Overview
Contact lenses sit on the eye, so they need measurements a glasses exam does not take: the curvature of your cornea, the size of your iris, and how your tear film behaves. That is why a contact lens prescription is a distinct document with its own expiry.
A fitting also covers the unglamorous part — getting lenses in and out, how long you can safely wear them, and what to do when an eye goes red.
What happens during the visit?
- Corneal measurements and an assessment of your tear film.
- A discussion of lens type: daily disposable, two-weekly, monthly, toric for astigmatism, multifocal for reading, or rigid and scleral lenses for irregular corneas.
- A trial pair, inserted in the practice, with training on handling and hygiene.
- A follow-up a week or two later to check the fit and the health of the cornea.
Who should book one?
Anyone who wants to wear contacts, and anyone already wearing them whose prescription has expired. Also worth it if your current lenses are uncomfortable by the evening — that is usually a fit or material problem, not something you have to live with.
How to prepare
- Wear your glasses, not your lenses, on the day if you can — or ask how long to leave them out beforehand.
- Bring the boxes of what you currently wear; the numbers on them matter.
- Allow extra time. First fittings run longer than a standard exam.
- Ask what the fee covers — the fitting and the follow-up are often billed separately from the exam.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Only an eye care professional who has examined you can tell you what is actually going on.