What to expect during a contact lens fitting
What to expect during a contact lens fitting?
You may have been interested in contact lenses but never knew where to start. So many things to consider: are contact lenses right for me? How do I put them in the eyes? What if I can’t take them out? Are they uncomfortable? Today the optometrists from Northbridge Optical will answer all of your questions!
If you have been interested in contact lenses, the first step is to make an appointment with an optometrist to discuss your options. Contact lenses must be customised for each individual’s visual status, eye anatomy and visual needs. Based on your needs, your optometrist will find a suitable contact lens to suit your lifestyle!
What to expect during a contact lens fitting appointment?
1) Understanding your visual needs and suitability for contact lens wear
At Northbridge Optical, our optometrists understand that moving into contact lens can be a big step for many patients, and must people don’t know where to start! The first step is to book yourself in for a comprehensive contact lens consultation, your optometrist will discuss your visual needs and suitability for contact lens wear. By understanding your lifestyle, ocular and medical history, your optometrist will be able to determine which contact lens are most compatible with your eyes.
2) Picking the right contact lens
There are many different types of soft contact lens including dailies, fortnightly, monthly and extended wear. Depending on how often you intend to wear contact lens, your prescription and your eye health, your optometrist will explain to you which contact lens will be most suitable for your needs.
3) Learning how to insert and remove contact lens
Your optometrist will teach you how to insert and remove the contact lens safely. The contact lens sits over the cornea which is a clear window on the front of the eye that allows light to enter the eye. It is important to remove the contact lens properly to avoid scratching and scarring the cornea. Your optometrist will teach you have to insert and remove the contact lens without cause damage to your eye.
4) Learning how to care for and clean the contact lens
Once you have been taught how to insert and remove the contact lens, you will be taught how to care for and clean the contact lens. It is important to note that each patient’s care regime may differ based on the type of contact lens they are in, allergies, eye sensitivity and many other factors.
For daily contact lens, you wear them once and dispose of the contact lens after use. For those who are wearing fortnightly or monthly contact lens, you will need to clean and store your contact lens with the contact lens solution recommended by your optometrist. You should never store or clean your contact lens with water.
5) Trialling the contact lens
You will be provided with some contact lens to take home. We understand that trying the contact lens in the consultation room compared to wearing the contact lens in the real world can sometimes feel different. Your optometrist will ask you try your contact lens in your own time to ensure they meet your visual needs and suitable your your lifestyle.
6) Follow up appointment
After you’ve had a chance to try out the contact lens, a follow-up contact lens appointment will be organised. You can discuss your contact lens experience with your optometrist. Things that will be discuss include:
Handling of the contact lens (did you have any problems insert or removing the contact lens)
Comfort of the contact lens (how did you find the comfort of the contact lens)
Ocular health (did your eyes feel dry or red during/after contact lens wear)
Suitability of contact lens (was the contact lens suitable for your lifestyle)
Expectations (did the contact lens meet your expectations)
Depending on how you went with your contact lens experience, your optometrist may or may not make changes to your contact lens.
Ongoing care for all contact lens wearers
Even if you have been in contact lens for several years, it is still important to see your optometrist regularly. At Northbridge Optical, your optometrist will recommend that all contact lens wearers have their eyes checked annually to monitor changes in vision as well ocular health.
With a changing lifestyle, sometimes our visual needs and ocular health may also change. Factors such as increase computer use, change in duration of wear, medication and many other factors can influence your suitability with contact lens wear. It is best to see your optometrist regularly to ensure your current contact lens are the best option for your current lifestyle.
References:
https://coopervision.net.au
https://www.optometrists.org/general-practice-optometry/optical/guide-to-contact-lenses