Are you looking for an alternative to glasses? The switch to contact lenses can be worth it.
With contacts, you’ll enjoy better peripheral or side vision and a wider field of view than glasses.
This can be helpful when playing sports, exercising, and driving. Contact lenses can also allow you to be comfortable being more active because they don’t get in the way.
Keep reading to learn more about how to get contact lenses from your eye doctor!
Where to Begin?
In order to get a prescription for contact lenses, you must first visit your eye doctor for an eye exam. At this appointment, your eye doctor will determine if contact lenses may be a good option for you.
Your eye doctor will start with a thorough eye exam. This includes reviewing your health history and performing tests like a refraction to check your prescription.
Even if you wear glasses and your prescription is up to date, you’ll still need a new prescription. This is because the same glasses prescription will not work for contact lenses.
You’ll also be asked about your routine and lifestyle. Then, you’ll be evaluated for contact lens wear.
How Do You Choose Contact Lenses?
There are different types of lenses to choose from, including rigid permeable, soft contacts, extended wear, and disposable contacts. Your eye doctor can guide you in selecting the most ideal contact lenses for you based on your eye surface measurements and lifestyle.
Eye Surface Measurements
Your exam includes taking measurements of your iris, pupil, and corneal curvature. With these measurements, your eye doctor can match you with the correct shape and size of contact lenses that are comfortable for everyday wear.
Contact Lens Fitting
Depending on the contact lens your doctor prescribes, you may be given a pair of trial contacts to take home. In some cases, you may need to meet with one of our contact lens technicians to confirm your prescription works and that the contacts are a perfect fit. If you are brand new to wearing contact lenses, your trials will be ordered and you will return to our office so one of our contact lens technicians can show you how to properly insert and remove your contacts. You’ll also be taught how best to care for, store, and handle your contact lenses.
Follow-Up
We’ll check up on you about a week later to make sure you are happy with the comfort and vision with your new contact lenses. This is when we finalize your prescription and help you order your contact lens supply.
From there, you’ll need annual eye exams and fittings. Contact lenses, like prescription medications, are medical devices which need to be monitored on a regular basis. As mandated by state and federal laws, contact lens prescriptions must be renewed annually. This will help ensure your contact lenses are comfortable and make sure they are adequately correcting your vision.
Get Your Contact Lenses at VisionPoint
The expert doctors and contact lens team at VisionPoint Eye Center specialize in the professional fitting and dispensing of contact lenses. VisionPoint Eye Center also carries an extensive collection of top contact lenses to maximize your vision needs, comfort, and lifestyle.
Do you want to start wearing contact lenses? Schedule an appointment at VisionPoint Eye Center in Bloomington, IL, to see if contact lenses are right for you!
