Regular eye exams are ideal to ensure your eye health remains in check. However, it is essential to know that routine eye examinations may not be enough to start wearing contact lenses. There is a significant difference between an eyeglass examination and a contact lens exam. Read on to learn more.

What Is a Contact Lens Exam?

Individuals who want to wear contact lenses must go for a contact lens exam. You may require it in addition to getting a comprehensive eye examination. Your specialist at Clarity Vision will conduct tests to assess your vision when you wear the contacts. They will also evaluate the shape and size of your eyes to ensure you get the correct fit of contacts.

What Is an Eye Exam for Eye Glasses?

An eye exam is essential in taking care of your eye health. Your eye doctor will perform a series of tests to check for eye diseases and evaluate your vision. After the examination, they will discuss the results and vision correction.

What Is the Difference?

Eye exams for glasses examine your eye health and vision through different tests to check your visual acuity and eye conditions. However, contact lens examinations only test your ability to see details of objects and shapes at a distance. They then fit your eyes for contact lenses. People who want to wear contact lenses need a separate exam because contact lenses are medical devices.

What to Expect in a Contact Lens Exam

Contact lens exams assess your eyes to evaluate if they are ideal for contacts. However, your optometrist also checks if contact lenses will be a healthy solution for your eyes.

Below are the steps you should expect in a contact lens exam:

 

• Evaluation of prescription - Prescription diagnosis is part of this examination. Your specialist will have to do it even if you wear eyeglasses with an up-to-date prescription.
   

• Measuring your eyes - Taking eye measurements ensures the contacts you receive fit correctly according to the shape of your eyes. Your eye specialist will measure the shape and size of your eye curvature, pupil, and cornea using different instruments. A corneal topographer or a keratometer can effectively analyze your eye and cornea shape. As a result, your eye doctor will give you an accurate prescription. You will also get contacts that sit on your eye surface without slipping. Pupil size measurement also ensures the correct positioning of the lenses.
   

• Contact lens trial and adaptation - Contact lens fitting may not necessarily end once you receive your first pair. Your optometrist will give you a trial pair to test out at home as they prepare the final contacts. The trial and adaptation period will help the patient learn what contact lenses suit their life and wear style.
   

• Follow-up examination - Your optometrist will need to assess your eye health and comfort after a while. They will also need to check the alignment and fit of the lenses.

Cost of Contact Lens Exams

Contact lens examinations are generally more costly than eye exams for prescription glasses. They are more expensive due to the additional tests required for evaluating eye size and shape.

For more about contact lens exams, visit Clarity Vision at our offices in Holly Springs. Call (919) 646-2900 to book an appointment today.