Contact Lens Exam

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If you are interested in trying out contact lenses for the very first time or if you are a longtime contact lens wearer, tell us!

Nowadays, there are many contact lens options for patients even if they need bifocals, have astigmatism or have dry eye syndrome.

Dr. Bucci will discuss all your options to make sure you are wearing the best type of lenses to protect the health of your eyes and meet your vision goals.
Contact lens exam fees are added to the cost of your exam and range from $50 to $150.

If you’ve never worn contact lenses before, it can seem a bit intimidating. After all, you’re inserting something into your eye! Let’s ease your mind about the first step – your contact lens exam. This post will walk you through what’s involved in a contact lens exam and what you can expect every step of the way.

It begins with a eye exam

The doctor will first determine your overall eye health and vision. This includes a discussion of your health history and then a series of standard eye tests. These tests will evaluate eye focusing, eye teaming, depth perception, color vision, peripheral vision, and the response of your pupils to light. The doctor will also measure your eye’s fluid pressure to check for glaucoma, evaluate your retina and optic nerve, and test your vision with different lenses to assess whether contact lenses can improve your vision.
 

Then, a discussion about your contact lens preferences

If contact lenses are appropriate for you, it’s time to talk about your contact lens preferences. For example, do you want to enhance or change your eye color? Would you prefer daily disposable lenses or overnight contacts? Ask about the benefits or drawbacks of each, so that you make the best decision. If you’re over 40, the doctor will likely discuss age-related vision changes and how contact lenses can address these issues.
 

Next, the doctor will conduct eye surface measurements

Contact lenses require precise measurements of your eyes to fit properly.
 

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You may also need a tear film evaluation

If you have dry eyes, the doctor will perform a tear film evaluation to measure the amount of tear film on the surface of your eye. If your tear film is insufficient or you have chronic dry eyes, contact lenses may not be a good option for you. However, some newer contact lenses may be a better choice for individuals with dry eye issues.
 

It's time for the contact lens fitting

The final step is to fit you with a trial pair of contact lenses. Once inserted, the doctor will examine the lenses in your eyes to ensure a good fit. The alignment and movement of the lenses on the surface of your eye will be assessed and if the fit looks good, the last step is to ensure the prescription is correct.
 

Now it’s your turn to test it out

Your contact lens exam is over, but you’ll need to come back. The doctor will usually have you wear the trial lenses for a week. After that, you’ll have a short follow-up exam to confirm that the lenses are working well for you and you can then order a supply of contact lenses. If this is your first contact lens exam, don’t worry. Dr. Bucci is a qualified optometrist and she will answer all your questions as you go. Just be sure to let her know you’re interested in contact lenses so that we know to allow for extra time in your appointment for the consultation and any specialized tests.