Contact Lens Exam and Fitting

Did you know that contacts are considered medical devices?  Because they are considered a medical device, you need a contact lens prescription in order to buy them, and your eye doctor is required to make sure that your vision examination for your contact lens prescription involves finding the right fit for your lenses.

For contact lens wearers, a contact lens exam is absolutely necessary to ensure the lenses are fitting both eyes properly and that the health of your eyes are not harmed by contact lenses. For example, not everyone's eyes make enough tears to even wear contact lenses.  We will consult with you about your lifestyle, e.g., if you are involved in a lot of sports, etc. and will involve measurements.

Patients need to be careful to get a proper fit, and also learn how to clean and store them safely. Getting contacts from an eye care doctor, complete with a special exam, is the way to go, not through mail order.

 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 the eye. An improper fitting or prescription of contacts can damage the health of the eyes.

Your eye exam at Wohl Optics measures the curvature of your cornea, your eye’s clear front surface. The doctor will evaluate the cornea for abnormalities that are specifically related to contact lens wear including corneal edema, corneal infiltrates, corneal neovascularization, and endothelial cell loss. The cornea will also be assessed for signs of improper contact lens fitting. Corneal diameter will be measured and compared to current contact lens diameter to determine if any adjustment in lens size is needed. Corneal surface curvature as well as the amount and axis of astigmatism will be analyzed to see if any change in contact lens base curvature is warranted.

Your pupil and iris size will be measured. If you tend to have dry eyes, we may also perform a tear film evaluation to make sure you are prescribed contact lenses that keep your eyes sufficiently moist.  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.

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

Are you experiencing poor vision and discomfort while wearing contacts in Pennsylvania where allergies can run rampant? Can’t read up close with your contacts? Come see us to get the best contact lens that is tailored for your prescription and specific eye health.

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