ADDED TO CARTWhat Is a Contact Lens Exam?
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Contact lenses offer a convenient option for vision correction and can be an excellent supplement or alternative to glasses. If you’re interested in wearing contacts, even decorative ones, you’ll need to schedule a contact lens exam with your eye doctor. Contacts are considered medical devices and must be prescribed by a licensed eye care provider.
During your visit, your eye doctor can determine if you’re a candidate for contacts and, if so, provide a contact lens prescription. If you already wear contacts, you may also need a routine contact lens exam to ensure your vision prescription is up to date.
Read on to learn more about contact lens exams, how they differ from regular eye exams, and how often you might need to schedule one.Eye Exam vs. Contact Lens Exam: What’s the Difference?
While a contact lens exam and an eye exam may seem very similar, they are separate processes and differ in several ways:
Comprehensive Eye Exam
An eye exam is important for your overall health. It involves tests to evaluate your visual acuity, your eye health, how your eyes work together, and other factors
During an eye exam, your eye doctor will check for signs of general health conditions that could impact your vision, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. If necessary, a new or updated prescription for glasses can also be provided.
It’s important to note that glasses prescriptions differ from contact lens prescriptions and are not interchangeable. Glasses sit about half an inch away from your eyes, while contacts sit directly on your eye’s surface. For these reasons, a separate exam for contacts is needed.
Contact Lens Exam
This exam includes specific tests to measure your eye and determine your overall candidacy for wearing contacts. It also provides your contact lens prescription, which differs from a glasses prescription.
When scheduling your eye exam, inform your doctor’s office if you’re interested in getting contacts. Additional time is needed to complete the tests required for a contact lens fitting or to determine if you need a prescription update. Often, a contact lens exam and fitting are performed during the same appointment as a comprehensive eye exam.
What Happens at a Contact Lens Exam?
Contacts sit directly on your eye’s surface, so it’s essential to ensure they fit correctly and that your eyes are healthy enough to wear them safely. Like glasses, contacts work by bending light to focus it directly onto the retina (the light-sensitive membrane at the back of the eye), providing clear vision.
During your contact lens exam, your eye doctor will likely discuss your reasons for wanting contacts, whether it's for convenience, work, sports, or to enhance your eye color with colored contacts.
They will also measure the curvature and other aspects of your eyes to ensure the lenses fit correctly. These measurements include:
Cornea Measurements
Your doctor will measure the shape and smoothness of your corneas using an instrument called a keratometer or a corneal topographer.
Pupil and Iris Measurements
They will measure your pupil size (the dark spot in the center of your eye) and the width of each iris (the colored ring around your pupil). A small handheld ruler or automated instrument may be used to take these measurements.
Tear Film Evaluation
This test assesses for dry eyes. Your doctor may use a small strip of paper to collect a tear sample or eye drops containing fluorescein dye. Both methods help measure how quickly your tears dry up.
If you’re a candidate for contacts, your eye doctor will discuss the best type for your vision needs, lifestyle, and preferences. This may include options like rigid gas-permeable, extended-wear, and disposable soft contacts that are replaced daily, weekly or monthly. Some types are better suited for people with dry eyes, allergies, or other eye conditions.
If you’re over 40, your doctor may discuss options for addressing age-related changes in your near vision. These may include bifocal, multifocal, or monovision contact lens options.
During your visit, your doctor will likely place a set of trial contacts in your eyes to assess their fit, check your tear production, and evaluate other factors. You’ll also receive instructions on how to insert, remove, and care for your contacts.
How Long Does a Contact Lens Exam Take?
A contact lens exam is usually performed during the same visit as an eye exam. The appointment may take around an hour, or possibly a little longer if it’s your initial visit.
A follow-up appointment may be scheduled a week or two later to ensure your contacts are comfortable, your vision is clear, and you’re adjusting to them well. Once your doctor confirms the lens specifications are ideal for your needs, they will provide you with a contact lens prescription.
How Much Is a Contact Lens Exam?
The cost of a contact lens exam varies based on several factors, including whether or not you have vision insurance, the type of plan you have, and the type of lenses you need. It can even depend on your geographic location and the practice you visit. Typically, a contact lens exam costs between $100 and $250.
Are Contact Lens Exams Covered by Insurance?
Some vision insurance plans cover contact lens exams in full, in part, or with a copay. However, this depends on the individual policy and coverage amounts.
If you have questions about your eligibility or extent of coverage, it’s best to contact your eye doctor’s office or insurance carrier. They can also help determine if your vision insurance covers any portion of your contacts.
How Much Does a Contact Lens Exam Cost Without Insurance?
Without insurance, you’ll likely need to cover the full cost of a contact lens exam. As mentioned above, this varies based on different factors, but typically ranges between $100 and $250.
Do I Need a Contact Lens Exam Every Year?
In most cases, contact lens prescriptions expire after one year. You should therefore schedule a contact lens exam with your eye care provider at least annually. At times, you may need to visit your eye doctor more frequently, such as if you have problems with your lenses or experience changes in your vision.
Contacts offer many benefits and can help you see the world more clearly. Schedule a contact lens and eye exam with an eye doctor near you to determine if you’re a candidate and get an up-to-date prescription. When you’re ready to order your contacts, visit ContactsDirect to browse our extensive selection.
