If a recent vision test revealed that you’re suffering from a refractive error that impairs your eyesight, you may already know you’ll be looking for contact lenses. But the results of that vision test don’t tell us everything we need to know about your eyes’ specific needs and challenges when it comes to selecting and fitting these precision devices. Fortunately, it’s easy to schedule the necessary contact lens exam from Best Eyecare Associates, Dr. Christine Best.
Why You Should Schedule a Contact Lens Exam
You may be understandably confused as to why the same vision test that enables us to create perfectly good eyeglasses can’t also yield the right contact lenses for your needs. the difference lies in the fact that contact lenses don’t just sit on either side of your nose the ways glasses do — they must actually sit safely, securely and comfortably on (or around) the corneas of the eyes. This requires us to consider a whole new set of variables, from your eye dimensions and intended usage habits to any underlying medical conditions that make long-term lens wear more challenging. For example:
- Dry eye caused by underlying disorders, medications or other factors can make contact lenses uncomfortable to wear while worsening the dryness.
- Giant papillary conjunctivitis, an eyelid inflammation caused by protein sensitivity, can be aggravated by the proteins that collect on extended-wear contacts.
- Complex refractive disorders and diseases such as presbyopia, astigmatism, and keratoconus may not be correctable by ordinary soft contacts.
- Some patients, especially younger or very busy ones, may not want to bother with the cleaning regimen so important for preventing dangerous eye infections.
Selecting the Right Contact Lenses
Our contact lens exam takes these and other concerns into account so you’ll receive the best contacts for your vision issues, health, and lifestyle. Our eye doctor will perform detailed measurements of each iris and pupils to make sure the lenses will be the right size. A procedure called keratometry gives us a rough idea of your corneal curvature, while digital corneal topography maps the corneas precisely to inform us of every little irregularity that may be present (a must for correcting astigmatism). While all this is going on, our eye doctor will also ask you about your lifestyle, your expectations for using and cleaning your contacts, and any underlying health conditions that might merit consideration. Based on this wealth of data and your refractive prescription, we may recommend:
- Daily-use disposable lenses, which don’t require cleaning and won’t accumulate proteins
- Lenses that retain eye moisture for dry eye sufferers
- Multifocal lenses for presbyopia
- Toric or rigid gas permeable lenses for astigmatism
- Scleral contact lenses, which cover the entire cornea, to treat keratoconus
- Corneal refractive lenses designed to correct myopia (nearsightedness) by reshaping your cornea while you sleep
Schedule Your Contact Lens Exam
If you need contact lenses, you’ll need a contact lens exam. Call today to schedule!