So you’ve made up your mind and done the research—now all that’s left is getting your very own pair of contact lenses at Eye Braces Clinic.
As a first-time contact lens wearer, having as much detailed information as you can is always a good thing.
Thus, we’re giving a detailed account of what you can expect during your very own contact lens fitting.
Is fitting contact lenses necessary?
Can’t you just walk in, buy them at the counter, and try them on at home?
It’s a misconception that many people have, considering that contact lenses are fairly common.
The truth is, using ill-fitting contact lenses can cause vision problems that may severely compromise your eye health and even lead to blindness.
The dangers of wearing ill-fitting contact lenses
Using contact lenses without a proper contact lens exam may lead to potential eye and vision problems.
Some of the most common dangers associated with ill-fitting contact lenses include:
Corneal Abrasions
A corneal abrasion occurs when your cornea is scratched.
A damaged cornea can be difficult to mend, and a corneal abrasion can become rather serious; it can develop infections and result in corneal ulcers or vision loss if neglected.
Seek immediate medical assistance if you experience any of the following signs and symptoms after using contacts lenses:
Eye pain
Eye redness
Watery eyes
Light sensitivity and headache
A gritty feeling in the eye
Tight Lens Syndrome
Tight lens syndrome happens when your contact lens fits too tightly. It can stop your cornea from getting the necessary oxygen and nutrients it needs to function, causing discomfort and serious eye problems.
Some of the signs and symptoms of tight lens syndrome to watch out for include:
Eye irritation and redness
Eye infections
Contact lens intolerance
Corneal ulcers
Loss of vision
Contact Lens Intolerance (CLI)
Contact lens intolerance describes a point where the eye can no longer tolerate contact lenses, and the eye begins to show signs of rejection.
This intolerance is usually due to the contact lens material itself, the cleaning solution, or the bacteria and fungus that grow on the lenses.
Among the signs and symptoms of CLI include:
Redness, burning, stinging, dry eyes, grittiness, and other forms of eye irritation
Eye infections
Corneal abrasions
Corneal ulcers
You Need a Contact Lens Exam and Contact Lens Fitting to Prevent These Issues!
Fortunately, there is a way to avoid all these and safely correct your vision through a professional contact lens exam and contact lens fitting.
Your First Fit: What to Expect During Your Contact Lens Exam
Contact lenses are an effective, comfortable, and convenient way to correct your vision. They keep your features free from frames while giving you the freedom to pursue a more active lifestyle.
Here’s what to expect during your contact lens evaluation and the assessments after:
Contact lens eye exam
The exam is designed to determine whether you are an ideal candidate for contact lenses.
Here, your eye’s optical prescription, unique corneal shape, curvature, size, and even your tear quality and tear-film stability will be obtained.
The exam will also help determine what type of lens will be best for your needs and lifestyle.
Common types of contact lenses
Soft contact lenses
These lenses are made from silicone hydrogel that allows more oxygen to pass through, allowing for a more comfortable fit.
Rigid gas permeable lenses (RGP)
These lenses are made of firm silicone compounds. This makes them more difficult to get used to than soft contacts but also allows them to correct minor corneal irregularities.
Specialty
These lenses are designed to address your eye’s special needs. Common speciality contact lenses include:
Orthokeratology or Ortho-K: Temporarily changes the curvature of the cornea with specially constructed rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses. Commonly used to address myopia (nearsightedness).
Scleral contact lenses: large-diameter, rigid gas permeable lenses used to resurface misshapen corneas and are specially designed to vault over the entire irregular corneal surface.
Toric lenses: Creates different refractive powers on the vertical and horizontal orientations to correct astigmatism issues that arise from a different curvature of the cornea or eye lens.
Contact lens fitting and trial period
During contact lens fitting and trial, your eye doctor will place ‘trial lenses’ on your eyes to evaluate your comfort and visual acuity as well as examine how your tears and cornea interact with your lenses.
Contact lens education
Contact lenses are medical devices, so they require special eye care and proper handling.
During this part of your exam, your doctor will teach you how to properly insert and remove the lenses and care for them. This is also the perfect time to ask any questions or raise concerns.
Follow up exam
A follow-up appointment is necessary to maintain your ocular health and detect any changes caused by your new lenses.
This usually takes place about a week after getting used to wearing your lenses.
Regular eye exams
Your contact lens journey does not end with your follow-up visit.
Regular eye exams are crucial to ensure that your contact lenses continue to provide you with clear and comfortable vision.
Making sure to get regular eye exams also give you a chance to maintain a friendly relationship with your eye doctor.
Wearing contact lenses can be a pleasant experience for you too, with Eye Braces Clinic!
Secure a professional contact lens exam and contact lens fitting before ordering and wearing your new contact lenses to avoid preventable problems.
Our contact lens exam and fitting procedure at Eye Braces Clinic is designed to give you maximum comfort and visual acuity.
You can expect to undergo a detailed refraction test and examination of your eye health to ensure the most perfect fit.
Don’t compromise your eye health and get clear vision without the hassle of eyeglasses.
Book a consultation with us today!