What to Expect During a Contact Lens Exam: A Step-by-Step Guide

Thinking about trying contact lenses for the first time? It may feel a little intimidating—after all, you’re putting something directly into your eye! But don’t worry—we’ll walk you through exactly what to expect during your contact lens exam so you can feel confident and prepared.

Step 1: Start with a Comprehensive Eye Exam

Before fitting you for contact lenses, your optometrist will check your overall eye health and vision. This includes:

✔️ Reviewing your health history (medical conditions, medications, and eye concerns)
✔️ Standard eye tests to assess vision, depth perception, color vision, and peripheral vision
✔️ Measuring intraocular pressure to check for glaucoma
✔️ Examining your retina and optic nerve for signs of disease
✔️ Determining your vision prescription to see if contact lenses can improve your sight

Step 2: Discuss Your Contact Lens Preferences

Not all contact lenses are the same! Your eye doctor will talk with you about different options, including:

👁️ Daily disposable vs. extended wear lenses (which one fits your lifestyle?)
👁️ Soft vs. rigid gas-permeable lenses (comfort vs. clarity)
👁️ Colored contact lenses (want to enhance or change your eye color?)
👁️ Bifocal or multifocal lenses (for age-related vision changes)

Your doctor will help you choose the best lenses for comfort, clarity, and convenience.

Step 3: Eye Surface Measurements for the Perfect Fit

Your contact lenses need to fit precisely for clear vision and comfort. Your optometrist will measure:

📏 Corneal curvature using a keratometer to determine the right lens shape
📏 Pupil size with a measurement card or ruler for optimal lens coverage
📏 Tear film evaluation if you have dry eyes, to see if contacts are a good option

Step 4: The Contact Lens Fitting

Time to try them out! Your optometrist will insert a trial pair of contact lenses and evaluate:

✔️ Lens movement and alignment—to ensure the lenses aren’t too tight or loose
✔️ Vision clarity—adjustments may be needed for the best prescription
✔️ Comfort level—ensuring irritation-free wear

Step 5: Your Turn to Test the Lenses

You’ll take your trial lenses home and wear them for about a week. We will follow up with you in a week to make sure the following goals are met.

🔹 The lenses fit properly and feel comfortable
🔹 Your vision is clear with the prescription
🔹 There are no signs of irritation or dryness

If not, we will schedule you for a contact lens follow-up to address any issues that you might have.

Once everything checks out, you can order your supply of contact lenses and enjoy crisp, clear vision without glasses!

Book Your Contact Lens Exam Today!

Thinking about switching to contacts? Schedule a contact lens exam with a qualified optometrist to find the perfect fit for your eyes. Be sure to mention you're interested in contacts when booking your appointment so we can allow extra time for your fitting and consultation.

​​​​​​​Clear vision is just a lens away—book your appointment today!