It is important to have your eyes examined by an ophthalmologist or optometrist, and get a prescription, before you get contact lenses. An examination for a contact lens fitting usually takes longer than a regular eye test. You must inform your eye care professional in advance that you are planning to get contacts.

The eye care professional will first ascertain the status of your general health and that of your eyes. The professional will want to know why you need contacts—do you have problems with your vision, do you want to change the color of your eyes, or do you want to do both? The examination will be based on the information you provide.

The actual examination will consist of various tests to assess eye health and vision. On the basis of the findings, you will get the prescription for your contacts.

The eye care professional will measure eye curvature and other factors that affect the fitting of the lenses. The eyes of some people tend to be dry, and the lens should not aggravate this condition. Your cornea must also be free of problems that could make it hard for you to wear contact lenses.

Often, the eye care professional places trial lenses over the eyes and checks the fit after the lenses have settled. It may be necessary to try different pairs before you get the right fit. The right lens should provide correct vision, should not cause any adverse reactions and must not damage the cornea.

The lens must not be scratched, chipped or torn. It is the responsibility of the clinician to verify that the lenses meet all established standards and the specific requirements of the customer. Lenses require great care in handling and maintenance. The eye care professional must ensure that the user, especially the first-time user, is fully briefed about how to care for the contacts.