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Your First Contact Lens Exam: What to Expect
What Happens During the Exam
The contact lens fitting involves several steps beyond a basic vision check. Each one gives us specific information about how a lens will fit, move, and perform on your eye.
The exam begins with a full refraction, which is the test where you compare lenses and say which one gives you sharper letters. This establishes the sphere, cylinder, and axis numbers that form the foundation of your prescription. The power may be adjusted slightly from your glasses number to account for how close the lens sits to the surface of the eye.
Several measurements are taken that are specific to contact lens fittings. Each one tells us something important about how a lens should be sized and shaped for your eye.
- Keratometry to measure the curvature of the cornea, which is the clear front surface of the eye
- Horizontal visible iris diameter to determine the correct lens size
- Pupil size in both light and low-light conditions
- Tear film quality and break-up time to assess dry eye risk
- Lid and surface health to rule out conditions that could affect lens comfort
Before any trial lens is placed on your eye, your eye doctor examines the cornea, conjunctiva (the clear tissue lining the white of the eye), and eyelids using a slit lamp, which is a microscope with a bright light source. This step is essential. Conditions like dry eye disease, blepharitis (eyelid inflammation), or allergic conjunctivitis can interfere with comfortable lens wear, and treating them first leads to much better results.
Based on your measurements, your eye doctor selects a starting lens and places it on your eye. You rest for about 15 minutes while the lens settles into its natural position. After that settling period, your eye doctor checks how the lens sits on the cornea, how it moves with each blink, and how clearly you can see. This evaluation shapes any adjustments to the prescription.
Toric lenses are designed to correct astigmatism, which is when the cornea has an uneven curve that causes blurred or distorted vision. These lenses must stay at a specific angle on the eye to work correctly. Your eye doctor checks whether the lens rotates off its target position. If it does, the axis in the prescription is adjusted so that astigmatism is fully corrected by the follow-up visit.
After the Exam and Follow-Up Care
The fitting does not end when the measurements are done. Before you leave, you will receive hands-on training and a clear set of care instructions. A follow-up visit confirms that everything is working as it should.
First-time wearers receive hands-on training with a staff member before leaving our office. You will practice inserting and removing the lens at a mirror, and you will learn how to tell which side of the lens faces up. Most patients complete this training in one session, though some prefer a short second practice session, and that is completely normal. Plan for this portion to add roughly 20 to 30 minutes to your visit.
Safe lens habits prevent the vast majority of contact lens-related infections and complications. Your eye doctor will walk through each of these guidelines with you before you leave.
- Do not sleep in lenses unless your eye doctor has specifically approved extended wear for your lens type
- Do not rinse or store lenses in tap water or any water source
- Do not top off old solution in your case, use fresh solution every time
- Replace your lens case at least every three months
A follow-up appointment is typically scheduled one to two weeks after the initial fitting. At that visit, your eye doctor evaluates your comfort, checks the health of the cornea under the lens, and confirms that your real-world vision is exactly where it should be. Your final contact lens prescription is not released until after this check, and your full lens supply is provided at that point.
Some symptoms should never be ignored while wearing contact lenses. If you experience pain, growing redness, blurry vision, discharge, or light sensitivity, remove the lens immediately and contact our office the same day. A small issue caught early is straightforward to treat. Left for even a day or two, the same problem can scar the cornea and permanently affect your vision.
Most contact lens wearers benefit from an annual follow-up visit to make sure the fit, power, and lens type still match their eyes. We may recommend shorter intervals for children in myopia control programs, patients managing dry eye, or anyone who has had a recent corneal issue. Your eyes change gradually over time, and a yearly check catches small shifts in curvature or tear quality before they affect your comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to questions patients commonly ask about their first contact lens fitting, including some guidance that is helpful to know before you arrive.
The trial lens from your first visit is a starting point, not a finalized prescription. Your eye doctor will evaluate fit and vision at the follow-up visit before confirming the final numbers. Until then, wear the trial lens only on the schedule our office provides. Ordering a large supply of lenses before the follow-up is not recommended, since adjustments may still be needed.
Contact lens prescriptions are brand-specific, meaning the base curve, diameter, and material are tied to the exact lens listed on your prescription. An online retailer is required to match that specific brand. Switching to a different brand without guidance from your eye doctor risks a poor fit, which over time can irritate the cornea and lead to more serious problems. If you are interested in a particular brand, bring it up during your appointment.
Yes, when your glasses prescription changes by more than a small amount, your contact lens prescription should be rechecked as well. The power, fit, and lens selection may all need updating. In most cases, a single focused recheck visit is enough to confirm or update the contact lens prescription without repeating the entire fitting process from the beginning.
This is one of the most common concerns we hear, and it is completely understandable. Our staff trainers are experienced working with first-time wearers who feel nervous. The session starts slowly, using saline drops for practice before any lens is introduced. The majority of patients are able to insert and remove their lenses comfortably within a single training session, though extra practice time is always available if needed.
Soft contact lenses are generally comfortable, and most people feel only a mild awareness of the lens for the first few minutes. That sensation typically fades as the lens settles. However, sharp or worsening pain, stinging that intensifies over time, or sudden vision changes are not normal responses. If any of those occur during the fitting, remove the lens right away and let your eye doctor know immediately.
It depends on whether dilating drops are used during your exam. Dilation temporarily blurs near vision and increases light sensitivity for one to two hours. If you are unsure whether dilation is planned, ask when you schedule your appointment. Many patients arranging a first contact lens fitting choose to bring a driver as a precaution, which removes any uncertainty at the end of the visit.
Schedule Your Contact Lens Exam at NewView Eye Center
A thorough first fitting sets the foundation for years of clear, comfortable lens wear. Our eye doctors and support staff serving Northern Virginia are here to guide you through every step, from initial measurements to your first successful insertion, with the time and attention your eyes deserve. We look forward to helping you find the right lens and the confidence to wear it well.
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