If you wear contact lenses—or plan to—it’s essential to have a contact lens exam every year, even if your vision feels fine.
Whether you wear contacts for vision correction or simply as a cosmetic choice (like colored lenses), this exam isn’t just a formality—it’s a must for maintaining healthy eyes and clear vision.
Let’s break down what a contact lens exam involves, why it’s important, and what can happen if you skip it.
🧑⚕️ What Is a Contact Lens Exam?
A contact lens exam is a specific type of eye check-up designed for contact lens wearers or first-timers who want to start. It usually happens alongside your comprehensive eye exam, but includes extra contact-specific tests and fittings.
Here’s what typically happens during a contact lens exam:
- 📋 A consultation with your eye doctor about your needs (daily lenses, monthly, colored, etc.)
- 📏 Eye measurements like corneal curvature and pupil size
- 💧 Tear film evaluation to check for dryness or suitability
- 🧿 Lens fitting to ensure comfort, alignment, and vision clarity
- 🧼 Instructions for inserting, removing, and cleaning lenses
- 🔁 Practice session for first-time users
🩺 A follow-up appointment, if you’re trying lenses for the first time or switching brands
✅ Why You Should Get an Exam Every Year
Even if your vision seems unchanged or you only wear lenses occasionally, an annual contact lens exam ensures everything’s working safely and effectively.
Here’s what your doctor is checking:
- 🕶️ Are you seeing clearly?
- 📈 Do you need a prescription update?
- 👁️ Are the lenses still fitting your eyes properly?
- 🦠 Are there any signs of irritation, infection, or dryness?
- 🔄 Is there a better lens option for your lifestyle?
Your eyes can change subtly each year—and the wrong lens fit or outdated prescription can cause blurry vision, discomfort, or long-term issues.
⚠️ What Happens If You Skip It?
Choosing not to get an annual contact lens exam could put your vision at risk. Here’s what you could face:
Risk | Why It’s a Problem |
|---|---|
❌ Outdated prescription | Causes eye strain, headaches, or blurred vision |
❌ Poor lens fit | Leads to irritation, red eyes, or corneal damage |
❌ Undetected eye changes | You may develop dryness, astigmatism, or presbyopia |
❌ Higher risk of infection | Lenses without proper care can trap bacteria |
❌ Unsafe lens usage | Improper fit or material can reduce oxygen flow to the eyes (cornea hypoxia) |
Even if you’re careful about hygiene, contact lenses can increase the risk of conditions like:
- 👁️ Eye infections
- 🛑 Corneal abrasions (scratches)
- 😵 Oxygen deprivation to the eye (hypoxia)
Annual exams are a preventive step to catch issues before they become serious.
😎 What If You Only Wear Contacts Sometimes?
Still need an exam.
Yes—even occasional users should get a yearly contact lens check-up. Just a few hours of improper lens wear can have long-lasting effects.
👓 Glasses Prescription ≠ Contact Lens Prescription
They are not the same. Contacts are medical devices that sit directly on your eye and require precise measurements of:
- Shape
- Size
- Material compatibility
Even if you already have a valid glasses prescription, you must get a separate contact lens prescription from an eye doctor.
Also: contact prescriptions expire in 1–2 years, depending on your country. You need a valid one to legally purchase lenses, whether online or in-store.
👁️ IVALens Says: Don't Skip the Check-Up
Contact lenses give you the freedom of vision without frames—but they’re not risk-free. Your eyes change, and your lenses need to adapt.
Getting a yearly contact lens exam isn’t just about vision—it’s about protecting your eye health and keeping your lifestyle smooth and stress-free.
So whether you’re an everyday IVALens user or just wear them to turn heads on special nights, your eyes deserve expert attention.
🗓️ Book that exam. Your future self will thank you.
