What to expect from a contact lens check
Contact lenses are a popular solution for those who need vision correction, offering versatility and convenience. Just as booking the ‘best eye test near me’ is vital for keeping your glasses prescription up to date, having periodic contact lens checks is essential to ensure your lenses fit properly and do not cause any issues. Here, we discuss why contact lens appointments are necessary and what to expect when you have one.
Why attend contact lens checks?
Contact lens checks are important not just for your visual needs but also for your eye health. Wearers can be more prone to conditions such as dry eye, since the lenses can disrupt the natural tear film or partially block oxygen from reaching the eye. As such, your optometrist will need to ensure your eyes remain healthy and provide recommendations for lens use and care.
What to bring
You’ll need to come to your contact lens check wearing your current lenses. There are also a few things you’ll need to bring:
- Your current glasses
- Your contact lens case
- The details of your lenses if they were not fitted by the practice
What to expect at your contact lens check
Before arranging your contact lens check, you’ll need to ensure you have had an eye test recently. Most providers recommend that you have undergone a sight test within the past two years. If you need one, see a reputable local optician such as The Eye Establishment for the best eye test, which should include a sight assessment as well as an eye health check. At your contact lens check, your optician will ask you about the type of lenses you are wearing, how often you wear them and for what duration. They may also ask if you experience dryness, discomfort or headaches.
Your optician will then carry out a series of checks including:
- A vision check to ensure your lenses are the correct prescription. This is necessary because often contact lenses have a different prescription to glasses.
- An assessment of the fit of the lenses and how your eyes behave with them in.
- An examination of the surface of the eye to check it is healthy and no medical conditions are developing that may affect your ability to wear contact lenses.
- An assessment of your tears and cornea. This involves some orange dye being dropped into your eyes, which enables your optician to see if there is any damage to the cornea.
Treatment and advice
Sometimes treatment or advice may be necessary if, for example, you are experiencing dryness or itching. Your optometrist may suggest switching to a different type of lens, or using preservative-free eye drops that can be used with contact lenses.
Eye tests and contact lens checks in London
If you wear contact lenses and are looking for a check-up, or you want to find the best eye test in London, get in touch with the experts at The Eye Establishment. We offer comprehensive sight and eye health tests, as well as contact lens fitting and aftercare appointments.