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Contact Lens Fitting
Contact lenses are a convenient and satisfying alternative to eyeglasses. The first step to a contact lens fitting is a comprehensive eye exam in our Miami Optometrist practice. This is our regular exam that determines overall eye health and eyeglass prescription. These baseline measurements are essential to infer an adequate contact lens evaluation and allow us to rule out any eye health problems that may interfere with successful contact lens wear.
Before deciding that contact lenses are right for you, the risks and benefits need to be discussed as well as any lifestyle concerns. At our practice, we provide custom contact lens fitting. This includes astigmatism, multifocal, monovision, gas permeable (rigid) contact lenses, cosmetic contact lenses, extended wear and daily disposable contact lenses. We choose the contact lens that best suits your needs.
In the contact lens world, one size does not fit all eyes, according to the FDA. In order to have an adequate contact lens fit, additional measurements and assessments are needed.
These include:
Evaluation of cornea
The cornea is the clear dome of tissue on the surface of the eye. Before wearing contact lenses, it is very important to ensure that the cornea is healthy and intact with no underlying problems. We measure the curvature of the cornea to ensure that the contact lens moves properly and is comfortable.
Evaluation of the tear film
Tear film integrity is essential for healthy and comfortable contact lens wear. Tears bring nutrients to the front surface of the eye. It is important, both for eye health and comfort, that tears are able to circulate properly while you are wearing contact lenses.
Pupil
The size of your pupil is important in determining which contact lens design is right for you. This is especially true if you are interested in gas permeable contact lenses.
We try diagnostic trial lenses on your eye to assess the fit of the lens as well as vision and comfort. Usually, these lenses are in your prescription. This allows us to do tests while you are wearing the lenses, in order to refine the prescription and fit. If the lens is in good position and moves properly, you will go home wearing your new diagnostic lenses. Before you leave, our eye doctor takes the time to give you a one-on-one teaching session to make sure you are proficient in inserting and removing the contact lenses in a safe and effective way. You will also be educated on the do’s and don’ts of contact lens wear
Before we finalize the contact lens prescription, we have you come back in one to two weeks to ensure that the lens is still fitting properly and you’re still satisfied with your vision. At this visit, if safe and healthy lens wear and good vision is confirmed, we can proceed by ordering a contact lens supply. Your doctor will also be able to write a contact lens prescription for you. This prescription will designate the contact lens power, the curvature of the lens (base curve), the lens diameter and the lens name and manufacturer recommended for you. In the case of gas permeable lenses, additional information may be included.
Regardless of the frequency or duration of contact lens wear, your eyes should be examined once a year to make sure you are continuing to tolerate contact lens wear.