Do I Need a Contact Lens Fitting Every Year?

Contact lenses are so common that we sometimes forget that they are medical devices. Incorrectly prescribed, improperly worn, or poorly fitting contact lenses can compromise your vision and threaten your eye health. But you still may be asking yourself, "Do I need a contact lens fitting every year?" The answer in most cases is yes.



As The Woodlands's trusted optometrist, we know how important regular eye exams — including contact lens fittings — are to your vision health. Below, our team at Superior Eye Care discusses why we recommend regular contact lens fittings and what to expect during a fitting exam.

How Often Do I Need a Contact Lens Fitting?

As a general rule, annual contact lens fittings are necessary to keep your prescription up to date and make sure your eyes are healthy. If you go more than a year without an exam and fitting, you may not be able to reorder contacts. The validity of contact lens prescriptions varies by state but is typically between one and two years. 

The frequency of your contact lens fitting exams can also depend on individual factors, including your eye health, your prescription, and your type of contacts.

What Are the Signs I May Need a Contact Lens Fitting?

Because contacts sit directly on your eye, they come with an increased chance of irritation and infection. Even if you're not due for a regular contact lens fitting, you may want to call your eye doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms: 

• Changes in your vision, such as reduced, blurry, distorted, or double vision
• Redness, tearing, or discharge
• Dry eyes
• Discomfort, pain, stinging, or burning 
• Increased light sensitivity 
• Grittiness or the feeling that something is in your eyes
• Contact lenses that fall out, dislodge, or feel like they're moving around

What's Involved in Contact Lens Fittings?

Now that we've answered, "Do I need a contact lens fitting every year?" we'll address what happens during an appointment. 

Comprehensive Eye Exam

While not officially part of the contact lens exam, you may start with a comprehensive eye exam if it has been a while since your last screening. Your eye doctor will check the following:

• Visual acuity (how sharp your vision is)
• Refractive errors (to determine your prescription)
• Eye movements
• Depth perception
• Color blindness
• Blind spots
• Evidence of glaucoma
• Digital retinal imaging or pupil dilation 

Contact Lens Exam

If you tell your eye doctor that you want to wear contacts, you will also receive a contact lens exam. This portion of the exam consists of the following:

• Keratometry: Also known as corneal topography, this process involves measuring the cornea (the clear dome on your eye) to determine the correct size and curvature of your contact lenses.
• Pupil and iris measurements: Your eye professional will measure the size of your pupil and your iris (the colored part of your eye) to determine the proper size of contacts.
• Tear film evaluation: Contact wearers often complain of dry eyes and the accompanying redness and discomfort. Dry eye symptoms can become worse in certain climates, seasons, and environments. Your eye doctor will evaluate your tear film to see whether you may need special contacts for dry eyes. 

Contact Lens Fitting

Finally, your optometrist will conduct the contact lens fitting. This portion of the exam typically includes the following:

• Determining the right type and brand of contact for your vision, lifestyle, and eye health
• Using your measurements to choose a lens that provides the best fit for your eye size
• Instructing you how to insert, remove, and take care of your contact lenses, if it's your first time wearing them
• Providing trial lenses to make sure your new contacts fit comfortably and give you clear vision

Call Us for Contact Lens Fittings in The Woodlands

Now that you know the answer, there's no need to keep asking, "Do I need a contact lens fitting every year?" Call Superior Eye Care at 281-298-5905 to schedule an exam and stay on top of your eye health management.