How to Get Contact Lenses with Prescription: A Step-by-Step Guide
Are you aware that your contact lens prescription is different from your glasses prescription? If so, then you also need to know that switching from eyeglasses to contacts would mandate from you, a special prescription. On top of this, you must see an eye doctor who conducts a series of eye tests and measurements to get a prescription. This is to ensure you have the correct contact lens fitting (because ill-fitted contacts aren’t roses). Therefore, in this article, we’ll look at the processes involved in getting a contact lens with a prescription. If you’re interested in getting prescriptions, this is your sign to keep reading.
Finding an Eye Doctor and Preparing for Your Appointment
- Use an online locator tool to find an eye doctor who can fit you with contact lenses. There are several websites online with locators to help you find doctors in your area that can address your contact lens needs. You just need to enter your zip code or city to get the list of nearby doctors.
- Find a doctor who specializes in contact lenses and has experience with your specific needs. Whether you need contact lenses for farsightedness or any condition, verify and ensure the doctor can handle your specific requirements. To ensure capability, you can visit the doctor’s office page for reviews.
- Get a referral from a trusted source, such as a friend or family member. One thing remarkable about personal recommendations is that they account for the reliability and the expertise of the doctor. It doesn’t hurt to ask around to see if anyone you know can recommend an eye doctor.
- Schedule an appointment with the doctor and prepare questions to ask during your visit. You can ask questions about how to care for the contact lens or the benefits of different types of contact lenses for your eyes. If you already have a contact lens prescription, bring it with you. The doctor can verify it and make any adjustments. Also, bear in mind that you can also renew your prescription during the visit.
The Contact Lens Exam and Fitting
Once you’ve found a doctor, two very important visits must happen: an Eye Exam and a Contact Fitting.
The Eye Exam
- Expect a comprehensive eye exam to determine your eye health and vision needs. During the eye examination, the doctor will ask you questions about your health and medical history.
- The exam will assess your visual acuity, check for any eye health issues, and determine the proper fit for contact lenses. The visual acuity test checks for refractive errors like astigmatism nearsightedness or farsightedness.
- Discuss your lens options with your doctor to determine which will best meet your needs. During these discussions, you can ask the doctor if they will prescribe a national brand if you intend to use the prescription elsewhere. If not, they will give you private-label lenses that you can’t get from anywhere but them. If you have a specific brand in mind, discuss with your doctor.
Contact Fitting
- Your eye doctor will measure the size and shape of your eye to get the right fit, as contacts come in a variety of sizes. You need an accurate measurement for a comfortable vision, if not you’ll experience irritation.
- Ask about a free trial pair of lenses to ensure a comfortable fit. The doctor’s office will give you a pair of lenses to try. The trial contacts help you know if the lenses are suitable for your lifestyle and vision needs.
- Learn how to put on, take off, and care for your lenses. Doing so during the appointment helps you maintain your contacts and ensure they have a good lifespan.
Understanding and Obtaining Your Contact Lens Prescription
- A contact lens prescription includes information like power, base curve, and diameter. The way it works is that the base curve and diameter measurements must align with the curvature of your cornea to give you optimal vision.
- Your prescription will also have an expiration date, usually one to two years from the date of the exam. Once this valid prescription expires, you cannot use it to purchase new contact lenses. You must schedule a new eye exam to renew it.
- Note that once your prescription has expired, you can no longer use it to buy contacts.
- You are legally entitled to a copy of your contact lens prescription, so be sure to request one from your doctor. It gives you the convenience of purchasing lenses from any provider and ensures you have the correct specifications for your contacts.
Ordering and Maintaining Your Contact Lenses
- To order contacts online, sign up for a subscription service and enter your prescription details. A website like Acuvue offers you convenient subscriptions that ensure you never run out of contact lenses. Visit such trusted online shop, create an account, and search for your preferred brand.
- Your contact lenses will be shipped directly to your door within 5-10 business days. This benefit removes the need for a shop/store visit and saves you time and money.
- Prioritize your eye health by getting regular eye exams to check for any changes in your prescriptions. These regular tests ensure that your contact is still the best option for your eye needs.
- Don’t forget to budget for contact solutions and storage cases if you don’t wear daily disposable lenses. Your contact lens solution is an essential part of your maintenance. While these may add to the cost, it’s best to get them while purchasing your contacts to avoid procrastination and putting yourself at risk.
- Note: When placing your order, especially your very first order, ensure the brand-specific details match your prescriptions and the contacts are what you need. Confirm that the website will accept your payment method. Are you aware these websites can ship to your area, and even do a home delivery service? Therefore, check if the website can ship to your location.During your checkout, ensure that the number of boxes purchased matches the cost of the contacts. Never forget to review the total amount you need to pay to avoid unexpected charges.
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Conclusion
It is established that to get a prescription for contact lenses, you need to visit an eye doctor. While the doctor conducts various tests and measurements to get your accurate fitting, never forget to lay your concerns and questions for him. Your contacts prescriptions are never the same as your glasses prescriptions. If you’re switching from glasses to contacts, get a prescription from an eye care professional. While you can order contacts online, ensure you use a genuine website such as the Acuvue. Create an account and subscribe to get all the latest updates. Remember, your eyes are delicate and never take any decision that puts them at risk while you expect overall great vision.