Many people who wear eyeglasses are familiar with eye exams. However, there is a difference between eyeglass exams and contact lens exams. Understanding the difference will save you time and money. It could also protect your eyes from harm.

Eyeglasses Exam

Eyeglasses exams involve three basic steps. The first step is collecting your medical history and establishing if you are experiencing any vision problems. The next step is assessing the sharpness of your vision. The doctor will also perform tests to check for blind spots in your peripheral vision. They will also check your eye alignment, color blindness, and depth perception, among other tests.

Finally, the doctor will numb and dilate your eyes. They will measure your eye pressure and examine the inside of your eye. If you require vision correction, they will prescribe corrective lenses. From this point, you can get eyeglasses. But if you plan to get contact lenses, you will need an additional eye exam.

Contact Lens Exam

It will determine your candidacy for contact lenses. It will also allow your doctor to take measurements to determine the fit of your contact lens. You can get your contact lens exam right after your comprehensive or eyeglass exam. To do this, you will need to let your doctor know during your routine exam. It will save you the time and energy of booking a separate appointment.

What Happens?

The doctor will check your eyes for any health issues affecting eye comfort as you wear contact lenses. They will evaluate the size and shape of your eye. It will determine the optimal contact lens that will fit your eyes.

During the exam, your doctor may ask about your lifestyle. They may also ask about any preferences you may have regarding contact lenses. They will make sure you get the right contact lenses to fit the size and curvature of your eyes.

Contact Lens Tests

Your doctor will perform several tests to ensure your contact lenses sit comfortably on your cornea. These accurate tests and measurements will also include an evaluation of the quality of your tears. They include:
 

• Cornea measurements.
   

• Pupil and iris measurements.
   

• Tear film evaluation.

Cornea Measurements

The test enables your doctor to determine the proper size and base curve for your contact lenses. They will use a keratometer or a corneal topographer for more accurate measurements. These instruments emit light, allowing the doctor to analyze how it reflects off the corneal surface.

Afterward, the doctor can determine the base curve of your cornea. They can also tell if you have astigmatism and recommend special lenses.

Pupil and Iris Measurements

These measurements will help your doctor determine the size of the contact lenses you need. The measurements are crucial if you plan to wear rigid gas permeable lenses. The doctor can use a pupil gauge or a digital device. The digital device measures the horizontal and vertical diameter of your pupil.

Tear Film Evaluation

Tears are crucial when wearing contact lenses. Your doctor will determine if you have dry eye syndrome and recommend special lenses.

Once all the necessary tests are over, the doctor will place lenses on your eyes. You will wear them for several minutes as the doctor checks their comfort and fit. It may require several trials to find the appropriate lens for you.

For more on contact lens exams, visit General Vision Express Lens Lab at our office in Brooklyn, New York. You can call (718) 486-6055 to book an appointment today.