Thinking about getting contact lenses?  A contact lens fitting takes a little longer than a regular eye exam, so you need to reserve enough time – plan to spend about 90 minutes at our office.  Here’s what you can expect at your exam and fitting:


Consultation:  Dr. Bloom or Dr. Williams will talk with you about your general health, about your eyes, and about your goal for wearing contact lenses. Is it to see better close up? Far away? Change the color of your eyes? 

Examination:  Next you’ll begin the actual eye exam. This consists of a series of tests to determine your eye health and your current vision. We'll test your eyes together and one at a time for a number of different things: general vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, muscle actions, eye pressure and so on. 


Contact Lens Fitting:  Like people, eyes come in different sizes and shapes.  So, you'll need an accurate fitting to make sure you get the right lenses for your eyes. The doctor will take special measurements of your eye and its surface, checking for curvature and other factors that affect how your lenses fit. We'll talk about other factors, including whether your eyes tend to be dry (how dry your eyes are is very important in determining which type of contact lenses is best for you. There are special lenses for people who experience eye dryness.) Finally, the doctor will carefully examine your cornea to make sure there aren’t any problems that could make it hard for you to wear contact lenses.


Next, the doctor will put in a pair of trial lenses for you to test fit. It takes time for lenses to “settle” on your eyes, so you may wait 10 or 15 minutes after the lens has been inserted before the doctor checks the fit. You may need to try on more than one pair before we get it just right. After the doctor is satisfied that your lenses fit, feel comfortable, and give you good vision, you’re ready to learn how to take care of them.


Contact Lens Instruction:  Learning to apply (and remove) your lenses is very easy. Most people get the hang of it right away, and even the most nervous patient can expect to have it down pat within a week. Either a doctor or an optometric assistant will teach you how to handle and care for your lenses. You’ll also get written instructions to refer to – and you should always call us if you have any questions.


Getting You Contact Lenses:  Many times, we'll have your contact lenses in stock and you’ll be able to take them home the same day.  If your lenses need to be ordered, you’ll usually get them in a week or less.  Also, we may have samples that will tide you over until your order arrives. 


Contact Lens Follow Up Examination: 
After your contact lens fitting is complete, you will need to return for follow-up visits so we can make sure your lenses continue to fit well, that you’re seeing well and that your lenses are comfortable. Thereafter, plan to have your eyes and contact lenses examined at least once per year. If you notice any changes in your vision or eyes, you should call your us right away.