Contact Lens Exam

At Lawrenceville Family Eyecare, our highly qualified optometrist offers thorough contact lens examinations to help you find the best, most comfortable lenses for your eyes. We specialize in hard-to-fit cases for people who need bifocals, have dry eyes, have astigmatism , or have irregular corneas because of corneal surgery or corneal degenerations such as keratoconus. We also perform overnight vision correction with corneal reshaping therapy (CRT).

What Does a Contact Lens Exam Include? 

At your contact lens exam, your doctor will examine your eyes and look for anything that may impact your ability to wear contact lenses safely and comfortably.  Special tests will be performed to evaluate your vision and measure the surface of your eye. Your doctor may also do a tear film evaluation to ensure you produce enough tears to comfortably wear contact lenses.  

Based on the results of your tests, your eye doctor will then provide a contact lens prescription that is right for your eyes and will meet the demands of your day-to-day life. Contact lens prescriptions are different than eyeglass prescriptions, which is why it is important to get a contact lens exam.

What Are the Types of Contact Lenses? 

• Toric lenses: Special weighted contact lenses called toric lenses can be used to correct astigmatism. Approximately 85% of the population has astigmatism, which occurs when the surface of the eye is shaped like a football so that light does not focus on one point on the retina.  
• Bifocal and multifocal lenses: At our eyecare center, we also offer bifocal and multifocal contact lenses, allowing you to see clearly at multiple ranges.  
• Monovision lenses: For some individuals, we also prescribe monovision contacts, in which one eye is corrected for distance and the other for near.  

We also offer other specialty contact lenses, including rigid gas permeable lenses, overnight vision correction with corneal reshaping therapy (CRT), and scleral lenses.  

How Are Contact Lenses Fitted? 

Our doctor at Lawrenceville Family Eyecare will select a well-fitting lens based on the measurement of your corneal curvature. Once an appropriate lens is found, our doctor will work with you to make sure your lenses fit comfortably on the surface of your eye and provide clear vision.  

Learning to insert and remove contact lenses is an important step in contact lens safety and comfort. We’ll help educate you on this process and take our time to make sure you are comfortable before leaving our office with your contacts. You will learn how to properly put in and take out your contacts, clean and care for your lenses, and be advised on the best wearing habits to ensure ease and comfort. 

Following your contact lens exam, you may find that wearing your contacts is less comfortable than you originally thought it would be. We offer contact lens follow-up exams where your doctor will examine the fit of your lenses. Your eye doctor will make modifications if needed, such as a different type of lens for comfort, and work with you to find solutions to any areas of concern that may arise. 

Contact Lens Q&A 

Are contact lenses safe? 

Yes! If you follow instructions and care for them properly, there is no cause for concern. The percentage of eye infections or loss of vision is about the same with contact lens wearers as with those who don’t wear them. 

Do contact lenses require a lot of care? 

These days, care is simple with almost all types of contact lenses. Reusable lenses must still be cared for, but the time involved is hardly more than brushing your teeth. Some lenses are designed to be worn one day and thrown away, without the need for cleaning. 

Can I swim with my contact lenses, wear cosmetics, or have them tinted or made into a bifocal prescription?  

Yes, to all of the above! You can do all these things and much more. At your appointment, please feel free to ask your eye doctor about options for tinting and bifocal/multifocal lenses. 

Can I wear contacts if I have astigmatism? 

Today, virtually any visual requirement can be corrected with contact lenses. In some cases, astigmatism may be corrected best with a rigid contact lens, but soft lenses are also available to handle this common visual disorder. Rest assured, your doctor will suggest the lens that best fits your visual and lifestyle needs. 

Schedule Your Contact Lens Exam 

Interested in the freedom that comes from wearing contact lenses? Contact our office today to schedule a contact lens exam and find the perfect lenses for your eyes.