One size does not fit all when it comes to contact lenses. Your Creekside, Crowfoot, or West Springs eye doctors at Blink Eyewear will take precise measurements to properly fit your contact lenses. Contact lenses that do not fit properly can cause blurry vision, discomfort, and even damage the eye.
Here are some of the measurements your eye doctor will take for a contact lens fitting:
Corneal Curvature
In order to assure that the curve of the contact lens properly fits the curve of your eye, your eye doctor will measure the curvature of the cornea or front surface of the eye. with an instrument called a keratometer. If you have astigmatism, the curvature of your cornea is not perfectly round, and therefore a “toric” lens, which is designed specifically for an eye with astigmatism, would be fit to provide the best vision and lens fit. In certain cases, your eye doctor may decide to measure your cornea in greater detail with a mapping of the corneal surface called corneal topography.
Pupil or Iris Size
Your eye doctor may use an instrument called a biomicroscope or slit lamp (or manually with a ruler or card) to measure the size of your pupil or your iris (the coloured area of your eye). This measurement is important if you are considering specialized lenses such as Gas Permeable (GP) contacts.
Tear Film Evaluation
Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common problems affecting contact lens wear. If the lenses are not adequately hydrated and moist, they will become uncomfortable and your eyes will feel irritated, dry, and itchy. Dry eye syndrome requires your doctor to check that you have a sufficient tear film to keep the lenses moist and comfortable.
The doctor will perform a tear film evaluation and if your tear film is weak, your eye doctor will recommend certain types of contact lenses that are more successful in maintaining moisture.
Contact Lens Trial and Prescription
Upon deciding which contact lenses would work best with your eyes, and prior to ordering your lenses, the eye doctor will want to confirm the fit and comfort by having you try on a pair of lenses. The doctor or assistant inserts the lenses and keeps them in for 15-20 minutes before the doctor exams the fit, movement, and tearing in your eye. If after the fitting, the lenses appear to be a good fit, your eye doctor will order the lenses for you. Our eye doctors in Northwest Calgary will also provide care and hygiene instructions including how to insert and remove your lenses, how long to wear them, and how to store them (if required).
Follow-up
Your eye doctor may ask you to schedule a follow-up appointment to check that your contact lenses are fitting properly and that your eyes are adjusting well. However, if you experience discomfort or dryness in your eyes you should visit your eye doctor as soon as possible. Your Blink Eyewear doctor may decide to try a different lens, a different contact lens disinfecting solution, or to try an adjustment in your wearing schedule.
