Contacts help correct vision deficiencies like near- or far-sightedness. They may also help address eye conditions that glasses can’t effectively treat. Eye doctors identify patients’ eye problems and help them choose the right lenses to correct their sight. Here are the steps for getting prescription contacts:
1. Schedule an Appointment
Call a local clinic or fill out an online form to make an appointment with a qualified eye doctor. When scheduling, mention that you are interested in getting contact lenses. This allows the optometrist to prepare relevant tests to determine the severity of your vision problem. Clinics perform visual acuity tests like:
- The Snellen eye chart: Black letters are printed on white paper, and each line of text decreases in size. This helps evaluate vision distance.
- Pinhole test: Patients cover one eye with a paddle with a pinhole in the center. The eye chart must be read through the pinhole. This test measures near-sightedness.
- Retinoscopy: This test evaluates how light reflects off your retina. It determines the eye’s refractive error, which indicates vision impairment.
- Refraction testing: Patients test different lenses to determine which provides the clearest vision.
2. Review Lens Types
Once a care provider determines you’re a good candidate for contacts, they discuss available lens options. Soft contact lenses are suitable for people wearing them for the first time because they are comfortable, helping the eye adjust. An eye doctor could also prescribe daily lenses, which help you manage allergies or eye infections.
For patients with astigmatism, hybrid lenses are a suitable option. They have a rigid center to provide sharp vision, while a soft edge offers moisture retention. Your doctor may suggest multifocal lenses if you have presbyopia, which prevents your eyes from focusing clearly. If you have irritable eyes, dry eyes, or issues with your cornea, scleral lenses suit you as they adapt to the eye and keep it moist.
3. Get a Contact Lens Fitting
An optometrist or technician measures your pupil and iris size to center to verify that the contacts sit on the center of your eyes. They also measure the curve of your cornea to match the lens to the shape of your eye. Once measurements are complete, a physician inserts the lenses to make sure they are comfortable. Fitting the contacts is a reliable way to determine if they aid your vision correctly and how your eye reacts. If there is any issue with vision, comfort, or fit, the doctor may adjust the lens size, brand, or material.
4. Receive Your Prescription
After wearing trial lenses for a few days without issue, your doctor usually issues a prescription. This document records key information about your vision, eye measurements, and contacts, such as lens type, base curve, and diameter. Prescriptions make it easy to order contact lenses from the clinic or other online sellers.
Your prescription may contain information about whether to wear your contacts daily, bi-weekly, or monthly. Wearing lenses on the right schedule helps manage eye issues and controls irritation. Dry eyes can impact how well contact lenses fit. Dehydrated lenses can shrink or curl, affecting vision. Your doctor may also prescribe eye drops to help maintain your contact’s fit. Since lenses may last for a year, it is beneficial to visit your optometrist regularly for a new prescription.
Choose an Experienced Eye Doctor
An eye doctor determines the type of contacts you need using a series of tests. They can also teach you how to insert, remove, and care for your lenses. Call a trusted clinic today to book an appointment to find contact lenses that suit your eye needs.
- The Critical Role of ENT Care in Treating Ear-Related Balance Disorders
- Effective Treatments for Behavior Disorders in Adults
- Family Medicine Tips for Staying Healthy Through Back-to-School Season
- Arthritis-Friendly Workouts to Keep You Moving
- How Plastic Surgeons Create Personalized Treatment Plans