Contact lens fitting: what to expect
Choosing a contact lens isn't the same as choosing spectacle lenses. Contact lenses sit directly on the eye's surface, so a suitable lens depends on more than your prescription alone — your cornea, tear film and lifestyle all play a part. That's why buying online based on spectacle power alone isn't the same as a professional fitting, and why an appropriate eye examination should accompany any new or first contact lens fitting.
At EyeDeal, a typical fitting appointment may include:
- A discussion of your visual needs, lifestyle and how you plan to wear your lenses
- A review of your current prescription and general eye health
- Assessment of your cornea's shape, where appropriate or for certain lens types — this may include corneal measurements to help guide lens selection
- Selection of a suitable lens type based on your prescription, eyes and preferences
- Fitting a trial lens so fit and vision can be checked on the eye itself
- Assessment of how the lens sits, moves and feels once on the eye
- Guidance on insertion, removal and day-to-day lens care
- A follow-up or adjustment if your first lens choice needs fine-tuning
Not every measurement is required for every patient — your optometrist decides what's appropriate depending on your eyes, your prescription and the type of lens you're considering.
Who may benefit from professional fitting?
- First-time contact lens wearers who haven't been fitted before
- Anyone experiencing discomfort, dryness or irritation with their current lenses
- Anyone whose vision feels inconsistent or unclear with their current lenses
- People with astigmatism who may be suited to toric lenses
- People with presbyopia interested in multifocal contact lenses
- Anyone curious about other specialty lens options for their specific eyes
A professional fitting helps identify which options are worth trying for your eyes — it isn't a guarantee that any one lens will resolve every concern.
Why fitting matters
A proper fitting exists to support a few practical things: choosing a lens type that's actually suited to your eyes and prescription, checking that your vision through the trial lens is clear, seeing how the lens sits and moves on your eye, and making sure you know how to insert, remove and care for your lenses safely. If a lens doesn't feel or perform quite right, a follow-up visit lets your optometrist adjust the fit or try a different option.