Getting contact lenses for the first time isn’t always a one-visit experience. It typically involves a series of steps that include an exam, fitting, trial, follow-up, and ordering.
Once you’ve gone through the contact lens exam and fitting, we offer online contact lens ordering for your convenience.
Our team supports patients through each step with personalized care and clear guidance, helping to manage expectations and make the experience as smooth as possible.
Starting with the Contact Lens Exam
Before you can order contact lenses, you need a current contact lens prescription, which you can get as part of a contact lens exam.
A contact lens exam involves not only checking your vision, but also assessing the shape and health of your eyes. We’ll measure the curvature of your cornea, evaluate your tear production, and identify any specific needs you may have, such as lenses for astigmatism or multifocal correction.
A contact lens exam and fitting often takes a bit longer than a typical vision test, especially if it’s your first time getting contact lenses. We may ask detailed questions about your lifestyle, how often you plan to wear contacts, and whether you prefer daily disposable lenses or extended-wear options.
The Contact Lens Fitting Process
After your eye exam, the next step is the contact lens fitting. During this stage, we’ll select a trial pair of lenses based on your measurements and vision needs. You’ll try them on during your appointment to assess comfort and clarity.
The fit of your lenses is important. Lenses that are too tight or too loose can cause discomfort or even damage to the eye. We’ll observe how the lenses sit on your eye, and we may ask you to blink and move your eyes around to assess movement and stability. If the first set we try isn’t suitable, we’ll look at different brands, materials, and sizes.
This stage of the process may take more than one appointment, particularly if your eyes require a specialized fit. The goal is to find a lens that offers both good vision and day-long comfort.
Wearing Trial Lenses at Home
Once we find a suitable lens, we’ll give you a supply of trial lenses to take home. This allows you to wear the lenses in real-life conditions, at work, during physical activity, and throughout the day, to see how they perform.
The trial period usually lasts anywhere from a few days to a week. You’ll be asked to pay attention to how your eyes feel and how well you can see. Any dryness, irritation, or visual distortion should be reported at your follow-up appointment.
The Follow-Up Visit
After your trial period, you’ll return for a follow-up appointment. We’ll check the health of your eyes, make any necessary adjustments, and confirm whether you’re ready to order your lenses.
If everything looks good, we will finalize your prescription. If not, you may go through an additional round of trials with a different lens brand or fit. While potentially inconvenient in the short term, this an important step to help reduce complications later on.
Placing a Contact Lens Order
Once your final prescription is confirmed, you’re ready to order your contacts. For standard lenses, this part of the process is often quick. However, the exact timing depends on the brand, prescription complexity, and availability. Some lenses are in stock at the clinic, while others need to be ordered from the manufacturer.
At Total Vision El Cajon, we offer the option to order contacts online, making it easier for you to stay stocked without visiting our clinic. With our online ordering form, you can submit your request and have your lenses delivered to you. This convenience is especially helpful if you already know what works for you and want to maintain your lens supply without interruption.
Online ordering won’t shorten the initial fitting and trial process, but it can make reordering significantly faster and more convenient.
What to Expect as a New Wearer
If this is your first time wearing contact lenses, the full process, from the initial exam to walking away with a supply of lenses, can take anywhere from two to four weeks. This includes the time needed for fittings, trials, follow-ups, and ordering.
Returning wearers who are refitting into the same lenses they’ve used before might move through the process more quickly, sometimes receiving their new lenses within a few days after reordering. But for new users, patience and flexibility are key.
Planning for the Future
Once you’ve found a pair of lenses that work well, future appointments and orders tend to be simpler. Keep your prescription up to date, schedule annual eye exams, and use our online ordering system to streamline the process.
It’s also a good idea to order your lenses in advance of running out, especially if you wear specialty lenses or have a high prescription that may not be stocked regularly.
Moving Forward with Confidence
Getting contacts is a process with multiple steps that build on each other: the exam, fitting, trial, and ordering phases all take time and attention. New wearers should expect several appointments over the course of a few weeks, but the result is a personalized solution that fits both your eyes and your lifestyle.
At Total Vision El Cajon, our online ordering option adds convenience by allowing you to order lenses from the comfort of your home. Once you’ve completed your trial and finalized your prescription, this tool can help simplify ongoing lens care and supply management.
By understanding the timeline and knowing what to expect, you can approach contact lens wear with confidence and comfort.
