What Happens During a Contact Lens Exam and Fitting

A comprehensive eye exam checks your overall vision and eye health, but a contact lens exam goes a step further. Since contact lenses sit directly on the eye, they need to fit properly, feel comfortable, and provide clear vision throughout the day.

At First Class Eye Care in Duluth, GA, our doctors use detailed measurements and personalized recommendations to help patients find contact lenses that match their prescription, eye shape, lifestyle, and comfort needs.

Measuring the Front Surface of the Eye

One of the most important parts of a contact lens exam is measuring the front surface of the eye. These measurements help determine the right lens size, shape, and curvature. A lens that is too tight, too loose, or poorly matched to the eye can cause discomfort, blurry vision, dryness, or irritation.

Your doctor will also evaluate your prescription and discuss how you use your vision day to day. This may include work, screen time, sports, driving, or whether you prefer daily wear, multifocal lenses, or another contact lens option.

Choosing the Right Type of Contact Lenses

Contact lens technology has improved significantly, which means many patients have more options than they may realize. During the fitting, your eye doctor will recommend lenses based on your eyes and visual goals.

Common soft contact lens options may include:

• Spherical lenses for basic vision correction
• Toric lenses for astigmatism
• Multifocal lenses for distance and near vision
• Multifocal toric lenses for astigmatism and presbyopia
• Monovision lenses, where one eye is corrected for distance and the other for near vision

For certain patients, specialty contact lenses may also be recommended. These can include scleral lenses, rigid gas permeable lenses, or hybrid lenses for conditions such as keratoconus, dry eye, post-LASIK vision changes, or irregular corneas.

Evaluating the Fit on Your Eyes

Once your doctor selects a lens, the contacts are placed on your eyes and carefully evaluated. This allows the doctor to check how the lens sits, moves, and performs with each blink. The goal is to make sure your contact lenses provide clear vision without disrupting the health of the eye.

Your doctor may ask about comfort, clarity, and how the lenses feel after they settle. Sometimes, small adjustments are needed before finding the best fit.

First-Time Contact Lens Wearers

If you are new to contact lenses, the fitting also includes guidance on how to insert, remove, and care for your lenses safely. Proper hygiene is essential because contacts can increase the risk of eye infections if they are not handled correctly.  Your eye care team will walk you through the process so you feel confident before wearing your lenses on your own.

Contact Lenses for Children and Teens

Children and teens may be good candidates for contact lenses when they are motivated and able to follow hygiene instructions. Contact lenses can be especially helpful for sports, activities, and active lifestyles.

Some contact lenses, such as MiSight and Ortho-K, may also be used for myopia management to help slow the progression of nearsightedness in children.

Finding a Comfortable, Clear Fit

A successful contact lens fitting is about more than getting the right prescription. It is about finding lenses that work well with your eyes, your routine, and your long-term eye health. With the right exam and fitting, contacts can be a comfortable and convenient option for everyday vision correction.

See clearly and comfortably with the right contacts - schedule your contact lens exam and fitting with First Class Eye Care in Duluth, GA by calling (404) 793-3937.