How to Prepare for Your First Contact Lens Exam
Eyeglasses keep your vision crisp and clear, but wearing glasses isn't always convenient. If you're tired of dealing with foggy lenses on cold days or hate the way your glasses slip down your nose when you're active, contact lenses may offer a better option. Before your eye doctor can prescribe your new lenses, you'll need a contact lens exam. Knowing what to expect can help you feel more relaxed when you arrive at the optometry office for your exam.
What Is a Contact Lens Exam?
When you visit the optometrist, you'll receive two exams. The comprehensive vision exam measures visual acuity, or how well you see without your glasses. Based on that exam, your eye doctor determines the appropriate prescription for your new lenses. The exam also helps optometrists assess the health of your eyes inside and out.
In addition to the comprehensive eye exam, you'll also need a contact lens exam. Fitting contact lenses isn't a one-size-fits-all process. Your eye doctor must measure the curvature of your corneas and consider your overall eye health when prescribing contact lenses. Your optometrist will also check your tear film and the moisture level of your eyes, as moisture affects contact lens comfort.
Before you leave the office, you'll receive trial contact lenses to try. You'll wear the lenses as directed for a week or two to see if they're the best choice for you. If the lenses aren't comfortable, your eye doctor may give you another type to try when you return for your follow-up visit. During your appointment, the optometry office staff will teach you how to insert, remove, and care for the lenses.
Preparing for the Contact Lens Exam
These steps can help you ensure you're ready for your exam.
- Bring Your Glasses. Chances are your glasses will be on your face when you arrive at the eye doctor's office, and you won't have to worry about forgetting them. If not, be sure to bring them. Your current eyeglass prescription gives your optometrist a useful reference point when determining your contact lens prescription. Don't worry if you forget your glasses. You can still receive a comprehensive eye exam and a contact lens exam.
- Don't Wear Eye Makeup. Eye makeup, including eye shadow, mascara, eyeliner, and false eyelashes, can interfere with testing and may make it harder for your eye doctor to assess your eyes. Makeup might also affect the fitting process or cause eye irritation.
- Do a Little Research. Familiarize yourself with the types of contact lenses available to ensure you understand your eye doctor's recommendations. Contact lenses are available in soft and rigid gas-permeable varieties. Most people wear soft contact lenses, but there are several types of lenses available. Depending on your needs, you may wear daily lenses that are thrown away every day or lenses that are worn during the day for two weeks or one month before being discarded. According to a 2024 Review of Optometry article, more than 46% of contact lens wearers wore daily disposable contact lenses as of 2023.
- Make a List of Questions. It's easy to forget your questions or concerns during your visit. Jot down a few thoughts or questions before you visit or add a few notes to your phone. Your eye doctor will also have a few questions for you. For example, learning how often you plan to wear the lenses, the type of work you do, and information about your hobbies or activities helps your eye doctor prescribe the ideal contact lenses for your lifestyle.
Need a contact lens exam? Contact our office to schedule your appointment.
Sources:
Review of Optometry: Rise in Daily Disposable Usage Linked to Designs and Parameter Ranges, 7/3/2024
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: About Contact Lenses, 5/27/2025
https://www.cdc.gov/contact-lenses/about/index.html
American Optometric Association: Types of Contact Lenses
https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/vision-and-vision-correction/types-of-contact-lenses
All About Vision: What Is a Contact Lens Exam?, 7/30/2025
https://www.allaboutvision.com/eye-care/eye-exam/types/contact-lenses/
Cleveland Clinic: Contacts vs. Glasses: Which Is Best for You?, 8/1/2024