Contact lenses are one of the most convenient things out there today. No frames slipping down your nose, no foggy glasses on a rainy day, and you can wear sunglasses whenever you’d like. They’re incredible! But when considering getting contacts, you’ll need to schedule a contact lens fitting. Why is this?
You’ll need a contact lens fitting because your eyes are unique. Every eye’s shape is a little different, and the prescription you need is going to be different than someone else. Not to mention that there are several different types of contacts! A contact lens fitting lets a trained eye care professional precisely measure your eye and find the right fit for you.
What’s the Point of a Contact Lens Fitting?
Every person’s eye is different. Some are larger, some are smaller, some are shaped differently, and some are more sensitive. This means you’ll get a different result from a certain type of contact lens than someone else.
During a contact lens fitting, an optometrist will measure your eyes to get a precise measurement of what you need. They’ll check how healthy your tear film is and see if you’ve developed any eye conditions or had a prescription change since you last visited.
This lets them gain a proper understanding of what’s going on in your eyes. Then, they can recommend the right fit, brand, and style of contact to fit your unique needs!
Are There Different Types of Contact Lenses?
There’s a bit of a catch when it comes to contact lenses. They aren’t a one-size-fits-all kind of approach to treating your vision. And they use a different prescription than your regular eyeglasses since contacts sit at a different distance from your eye.
It starts with the materials used for the contacts. There are a few primary types of contact lenses:
- Rigid gas-permeable, which are made of a durable, long-lasting material.
- Soft lenses, which are made of a softer silicone or hydrogel material, are often much more comfortable than rigid lenses.
- Hybrid lenses, which give you the benefits of both rigid and soft lenses, typically have a rigid center and softer fringes.
And this is where things can get a little complicated. The material isn’t the only thing that matters. Contact lenses all have an expiration date and a set period of time that they’re designed to be worn.
There are several options here, including:
- Daily disposables, which should be discarded properly at the end of the day
- Weekly lenses
- Monthly lenses
It’s always important to pay attention to the expiration of your lenses. Once they expire, they’re vulnerable to the air and can transmit infections or bacteria to your eye.
How to Prepare for a Contact Lens Fitting
When you’re booking your contact lens fitting, you should mention ahead of time that it isn’t a regular appointment and you’re thinking about getting contact lenses. Since a contact lens fitting involves a few more tests than a standard eye exam, it can sometimes take a little longer.
If you’re already wearing contacts, make a point to bring them along—and whatever products you use for cleaning and storing them! It’s valuable information for the optometrist.
Before they do any testing, your optometrist is going to talk to you about:
- Your medical history
- Whether or not you’ve had any eye problems or changes to your vision
- Your profession
- Your hobbies
- Your overall eye health
This can help them better understand what you’ll need from your future contact lenses.
What to Expect During a Contact Lens Fitting
During a contact lens fitting with us at Rock optiX, we’ll use the OPD-Scan III to start. It only takes about 10 seconds per eye and lets us comprehensively measure your eyes. It’s all entirely non-invasive, too!
Once we have the measurements, we can evaluate the health of your tear film. We do this because sometimes, wearing contacts for too long can irritate your eyes or make you feel uncomfortable, and we want to avoid this. By checking out your tear film, we can recommend contacts that are less likely to irritate you or a pair that can help prevent developing dry eye syndrome.
We might do a few other tests so we can have a proper understanding of the overall health of your eyes. Then, we’ll discuss your visual needs. After we’re done, we’ll have you try on a pair of lenses to see how they fit!
Should I Get Contacts?
Contact lenses can be an excellent way to correct your vision. If you’re looking for convenience, versatility, and a glasses-free look, they might just be the right choice for you. So come visit us at Rock optiX, and we can help you along the way. Book a contact lens fitting with us today!
