Contact lenses are a great alternative to prescription eyeglasses for many people. They are small, curved lenses that fit right over your eye and provide vision correction for common vision problems such as astigmatism, myopia, presbyopia and more. One of the greatest benefits of contact lenses over eyeglasses is that it frees one from having to wear bulky eyeglass frames on their face. Many active people such as those who spend much time outdoors or participate in sports appreciate the freedom from frames very much.

While contact lenses can turn out to be much more comfortable in the long run than prescription eyeglasses, there is a period of adjustment in the beginning. Before you are used to your contact lenses and are familiar with how they feel, you may question whether your contacts fit properly or if they are in properly. This guide will help you determine how to evaluate if your contact lenses fit as they should and will also provide some general tips on contact lens insertion.

At the Eye Doctor's Office

When your eye care professional diagnoses you with a vision problem that requires correction, you will discuss eyeglasses versus contact lenses and you may decide you prefer to try contact lenses. Your eye doctor will go over the several types of contact lenses available and may ask you several questions about your lifestyle in order to help determine which type of contact lenses will be best for you. Next, your optician will measure the surface of your eye in order to determine its curvature. He or she will determine key measurements with an instrument called a keratometer. Because everyone's eyes have different shapes, sizes and levels of curvature, your eye doctor may use a computer to further measure certain aspects of the surface of your eyes. This may take several minutes, but try to be patient and helpful as it is crucial to have proper measurements if your contact lenses are to fit correctly.

After all measurements are taken, your eye doctor will have a good idea of exactly which size and curve your contact lenses should be. He or she will hopefully have a pair of contact lenses to fit your size and prescription right in their office so that they can help you insert them for the time and go over the fit with you. Another good reason for trying on your first pair of contact lenses at the optician's office is that they can use a biomicroscope to help judge the fit of the lenses. It will generally take 10 to 15 minutes for the contact lens to settle into your eye, but after that, the doctor will look for any signs indicating that the lens is not a perfect fit. Some of the things he or she will look for are:

- Lenses that are too flat or too steep for your eyes can cause damage to your cornea and should be carefully avoided. These will generally cause great discomfort, so you will definitely know something is wrong if this is the case.

- Shifting of the contact lens off your eye and onto the whites of your eyes. Generally this would indicate that you might need a slightly different size.

Putting in Your Contact Lenses

To wear your contacts correctly and ensure the proper fit, follow these tips

- Always wash and dry your hands first

- Place the lens on the tip of your index finger, ensuring it's rightside-up

- Hold your upper eye lid open with your other hand

- Gently place the lens on your eye as you stare straight into a mirror

- Release your eyelids and blink gently