If you have never had an eye exam before, you may be wondering why you need two different eye exams for glasses and contacts. Both of these procedures require a prescription, which an eye doctor provides following a thorough examination of your optical health and functionality. When you receive a prescription, it will detail the corrections your eyes need, including the curvature of your eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Optometry
If you need your eyes examined, you can go to an optometrist for a comprehensive exam, with glasses or contact lens fitting. A doctor of optometry has advanced equipment to see directly into the eye and its integral components. An optometrist is specially trained, and better equipped to diagnose many eye conditions compared to a family doctor. Optometrists are also trained to diagnose and treat any eye diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma. Optometrists also specialize in treating low vision conditions, including age-related macular degeneration, and assisting stroke survivors with the associated impacts to their vision.
During a comprehensive eye exam, an optometrist will measure the power of your eyeglass and contact lens prescription as well as check the overall health of your eye and update your prescription accordingly. Your optometrist can also prescribe a solution for dry eyes, such as eye drops.
Pupil Dilation & Tonometry
A comprehensive eye exam is the most common type of examination for people who do not wear contacts. It involves asking you about your general and eye health and performing several tests to detect abnormalities in the eye’s structure to determine the necessary vision correction. Your doctor may even dilate your eyes to see the structures inside; an important part of the process to make an early diagnosis for any potential eye diseases.
In an indirect exam, your eye doctor will dilate your pupils using a condensing lens and a bright light. The light allows the optometrist to observe your eye’s internal structure in three dimensions.
A tonometry test is another important part of your eye examination, measuring the IOP (intraocular pressure) of its fluids to help detect diseases such as glaucoma, which damages the optic nerve.
Glaucoma Testing
The prescriptions for glasses and contacts are completely different. Your trusted optometrist in Orangeville has given you a prescription that outlines the optical corrections you need in your glasses lenses.
However, your contacts require different measurements. Therefore, patients typically visit for a separate exam. To determine whether you should wear contact lenses or glasses, you should let your eye doctor know before the exam with regard to your personal preferences.
A vision exam will check your visual acuity and refractive error, helping your Orangeville eye doctor determine the strength of your prescription. This exam also involves a vision test and an eye chart to measure your distance vision.
Contact Lens Fitting
If you are interested in getting contacts, the first visit to an eye doctor should be to have a new contact lens fitted. This can be a one-time appointment, but if you are already wearing contacts, you will likely need to return for a follow-up appointment. At the follow-up appointment, your eye doctor will evaluate your current lenses to make adjustments. This second visit is critical for the success of your contact lens fitting, in terms of comfort and functionality.
Orangeville Optometrists: Comprehensive Eye care for the Entire Family
A follow-up contact lens exam is included in the cost of your contact lens prescription. You will need to make an appointment for your contact lens fitting within 45 days of your initial exam. Often, your trusted optometrist in Orangeville will ask you if you have worn the contacts and how they fit. In some cases, you may want to schedule a follow-up exam sooner rather than later.
Book an optometrist appointment online, or choose from our selection to buy contact lenses online. With our wide variety of optometrist-approved eye drops, lenses, eyecare products and more, your eye health and vision are in good hands. Call us today at 519-941-6761!
