Contact Lens Exam
Contact lenses offer a convenient alternative to wearing eyeglasses. There are many different options available, whether you’d like to wear them every day, during sports, or simply for special occasions. Whether you are new to wearing contact lenses or have been wearing them for some time, you’ll need a contact lens exam to obtain a prescription to wear contact lenses.
What is a contact lens exam?
During a comprehensive eye exam, we evaluate both your eye health and vision. If you’re interested in wearing contacts, or already wear them, you’ll also need a contact lens exam to ensure your eyes are suitable for contact lenses or that your current lenses are still working well for you.
A contact lens eye exam includes special tests to determine your contact lens prescription and confirm the proper fit. If you’re interested in switching to contacts, be sure to let us know when scheduling your appointment so we can include a contact lens exam as a part of your visit.
What to expect during a contact lens eye exam
Typically, a contact lens exam at Primary Eye Care of Arlington and South Main in Memphis, TN, will include:
- Measuring your cornea (the front surface of the eye) to determine the curvature and size of your contact lens. If you have astigmatism, you may need to wear a toric lens (a special type of contact lens that corrects irregularities on the surface of your eye).
- Measuring the size of your pupil or iris size.
- Evaluating your tear film to ensure you have sufficient tears to keep the contact lenses moist and comfortable.
Our eye doctors will also consider your health history and daily activities, so we can recommend the best contact lenses for your eyes and lifestyle.
Your contact lens prescription
Contact lens prescriptions are different than eyeglass prescriptions, which is why you need a contact lens exam. The contact lens prescription will designate contact lens power, a base curve (a shape matching the curvature of your eye), and diameter. We may provide a trial pair of contact lenses so you can find the ones that fit comfortably and give you the clearest vision.
Our friendly, knowledgeable team will show you how to insert and remove your contact lenses and, if needed, how to store them correctly. It is important to follow our instructions, especially regarding the contact lens wear schedule, to ensure you have comfortable, clear vision every day and to avoid developing an eye infection.
Contact lens follow-up exam
Depending on your history with the prescribed contact lenses, we may ask you to schedule a follow-up appointment. During this visit, we will check whether your lenses are fitting well and ensure your eyes are adjusting properly.
Your contact lens options
We have many different contact lens options for patients. When recommending contact lenses, our eye doctors consider your lifestyle, visual needs, and eye health.
Contact lens options include the following:
Rigid gas permeable lenses
Rigid gas permeable lenses, also known as RGP lenses, are firm or hard instead of soft. They are made of materials that allow oxygen to flow through to the cornea, the front surface of the eye.
RGP lenses keep their shape on the eye, so they don’t move around on the eye the way soft contact lenses sometimes do. RGP lenses are sometimes recommended to slow down the progression of nearsightedness in young people.
Toric rigid gas permeable lenses are a good option for people with astigmatism because they are customized to the eye shape, so they often feel more comfortable and provide better quality vision.
Soft contact lenses
Soft contact lenses are the most common type of contact lens and are very popular. These lenses are used for correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. They typically feel more comfortable initially and are easier to adjust to than RGP lenses.
Soft contact lenses come in various types to address specific vision needs, like astigmatism, and different wear schedules. No matter which lens your eye doctor prescribes, it’s important to follow the recommended wear time to prevent eye infections.
Daily disposable soft contact lenses are designed to be worn for a single day and then thrown away. Weekly, biweekly, and monthly soft contact lenses are worn during the day and removed at night for cleaning and storage.
Colored contact lenses
Cosmetic contact lenses can enhance or completely change the color of your iris. They are still prescription contact lenses, however, and require the same care as regular lenses. You should always get a prescription from a qualified optometrist for colored contact lenses, even if you don’t wear them for vision correction.
Schedule a contact lens exam in Arlington or South Main
Our expert doctors and team are here for all your contact lens exam and contact lens prescription needs. We take your health history and unique visual needs into account, ensuring you find contacts that fit comfortably and provide optimal vision.
Make your vision a priority and schedule your contact eye exam in Arlington or Memphis today.
Can I sleep in my contacts?
Sleeping in contact lenses increases the risk of contact lens related complications. This can lead to permanent damage to the cornea which can lead to vision changes or vision loss. If you are sleeping in your contacts, talk to you doctor about better options.
Can I use my eyeglass prescription to buy over-the-counter contact lenses?
Contact lens prescriptions and eyeglass prescriptions are different. Not all contact lenses fit the same. It is important that the contact lens fits well so that the long term health of the cornea (the structure at the front of the eye that helps us see). You should have a separate contact lens prescription if you desire to wear contacts.
Is it safe for me to clean my contact lenses with a homemade solution?
No.