Contact Lens Evaluation

As with one's feet, hands, body etc, one's eyeballs also come in different shapes and sizes and as such, when wanting to use contact lenses, a good fit is important.

Therefore, accurate measurements of the cornea (the part of the eye on which the contact lens rests) needs to be taken to make sure that a perfectly fitted contact lens is provided, otherwise, should the contact lens not fit comfortably, trauma to the cornea and surrounding areas will occur. If this happens, infections can become rife, resulting in further problems.

Once your optometrist has taken all your measurements they will choose a trial contact lens according to the measurements taken and the lens will then be inserted onto your eye. This is done so that your optometrist can see how the contact lens fits on your eye. It usually takes a few minutes for the contact lens to settle down once it has been inserted. There is a possibility that you may need to try on more than one pair of contact lenses before the correct contact lens is found. Once your optometrist is satisfied with the contact lens fit and sight through the contact lens is good, you will then be ready to learn how to insert, remove and care for your contact lenses.

You will require a corneal and contact lens evaluation every 6 months, as you cannot "see" the state of your cornea's with the naked eye. A specific magnifier must be used. This is to determine the health of the eye and cornea. In the South African law it states and we quote from the Health Professional Council of South Africa Optisight newsletter dated October 2007, "The fitting and dispensing of contact lenses falls within the scope of profession of Optometrists. This means that only registered optometrists are allowed to prescribe and sell contact lenses directly to the public. The board is aware of unregistered persons who are selling contact lenses directly to the public. This is not only illegal, but criminal and we have highlighted this to the prosecuting authorities".