Contact lenses offer a nearly invisible alternative to eyeglasses. However, you also need to consider the care they require, which differs from that of glasses. You’ll need regular contact lens exams to ensure the health of your eyes.
Many eye doctors recommend a contact lens exam every year. But exam frequency ultimately depends on factors such as age, eye health, and lifestyle. Regular contact lens exams are essential for maintaining optimal vision and protecting your eye health in the long run.
Comprehensive Eye Exam vs. Contact Lens Exams
A comprehensive eye examination is an essential part of your overall eye care routine, and it checks most of the boxes for maintaining good eye health. But a contact lens exam complements comprehensive exams and provides additional information so your eye doctor can better fit and manage your contacts.
Comprehensive Eye Exam
A comprehensive eye exam’s primary focus is on your vision clarity and eye health. The tests your eye doctor performs during these exams typically include:
- Visual acuity: This tests how clearly you can see at various distances using an eye chart
- Refraction: How light refracts inside your eye determines the prescription for glasses or contact lenses
- Eye alignment and movement: Your eye doctor ensures your eyes are working together correctly and checks for any issues with eye muscles
- Pupil response: How your pupils respond to light and other stimuli can provide valuable information for your eye doctor
- Eye pressure: Your eye doctor may measure the pressure inside your eyes to screen for glaucoma
- Retinal examination: Special lenses or imaging technologies allow your eye doctor to examine the back of your eye, including the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels
- Corneal and lens health: Your optometrist can examine your eye’s front surface and lens for any signs of damage—this could also be an applicable part of a contact lens exam
Contact Lens Exam
While a comprehensive eye exam focuses on overall eye health and may result in a prescription for eyeglasses, it doesn’t necessarily address contact lens-related concerns. A contact lens exam and fitting typically focuses on the fit and suitability of contact lenses for your eyes. Additional factors that a contact lens exam covers include:
- Measurements for the curvature of your cornea to ensure the correct lens fit
- Assessing how your current lenses interact with your unique eye anatomy
- Performing a tear film evaluation to determine if your eyes are adequately hydrated for lens wear
Why Are Regular Contact Lens Exams Necessary?
Wearing contact lenses isn’t as simple as popping them in and forgetting about them. Exams help keep your eyes healthy and comfortable. Here’s what they can offer:
Maintaining Eye Health
Contact lenses sit directly on your eye’s surface, making improper use potentially harmful. Regular exams can detect early signs of irritation, infection, or other complications.
Adjusting for Vision Changes & Verifying Lens Fit
Your vision prescription may change over time, and even minor changes can impact your ability to see clearly. And ill-fitting lenses can lead to discomfort, dry eyes, or even corneal damage. Regular exams allow your optometrist to reassess the fit and adjust for changes in your vision.
The Risks of Skipping Regular Exams
Skipping exams might not show immediate effects, but the potential for long-term damage isn’t worth the risk. So, while skipping a contact lens exam might seem tempting to save time or money, the consequences can be severe. Potential risks include:
- Eye infections: Poor hygiene or improper lens fit can lead to infections, which could result in complications
- Corneal damage: Wearing lenses that don’t fit or aren’t properly cared for can scratch your cornea or cause abrasions
- Decreased comfort: Lenses that are expired or poorly matched to your eye can irritate and reduce your overall comfort.
Tips for Maintaining Good Eye Health Between Exams
Your eye doctor is your greatest partner for your eye health, but the responsibility of daily care is still yours. There are several things you can do in between exams to keep your eyes healthy and comfortable:
Practice Proper Hygiene & Follow Replacements Schedules
Always wash your hands before handling your lenses to prevent the introduction of bacteria or contaminants. Store your lenses in a clean, fresh contact lens solution, not in water. Only keep or wear your lenses for as long as the manufacturer recommends.
Protect Your Eyes & Give Them a Break
Consider only wearing your contacts for part of the day on some days to reduce strain. UV radiation is another thing to consider. Contact lenses don’t typically provide sun protection, so wearing sunglasses when you’re outside is important. Even if the lens material is designed to offer UV protection, contacts don’t protect the rest of the eye, eyelids, or sensitive skin around the eye.
Book a Contact Lens Exam Today
Contact lenses can make life more convenient but require regular check-ins to protect eye health. An annual exam ensures your lenses fit well, your prescription is up to date, and your eyes remain healthy now and in the future.
Call our team at Advanced Eyecare Optometry to schedule your next contact lens exam. Don’t wait for discomfort or issues to arise; let our experienced optometrist helps clear your vision.
