Excellent in every way; front desk, aides, and Dr. Callahan. Everyone is professional, friendly, and attentive, making each visit a smooth and reassuring experience.
Bob Pelletier
Contact Lens Fittings
What Happens During the Fitting Visit
Once your measurements are complete, your eye doctor moves into the hands-on phase of the fitting. A trial lens goes onto your eye so your doctor can observe how it actually performs, not just how it looks on paper. What happens next depends on the type of lens being fitted.
Soft lenses are flexible and drape over the cornea. Your eye doctor selects a starting trial lens based on your measurements, places it on your eye, and gives it a few minutes to settle into position. The evaluation checks that the lens centers properly on your eye, moves slightly with each blink, and does not slip or feel uncomfortable. Visual acuity is confirmed with each eye individually and with both eyes open. If the lens performs well, the brand, parameters, and replacement schedule are noted for your trial dispense.
Rigid gas-permeable lenses, often called RGP lenses, are smaller than soft lenses and sit within the boundary of the cornea. Because they are firm, the fit evaluation works differently. Your eye doctor adds a drop of fluorescein dye, a safe orange dye that glows under cobalt blue light, and examines the tear-film pattern between the lens and your cornea. An evenly distributed pattern means the base curve is well matched. Pooling in the center or edge pressure signals that lens parameters need to be adjusted.
Toric lenses correct astigmatism by delivering different powers in two perpendicular directions. For this to work, the lens must settle in a consistent orientation on your eye. Your eye doctor observes the lens position at the slit lamp and compares it to the intended axis. If the lens rotates away from that position, the prescription axis is adjusted to compensate. Toric fittings often require one or two additional trials before the fit is fully reliable, so some patients return for a second or even third trial lens before the final prescription is released.
For new wearers, the fitting visit also includes hands-on training for inserting and removing your lenses safely. Your eye doctor or a trained technician will walk you through proper hand washing, how to handle the lens on a clean fingertip, how to place it on the eye, and how to remove it without scratching the surface. Practicing this in the office, before you are on your own at home, builds confidence and reduces the chance of accidental eye injury.
Follow-Up Visits and Your Final Prescription
The fitting process does not end when you walk out with a trial lens. A follow-up visit, typically one to two weeks later, is a standard part of the process. It gives your eye doctor the chance to confirm that the lens is still performing well after real-world wear. Only then is a final written prescription released.
At your follow-up, your eye doctor evaluates comfort, lens centration, corneal health, and how clearly you are seeing. For toric lenses, the rotational position is rechecked after extended wear. For RGP lenses, the fluorescein pattern is reviewed again to confirm the fit has not shifted. Any lingering issues with comfort, vision, or fit are resolved before the prescription is finalized. A stable, comfortable, and clear fit is the goal before your eye doctor signs off.
Once the fit is confirmed, you receive a written contact lens prescription. It will include the brand, material, base curve, diameter, power, and expiration date, along with any toric or multifocal parameters that apply. Prescriptions typically expire after one year. You may use this prescription to purchase lenses through our office, a retail optical, or an online retailer. The prescription cannot legally be altered to cover a different lens brand or type without a new fitting.
Contact your eye doctor right away if you experience eye pain, persistent redness, sudden blurred vision, light sensitivity, or unusual discharge while wearing lenses. These can be signs of a corneal abrasion, an infection, or a lens-related problem that needs to be evaluated quickly. If your lens feels increasingly uncomfortable as the day goes on, remove it and stop wearing it until your eye doctor has a look. Catching a problem early almost always leads to a faster and simpler resolution.
How to Prepare for Your Fitting Appointment
A little preparation before your fitting visit helps your eye doctor gather accurate measurements and makes the appointment run smoothly. Here is what we recommend bringing and keeping in mind ahead of time.
Plan to bring your current glasses and any contact lens boxes from lenses you have worn before, since the parameters printed on the box give your eye doctor a useful starting point. A list of current medications is also helpful, as some medications affect tear production. Bring your insurance or vision plan card to simplify check-in. If you currently wear contacts, remove them at least a few hours before your appointment so your cornea has time to return to its natural shape before measurements are taken.
A first fitting appointment runs longer than a routine eye exam. Expect to set aside roughly 45 to 90 minutes, depending on the lens type and whether insertion and removal training is included. Toric and RGP fittings tend to take more time than standard soft spherical fittings. Annual re-fitting visits are typically shorter because your baseline measurements are already on file. Arriving without a tight schedule makes the experience less rushed and gives you time to ask questions.
Decorative or cosmetic contact lenses, including lenses sold without any vision correction power, are classified as medical devices by the FDA. A prescription and fitting are required in the United States even if you only want to change the color of your eyes. Your cornea must be measured, the lens must be evaluated for fit, and the ocular surface must be in good health before any contact lens is dispensed. Purchasing decorative lenses without a proper fitting significantly increases the risk of corneal ulcers, scarring, and lasting vision damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers address common questions we hear from patients before and after their contact lens fitting. If something specific is on your mind, our team is happy to talk through it with you before your appointment.
Yes, in most cases a contact lens fitting is billed separately from a routine eye exam. The additional fee reflects the extra measurements, trial lenses, and follow-up visit that are part of the process. Fees vary based on lens complexity. Toric, multifocal, and RGP fittings typically involve a higher fitting fee than a standard soft spherical fitting. Our team can walk you through the cost structure before your visit so you know what to expect.
Many patients leave their first fitting with a trial lens already on their eye. However, a final prescription is generally not released until the follow-up visit confirms that the fit is stable. Straightforward soft spherical fittings occasionally allow a final prescription at the first visit. Toric, multifocal, and RGP fittings almost always require at least one follow-up before the final prescription is written. Rushing this step can lead to a lens that does not perform reliably once you are wearing it every day.
Dry eye and allergies do not automatically disqualify you from wearing contact lenses, but they do affect which lens type and material are most appropriate for you. Your eye doctor will evaluate your tear film during the pre-fitting exam and factor in any surface dryness or inflammation. Daily disposable lenses and silicone-hydrogel materials are often helpful in these situations. In some cases, addressing surface dryness with treatment before starting the fitting improves comfort and overall results significantly.
Maturity and responsibility are better guides than age alone when deciding whether a child is ready for contact lenses. A child who can consistently follow hygiene routines and understands the importance of proper care is generally a good candidate. Certain soft lenses designed for myopia management, the slowing of nearsightedness progression in children, have regulatory approval for use in younger patients. Your eye doctor can discuss whether your child is ready and which lens type makes the most sense based on their vision needs and daily habits.
Sleeping in lenses that are not specifically approved for extended overnight wear significantly raises the risk of corneal infection. Water exposure, including pools, hot tubs, oceans, and showers, should also be avoided while wearing contacts because water can harbor microorganisms that cause serious eye infections. Your eye doctor will give you a clear wearing schedule during your fitting visit. Following that schedule closely is one of the most important things you can do to protect your eyes long term.
Annual contact lens exams are the standard recommendation for ongoing wearers. These visits allow your eye doctor to monitor corneal health, check the tear film, confirm the lens still fits properly, and update the prescription if your vision has changed. If you wear specialty lenses, have a condition like keratoconus (a thinning and reshaping of the cornea), or have had complications in the past, your eye doctor may recommend more frequent follow-up. Any sudden change in vision, comfort, or eye appearance warrants an earlier visit rather than waiting for your annual appointment.
Schedule Your Contact Lens Fitting at NewView Eye Center
Our team at NewView Eye Center is here to guide you through every step of the contact lens fitting process, from your first measurements to your final prescription. We combine thorough clinical evaluation with personalized care so that your lenses fit well, feel comfortable, and support your long-term eye health. We look forward to helping you find the right fit and see your best every day.
What our Patients Says
Explore More
Find more information about our doctors, services, and technology that keep your eyes healthy and your vision at its best.