A contact lens exam makes sure your lenses fit well, feel comfortable, and keep your eyes healthy. Whether you’re trying contacts for the first time or just need your annual prescription renewal, we’ll walk you through everything.
A contact lens exam includes everything in a comprehensive eye exam — vision check, updated prescription, eye health screening — plus extra steps specific to contact lenses:
A contact lens exam is separate from a regular eye exam and has a separate fee. Even if you had an eye exam recently, you’ll need this additional evaluation to wear contacts safely.
If you’ve never worn contacts before, here’s what to expect. It’s much easier than you think — and our team does this every day.
Your doctor will do a full contact lens exam, help you choose the right type of lens, and place trial lenses on your eyes so you can see how they feel. Most first-time wearers are surprised at how comfortable modern contacts are.
Before you go home with your trial lenses, one of our opticians will sit with you and teach you how to put your contacts in and take them out. This is a hands-on session — you’ll practice until you feel confident. A few tips that help:
If you need a second training session, that’s completely fine — some people do, and there’s no extra charge. We’d rather you feel confident than send you home frustrated.
After wearing your trial lenses for about a week, you’ll come back so your doctor can check the fit, make sure your eyes are happy, and finalize your prescription. This visit is included.
Taking good care of your lenses is the single most important thing you can do to keep your eyes healthy as a contact lens wearer. These aren’t just suggestions — they’re the habits that prevent infections.
Before putting lenses in or taking them out. Every time. Soap and water, dried completely.
No tap water, no bottled water, no saliva. Only use the contact lens solution your doctor recommends.
If your lenses are dailies, throw them out at the end of the day. Biweekly means every two weeks — not “until they feel uncomfortable.”
Even a nap increases your infection risk. Take them out before you close your eyes for the night.
Swap out your contact lens case at least every three months. Rinse it with solution (not water) and let it air dry between uses.
Redness, pain, unusual blurriness, or sensitivity to light? Remove your lenses and call us. Don’t tough it out.
If you’re an experienced wearer, your annual contact lens exam is a chance for your doctor to make sure your current lenses are still the best option for your eyes. Even if your vision feels fine, contacts can cause subtle changes to your cornea over time that you won’t notice yourself.
Your appointment is also a good time to ask about:
Contact lens prescriptions are valid for two years under Washington state law. We still recommend annual exams — even if your prescription hasn’t changed, your doctor needs to make sure your lenses aren’t causing any issues you might not notice.
If you already have a current contact lens prescription, you can order your lenses online and pick them up at any of our three locations.
All four of our optometrists fit contact lenses and are happy to work with new and experienced wearers alike.
No referral needed. New patients always welcome.
Schedule a Contact Lens Exam
