Trying different lenses
Yes, during the contact lens fitting process, you will try different lenses to ensure you get the best fit, comfort, and vision quality. This is an important part of the fitting to make sure the lenses suit your eyes and specific needs. Here's how the process typically works:
1. Trial Lenses:
After your eye doctor takes measurements of your eyes (including corneal curvature and size), they will give you trial lenses to wear. These are temporary lenses designed to test how well they fit your eyes and correct your vision. You may try a few different types of lenses during this stage:
- Soft Lenses: These are the most common type of contact lenses and may be tested first for comfort and vision clarity.
- Toric Lenses: If you have astigmatism, you may try toric lenses, which are specially designed to provide stable vision by compensating for the uneven shape of the cornea.
- Rigid Gas-Permeable (RGP) Lenses: These lenses are a good option for people with conditions like astigmatism, corneal irregularities, or those who need sharper vision. RGP lenses may take longer to get used to, but they often provide clearer vision than soft lenses.
2. Fitting and Adjustments:
The trial lenses will be fitted to your eyes and you will be asked to wear them for a short period (typically around 15-30 minutes) so your eye doctor can assess:
- Comfort: How do the lenses feel? Are they causing any irritation, dryness, or discomfort?
- Vision: Are you seeing clearly? Are there any blurry spots or issues with distance vision or focus?
- Fit: Does the lens stay in place, or does it shift too much when you blink? Is it too tight or too loose on your eye?
Based on your feedback, your doctor may try different lenses:
- If the first set of trial lenses doesn’t feel right, they might try different curvatures, sizes, or lens types to find the best fit.
- You may also try different brands of lenses, as each brand has slightly different materials and designs that might work better for you.
3. Follow-Up and Re-assessment: If needed
After trying a few different lenses, you'll likely be given a chance to wear the trial lenses for a longer period (a few hours or even a day) to see how they feel throughout the day. You'll return for a follow-up appointment to:
- Assess long-term comfort: Make sure the lenses continue to feel comfortable as the day goes on.
- Evaluate vision clarity: Check that your vision remains sharp and stable, with no discomfort or blurriness.
- Make any necessary adjustments: If there are any issues, the doctor may adjust the prescription or suggest a different type of lens.
4. Final Decision:
Once you've tried a few different types of lenses and found the one that works best for you in terms of comfort and vision, your doctor will finalize your prescription and help you order your lenses. At this point, you’ll:
- Order a supply of lenses based on your prescription.
- Receive instructions on how to care for and wear your lenses properly.
5. Ongoing Monitoring:
After you begin wearing your new lenses, it's essential to continue regular check-ups to ensure they continue to fit well and your eyes stay healthy. You might need to adjust the lens type or prescription over time if your eye health or vision changes.
In summary, yes, you will have the opportunity to try different lenses during the fitting process to ensure the best fit and comfort. The goal is to find lenses that provide clear vision, feel comfortable throughout the day, and suit your lifestyle.