What’s the Difference Between an Eye Exam and a Contact Lens Exam?

When it comes to maintaining your vision and eye health, routine exams are essential. But if you wear or are considering contact lenses, you may wonder whether a regular eye exam is enough. The truth is that a contact lens exam involves more than a standard eye checkup. Understanding the difference between these two exams can help you make informed decisions about your eye care needs.

What Is a Comprehensive Eye Exam?

A comprehensive eye exam is designed to assess your overall eye health and visual acuity. During this exam, your optometrist will:
 

• Check how clearly you see at different distances

• Test for common refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism

• Evaluate how your eyes work together

• Screen for signs of eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration

This exam is crucial for identifying any issues that may affect your vision or eye health, even if you do not wear corrective lenses.

What Is a Contact Lens Exam?

A contact lens exam includes everything from a comprehensive eye exam but goes further to ensure your eyes can comfortably and safely wear contact lenses. It involves:
 

• Measurements of the corneal curvature to determine the best contact lens fit

• Evaluation of your tear film to ensure your eyes can support contact lens wear

• A trial fitting with sample lenses to observe comfort and vision quality

• Follow-up appointments to monitor your eye health and lens performance

If you are a new wearer, your optometrist may also teach you how to insert, remove, and care for your lenses properly.

Why Do You Need Both?

Although both exams may be scheduled at the same visit, they serve different purposes. A comprehensive eye exam focuses on eye health and general vision correction, while a contact lens exam is specifically tailored to fitting and prescribing contact lenses. Since contacts sit directly on the eye’s surface, ensuring a proper fit and healthy lens wear is essential for preventing complications such as infections, irritation, or long-term damage.
 

Can You Skip the Contact Lens Exam If You Already Have a Prescription?

It is important not to rely on an outdated prescription, even if you feel your vision has not changed. Your eyes can undergo subtle shifts over time, and wearing lenses that do not fit properly or provide the correct prescription can lead to discomfort or damage. Regular contact lens exams help ensure your prescription is accurate and your eyes remain healthy with lens use.

Schedule Your Next Exam at InnoVision Optometry

While a comprehensive eye exam gives you a full picture of your eye health, a contact lens exam is necessary to ensure your contacts are the right fit and type for your eyes. Whether you are new to contacts or a long-time wearer, both exams play a critical role in protecting your vision and comfort. We are committed to helping you see clearly and feel comfortable in your eyewear or contact lenses. 

Whether you need a comprehensive eye exam, a contact lens fitting, or both, Dr. Su at InnoVision Optometry is here to guide you. Visit our office in Rowland Heights, California, or call (626) 593-8700 to schedule your appointment today.