Contact Lens Exams

Precise Care For Your Comfort

Contact on Hand

If you wear glasses, you already know they can be a bit restrictive and annoying at times. From fingerprints to constantly pushing them higher on your nose… Contacts provide a different level of visual freedom that glasses just can’t give.  

Wearing contact lenses should feel comfortable and easy. Having a contact lens exam should be the same. That’s why we want to explain what to expect with our favorite optometrist in all of Phoenix, Arizona: Dr. Balocca! 

When you want to wear contacts, you need a special exam. Why? Because the optometrist needs to evaluate contact-specific measurements.

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How’s a Contact Lens Exam Different from a Routine Eye Exam?

Contact lens exams require additional measurements compared to typical eye exams. Think about how the contact sits directly on your eye instead of having some distance between your eyes and glasses. It makes sense that the doctor needs specific insight to prepare your contact lens prescription and brand recommendations, right?

We keep an eye on health by examining several aspects of your vision to understand your overall eye health. Then we get those specific measurements to fit you with the best contacts for your eyes.


And you should know, if you suffer from dry eye, allergies, or recurring eye infections, contacts may not be right for you. The best way to find out is with a contact lens exam.


What to Expect During Your Contact Lens Evaluation

You can count on looking at that eye chart! That’s the starting point… 

Expect additional tests for important measurements like:

  • Eye pressure
  • Peripheral vision
  • Cornea evaluation and measurements
  • Pupil and iris measurements
  • Refraction
  • Tear film evaluation
  • Retinal imaging
  • Possible eye dilation


Dr. Balocca, our compassionate and experienced optometrist here at Eye on Health, performs most of these tests himself! So you can trust that you’re in expert (and kind) hands.

Feel free to ask questions at any point during the process. Our entire team prides ourselves on approachable and professional service. 

What’s a Refractive Error?

Refractive errors are a fancy way of saying what’s ‘wrong’ or irregular in your vision. We know them by common terms like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. 

The optometrist evaluates refractive errors by measuring how the eyes focus by placing a series of different lenses in front of them. (You know, “Is this better, or this? #1 or #2?”)

How Do I Choose the Right Contact Brand?

Woman Putting in Contact

We know, picking out the right brand for your eyes feels overwhelming. That’s why having a compassionate and knowledgeable optometrist is so important.

Which contact brand is best for you? A comprehensive exam helps you find out! The biggest determining factor s based on your cornea’s health and shape. An irregular cornea, or astigmatism, often requires a special contact lens. If you need a toric contact lens, Dr. Balocca helps you pick out the right one. 

He discusses the variety of contact lens options with you — and helps you select the type that best fits your vision needs and lifestyle.


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How Often Do I Have to Change My Contacts?

It depends! Contact lenses may need to be changed daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. It varies based on the type and brand of contact lens you use.

All this comes down to the health of your cornea and those small — but important — details from your contact lens exam. 

When Should Kids Start Wearing Contacts?

There’s no right or wrong age for children to start wearing contacts. While the support and insight of a professional helps, this is a decision best made between the parents and child. 

It comes down to personal eye needs and understanding the responsibility of wearing contact lenses. Contacts require more care and attention than glasses, from handwashing, to properly putting them in, to not sleeping in them at night.

You know your kid’s habits and abilities, so feel free to openly discuss the right choice for your child with Dr. Balocca. As a parent himself, he welcomes conversations like these. 

What Different Kinds of Contact Lenses Can I Get?

Contact lenses are available in either soft or rigid gas permeable form. The majority of people wear soft contact lenses, but the other might be right for you.

Did you know they make specialized contact lenses? Ask about options like:

  • Bifocal contact lenses 
  • Cosmetic lenses 
  • Prosthetic contacts 

Whether you have special eye conditions, want to camouflage irregularities in the eye, or get excited about transforming your eye color, we’re happy to help you find what you want!

When it comes to contact lenses, the options are endless...

When You’re Ready For Your Contact Lens Exam, Come See Us at Eye on Health!

Cactus

Dr. Balocca loves serving his Phoenix community, and when it’s time to get or update your contacts, he’s here for you! 

He’ll let you know what contact lens brands and styles are optimal for you. Remember, choosing the right eye doctor is like choosing the right contacts – they need to fit great! (Eyes are our specialty, not jokes. But we try! And we have fun.)

Our dedicated staff strives to meet all of your vision care needs. From your first visit to your 20th — you’ll be glad you chose us!

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