Contact lenses are a convenient alternative to glasses for many people. But just like glasses, contact lenses must be prepared to exact specifications to work for the people wearing them. What is a contact lens fitting, and how does it help you get the contact lenses you need?
What Is a Contact Lens Fitting?
Are your contacts causing you some irritation? Believe it or not, the issue may come down to how they fit your eyes. One of the most important ways you can ensure your contact lenses meet all your needs is to schedule a contact lens fitting with a qualified optometrist. But what is a contact lens fitting, and why is it important?
How Does a Contact Lens Fitting Work?
A contact lens fitting is a procedure where an optometrist can help you determine what shape and size of lenses will work best for your particular eyes. First, the optometrist will measure the curvature of your cornea to determine what kind of contact lens fits the curve of your eye correctly. Once they know what size and type of contact lens works best for you, they’ll have you put in a sample lens to see how it fits on your actual eye. The optometrist will watch you blink, move your eyes from side to side, and mimic other motions that are typical to everyday contact use. This helps your optometrist determine if further adjustments are needed.
All in all, it’s a very simple eye appointment. Optometrists usually do a fitting as a part of a standard eye exam for people who wear or plan to wear contact lenses.
Do I Need a Contact Lens Fitting?
If you wear contacts, yes. It is absolutely necessary. Most people can take care of this process as a part of their standard eye exam. There are lots of reasons why a contact lens fitting is so important:
- A contact lens fitting appointment ensures you won’t end up with lenses that are too big, too small, or otherwise not suited to your eye shape, which can lead to unpleasant side effects like blurry vision and headaches.
- Common eye conditions, like dry eye, can be exacerbated by improperly fit contacts. This can lead to discomfort and even abrasions on the eye. If you have an existing condition, it’s essential to ensure your contact lenses make it better, not worse.
- You need a fitting if you have a vision issue like astigmatism. This is because the shape of your eye will affect how useful contacts are in correcting your vision. A fitting can help you get the most appropriate contacts for your eyes.
_____
What is a contact lens fitting? It’s an easy way to ensure your contact lenses improve your vision instead of making it worse. If you’re overdue for one, the experienced optometrists at Heffingtons are here to help.
Are you looking for an optometrist in southwest Missouri? Visit one of our experienced optometrists at Heffington’s. Since 1975, the Heffington family has been assisting the Springfield community with top-quality eye care and affordable eyeglasses and contacts. One of the unique features of our family-owned business is that we manufacture lenses at our own laboratory, giving us total control over the service and pricing, and we’re happy to pass our savings on to you. To learn more about our products and services, please get in touch with us online, send an e-mail to asktheexperts@heffingtons.com, or give us a call at 417-869-3937 (Optiland location) or 417-882-3937 (House of Vision location). We look forward to hearing from you!