Switching to contact lenses opens up new freedom. You no longer have to deal you’re your frames slipping down your nose or your glasses fogging up and you get to enjoy a natural field of vision. But before you can enjoy these benefits, a correctly fitted contact lens is essential and that is when a contact lens fitting session comes into the picture. Unlike a standard eye test, the contact lens fitting process ensures your lenses match your eyes perfectly. In this contact lens fitting guide, you will find all the details that you need to know about a contact lens fitting session, including why these fitting sessions are crucial, the steps involved, what to expect and answers to some of the most common questions around the lens fitting session.
Why is a contact lens fitting session crucial?
A proper fitting does more than help you see clearly and find the best fitting lenses for you, but it can also protect your eye health. Poorly fitted lenses can lead to irritation, infections or even long-term damage to the cornea. Tina Patel, Contact Lens Optician at Feel Good Contacts, says:
“Skipping this step may seem like a shortcut, but it increases the risk of serious complications that can easily be avoided with expert guidance.”
A professional fitting ensures:
- Optimal comfort: Correctly sized lenses reduce irritation and discomfort.
- Accurate vision correction: Tailored prescriptions improve clarity and stability.
- Healthy eyes: Regular assessments to ensure the lenses are not causing any issues.
What happens at a contact lens fitting session?
A contact lens fitting is very different to a regular eye exam because it focuses on which lenses would be most suitable and how the lenses interact with your eyes. Here’s what typically happens:
1. Discussion and lifestyle assessment: Your optician will start by asking questions about your needs and habits to determine the best types of contact lenses for you. Are you planning to wear lenses daily or just for sports? Do you prefer the convenience of daily disposables or the value of monthly lenses? They’ll also review your medical and eye health history, including conditions like dry eyes or allergies.
2. Detailed eye health assessment: Even if you recently had an eye test, additional measurements are needed for lenses. This includes:
- Prescription check: Contact lens prescriptions differ slightly from glasses because lenses sit on your eye rather than in front of it.
- Corneal measurements: Using specialist instruments, the optician measures the curve and size of your cornea to determine the correct lens fit.
- Tear film assessment: An unstable tear film is one of the most common causes of discomfort
3. Trial contact lenses selection and testing: Based on your prescription and the opticians findings, you’ll trial contact lenses. These might be soft lenses (most common), toric lenses for astigmatism, or multifocal lenses for presbyopia. The optician usually inserts the lenses and allows them to settle before checking visual clarity, lens movement with blinking and the overall comfort. If something feels off, different lenses are tested until the best match is found.
4. Lens handling training and aftercare advice: You will be trained and told how to insert and remove lenses safely and how to care for them. The optician will also teach essential hygiene tips, like never rinsing lenses with tap water, washing and drying hands before handling lenses, and using the right cleaning solutions for reusable lenses. Finally, you’ll get instructions on wear time, cleaning routines and replacement schedules.
5. Follow-up appointment is booked: A follow-up appointment is usually scheduled within one to two weeks from the day of your contact lens fitting session to ensure the lenses remain comfortable and your eyes stay healthy.
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What to expect at a contact lens fitting session?
If it’s your first time, you might be unsure what to expect from your contact lens fitting appointment. Here’s what to expect:
- It can take up to 60–90 minutes: Including time for assessments, trials and training.
- You’ll practice handling lenses: It might take a few tries, but your optician will guide you until you’re confident.
- You’ll leave with a trial plan: You may get trial lenses to wear at home, along with instructions on how long to use them each day. This process also gives you a chance to test the contact lenses based on your ideal wearing schedule, like daily disposables or monthlies and also on the type of vision correction, like multifocal or toric lenses.
FAQs around contact lens fitting session
How long does a contact lens fitting session take?
Most fittings take 60–90 minutes. This includes your eye measurements, trial lens assessment and a lesson on inserting and removing lenses.
Do I need a contact lens fitting if I already have a glasses prescription?
Yes. A glasses prescription doesn’t include certain measurements which are essential for safe contact lens wear. The contact lens prescription can also be slightly different because the lenses sit directly on the eye and the glasses sit slightly further away.
Can I choose my lens type during the fitting?
You can discuss preferences (daily, monthly, toric, multifocal, etc.) with your optician. The final choice depends on your eye measurements, prescription and lifestyle needs.
Is a trial pair included in a contact lens fitting session?
Most fittings include trial lenses so you can test comfort and vision before finalising your prescription.
Do I need a fitting for coloured or cosmetic lenses?
Yes. Even non-prescription coloured lenses must be professionally fitted to avoid discomfort or damage to your eyes.
What happens if the trial lenses don’t feel comfortable?
Your optician will try different sizes, materials or designs until they find the best fit for your eyes.
How often do I need a contact lens check up?
After your first fitting, a follow-up is usually scheduled within 1–2 weeks. Once your prescription is stable, annual check-ups are recommended.
Can I skip the fitting and order lenses online?
No, wearing lenses without a proper contact lens fitting and prescription assesment can lead to poor vision, discomfort or serious eye complications. It is essential to get fitted by a qualified professional to ensure optimal eye health.
Tina Patel is a qualified Contact Lens Optician at Feel Good Contacts with over 25 years of experience in the optical industry. She is a member of ABDO and registered with the GOC. Tina holds a BSc. (Hons) in Optical Management from Anglia Ruskin University and qualified as a Dispensing Optician in 2002. In 2007, she further specialised by completing advanced training in contact lenses, gaining her qualification as a Contact Lens Optician. She now shares her clinical expertise through teaching at City, University of London, guiding future opticians.
