Contact Lens
Exam
Weeden Eye Clinic 662-539-7801
Corinth Eye Clinic 662-286-8860
Contact lenses are a popular choice to correct vision, and there are many benefits to enjoy when you wear them.
- Contact lenses can provide clear, sharp vision for people with a variety of refractive errors, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
- Unlike eyeglasses, contact lenses won’t fog up or slip down your nose, making them very convenient for playing sports or engaging in physical activity.
- Contact lenses can also offer a wider field of vision.
If you currently wear contact lenses or would like to wear contact lenses, please let us know when you schedule an appointment so that your contact lens exam can be conducted in addition to your eye and vision exam. There are many different options available whether you’d like to wear them every day, during sports, or simply for special occasions. Whether you are new to wearing contact lenses or have been wearing them for some time, you’ll need a contact lens exam to obtain a prescription to wear contact lenses.
During an eye and vision exam, we assess the overall health of your eyes and your vision. During the contact lens exam, we will specifically evaluate your eyes to determine if you are a good candidate to wear contact lenses and then perform special tests to determine your contact lens prescription and fitting.
- We will measure your corneas (the front surface of the eye) to determine the curvature and size needed for your contact lens. If you have astigmatism, you will need a toric lens, which is a special type of contact lens to accommodate and correct for astigmatism.
- We will measure the size of your pupil or iris.
- We will evaluate your team film to ensure you have sufficient tears to keep your contact lenses moist and comfortable.
- Your eye doctor will also take your health history and lifestyle into account to make the right determination on the type of contact lens best for your needs.
Contact lens options
There are two main types of contact lenses: soft or rigid gas permeable lenses. We can also prescribe a specialty lens called a scleral lens, which is customized for the individual patient.
Soft contact lenses
Soft contact lenses are made of a flexible polymer that allows oxygen to pass through to the cornea. They are more comfortable to wear and easier to adjust to than rigid gas permeable lenses and are available in daily disposable, two-week, and monthly replacement options. Soft lenses are also available in a variety of specialties, including multifocal, toric (for astigmatism), and cosmetic.
Rigid gas permeable lenses
Rigid gas permeable lenses are made of a rigid material that does not allow oxygen to pass through as easily as soft lenses. However, they provide better vision correction for some patients and are more durable and easier to clean than soft lenses. Hard lenses are available in daily and extended wear options and are also available in multifocal and toric versions.
Scleral lenses
Scleral lenses are a type of contact lens that are designed to rest on the sclera, or the white part of the eye, and vault over the cornea. They are larger in diameter than regular contact lenses and can be used to correct a wide range of vision problems due to keratoconus or post-surgical complications. They can also be part of treatment for people who have chronic dry eye disease because they create a “reservoir” of tears between the lens and the eye, which can help to keep the eye lubricated.
Benefits of scleral lenses include:
- Improved visual acuity for patients with irregular corneas
- Increased comfort for patients with dry eyes or other forms of ocular surface disease
- Reduced incidence of corneal complications for patients with keratoconus
- Low risk of lens-related complications such as infection or lens dislodgement
- Can be worn by patients who have been previously unable to wear traditional contact lenses
Our eye doctors will determine the best type of contact lens for your individual needs and our team can provide instruction on proper insertion, removal, and care techniques. Proper lens care is crucial to prevent infection and ensure healthy eyes.
Your contact lens prescription
A contact lens prescription is a written order from an eye care professional that indicates the specific type and power of contact lenses that are appropriate for an individual patient. The prescription includes information about the patient’s eye size and shape, as well as the type and degree of vision correction needed.
It is important for patients to have a current contact lens prescription to purchase and wear contact lenses safely and effectively. It is also important for patients to follow their eye doctor’s instructions and to visit regularly for follow-up exams to ensure that their contact lenses fit and function properly.
Contact lens follow-up exam
Depending on your history with the prescribed contact lens, your doctor may ask you to schedule an additional appointment so that we can assess whether your contact lenses are a good fit and see if your eyes are properly adjusting to the contact lenses.
