FAQ: Contact Lens Exams in Ann Arbor, MI

A contact lens exam includes more than a standard vision check. We evaluate your eye health, measure the shape of your eyes, get a topographic map of your corneas, review your prescription, and determine which type of contact lenses may work best for your needs. We also make sure your lenses fit comfortably and support healthy vision.

A regular eye exam checks your overall vision and eye health, while a contact lens exam includes additional testing for contact lens fit. We measure the front surface of your eyes, assess tear quality, and evaluate how lenses sit and move on your eyes before finalizing your contact lens prescription.

Anyone who wants to wear contact lenses needs a contact lens exam. This includes first-time wearers, current contact lens patients, people with changing prescriptions, and patients who have had discomfort with past lenses. We use the exam to help determine the safest and most comfortable lens option.

Yes, we offer daily disposable contact lenses for patients who want a clean, convenient option each day. Daily lenses can be a good choice for busy schedules, travel, allergies, or patients who prefer low-maintenance contact lens wear without storing or cleaning lenses overnight.

Rigid gas permeable contact lenses, otherwise known as RGPs, are designed for patients whose eyes need more customized lens options. This may include patients with dry eyes, astigmatism, keratoconus, irregular corneas, high prescriptions, or previous trouble with standard soft lenses. Our eye doctors evaluate your eyes carefully to recommend a lens that fits properly.

Yes, many patients with astigmatism can wear contact lenses. Toric soft lenses, rigid gas permeable lenses, or specialty options may be recommended depending on your prescription and eye shape. During your contact lens exam, we will check your fit and vision to help you find a stable, comfortable option.

Scleral lenses are specialty contact lenses that rest on the white part of the eye and vault over the cornea. They can be helpful for patients with dry eye, keratoconus, corneal irregularities, or discomfort with standard lenses. We customize the fit to support comfort and clear vision.

You may be a good candidate for scleral lenses if standard contacts do not feel comfortable or do not provide clear enough vision. Patients with dry eye, irregular corneas, or hard to fit eyes often benefit from this lens type. We can determine candidacy during a specialty contact lens exam.

Orthokeratology or Ortho-K is a specialty contact lens option worn overnight to gently reshape the front surface of the eye. After removing the lenses in the morning, many patients can see clearly during the day without glasses or daytime contacts. We evaluate eye shape, prescription, and lifestyle before recommending Ortho-K.

Corneal Refractive Therapy lenses, otherwise known as CRT lenses, are specially designed as overnight lenses to temporarily reshape the cornea while you sleep. In the morning, you remove the lenses and may experience clearer daytime vision. CRT can be an option for certain patients with nearsightedness after a detailed contact lens evaluation. CRT lenses are a form of Orthokeratology.

Ortho-K and CRT may be appropriate for some children, especially when used as part of a myopia management plan. Safety depends on proper fit, hygiene, follow-up visits, and consistent lens care. We review each child’s eye health and prescription before recommending overnight contact lenses.

A contact lens exam can vary in length depending on your eyes and lens needs. A straightforward soft lens fitting may be quicker, while specialty lenses such as scleral lenses, Ortho-K, CRT, or hard to fit contact lenses may require more time and follow-up visits to fine-tune the fit.

Yes, a contact lens exam is a good time to discuss switching brands or lens types. If your current lenses feel dry, blurry, unstable, or uncomfortable, we can evaluate other options. We may recommend daily disposable contact lenses, toric lenses, multifocal lenses, or specialty lenses based on your needs.

Most patients should schedule a contact lens exam once a year. Annual exams help us confirm that your prescription is current, your lenses still fit properly, and your eyes remain healthy. If you wear specialty lenses or notice discomfort, dryness, redness, or blurry vision, you may need to be seen sooner.