Why You Need a Contact Lens Exam

If you plan to wear contact lenses, you will need a separate eye exam for contact lens wearers. The reason is contact lenses are medical devices. Therefore, the doctor needs to confirm that your eyes fit their use.

What Is a Contact Lens Exam?

A contact lens exam includes additional tests and procedures to determine the best type of contact lens for you. The good news is that you can schedule it together with your routine comprehensive eye exam. That way, you will save time.

Why Get a Contact Lens Exam?

Contact lenses are not one-size-fits-all. They require proper fitting so they can safely correct your vision issues without creating more complications. Here are some reasons why you need a contact lens exam.

The Right Fit

You are comfortable and can see clearly when you have the proper fit of contact lenses. The optometrist will use various devices, including a keratometer, to measure the curvature of your cornea. This way, you get contact lenses that are suitable for your eyes. They will not easily fall out or irritate you.

Lifestyle

You will know more about contact lenses and the different choices available during the exam. This way, you can get the ones that fit your lifestyle. The various lenses include daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly, or annual replacements. These will help you adapt to contact lenses whatever your lifestyle.

Comfort

Comfort is everything when wearing contact lenses. Sometimes, they may fit well, but they are not comfortable. It may be due to a couple of factors. These include the material of the lens or the health of your eyes. During a contact lens exam, your doctor will consider these factors. Afterward, they will advise you on a comfortable fit for your eyes. 

They will take into consideration any eye conditions you may have. Conditions like astigmatism and dry eyes may affect how comfortably your lenses fit on your eyes.

Prescription Changes

You must schedule your contact lens exams every year or as often as you change your contact lenses. The reason for this is prescription changes. If you have been wearing the same prescription for a while, you may notice that your vision gets blurry. You thus need to update the power of your lenses.

Remember that contact prescriptions are different from those of eyeglasses. That is why you need a contact lens exam. If you want to switch to eyeglasses, you will need an eyeglass exam.

Dangers of Not Getting a Contact Lens Exam

Skipping your contact lens exam may result in lenses that may not fit. These lenses may cause corneal abrasions, ulcers, infections, and vision loss. They may stop the cornea from receiving the necessary nutrients and oxygen if they are too tight. If they are loose, they may fall out. 

There is also a chance that you may develop contact lens intolerance. The condition may cause you to use eyeglasses or undergo laser vision correction. Therefore, it is necessary to go for a contact lens exam to avoid more complications.

For more information on contact lens exams, call Ocean Park Optometry at (310) 452-1039 to reach our office in Santa Monica, California.