Process of Getting Contact Lenses From Start to Finish

After being diagnosed with a vision problem, you may choose to get either prescription glasses or contacts. Contact lenses are thin, transparent pieces of plastic that you wear directly on the eye. They are ideal if you prefer not to have corrective surgery or wear spectacles. After finding and scheduling an appointment with your eye doctor, you will undergo the following process.

Eye Exam

Before getting your contact lenses, your doctor must perform a thorough eye exam. It involves reviewing your medical history, cover test, retinopathy, and a refraction test. They may survey the surface of your eyes for any changes if you are already wearing contacts. Only after running these tests can the doctor prescribe your contact lenses.

Selecting a Preference

Your optometrist will consult with you on your expectations and contact lens preferences. They will present you with a variety of lenses. These include overnight contacts, disposable lenses, and ones that cater to certain eye conditions.

People above 40 may receive advice on how lenses affect age-related vision issues like presbyopia. The doctor will address vision or comfort problems like dry eyes if you wear contacts. Such situations may require changing to a specific lens to combat the problem.

Exterior Eye Measurements

To benefit from contact lenses, you need them to fit comfortably in the center of your eye. Your optometrist will take exact measurements of your eyes to ensure this happens. The process involves measuring the size of your iris and pupil, plus the curvature and surface of your eye. Getting a proper fit is vital for both vision correction and comfort. The information your doctor gathers will compensate for the disparity between spectacle and contact lenses.

Tear Film Evaluation

Evaluation involves measuring the volume of tear film settling on your eye. Optometrists often perform this test on persons suffering from forms of dry eyes. The information helps them determine whether your eyes generate enough tear film to support contact lenses. They may not recommend contacts if you have an insufficient tear film or chronically dry eyes.

With technological advancement, you can benefit from contacts even with tear film deficiencies. Newer lenses deliver and maintain moisture on the surface of your eyes throughout the day. There are other solutions to this issue, which your doctor may recommend.

Lens Fitting

The last step involves fitting you with a pair of trial contact lenses. Your optometrist uses these to ensure a good fit before customizing your contacts. They scrutinize the movement and alignment of the lenses sitting on your eyes. After confirming the fit, they may run several tests to ensure your prescription is correct. You may have to wear the lenses for at least a week before scheduling a follow-up exam with the doctor. After this, you can order lenses from any vendor using your prescription.

Once you get your lenses, it is essential to spare time to practice wearing and caring for them. Religiously follow your doctor’s recommendations, especially concerning hygiene, to avoid infections. Consult your doctor in the event of any complications.

For more information on getting contact lenses from start to finish, contact Optique Vision at our Albany, New York office. Call (518) 302-2106 to schedule an appointment today.