Contact Lens Exams | Phoenix

Comfortable Eyes, Clear Vision

Contact lenses can provide crisp, clear vision with added freedom compared to glasses. Whether you’re interested in having the option to wear contact lenses occasionally or prefer to go glasses-free most of the time, we’re here to help you find the right fit.

Our contact lens exams include a thorough assessment of your eye health, taking precise measurements of your eyes, and matching you with the right style of lens to suit your prescription and preferences.

If you’re interested in trying contact lenses for the first time, we’ll provide you with careful instructions on how to insert, remove, and care for your new contact lenses.

To get started with contact lenses or to update your current prescription, book your contact lens exam and fitting with Eye On Health today.

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Why Are Contact Lens Exams Important?

Contact lenses are medical devices that rest directly on the surface of your eye. Because of this, it’s important to have a precise fit.

Getting a careful contact lens exam and fitting through an optometrist helps keep your eyes healthy, safe, and comfortable while wearing contact lenses.

What Does a Contact Lens Exam Include?

A contact lens differs from a standard eye exam, as we need to take additional measurements of your eyes for a precise fit.

To make sure your eyes stay healthy while wearing contact lenses, your contact lens exam will begin with a thorough evaluation of your eye health, particularly relating to the surface of your eye. If you’re experiencing symptoms of dry eye or suffer from frequent allergies or eye infections, we may need to discuss treatment options for these conditions before fitting you for contact lenses.

Once we determine that contact lenses are a good option for you, we can take some measurements to find the right fit. This includes measuring the surface of your eyes and checking for any irregularities, such as astigmatism. If you have astigmatism, Dr. Balocca may recommend specialty toric contact lenses for better vision.

After measuring your eyes and determining which style of lenses to try, Dr. Balocca and the team will assist you with a trial pair of lenses. If it’s your first time wearing contact lenses, or you’re trying a new style, we will instruct you on how to insert and remove them, how to care for them, and discuss how often they will need to be replaced. You’ll be able to return for a follow-up appointment in a few weeks to check on your vision and determine if the contact lenses are working well for you.

Different Types of Contact Lenses We Offer

Contact lenses are available in either soft or rigid gas-permable forms. These variations refer to the material that the lenses are made of, and can affect the fit, comfort, and clarity of your vision. We recommend different styles of lenses depending on the strength of your prescription, the existence of astigmatism, and whether you have presbyopia.

If you’ve recently experienced changes to your prescription or are interested in trying a different style of lenses, we’re here to guide you through the selection process.

Soft contact lenses are the most commonly worn type. They are made with a soft, flexible material that provides a comfortable fit, especially for those new to contacts.

Soft contact lenses come in a variety of options, including daily disposables, monthly disposables, and extended wear lenses, as well as contacts designed for nearsightedness, farsightedness, presbyopia, and astigmatism.

Rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses are made with a slightly flexible plastic that allows oxygen to pass through to the eye during wear. They keep their shape while you blink and can provide sharper vision than soft contact lenses, especially for individuals with stronger prescriptions.

RGP lenses are durable and long-lasting. They need to be removed at night to be cleaned and disinfected with contact lens solution.

Multifocal contact lenses include multiple powers, or prescriptions, that offer vision correction at various distances. Multifocal contact lenses are typically recommended for individuals with presbyopia, as they allow you to see clearly both near and far without reading glasses. They provide a great alternative to progressive or multifocal glasses for those who prefer wearing contact lenses.

Toric contact lenses are designed for individuals with astigmatism. These lenses have a special shape, like a slice of a donut, that helps to correct for astigmatism by creating different focusing powers. Additionally, toric lenses include special features that keep the lens oriented in just the right place on the eye. The result is clearer vision for individuals with corneal irregularities.

When Should Kids Start Wearing Contact Lenses?

There is no right age for children to start wearing contact lenses. Whether your child is ready for contact lenses depends on their comfort, interest, and whether they’re ready for the responsibility. Contacts require more care and attention than glasses, from thorough hygiene to proper insertion and not sleeping in them at night.

If your child is interested in trying contact lenses, Dr. Balocca is happy to discuss them with you and your child. As a parent himself, he welcomes conversations like these and can facilitate a discussion that addresses the needs, preferences, and abilities of your child. Together, you can make a decision about whether your child is ready to try contacts.

Visit Us to Fit Your New Contact Lenses

Dr. Balocca loves serving his Phoenix community and is ready to assist you with new or updated contact lenses.

Through a comprehensive contact lens exam, Dr. Balocca can assess the health of your eyes and recommend the style of lens suited to your vision needs and lifestyle preferences. Whether you’re interested in the freedom of choosing between contact lenses and glasses depending on the day, or you prefer to rely on contact lenses as your main form of vision correction, our team is here to assist.

Our dedicated staff strives to meet all of your vision care needs. From your first visit to your 20th, you’ll be glad you chose us! Book your contact lens exam today.

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