A contact lens exam includes all the steps of a comprehensive eye exam plus additional evaluation specific to contact lens fitting. Your optometrist measures the curvature and size of your cornea, checks the fit of a trial lens on your eye, and confirms that the prescription and lens parameters are appropriate for your eyes.
Contact Lens Exams
Contact Lens Exams in Weslaco
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Your glasses prescription corrects your vision at a fixed distance from your eye. A contact lens prescription also accounts for the curvature, size, and material of the lens, because the contact sits directly on the surface of your eye. The two prescriptions are not interchangeable.
Discomfort can have several causes, including a change in your prescription, a lens that no longer fits correctly, dry eye symptoms, or changes in the health of your eyes. A contact lens exam can help identify what may be contributing and whether a different lens or care approach would help.
Contact lens prescriptions are typically valid for one year. You may need an updated exam sooner if your vision has changed, your lenses feel less comfortable or clear than before, or your eyes are frequently red or irritated after wearing contacts.
Yes. First-time wearers receive a full contact lens exam and fitting, which includes trial lenses and guidance on how to insert, remove, and care for your lenses. Your optometrist will confirm the fit and prescription before finalizing your contact lens order.
Getting the Right Prescription and Fit for Your Eyes
Why a Contact Lens Exam Is Different From a Regular Eye Exam
A contact lens prescription and a glasses prescription aren't the same. Contact lenses sit directly on the surface of your eye, so getting the right prescription involves more than measuring your vision. The lens material, size, and curvature must match your eye to ensure comfort and clarity.
A contact lens exam includes the vision evaluation from a comprehensive eye exam plus additional steps focused specifically on fitting. Your optometrist will evaluate the front surface of your eye, measure the appropriate lens parameters, and make sure the lenses fit correctly before finalizing your prescription.
At Weslaco Eye Professionals, our optometrist provides contact lens exams and fittings for patients ages 7 and older. His training includes contact lens care, and he takes time to make sure your prescription and fit reflect your actual vision needs and how your eyes respond to lens wear.
What Your Optometrist Evaluates During the Exam
During your contact lens exam, your optometrist will review your vision prescription, examine your eye health, and evaluate how a contact lens fits on the surface of your eye. This includes checking your cornea's curvature and size and assessing whether the lens moves appropriately with each blink.
For patients who have worn contacts before, the exam is also an opportunity to discuss any changes in comfort, clarity, or eye health since your last fitting. Contacts that felt comfortable a year ago may not fit the same way today, particularly if your prescription or eye health has changed.
Common reasons patients schedule a contact lens exam include:
- Getting a contact lens prescription for the first time
- Updating an expired prescription
- Lenses that feel uncomfortable, dry, or less clear than they used to
- Changes in vision that have affected how contacts perform
- Returning to contacts after a period of wearing glasses
When You Should Update Your Contact Lens Prescription
Contact lens prescriptions are typically valid for one year. Annual exams let your optometrist confirm your prescription is still accurate and that your eyes remain healthy with lens wear. Your cornea, tear film, and overall eye health can change over time, and those changes can affect how your lenses fit and feel.
You may need an updated exam sooner if your vision has changed noticeably, your lenses feel less comfortable than before, your eyes are frequently red or irritated after wearing contacts, or you have not had an eye exam in over a year.
Schedule Your Contact Lens Exam
If you need a new contact lens prescription, an updated fit, or help with lenses that no longer feel right, start with a contact lens exam. We’ll evaluate your vision, comfort, and eye health so you know what needs to change next.