Contact Lens Exams

Contacts Should Feel Clear, Comfortable, and Easy to Wear

Contact lenses can be a great option if you want clear vision without relying on glasses all day.

Whether you are new to contacts, returning to contact lenses, or currently wearing lenses that feel dry, blurry, or uncomfortable, a proper contact lens exam is the first step toward finding the right fit.

At Lux Eye Exam Optometry inside LensCrafters at Cerritos Mall, we provide contact lens exams and fittings designed around your eyes, your lifestyle, and your comfort. Our goal is not just to give you contact lenses — it is to help you wear them safely and confidently.

Call or text 562-809-8826 to schedule your contact lens exam.

What Is a Contact Lens Exam?

A contact lens exam is different from a regular glasses exam.

A glasses prescription is designed for lenses that sit in front of your eyes. A contact lens prescription is different because the lens sits directly on the surface of your eye.

That means your doctor needs to evaluate your eye health, measure the shape of your eyes, check your tear film, and make sure the contact lenses fit properly.

A contact lens exam helps determine:

  • Your contact lens prescription

  • The best lens brand and material for your eyes

  • The right lens size and curvature

  • Whether your eyes are healthy enough for contact lens wear

  • Whether you need daily, biweekly, monthly, toric, multifocal, or specialty lenses

  • How your lenses move and center on the eye

  • Whether your vision is clear and stable with the lenses

  • Whether your eyes stay comfortable throughout the day

  • The right contact lens fit can make a big difference in comfort, clarity, and long-term eye health.

Who Needs a Contact Lens Exam?

You should schedule a contact lens exam if:

  • You want to try contact lenses for the first time

  • You already wear contacts and need an updated prescription

  • Your current contacts feel dry or uncomfortable

  • Your vision gets blurry with your contacts

  • Your contacts move too much or feel unstable

  • You have astigmatism

  • You are over 40 and need help seeing up close

  • You want contacts for sports, work, travel, or special occasions

  • You want to reduce your dependence on glasses

  • You were told in the past that contacts may not work for you

Even if you already have a glasses prescription, you still need a separate contact lens fitting to safely wear contact lenses.

Contact Lenses for First-Time Wearers

Trying contact lenses for the first time can feel intimidating, especially if you are nervous about touching your eyes. That is completely normal.

Our team takes the time to teach you how to insert, remove, and care for your contact lenses safely. We want you to feel comfortable before you leave the office.

During your contact lens training, we will show you:

  • How to wash and dry your hands properly

  • How to tell if the lens is inside out

  • How to place the lens on your eye

  • How to remove the lens safely

  • How long to wear your lenses

  • How to clean and store reusable lenses if needed

  • What warning signs to watch for

  • When to stop wearing contacts and call the office

Some patients learn quickly. Others need more time and practice. Either way, we are here to help you feel confident.

What to Expect During a Contact Lens Exam

Step 1: Comprehensive Eye Exam

We begin by checking your vision, glasses prescription, and overall eye health.

Your doctor will evaluate the front surface of your eyes, eyelids, cornea, tear film, and other factors that may affect contact lens comfort.

This helps us determine whether your eyes are healthy enough for contact lens wear.

Step 2: Lifestyle and Vision Needs

Not every contact lens is right for every person. We will ask about your daily routine so we can recommend lenses that make sense for your life.

We may discuss:

  • How often you want to wear contacts

  • Whether you prefer daily disposable lenses

  • How many hours per day you plan to wear them

  • Whether you use screens for long periods

  • Whether you play sports or exercise

  • Whether you have dry eye symptoms

  • Whether you need help seeing up close

  • Whether you want contacts full-time or part-time

The best contact lens is the one that fits your eyes and your lifestyle.

Step 3: Eye Measurements

We begin by checking your vision, glasses prescription, and overall eye health.

Your doctor will evaluate the front surface of your eyes, eyelids, cornea, tear film, and other factors that may affect contact lens comfort.

This helps us determine whether your eyes are healthy enough for contact lens wear.

Your tear film plays a major role in contact lens comfort.

If your eyes are dry, irritated, or inflamed, contacts may feel uncomfortable or blurry. During your exam, we look for signs of dryness, tear instability, eyelid inflammation, or meibomian gland dysfunction.

If dry eye is affecting your contact lens comfort, we may recommend treating the dryness first or choosing a lens that is better suited for dry eyes.

Step 4: Tear Film and Dry Eye Evaluation

Step 5: Trial Contact Lenses

Once we choose a lens, we will place trial contact lenses on your eyes or teach you how to insert them.

Your doctor will check how the lenses fit, move, and center on your eyes. We will also check your vision through the lenses to make sure the prescription is clear and comfortable.

Sometimes the first trial lens is perfect. Other times, we need to make adjustments to improve comfort or clarity.

Step 6: Follow-Up and Final Prescription

After you try the lenses, we may schedule a follow-up visit to confirm that the contacts are working well.

At the follow-up, we check your vision, comfort, fit, and eye health after you have worn the lenses in real life.

Once everything looks good, your contact lens prescription can be finalized.

Types of Contact Lenses We Fit

At Lux Eye Exam Optometry, we fit many common types of soft contact lenses, including:

  • Daily disposable contact lenses

  • Biweekly contact lenses

  • Monthly contact lenses

  • Toric contact lenses for astigmatism

  • Multifocal contact lenses

  • Monovision contact lenses

  • Contact lenses for teens and first-time wearers

  • Contact lenses for dry or sensitive eyes

Your doctor will recommend the best option based on your prescription, eye shape, tear film, comfort needs, and lifestyle.

Daily Disposable Contact Lenses

Daily disposable contacts are one of the most convenient and comfortable options for many patients. You wear a fresh pair each day and throw them away at night. There is no cleaning solution, no lens case, and less buildup on the lenses over time.

Daily contacts may be a good fit if you:

  • Want the easiest care routine

  • Have allergies

  • Have dry or sensitive eyes

  • Wear contacts part-time

  • Travel often

  • Play sports

  • Are new to contact lenses

  • Want a fresh lens every day

Many patients prefer daily lenses because they are simple, clean, and convenient.

Contact Lenses for Astigmatism

If you have astigmatism, you may still be able to wear contact lenses.

Toric contact lenses are designed to correct astigmatism while helping the lens stay stable on the eye. Because these lenses need to align properly, the fitting process is especially important.

If your current contacts rotate, blur, or feel inconsistent, you may need a different toric lens design.

Contact Lenses for Teens

Contact lenses can be a great option for responsible teens, especially for sports, dance, performance, or everyday confidence.

We help teens learn safe contact lens habits from the beginning. This includes proper hygiene, wearing schedule, lens replacement, and when to stop wearing lenses if the eyes feel irritated.

For many teens, daily disposable lenses are a great starting point because they are simple and do not require cleaning or storage.

Contact Lenses and Dry Eye

If your contacts feel dry, uncomfortable, or blurry by the end of the day, the problem may not be the lens alone.

Dry eye, screen use, allergies, eyelid inflammation, and poor tear quality can all affect contact lens comfort.

At Lux Eye Exam Optometry, we evaluate your tear film and eye surface during your contact lens exam. If dry eye is contributing to discomfort, we may recommend:

  • A different contact lens material

  • Daily disposable lenses

  • Reducing wearing time temporarily

  • Lubricating drops approved for contact lenses

  • Treating eyelid inflammation

  • Dry eye treatment if needed

Our goal is to help your contacts feel comfortable, not just acceptable.

Contact Lens Safety Matters

Contact lenses are medical devices, so proper care is important.

To protect your eyes, you should:

  • Wash and dry your hands before handling lenses

  • Never sleep in contacts unless your doctor specifically says it is safe

  • Do not swim or shower in contact lenses

  • Replace lenses on schedule

  • Do not reuse old solution

  • Keep your lens case clean if using reusable lenses

  • Do not wear contacts if your eyes are red, painful, or light sensitive

  • Schedule regular contact lens exams

Safe habits help reduce the risk of infections, irritation, and contact lens complications.

Why Choose Lux Eye Exam Optometry for Contact Lenses?

At Lux Eye Exam Optometry, we want your contact lens experience to feel clear, comfortable, and supported.

Patients choose our office because we offer:

Contact lens exams for new and existing wearers
Personalized lens recommendations
Daily, toric, multifocal, and soft contact lens options
Training for first-time contact lens wearers
Careful evaluation of dry eye and contact lens comfort
Convenient care inside LensCrafters at Cerritos Mall
A modern, patient-first approach
Clear explanations and practical guidance

We take the time to help you understand your options so you can feel confident with your lenses.

Schedule a Contact Lens Exam in Cerritos

Whether you are trying contacts for the first time or want a better fit than your current lenses, we can help.

Schedule your contact lens exam at Lux Eye Exam Optometry inside LensCrafters at Cerritos Mall.

We serve patients from Cerritos, Artesia, Norwalk, Lakewood, Bellflower, La Palma, Buena Park, Hawaiian Gardens, and surrounding areas.

Call 562-809-8826

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. A regular eye exam checks your vision, glasses prescription, and eye health. A contact lens exam includes additional measurements, lens fitting, trial lenses, and evaluation of how the lenses fit on your eyes.

  • Yes. A glasses prescription and a contact lens prescription are different. Contact lenses sit directly on your eye, so your doctor needs to measure and evaluate your eyes before prescribing them.

  • Yes. Many patients with astigmatism can wear toric contact lenses. Your doctor will determine which lens design fits best and provides the most stable vision.

  • Possibly. Some patients with dry eyes can still wear contacts comfortably with the right lens type and dry eye management. Your doctor will evaluate your tear film and recommend the best option.

  • Daily contacts are often more convenient and may be more comfortable for patients with allergies, dryness, or sensitive eyes. Monthly lenses can still be a good option for some patients. The best choice depends on your eyes and lifestyle.

  • Yes. Many teens can safely wear contact lenses if they are responsible and follow proper hygiene. Daily disposable contacts are often a good option for teens.

  • In most cases, you should not sleep in contact lenses unless your doctor specifically prescribed lenses approved for overnight wear. Sleeping in contacts can increase the risk of eye infections.

  • A contact lens exam may take longer than a regular eye exam because it includes measurements, trial lens evaluation, and sometimes insertion and removal training.

  • In many cases, yes. Trial lenses allow us to check your vision, comfort, and lens fit before finalizing your contact lens prescription.

  • Most contact lens wearers should have an exam every year to update the prescription and make sure the eyes remain healthy for contact lens wear.

  • Yes. Lux Eye Exam Optometry offers contact lens exams inside LensCrafters at Cerritos Mall for patients in Cerritos and surrounding communities.