Your first contact lens fitting is not the same as a glasses exam. Even when they happen on the same day, they're two different visits with different goals.
Here's what actually happens at a fitting with Pelini Eyecare, and why the extra time matters.
A Contact Lens Fitting Is Its Own Exam
A glasses prescription tells us how to bend light in front of your eye. A contact lens sits on your eye. That means we need to know more:
- How your cornea is shaped
- How your eye handles a lens through a long workday
- Whether your tear film is up to it
- Which lens material and brand your eye actually likes
A general prescription can't answer any of those. That's why the fitting is a separate visit — and why online "contact prescriptions" from a photo of your face are almost always a bad idea.
What Happens at Your Fitting
Conversation first
We ask about your day. Screens, contacts, workouts, allergies, sleep, travel, what you've tried before and hated. This shapes the rest of the visit.
Corneal measurements
We measure the curve and size of the front of your eye. This is how we pick a lens that actually sits right.
Tear film check
We look at how much moisture your eye is producing and how stable your tear film is. Dry eyes and contacts do not get along without a plan.
Trial lenses
We put a trial pair on you and watch how they fit, move, and feel. You'll wear them in the office for a bit so we can check both.
Wear-and-return
We send you home with the trial pair for a week or two. You wear them through a real day — the whole day, not just a coffee break. Then you come back and tell us how it went.
Final prescription and order
Once we know the lens is comfortable, clear, and safe, we finalize the prescription and place your order. Because contact lenses aren't kept in stock — only samples for the trial — your supply is ordered in, and most contact lenses arrive within a week.
First time in contacts? Book an appointment and we'll take you through the whole thing at your pace.
How Long It Takes
The in-office visit is about 45 to 60 minutes, including your comprehensive exam if you're doing both together. The full fitting process, from first visit to final prescription, usually spans one to three weeks depending on how the trial period goes.
What We Talk About Before You Leave
Every contact lens patient leaves the office knowing:
- How to put a lens in and take it out
- How to clean and store it (or which daily brand not to worry about it)
- When to call us if something feels off
- When your next exam is due
Nothing about contacts should feel like guesswork. If it does, something is missing.
If You've Been Told You Can't Wear Contacts
Many patients with astigmatism have been told for years that they “can't wear contacts.” That hasn't been true in modern optometry for a long time. Lenses made for astigmatism, including daily disposables, work well for a lot of people, and the fitting is how we find out whether one works for you.
Most "I can't wear contacts" stories are really "nobody has fit me properly."
FAQ
Can I wear contacts with astigmatism?
Almost always, yes. Modern lenses handle it well.
Can I sleep in my contacts?
Only if they are specifically approved for overnight wear, and only after a conversation with us. Most patients shouldn't.
Do I need a new fitting every year?
You need an annual exam to keep your contact lens prescription valid. If your eyes have changed, we may adjust your lens; if not, we'll renew and move on.
Ready to Book?
Contacts should be comfortable, clear, and something you barely think about. If yours aren't — or you've never tried — book an appointment with Pelini Eyecare downtown and let's do it properly.
Results may vary. For advice about your own eyes, see Dr. Pelini.
