The contact lens check-up

It is important to have regular check-ups to make sure that your contact lenses are still suitable for you, and are not damaging your eyes. Your optometrist will tell you how often you need to have check-ups, as this will depend on factors such as the type of lenses that you wear and how long you wear them for.

Wherever you buy your lenses, you should check whether the price you are paying includes check-ups. Your contact lens specification (prescription) will contain an expiry date and you will not be able to buy lenses after that date.

What should I bring to my contact lens appointment?

• Your contact lens case (if you have one).
• Your current spectacles.
• Any details of contact lens solutions or eye drops that you are using.
• The details of the contact lenses you are wearing if you have not had them fitted by that practice.

What happens during a contact lens check-up?

Your optometrist will usually ask you to come in for your contact lens check-up wearing your lenses, and having had them in for a reasonable length of time. It is a good idea to have your appointment in the afternoon so that the optometrist can assess the health of your eyes when the lenses have settled down on your eyes.

During the check-up, your optometrist will:

• ask you if are having any problems with your lenses, and how long you wear them for
• check your vision
• examine the front of your eyes using a slit lamp microscope
• see how your eyes behave with the lenses in and while you are wearing your contact lenses
• examine your eyes without your contact lenses in
• put orange dye in your eyes, which will allow them to look at your tears and see any damage the lenses may be causing to your cornea. (The dye is completely harmless and will not damage your eyes or your lenses.)

When the optometrist is happy that your contact lens fitting is complete they will give you a copy of your contact lens specification (prescription), which will include an expiry date. You will not be able to order contact lenses after this date unless you have another check-up.

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