will educate you on ways to remove and insert contact lenses and recommend trail contact lenses before customizing lenses that meet your needs.