Contact Lens Exam in Summerlin: What to Expect

Thinking about switching to contact lenses — or due for a new contact lens prescription? A contact lens exam is a bit different from a standard glasses prescription exam, and understanding what's involved can help you prepare and get the best possible fit.

At Trendsetter Eyewear in Summerlin, Las Vegas, Dr. Cynthia Payne provides comprehensive contact lens fittings for new wearers and experienced lens users alike. Here's everything you need to know.

A standard comprehensive eye exam evaluates your overall eye health and determines your glasses prescription. A contact lens exam includes all of that — plus additional measurements and assessments specific to contact lens wear.

The key additions in a contact lens exam include:

Corneal measurements Contact lenses sit directly on the surface of your eye, so the curvature and diameter of your cornea matter enormously. Dr. Payne will measure your corneal curvature (called keratometry) to determine which lens base curve will fit your eye properly.

Pupil and iris measurements These measurements help determine the correct lens diameter for your eye.

Tear film evaluation Your tear film — the thin layer of moisture that coats your eye — plays a critical role in contact lens comfort. If your tear film is inadequate (a condition called dry eye), contact lenses can cause significant discomfort, redness, and blurry vision. A contact lens exam includes an assessment of your tear film quality and quantity.

Trial lens fitting You'll actually try on contact lenses during the exam. Dr. Payne will evaluate the fit on your eye using a slit lamp — checking that the lens centers properly, moves appropriately with each blink, and doesn't cause any discomfort.

Vision assessment with trial lenses Once the trial lenses are on, you'll have a few minutes to let them settle, then Dr. Payne will check your vision and make any necessary prescription adjustments.

This is one of the most common questions we hear — and it's a great one.

Your glasses prescription and your contact lens prescription are not the same, even if your underlying refractive error is identical. Here's why:

Vertex distance. Glasses sit about 12mm in front of your eye. Contact lenses sit directly on your eye. This difference in distance affects how the lens power is calculated, particularly for stronger prescriptions.

Base curve and diameter. Contact lenses require two additional measurements — base curve (the curvature of the back of the lens) and diameter — that have no equivalent in a glasses prescription.

Brand-specific fitting. Different contact lens brands have different fitting characteristics. A -3.00 prescription in one brand may not feel or perform the same as a -3.00 in another brand, even with the same base curve.

This is why a contact lens prescription is a separate document from your glasses prescription, and why it requires a separate fitting evaluation.

Daily disposable lenses The most convenient option for most patients. You wear a fresh pair every day and throw them away at night — no cleaning, no storage, no risk of lens deposits. Daily disposables are also the healthiest option for your eyes, since there's no opportunity for protein buildup or bacterial contamination.

Bi-weekly and monthly lenses These lenses are worn for two weeks or a month, then replaced. They require daily cleaning and proper storage. They're often more economical than dailies for full-time wearers.

Toric lenses for astigmatism Standard soft contact lenses don't correct astigmatism well because they can rotate on the eye. Toric lenses are specially designed to stay in the correct orientation, providing clear, stable vision for patients with astigmatism.

Multifocal contact lenses For patients over 40 who are experiencing presbyopia (difficulty focusing on near objects), multifocal contact lenses provide correction at multiple distances — similar to progressive eyeglass lenses, but in a contact lens.

Rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses For patients with irregular corneas (such as keratoconus), high astigmatism, or specific visual needs, rigid gas-permeable lenses often provide sharper vision than soft lenses. They require a longer adaptation period but are extremely durable and provide excellent optics.

Scleral lenses Large-diameter rigid lenses that vault over the entire cornea and rest on the white of the eye (the sclera). Scleral lenses are particularly valuable for patients with keratoconus, severe dry eye, or post-surgical corneal irregularities.

Las Vegas's desert climate is notoriously hard on contact lens wearers. Low humidity, air conditioning, and wind all accelerate tear evaporation — and contact lenses can make this worse by disrupting the tear film.

If you've tried contact lenses in the past and found them uncomfortable, dry eye may be the culprit rather than the lenses themselves. At Trendsetter Eyewear, we offer a comprehensive dry eye evaluation and treatment program that can make contact lens wear comfortable again for many patients who had given up on lenses.

Treatments that can improve contact lens comfort include:

• Prescription eye drops (Restasis, Xiidra) that reduce inflammation and improve tear production
• IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) therapy — a non-invasive treatment that improves meibomian gland function
• OptiPlus RF — radiofrequency treatment that stimulates the meibomian glands
• Punctal plugs — tiny silicone plugs that slow tear drainage and keep the eye surface more moist
• Switching lens materials — some contact lens materials retain moisture better than others in dry environments

Don't assume you "can't wear contacts" because of dryness. Schedule a dry eye evaluation and let us find a solution.

Contact lens prescriptions expire — typically after one year. This isn't just a billing formality. Annual exams allow Dr. Payne to:

• Check for corneal changes that might affect lens fit
• Evaluate the health of your cornea under the lens (contact lens wear can cause subtle changes over time)
• Update your prescription if your vision has changed
• Assess whether your current lens brand and modality are still the best fit for your lifestyle and eye health

Wearing expired contact lenses — or lenses prescribed for someone else — is one of the most common causes of serious contact lens complications, including corneal ulcers and infections.

• Your current contact lenses (if you wear them) — bring the box or write down the brand, base curve, diameter, and prescription
• Your glasses — we'll compare your glasses and contact lens prescriptions
• Your insurance card — many vision insurance plans cover contact lens exams and provide an annual contact lens allowance
• A list of any eye drops or medications you're currently using

If you're a new contact lens wearer, plan to spend a few extra minutes at the end of your appointment for a brief training session on how to insert, remove, and care for your lenses.

Trendsetter Eyewear is conveniently located in Summerlin, Las Vegas, and serves patients from throughout the Las Vegas Valley. Dr. Cynthia Payne has over 30 years of experience fitting contact lenses for patients of all ages and prescriptions.

To schedule your contact lens exam, contact us online or call (702) 479-5222. We offer flexible appointment times and can often accommodate same-week scheduling.

Related reading:

• Comprehensive eye exams in Las Vegas — what's included in your annual visit
• Eye doctor that takes VSP near me — how to use your vision insurance for contacts
• Dry eye treatment in Summerlin — contact lens discomfort is often a dry eye issue

Whether you're a first-time contact lens wearer or looking to update your prescription and explore new lens options, we're here to help you see clearly and comfortably.