Life Style

Contact Lens Fitting

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ravi984 21 Jul 2024

Contact lenses bend light so that it can focus on the retina in your eye. Different lenses have different powers to correct your refractive error. The numbers on your prescription, which include Power/Sphere (PWR), Base Curve/SPH, Cylinder/CYL and Axis, indicate these characteristics.

Contact lenses bend light so that it can focus on the retina in your eye. Different lenses have different powers to correct your refractive error. The numbers on your prescription, which include Power/Sphere (PWR), Base Curve/SPH, Cylinder/CYL and Axis, indicate these characteristics.

Some lenses are colored to enhance your natural eye color. Others go further, altering your eyes' hue to blue or green, or change your appearance altogether with special-effect lenses.

The Fit

A contact lens fitting is a very important step for those who are new to contact lenses or are not happy with the fit of their current ones. Eye doctors will examine your eyes and the contact lens that you currently wear using a high-powered instrument called a slit lamp, which allows them to see the cornea and other ocular structures in detail.

The first step in a contact lens fit is the initial consultation, where your eye doctor will discuss your visual requirements and contact lens wearing history. They will also consider any allergies or other factors that could affect your contact lens options.

The eye doctor will then measure the curvature of your cornea, which is used to determine the exact prescription you will need for your contact lenses. They may use an autorefractor, a keratometer or a topographer to accomplish this. This step is very important, as a contact lens that doesn't fit properly can cause a number of uncomfortable symptoms including excessive tearing, a feeling that there is something in the eye and blurred vision.

The Test

Your eye doctor will start by measuring the shape and size of your corneas. To do this, they’ll use an instrument called a keratometer or corneal topographer, which examines how light reflects off your eyes. This provides a clear picture of your cornea’s base curve and diameter. This helps your eye doctor select the right size of contact lens for you.

Your pupil and iris will also be measured, to ensure your contacts fit properly. This is especially important for gas permeable (hard) lenses, which need to be a precise fit in order to work correctly.

Your eye doctor will then conduct a refraction test, to determine your contact lens prescription. This test will be similar to the refraction tests performed during regular eye exams. They’ll also assess your tear film to make sure it’s healthy enough for wearing contacts, as this can influence how well the lenses perform. They’ll also take into consideration any other eye health or vision needs you may have, such as color or overnight wear requirements.

The Follow-Up

A contact lens fitting test usually includes a follow-up exam. This allows your eye doctor to see how well you’re wearing your new lenses and gives them a chance to monitor any symptoms, such as discomfort or dry eyes.

The first step of this procedure involves determining the curvature of your cornea, which is measured with a device called a keratometer or corneal topographer. This helps your doctor get an accurate prescription and a contact lens that fits correctly.

Next, your eye doctor may give you a trial pair of contacts to wear for a week. If you have any discomfort or vision problems, tell your doctor immediately so that they can catch them early on and prevent long-term health complications. Your eye doctor will also want to know what kind of rewetting drops and multipurpose solution you’ve been using, as these could affect how well the lenses clean up and disinfect. A silver-impregnated contact lens case and solutions with antimicrobial agents are now available to help reduce the risk of infection.

The Care

Using contact lenses correctly requires meticulous cleaning and maintenance to safeguard eye health and ensure consistent, clear vision. Following the recommendations of your eye care professional and taking precautions to protect the eyes from infection can reduce discomfort and prevent the need for expensive replacement lenses.

Before handling contact lenses, always wash and dry your hands thoroughly with mild soap (one without extra oils or perfumes) and a clean, lint-free towel or cloth. This decreases the chance of transferring germs from your hands to the lenses and then to your eyes.

Most contact lens solutions contain preservatives such as benzalkonium chloride or benzyl alcohol. If you have an allergy or sensitivity to these ingredients, discuss with your eye care provider about alternatives that are free of preservatives. Most of these solutions are safe for daily use and may be stored in the case overnight, but a few require a soaking solution with a weak disinfecting chemical such as hydrogen peroxide that must be NEUTRALISED over a specified time period (see your optometrist for specific instructions). Contact lens cases should also be replaced regularly to prevent build-up of germs.

#Lens #Contact Lens #Contact Lens Fitting

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