Contact Lens Exams at First Eye Care in Texas

Contact lenses, unlike glasses, have to match the curvature of your eyes in order to fit without scratching your corneas. They also need to match with your eyes' moisture levels. Therefore, if you want contact lenses, your eye exam will be a bit different from one you'd get for glasses. What are these extra tests and why are they important? Here is some information from our optometrist at First Eye Care in Texas to clear things up:

The Comprehensive Eye Exam Segment

This is the part of your eye exam that's the same for everyone. Your visual acuity is tested, and you will be checked for astigmatism at the same time. Then, your eyes are dilated and the eye doctor looks into them through a slit lamp. This is the lamp that projects a slit of light into your eyes to illuminate your retinas and other eye structures. These tests are painless, but can be a bit time-consuming.

The Contact Lens Exam and Fitting Segment

When you want contact lenses, this second segment is added onto your eye exam. An instrument is used to determine the curvature and topography of your cornea. These measurements will be used to make contact lenses that actually fit your eye, so they are essential to the process of getting contacts.

Your tear layer will also be examined to determine its quantity and quality. This lets the doctor know what type of lenses will be comfortable for you. Those with eyes that are on the dry side will need lenses with more moisture within them.

Your Contact Lens Prescription

Your contact lens prescription will take the curvature of your cornea, the condition of the cornea's edge, and other important factors into account. It will also be matched to your eyes' moisture and lubrication levels.

If you are new to contact lenses or your new prescription includes changes from the last one, you will likely be asked to come back for a follow-up in a week or two. Then, you'll be asked how well the new lenses are working for you. You'll also get a quick eye exam that checks for irritation and other such problems. If there are any problems, your prescription will be adjusted. Otherwise, you'll be set and can get a full stock of contacts.

Make an Appointment for an Exam Today

To get a new prescription or to have your old one updated, make an appointment for a contact lens exam with our team here at First Eye Care. We have offices in Killeen and Salado, Texas.