Contact Lens Exams
A contact lens exam evaluates vision, eye health and whether contact lenses are appropriate for your needs. Westminster Eye Care Associates provides contact lens exams for people considering lenses or reviewing their current use in Providence. Book a visit to discuss your goals, comfort and any concerns with the doctor.
Contact lenses are medical devices that require proper fitting and ongoing evaluation to be worn safely and comfortably — a contact lens exam goes beyond a standard eyeglass prescription.
Contact Lenses as Medical Devices
Contact lenses sit directly on the surface of your eye and must be properly fitted to your individual eye shape, prescription, and tear film. Wearing lenses that do not fit well or are not appropriate for your eyes can lead to discomfort, infection risk, or damage to the eye surface over time.
A contact lens exam is a separate evaluation from a routine eye exam and includes additional measurements and assessments specific to lens wear.
What a Contact Lens Evaluation May Include
Depending on your needs and whether you are a new or experienced lens wearer, a contact lens evaluation may include:
- Corneal measurements to assess curvature and fit
- Evaluation of the tear film and ocular surface
- Assessment of how a trial lens sits on your eye
- Review of your lens-wearing habits and care routine
- Discussion of lens type options appropriate for your prescription and lifestyle
A Note on Lens Options
There are many categories of contact lenses, including daily disposables, extended-wear lenses, toric lenses for astigmatism, and lenses for patients with more complex prescriptions. Which lenses may be most appropriate for you depends on your prescription, eye health, lifestyle, and other individual factors.
Your doctor will discuss the options that make sense for your situation. We do not claim to carry every lens type in all parameters.
New Wearers
If you are new to contact lenses, your appointment will also include instruction on how to insert and remove lenses safely, how to care for reusable lenses, and what to expect as you adapt to wearing them. Most patients are comfortable with this process relatively quickly, though the time it takes varies.
Current Wearers
If you already wear contact lenses, your evaluation will review the fit and performance of your current lenses, assess any changes in your prescription or eye health since your last visit, and discuss whether your current lens type continues to be appropriate for you.
Safe Lens Care and When to Remove Your Lenses
Proper lens hygiene is essential to reducing the risk of eye infections. Your doctor will discuss care guidelines specific to the type of lenses you wear. In general, you should remove and call our office if you experience any of the following:
- Redness or irritation that does not resolve after removing the lens
- Unusual discharge or tearing
- Blurred vision that does not clear
- Sensitivity to light
- Eye pain
This page provides general educational information and is not a substitute for an examination, diagnosis, or treatment recommendation from a qualified eye-care professional.
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Medicaid and most insurance accepted.