If you’re thinking about switching to contact lenses or need an updated prescription, a proper contact lens exam is the first and most important step. Unlike a routine vision check, contact lens exams and fittings are specialized evaluations designed to ensure your lenses fit correctly, feel comfortable, and support long-term eye health. At Charles Bittel III, O.D., we provide thorough contact lens exams and fittings in Yorba Linda, CA, helping patients achieve clear vision with lenses tailored specifically to their eyes and lifestyle.

What Is a Contact Lens Exam?

A contact lens exam is a specialized evaluation that goes beyond determining your glasses prescription. While a standard eye exam checks your vision and screens for eye diseases, a contact lens exam focuses specifically on your eye’s shape, surface, and overall suitability for wearing contact lenses.

Because contact lenses sit directly on the surface of your eye, even small variations in corneal shape or tear quality can impact comfort and safety. A customized fitting ensures the lenses you wear are tailored to your unique needs.

Comprehensive Eye Health Evaluation

Before fitting contact lenses, we begin with a thorough eye health evaluation. This step is critical because certain eye conditions - such as dry eye, allergies, or corneal irregularities - can affect how well you tolerate contacts.

During this exam, we:

Evaluate your overall vision and update your prescription
Screen for eye diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic eye disease
Assess the health of your cornea and eyelids

Our eye doctors in Yorba Linda prioritize both clarity of vision and long-term ocular health. If contact lenses are appropriate for you, we move forward with detailed measurements and testing.

Corneal Measurements

One of the most important parts of a contact lens fitting is measuring the curvature and shape of your cornea. Using advanced diagnostic tools, we map the front surface of your eye to determine:

Corneal curvature
Diameter
Surface shape and any irregularities

These measurements help us select lenses with the proper base curve and diameter to ensure a precise fit. A well-fitted lens should center properly, move slightly with each blink, and remain stable during daily activities.

Tear Film Analysis

Healthy tears are essential for comfortable contact lens wear. Your tear film lubricates the eye and helps keep lenses stable and clear.

As part of your contact lens exam, we evaluate:

Tear quantity
Tear quality
Stability of the tear film

If dry eye is present, we may recommend treatment before or alongside contact lens use. Addressing tear film issues helps prevent discomfort, blurry vision, and irritation. Many patients are surprised to learn that proper tear assessment plays such a vital role in successful contact lens wear.

Contact Lens Fitting and Trial Lenses

Once measurements and evaluations are complete, we select trial lenses tailored to your prescription and eye shape.

You’ll try on these lenses in the office so we can:

Assess fit and movement
Evaluate visual clarity
Ensure overall comfort

We examine how the lenses sit on your eyes using magnification and ensure they provide stable, crisp vision. Whether you’re interested in daily disposables, monthly lenses, toric lenses for astigmatism, or multifocal lenses for presbyopia, we provide contacts for patients in Yorba Linda and surrounding areas with a wide range of visual needs.

Education on Lens Care and Wear

Proper care and handling are essential for safe contact lens use. During your appointment, we provide detailed instructions on:

How to insert and remove lenses
Cleaning and disinfecting procedures
Proper storage
Recommended wear schedules
When to replace your lenses

We also discuss warning signs of potential problems, such as redness, pain, or blurry vision, and explain when to remove lenses and contact our office. Our goal is to ensure you feel confident and comfortable caring for your lenses at home.

Experience Expert Contact Lens Care in Yorba Linda, CA

We are proud to provide comprehensive contact lens exams and fittings in Yorba Linda, CA. Our eye doctors take the time to personalize every fitting, helping patients find contacts that match their vision needs, lifestyle, and comfort preferences.

Schedule your contact lens exam and fitting today with Charles Bittel III, O.D., and discover the difference personalized care can make.