Contact Lens Removal: Is It Necessary for Your Eye Exam?

Keeping your eyes in top shape requires regular examinations at the office of your eye doctor. But if you’re a contact lens wearer, should the lenses come out before an exam? While it might seem minor, it’s an important question to ensure you get the most accurate assessment possible.

When You Should Remove Your Contact Lenses

There are a few scenarios when you should remove your contact lenses before an eye exam:

• Comprehensive Eye Exam. In a comprehensive eye examination, your optometrist assesses your overall eye health and evaluates your vision quality. They will also consider your medical history, screen for eye diseases and discuss any vision concerns you might have. You will likely need to remove your contact lenses during this exam to obtain the most accurate results.
• Contact Lens Fitting and Evaluation. If you are visiting for a contact lens fitting or evaluation, your eye doctor may require you to remove your contact lenses during certain tests. This enables them to assess the health of your corneas, measure the lens fitting properly and recommend modifications if necessary.
• New Prescription. If you have developed changes in your vision and suspect you might need adjustments to your contact lens prescription, you should remove your lenses. The optometrist will need to assess your eyes without visual aids to provide a new, accurate prescription for glasses or contact lenses.

When You May Keep Your Contact Lenses In

In some cases, you may be able to wear your contact lenses throughout your eye exam:

• Routine Contact Lens Checkups. Suppose you are visiting for a routine contact lens check-up. In that case, your optometrist may allow you to keep your lenses in, particularly if you have worn them without complications and have a stable prescription.
• Contact Lens Comfort Evaluation. Should you experience discomfort, dryness or other issues with your current contact lenses, your optometrist may request that you come in wearing them to evaluate the potential cause of your discomfort.
• Ortho-K Comfort Evaluation. When you’ve had orthokeratology therapy, you need regular follow-up appointments with the eye care provider to monitor eye health and adjust the lens prescription as needed. If you’re experiencing discomfort or other issues with your lenses, your optometrist might ask you to keep them in for the examination so they can accurately identify the potential cause of the issue.

It’s always best to bring your contact lens case and solutions to the eye exam, as your optometrist may need you to remove your lenses at any time during the examination.

Choose Us as Your Eye Care Provider

Are you ready to prioritize your eye health? Contact Insight Vision Center Optometry, for comprehensive eye exams, ortho-k lens evaluations and more. Call us at (714) 486-3315, or fill out our online contact form for more detailed inquiries. We look forward to guiding you to better eye health! We serve clients in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach, CA, and the surrounding communities.