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Before you can buy contact lenses, or spectacles either for that matter, you will have to submit yourself to an eye test. However, the eye test for contact lenses is a bit more detailed than a test for ordinary specs, so you should tell the optometrist which sort of lens you want before the test starts in order to save time.

An eye test will normally start with a physical examination of your eyes for signs of eye disease such as cataracts and glaucoma or general problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes. This is why it is so important to have an eye test at least every two years, because a physician does not give routine checks for cataracts, diabetes or glaucoma, the three of which can turn you blind.

Your optometrist might pose other questions as well such as why you would prefer to have contact lenses rather than spectacles and whether you have had any problems with your eyes. The decision to wear contact lenses or specs is wholly yours, although in some countries spectacles might be free whereas there might be a charge for contact lenses because they are more expensive.

The results of the optometrist’s test will produce a set of numbers which will tell an optician the strength of the lens required for each eye as the lens needed for each eye is normally different. This is commonly referred to as your prescription. Then you take this prescription to an optician to choose your spectacle frames, if you are having glasses, and to have your lenses made or and fitted.

In the case of specs, lenses will either have to be cut or and adjusted for the frames that you want and in the case of contact lenses, you might have to have the lenses manufactured. In either case, you might be lucky enough to walk out of the shop wearing your glasses or contacts or you may have to return in a few hours or even a couple days. No optician worth his salt will sell you expensive lenses without a prescription.

There is an clear vital difference between glasses and contact lenses – contacts have to make contact with your eyeballs and not all eyeballs are exactly the same shape. Therefore, if you would like contacts, the optometrist will have to measure the exact curvature or the exact contours of your eyes and this will be part of your prescription. Some eyes are naturally drier than others and this can affect the sort of contact lenses that you ought to buy.

Your optician will then often give you a pair of trial contact lenses and require you to return a couple of days later for further tests. You might have to wear a number of types of contacts before you find a type or marque that suits your particular eyes and sight.

Once you have contacts that seem to suit, you will have to follow the directions and advice that comes with them and return for your check-ups when you are asked to. These follow-ups are important to make sure that the contact lenses are not irritating your eyes or causing more serious conditions.

Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on several topics, but is now involved with Designer Spectacles. If you want to know more, please visit our web site at Spectacles Direct.

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