Contact Lens Exams

What is a Contact Lens Exam?

A contact lens exam includes everything in a comprehensive eye exam, plus additional measurements and evaluation to ensure your lenses fit properly and keep your eyes healthy. We assess comfort, clarity, oxygen flow, and how your lenses interact with your tear film—so you can see well and wear contacts safely.

During your visit, we may:

• Confirm your prescription and overall eye health

• Take contact lens measurements and evaluate lens fit

• Provide trial lenses when appropriate

• Schedule a follow-up to confirm the best fit and vision

Why is an Annual Contact Lens Exam Needed?

Contact lenses are FDA-regulated medical devices and require a valid prescription. Even if your vision feels stable, your eyes can change over time—especially the cornea and tear film. Annual contact lens exams help reduce the risk of irritation, infection, and other preventable complications.

Annual evaluations help us:

• Confirm your lenses are still fitting safely and comfortably

• Catch early signs of dryness, inflammation, or irritation

• Update your prescription and lens type if better options are available

• Review hygiene, wear schedule, and replacement timing

New to contacts? We offer training so you feel confident with insertion, removal, cleaning, and wear schedules.

Types of Contact Lenses

Soft Contact Lenses (Daily / Bi-Weekly / Monthly)

Soft lenses are the most common option and are known for comfort. They’re made from breathable materials that allow oxygen to reach the cornea. Options include spherical, toric (for astigmatism), multifocal (for presbyopia), and colored lenses. Most are worn for a set schedule and then replaced—commonly daily, bi-weekly, or monthly.

Scleral Lenses

Scleral lenses are custom, larger-diameter lenses that rest on the whites of the eye (sclera). They can provide exceptionally crisp vision and a reservoir of hydration—often ideal for dry eye and irregular corneas such as keratoconus.

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses

RGP lenses are durable and resistant to deposit buildup. They can provide sharper, crisper vision than soft lenses for certain prescriptions and are an excellent option for many specialty fits.

Ortho-K (Overnight Vision Correction)

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) uses custom rigid lenses worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea so you can see clearly during the day without glasses or contacts. Results require consistent wear as prescribed.

Hard-to-Fit Contacts (Specialty Contact Lenses)

Contact lenses aren’t “one-size-fits-all.” Certain eye conditions can make standard lenses uncomfortable or less effective—but that often means you need specialty contact lenses, not that you can’t wear contacts at all. Our doctors will discuss your options and recommend the best lens design for your eyes and lifestyle.

Reasons for Hard-to-Fit Contacts

Finding contact lenses that fit well can be more challenging when these conditions affect your eyes:

• Astigmatism

• Dry Eyes

• Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC)

• Keratoconus / Irregular Cornea

• Presbyopia (40+)

Condition Overview

Astigmatism: Astigmatism occurs when the front of the eye is more oval than round, which can blur vision. Standard lenses may not correct this well without the right design and stability.

Dry Eyes: Dryness can cause irritation, burning, redness, and fluctuating vision. Contacts can worsen dryness if the material or fit isn’t ideal—so lens choice and dry eye care matter.

GPC: Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis is inflammation on the underside of the eyelid. Protein buildup on lenses can contribute, making comfort difficult without the right replacement schedule and treatment.

Keratoconus: Keratoconus causes the cornea to thin and bulge forward, creating irregular shape and distortion. Specialty lens designs are often needed for stable, clear vision.

Presbyopia: Presbyopia is age-related near-vision blur that typically begins around age 40. Multifocal or other specialty options can help reduce reliance on reading glasses.

Solutions for Hard-to-Fit Contacts

Specialty contact lenses can often provide excellent comfort and vision for patients with the conditions above. After evaluating your eyes, we may recommend:

• Toric lenses for astigmatism to improve clarity and stability

• Multifocal or monovision lenses for presbyopia to help with near and distance vision

• RGP or scleral lenses for keratoconus or irregular corneas for sharper, more stable vision

• Dry eye treatment plans (including lubricating or medicated drops and other therapies when appropriate) to improve lens comfort

• GPC management with improved replacement schedules, lens material changes, and treatment as needed

Contact Lens Safety Tips

• Wash and dry hands before handling lenses

• Follow your replacement schedule (daily / bi-weekly / monthly)

• Never sleep in lenses unless specifically prescribed

• Avoid water exposure (shower, pool, hot tub) while wearing lenses

• Call us promptly for redness, pain, light sensitivity, or discharge

Ready to Get Started?

Schedule your contact lens exam today.