If you wear contact lenses, maintaining regular eye exams is essential for ensuring clear vision, optimal comfort, and long-term eye health.
At Antoine Eye Care, located in the Galleria Mall in St. Louis, Dr. Michael Antoine and his team provide comprehensive contact lens evaluations tailored to your individual needs. Here’s what you need to know about when—and why—to schedule your next contact lens exam.
Annual Contact Lens Exams: The Foundation of Healthy Vision
Dr. Antoine recommends that all contact lens wearers schedule an eye exam at least once a year. Even if your vision seems fine and your lenses feel comfortable, regular evaluations are crucial. Why?
Detecting Early Issues
Many eye health changes, such as corneal conditions or dryness, can develop silently. Annual exams help catch and address these issues early.
Exploring New Options
The contact lens industry evolves rapidly, with new materials, designs, and technologies becoming available each year. Your annual exam is an opportunity to explore whether an updated lens could provide better comfort or clearer vision.
When to Schedule Additional Exams
While annual exams are the standard, there are times when you should schedule an appointment sooner:
Blurred or Decreased Vision
If your contact lenses no longer provide the clarity you need, it may indicate changes in your prescription or other eye health factors.
Discomfort or Reduced Wear Time
Feeling discomfort, dryness, or irritation when wearing your lenses? This could result from changes in your eye’s surface, environmental factors, or wearing lenses that are no longer the best match for your needs.
New Medications or Lifestyle Changes
Some medications or changes in your environment can affect your eyes and the comfort of your lenses. Dr. Antoine can recommend adjustments to your contact lens prescription to minimize these effects.
Why Your Contact Lens Fit Matters
Dr. Antoine emphasizes that contact lenses are not one-size-fits-all. Factors such as lens material, curvature, edge design, and prescription power all influence comfort and vision quality. If your lenses aren’t performing as expected, the problem might be solved with a different type of lens better suited to your eyes.
For example, environmental factors, aging, or changes in your tear film can make a previously comfortable lens less effective. During your exam, Dr. Antoine will assess your eyes’ current condition and suggest solutions to restore comfort and clarity.
Eye Health Changes and Disease Prevention
Even if you feel fine, annual exams can help detect and prevent issues that may not have obvious symptoms. As we age, structural changes in the eyes and the potential for conditions such as dry eye, keratoconus, or even early signs of eye diseases like glaucoma increase. Routine check-ups ensure your lenses and eye health are continually optimized.
Why Choose Antoine Eye Care?
Dr. Antoine and his team take pride in delivering personalized care to every patient. Beyond addressing your immediate vision needs, they stay at the forefront of contact lens advancements to ensure you always have access to the best possible solutions.
We not only help you see better but also enjoy the experience of maintaining your vision health. At Antoine Eye Care, we’re here to ensure that every visit is a step toward optimal eye health and comfort.
Schedule Your Contact Lens Exam in St. Louis
Don’t wait for discomfort or blurry vision to bring you in—be proactive about your eye health. Whether it’s time for your annual exam or you’re experiencing issues with your lenses, Antoine Eye Care in the Galleria Mall is here to help. Call us today or book an appointment online to see the difference expert care can make!