Contact lenses sit directly on your eyes, so finding the right pair requires information beyond your vision prescription. Your eye shape, tear quality, eye health, and the way a lens moves can all affect fit and comfort.
At The Vision Hub, a contact lens exam evaluates these factors to help your eye doctor recommend lenses suited to your eyes.
Why Glasses & Contact Lens Prescriptions Differ
Contact lenses require additional information because they sit directly on the surface of your eyes, while glasses rest a short distance in front of them.
A contact lens prescription can include:
- Lens power
- Base curve
- Lens diameter, when appropriate
- Lens brand or material
- Cylinder and axis for certain astigmatism prescriptions
- Other design details based on the lens
These details explain why an eyeglass prescription alone lacks the information needed to order a pair of contacts. A professional fitting also lets your eye doctor see how the lens actually behaves on your eye.
What Happens During Contact Lens Exams?
A comprehensive eye exam assesses your vision and eye health. The contact lens evaluation adds testing focused on how lenses interact with your eyes.
Eye Shape & Curvature Measurements
Your eye doctor measures eye shape and corneal curvature to guide lens selection. Specialty contacts may require additional measurements based on your corneal shape, prescription, and lens design.
Eye Surface & Tear Evaluation
Tear quality and eye surface health can affect contact lens comfort. Your eye doctor also considers factors such as screen use, sports, wearing schedule, and previous contact lens experience when discussing your options.
Trial & Diagnostic Lenses
Trial or diagnostic lenses allow us to assess a lens directly on your eye. The evaluation can include its position, movement, comfort, and visual performance.
Specialty contact lenses may require more precise fittings and follow-up care.
Who May Benefit From Specialty Contact Lenses?
At The Vision Hub, specialty options include scleral lenses, rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses, and myopia control contacts.
Specialty contacts may be considered for patients with:
- Irregular corneas or keratoconus
- Complex or high prescriptions
- Discomfort with standard soft contacts
- Myopia management needs
- Severe and chronic dry eye
- Vision needs requiring customized correction
Can High Astigmatism Be Fitted With Contacts?
Patients with high astigmatism may have contact lens options. Because astigmatism involves differences in eye curvature, fitting may require closer attention to prescription and lens design.
A diagnostic evaluation helps your eye doctor determine which options suit your exact corneal shape, eye health, and vision needs.
Contact Lens Fittings in Northwest Florida
Patients seeking local eye care can learn more about the practice's Freeport location. Whether you are new to contacts, have a complex prescription, or have experienced discomfort with standard lenses, an evaluation can help identify more suitable options.
Book your contact lens exam with The Vision Hub to discuss the right fit for your eyes and daily needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use My Glasses Prescription for Contacts?
A glasses prescription lacks the lens measurements and fitting information required for contact lenses. Your eye doctor also needs to assess how the contact lens performs on your eye.
What Affects Contact Lens Exam Costs?
Cost can vary based on your prescription, eye health, lens type, and the testing needed for your fitting. Specialty contact lenses may require additional measurements for a custom design, diagnostic lenses, and follow-up visits.
Why Do I Need Routine Contact Lens Exams?
Regular evaluations let your eye doctor check your prescription, eye health, and contact lens fit. Changes in your eyes or comfort may affect how your lenses perform, and a current prescription allows you to order replacement contacts.