Contact Lens Fitting

It's important to understand that a comprehensive eye exam does not include a contact lens fitting, and therefore you will not be given a contact lens prescription at the end of a routine eye exam.

A contact lens fitting is additional testing to your comprehensive exam to measure your eye’s surface to determine what size and type of contacts are best for you. In addition, the doctor will evaluate you general tear quality and quantity to ensure you have enough healthy tears to comfortably and healthily wear contacts.

With the results of those tests, your optometrist can provide a contact lens prescription that is properly fitted for your eyes. An eyeglass prescription cannot be substitued for a contact lens prescription and exam. 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. This can often result in a different prescription and altered clarity of vision. Improperly fitting contacts and/or an incorrect prescription of contacts can damage the health of the eyes.

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