PROCESS OF A CONTACT LENS EXAM
Contact lenses need to be able to fix all types of vision problems, and they need to fit the shape of your eyes. The lenses need to be customized for you and every other patient. That can make the exam for getting contact lenses to seem as though it is complicated. However, once you can begin to understand what each scan, test, and device does during the exam, you will see that the process is very cool.
Visual Portion
If you have gotten glasses in the past, then you may have experienced this part of the exam. Because contact lenses fix the same types of vision problems that glasses do, the exam will be similar. You will use the same kinds of charts so that the eye doctor can choose the right type of eyeglasses for you. You should be prepared to look at and read some numbers and letters.
The Contact Lens Fitting
During this portion of the exam, your eye doctor will ensure that the contacts will fit you properly. To do this, the eye doctor will do some different scans and tests so your eye’s curvature and size can be determined. Some people may be able to have a one-size-fits-all type of contact. However, most people need to have customized contact lenses.
The eye doctor will use a keratometer so that the surface of your cornea can be measured. This machine will measure the way that the light will reflect off the surface of your eye. There will be a number of different scans from the computer to get these measurements.
The size of your pupil in relation to the rest of your eye will be measured with a comparative chart. All of these tests will help the eye doctor to choose which contact lenses to get for you.
Checking For Dry Eyes
If you have dry eyes, it can be more difficult to wear contact lenses properly. They can make your eyes dry out faster. For this reason, the eye doctor will check the glands around your eyes. These glands produce tears, and the eye doctor will check how well they work.
If the glands do not work well, you might get a different type of contact. Contacts from some types of materials work better for people who have dry eyes. You may also need to use special eye drops every so often when you have your contacts in.
Making Sure The Lenses Fit
During the exam for contact lenses, the eye doctor will look at the way your contacts fit on the surface of your eyes. You will wear the contacts briefly before the eye doctor looks at them. This will be done using a tiny microscope. This is also used during your yearly eye exam to see if you need to have any changes in your contact lenses.
If you are thinking about getting contact lenses or want more information, please contact Longview Eye Associates in Longview, Texas, today.