What You Need to Know about Contact Lens Exams and Fittings
Getting contact lenses for the first time is relatively easy, but it can be confusing if you've never done it before. With contact lens exams, there's an extra component for prescribing and fitting the lenses before you're truly done. If you're about to get contacts for the first time, you'll need a little more time for these components. We have contact lenses that correct astigmatism and presbyopia (the need for a multifocal prescription lenses after age 40). Our optometrist can answer any questions you have. Family Vision in Anderson, Williamston, and Clemson, South Carolina, has appointment times available for contact lens exams.
How to Get Contact Lenses
Before you start to get contacts, you'll go through a comprehensive eye exam just as you would for eyeglasses or even for regular eye care. This gives the optometrist a baseline look at your vision and overall eye health. It also tells the eye doctor whether you need regular contacts or something called hard to fit contacts, which are specially made contacts for certain eye conditions.
Once that exam is done, you'll have another exam to find out what prescription you'll need for contacts. This exam looks at the size of your eyeball and cornea (so you get the right size of contact), your eyes' tear film, and possibly other tests to ensure the contacts let you see correctly.
Once that's done, you'll discuss with the doctor whether or not to get reusable or disposable contacts. You'll then go through a contact lens fitting where you get a test pair to try for a while, or a bunch of test pairs if you want to get disposable lenses. The doctor will help train you to put the lenses in and take them out, and also instruct you in how to care for reusable lenses.
The trial period lasts about a week, and during that time, you'll go back to the optometrist to ensure everything is OK with the prescription and the eye health.
Have a Contact Lens Fitting and Move Away from Eyeglass Frames
If you like wearing eyeglasses, that's wonderful, and you should continue to do so. If you would prefer to get contacts, however, Family Vision in Anderson, Williamston, and Clemson, SC, can arrange for a contact lens fitting. Call us at (864)-226-6041 (Anderson); (864) 847-7657 (Williamston); or (864) 722-9205 (Clemson) today. Contact lens fittings are easy to perform and can give you additional eyewear options