Contact Lens Exam

If you wear or want contacts, you need a contact lens exam in addition to a comprehensive eye exam. Your eye doctor will perform special tests during a contact lens exam to evaluate your vision with contacts. The first test will measure your eye surface to determine what size and type of contacts are best for you. Your doctor may also do a tear film evaluation to make sure you have enough tears to comfortably wear contacts. 

With the results of those tests, your eye doctor can provide a contact lens prescription that is the right fit for your eyes. An eyeglass prescription is no substitute for a contact lens exam because the two are very different. An eyeglass prescription measures for lenses that are positioned approximately 12 millimeters from your eyes; whereas a contact lens prescription measures for lenses that sit directly on the surface of the eye. An improper fitting or prescription of contacts can damage the health of the eyes. 

Once you have the correct fit and prescription for contacts, you'll need to decide whether you want disposable contacts or extended wear and if you want your contacts to be colored. 

Your doctor will fit you with a trial pair of contacts and have you wear them for a few days. In about a week, you'll need a follow-up exam to make sure you have adjusted to your new lenses. 

Wearing contact lenses is not without risks.  Poorly fitted or cheap lenses, abuse of wearing time or replacement schedule, or overnight wear are some of the causes of an increase in the risk of sight-threatening eye infections.  

The lenses which carry the least risk of related pathology are referred to as "Dailies", which are to be discarded after each use.  These are also most appropriate for patients who prefer only part-time wear, have had previous lens-related infections or allergies, and for those wearers who want the most convenient lenses possible.  

Other Disposable lens brands are discarded weekly, every two weeks, or monthly, depending on the lens that best fits your eye lifestyle and habits.  Disposable lenses are can be prescribed for astigmatism, and are available in multifocal (bifocals) and colors.

For those patients with special fitting needs due to corneal distortion, trauma, keratoconus, or scarring, Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP's) are the best option.  These are typically custom made and the exam and fitting process is usually more involved and time-consuming.  As previously mentioned, Dr. Massengale is well versed in the intricacies and challenges of these special circumstances.

A WORD ABOUT EXTENDED WEAR

Most lenses approved by the FDA in the last 10 years have been approved for overnight wear.  But, much like the fact that your car can go over 100 MPH, it's usually never a good idea to do so.  It's the same idea with overnight wear.  Studies to determine why some patients suffer serious sight or eye-threatening corneal infections, all rate routine overnight wear as the single greatest risk.  Dr. Massengale’s recommendation is that patients DO NOT sleep in their lenses. Keeping overnight wear to a minimum, as circumstances may dictate the occasional need, is certainly less of a risk than routine overnight wear.

Whether you wear glasses or contacts, it's a good idea to get a yearly eye exam to see if you have new or existing vision problems and if you need vision correction. 

HANDLING YOUR CONTACT LENSES

Click to watch a video on “How to Take Off Contact Lenses”