Contact-lens fitting and evaluation
A contact-lens prescription must do more than provide the right optical power. The lens must align with the eye, move or settle as intended, provide useful vision, remain practical to handle and support healthy wear. A fitting therefore combines measurements, trial lenses, observation on the eye and the wearer’s experience.
On this page
A careful starting assessment.
- People considering contact lenses for the first time
- Existing wearers whose comfort or vision has changed
- People whose prescription has changed
- People wanting lenses for sport, work or another particular activity
- People with keratoconus or another irregular corneal shape
- People who may need a custom, corneal rigid or scleral lens assessment
- Children where lens wear is clinically and practically appropriate
- Blur or unstable vision with current lenses
- Dryness, awareness, redness or reduced comfortable wear
- Difficulty inserting, removing or caring for lenses
- A changed prescription or new visual task
- A lens that moves excessively, dislodges or feels tight
Assessment before recommendation.
What is assessed
The assessment brings together the current prescription, eye and general health history, previous lens experience, corneal shape, tear film, eyelids and blink. The exact measurements depend on the person and the findings.
The clinician also considers the wearing environment, visual tasks, handling ability and present hygiene or care routine. A lens is judged by how it performs on the eye as well as by its labelled power.
- Vision with the lens and how stable that vision remains
- Lens movement, position, coverage and stability
- Comfort and the response of the eye
- Work, sport, screen use, air conditioning and other wearing conditions
Diagnostic fitting
A diagnostic lens may be placed on the eye and allowed to settle before vision, centration, movement, coverage, comfort and its relationship with the eye are assessed. A labelled box prescription is not a substitute for this evaluation.
Complex fittings may need an ordered trial lens and more than one review. Each stage is used to refine the likely balance of vision, comfort, handling and eye health rather than to promise a particular result.
Possible lens types
Depending on the prescription, corneal shape, eye health and practical needs, an assessment may consider daily disposable or reusable soft lenses, toric lenses for astigmatism, multifocal lenses, corneal rigid lenses, scleral lenses or orthokeratology lenses.
Other custom designs may be considered only where they are clinically appropriate and actually available. This list explains lens families and does not confirm the practice’s current product range.
Handling and care
Before independent wear, the patient should understand hand hygiene, insertion and removal, the approved cleaning and disinfection routine, replacement, water avoidance and the prescribed wearing schedule.
They should also know which symptoms require lens removal and prompt professional advice. Safe habits matter whether a lens is worn every day or only for selected activities.
Follow-up is part of fitting
Follow-up may assess vision, comfort, lens performance, eye health, handling and real-world wear experience. The findings may support the original choice, lead to refinement or show that another form of correction would be more suitable.
A contact-lens fitting is therefore a process rather than a one-off lens selection. Continuing review helps identify changes in the eye, the lens or the wearer’s needs.
What to expect.
Not every patient follows every stage, and the order may change. The practitioner will explain what is relevant for you.
- 01
Discuss needs and experience
Review activities, previous lens wear, comfort, goals and practical constraints.
- 02
Examine the eyes
Assess prescription, eye health, corneal features and tear film as relevant.
- 03
Select a diagnostic lens
Choose a provisional type and parameters based on the findings.
- 04
Evaluate on the eye
Check clarity, fit, movement, centration and ocular response after settling.
- 05
Teach safe handling
Practise insertion, removal and the prescribed care routine.
- 06
Review real-world wear
Reassess comfort, vision and eye health and refine the lens where needed.
Options depend on findings, goals and practical needs.
Soft contact lensesDaily or reusable designs may suit many routine prescriptions; the current supplied range requires confirmation.Read the explanation
Soft lenses include daily disposable and reusable designs. Prescription, tear film, eye health, comfort, wearing environment and handling all influence whether a design is suitable.
A lens is assessed on the eye rather than chosen from the prescription alone. Follow-up helps confirm vision, movement, comfort and the health of the eye during real-world wear.
Corneal rigid lensesShape-retaining lenses may provide useful optical performance for selected prescriptions and corneal shapes.Read the explanation
This option is part of the assessment described on this page. The lens is evaluated for vision, position, movement or settling, comfort, handling and the response of the eye.
Suitability is individual and may require a diagnostic or ordered trial lens followed by review. A specific design is not assumed to be available until the practice confirms it.
Specialist or custom lensesA separate assessment may consider scleral, custom soft or another design when standard options do not meet the need.Read the explanation
This option is part of the assessment described on this page. The lens is evaluated for vision, position, movement or settling, comfort, handling and the response of the eye.
Suitability is individual and may require a diagnostic or ordered trial lens followed by review. A specific design is not assumed to be available until the practice confirms it.
Potential benefits
- A correction selected for the eye as well as the prescription
- Practical support with handling and care
- Early identification of fit or health concerns
- A back-up plan when lenses should not be worn
Limitations and context
- Contact lenses are medical devices and are not risk-free.
- Not every person, prescription, eye condition or daily environment suits lens wear.
- Comfort and vision vary; a trial does not guarantee successful long-term wear.
Care continues after the first visit.
- Remove contact lenses and seek prompt professional advice for pain, marked redness, unusual light sensitivity, discharge or a sudden change in vision.
- Keep lenses and cases away from tap, shower, swimming-pool and other water.
- Use only the lens, solution and wear schedule prescribed for you.
- Keep up-to-date spectacles available when lenses need to be removed.
This page provides general information and does not replace an individual eye examination or advice. Suitability, current service availability and the exact care pathway must be confirmed with Eksteen Optometrists.
Frequently asked questions
These answers are general. An individual assessment is needed for advice about your own eyes, prescription or lenses.
Can I order using only my spectacle prescription?
A contact-lens specification includes lens type and fit as well as optical power. An on-eye fitting and current eye-health assessment are important.
Should lenses feel painful at first?
No. Some designs may be noticeable during adaptation, but pain, marked redness or sudden blur needs advice rather than perseverance.
Can I swim in contact lenses?
Contact lenses should be kept away from water because of infection risk. Ask about prescription goggles or another safe plan for water activities.
Contact the practice for contact-lens fitting
Share the main concern and any relevant diagnosis. The practice will contact you to discuss the appropriate appointment type.