Visit Your Optometrist in Fairfax for Contact Lens Exams
While a traditional eye exam focuses on determining the extent of your refractive error (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism), contact lens exams provided by your Fairfax optometrist also involve determining if corneal abnormalities exist and measuring the curvature and diameter of your cornea. In addition to using a diagnostic tool called a keratometer to evaluate severity and axis of astigmatism, optometrists also examine your retina, aqueous humor and cornea to detect possible structural issues that may require specialized contact lenses. Additionally, contact lens exams and regular eye examinations can detect narrowing or ballooning of tiny blood vessels in the eye that may indicate undiagnosed health issues, such as hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease or even heart disease.
Corneal Topography with Contact Lens Exams
An imaging procedure that maps your cornea's curvature parameters, corneal topography (photokeratoscopy) provides your optometrist in Fairfax with measurements necessary for determining vision quality and corneal health. Responsible for supporting nearly 75 percent of your eye's ability to see clearly, the cornea is also where your contact lenses will rest when you are wearing them. Corneal topography is also vital to planning cataract, intraocular lens and LASIK surgeries.
Included in your contact lenses prescription is numbers indicating corneal thickness, base curve radius, the diameter of your cornea and a measurement called the diopter, or extent of your refractive error. The diopter number also indicates how much one contact lens must bend incoming light. By correcting improper focusing of light on your retina, your contact lenses will normalize refractive errors and allow you to see clearly.
Can Anybody Wear Contact Lenses?
After a contact lens exam, your Fairfax optometrist will evaluate the information gathered from the exam and write your prescription for a pair of contact lenses. Over 95 percent of our patients wanting to wear contact lenses can wear them without any problems. Only people with serious eye diseases, certain chronic disorders or ocular abnormalities cannot be fitted properly for contact lenses.
Contact Our Local Optometrist in Fairfax and Rockville Today!
Contact Dr. Howard Budner & Associates Optometrists today for more information on contact lens and to schedule an appointment for a contact lens exam: (703) 691-8008.