Contact lens fitting and checks
Contact Lens Exams
Contact lenses can be a convenient alternative to glasses, but they need to be fitted and checked properly.
Modern contact lenses come in a wide range of designs and wearing options. The right choice depends on your prescription, eye health, lifestyle, comfort, and how often you want to wear them.
At Waipapa Eyecare, we assess whether contact lenses are suitable for your eyes, fit trial lenses where appropriate, and teach you how to use them safely.
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Contact lens exams may include
- Review of your prescription and vision needs
- Eye health and tear film assessment
- Discussion of lens options
- Trial lens fitting where suitable
- Comfort, movement, and vision checks
- Teaching for insertion and removal
- Cleaning, hygiene, and safety advice
- Follow-up checks where required
Why contact lenses need a separate fitting
A glasses prescription is not the same as a contact lens prescription. Contact lenses sit directly on the eye, so fit, comfort, eye health, and safe handling all matter.
Different prescription
Contact lens prescriptions can differ from glasses prescriptions, especially with higher prescriptions or astigmatism.
Fit and movement
The lens needs to sit and move appropriately on the eye. A lens that fits poorly may be uncomfortable or unsuitable.
Eye health and safety
Because contact lenses sit on the eye, hygiene, wearing time, and regular aftercare are important to reduce the risk of problems.
New to contact lenses?
We can guide you through the process step by step, including trial lenses where appropriate and teaching you how to insert, remove, and care for your lenses safely.
Common contact lens options
The best lens type depends on your eyes, prescription, budget, and how you want to use them.
Daily disposable lenses
Daily lenses are worn once and then thrown away. They can be a good option for convenience, occasional wear, sport, travel, and reducing cleaning requirements.
Fortnightly or monthly lenses
These lenses are reused for a set replacement period and require proper cleaning and storage. They can suit regular wearers when used correctly.
Astigmatism and multifocal lenses
Some people need toric lenses for astigmatism or multifocal contact lenses for reading and distance needs. These usually require more careful fitting and checking.
Contact lens safety matters
Contact lenses are medical devices. Sleeping in lenses, overwearing them, poor cleaning, swimming or showering in lenses, or ignoring discomfort can increase the risk of eye infections and other complications.
Please remove your lenses and seek advice promptly if you have pain, redness, light sensitivity, discharge, sudden blur, or a contact lens that feels wrong and does not settle.
What to expect at your appointment
The process may vary depending on whether you are new to contact lenses or already wearing them.
1. Eye health and suitability
We check your prescription, eye surface, eyelids, tear film, and any factors that may affect contact lens comfort or safety.
2. Trial lenses
Where suitable, we fit trial lenses and assess how they sit on your eyes, how clearly you see, and how comfortable they feel.
3. Teaching and follow-up
New wearers need to learn insertion, removal, cleaning, wearing time, and what warning signs to watch for. Follow-up may be needed before a final prescription is issued.
Already wear contact lenses?
Please bring your current lenses, packaging or prescription details, and your glasses. It is helpful to know the brand, lens power, base curve, diameter, and replacement schedule.
Can everyone wear contact lenses?
Not always. Some prescriptions, dry eye issues, eye health conditions, handling difficulties, or lifestyle factors may make certain lenses unsuitable. We will discuss realistic options with you.
Can I just order lenses online?
Contact lenses should be fitted and checked by an optometrist. Buying lenses without proper fitting and aftercare can increase the risk of poor comfort, poor vision, or eye health problems.
Do I still need glasses?
Yes. Even regular contact lens wearers should have an up-to-date pair of glasses for backup, rest days, illness, irritation, or times when lenses should not be worn.
Book a contact lens appointment
You can book online, phone us, or call in and see us at Waipapa Eyecare.
For urgent eye problems, sudden vision changes, flashes, floaters, eye pain, or injury, please phone us rather than using online booking.