A good contact lens is one you stop noticing within a few minutes of putting it in. Getting there takes more than a glasses prescription: the lens has to match the size and curve of your eye and sit comfortably on your tear film all day. Eye Consultants fits contact lenses at its office on Limestone Road in Wilmington, a straightforward trip for patients coming from Newark. Here is what a contact lens exam involves, which lens schedules are available and how ongoing refills work once you have a prescription that suits you.
Why a Contact Lens Exam Is Different From a Glasses Exam
Glasses sit a short distance from your eyes. Contacts rest directly on the surface of the eye, so the fitting has to account for the eye itself. A contact lens evaluation at Eye Consultants starts with an eye exam to determine your refraction, then adds measurements of your eye’s size and curvature. The team will also ask about your medications and health history, since both can affect how comfortable lenses feel.
If you have not had a recent routine eye exam, the contact lens visit is also a chance to check the overall health of your eyes.
How the Fitting Works, Step by Step
- Measurements: your refraction and the size and curvature of your eyes guide the choice of lens size and shape.
- Tear film check: the team looks at your tears to see whether your eyes are too dry for comfortable lens wear.
- Trial lenses: lenses are placed on your eyes, and you report how they feel as you blink, look around and close your eyes.
- Care instructions: once the fit is right, you receive guidance on cleaning, storage and hygiene so your eyes stay healthy.
If you are new to contacts, ask for time to practice putting lenses in and taking them out before you leave. Most people find it becomes routine quickly.
Daily, Bi-Weekly or Monthly Lenses
The contact lens options at Eye Consultants fall into replacement schedules:
- Daily lenses are worn once and thrown away. There is no cleaning routine, which many people find convenient and hygienic.
- Bi-weekly and monthly lenses are replaced every two to four weeks and cleaned and stored overnight between wears.
The right choice depends on your eyes, how often you wear lenses and how much care routine you are happy to keep up. Your provider will recommend a schedule after the fitting.
Your First Weeks as a New Wearer
New wearers often notice the edge of a lens for the first few days. That awareness usually fades as your eyes get used to it. Build up wearing time gradually if your provider suggests it, keep a case and fresh solution with you if you use reusable lenses, and always wash and dry your hands before handling them.
Bring your lenses or their boxes to follow-up visits so the team can check the fit and the brand you are using. If something still does not feel right after the first week or two, say so. Small changes to the lens or the replacement schedule can solve problems that seem like a reason to give up on contacts.
Dry Eyes and Contact Lenses
The tear film check during your fitting matters because dry eyes are one of the most common reasons contacts become uncomfortable. If your eyes are on the dry side, that does not always rule out contacts, but it may change which lens is recommended or how long you wear them each day. Eye Consultants also treats dry eye directly, from medical management to in-office treatment, so the same team can address both problems.
Wearing Lenses Safely
Follow the replacement schedule for your lenses and the cleaning instructions you are given. Avoid napping in your lenses unless they are approved for extended wear. Daily wear is safe with the right lens type and proper care. If your eyes become red, painful or sensitive to light, take your lenses out and contact the office.
Refills Without the Runaround
Once your prescription is set, you can reorder through the practice’s contact lens refill service instead of booking a visit every time you run low. You will need a current prescription, so keep track of when your next exam is due. If your prescription has lapsed, the team will help you schedule an appointment.
Insurance and Lens Costs
Many vision insurance plans help cover the cost of contact lenses, though coverage varies by plan, and some plans offer discounts through in-network providers. Check the practice’s insurance page and ask the front desk to confirm your benefits before ordering a supply.
The Eye Care Team
Contact lens patients are seen by the practice’s eye care team, which includes optometrist Dr. Alissa Long, the 2025/2026 President of the Delaware Optometric Association, along with board-certified ophthalmologists Dr. Heather Dealy and Dr. Sean Considine. Because the practice also provides glaucoma, cataract and dry eye care, any eye health issue found during your exam can be followed up by the same team. Meet the whole group on the team page.
What Newark Patients Ask About Contacts
How often do I need a contact lens exam?
Your prescription and fit need to be current for refills, so plan on regular exams. Your provider will tell you how often based on your eyes and the lenses you wear.
I tried contacts years ago and hated them. Is it worth trying again?
Often, yes. A careful fitting, a tear film check and the right replacement schedule can make a big difference. Mention what bothered you last time so the team can address it.
I already have a glasses prescription. Why do I need a separate exam?
A glasses prescription does not include the measurements a contact lens needs, such as the size and curvature of your eye, and it does not check how the lens sits on your tear film. The fitting covers those steps.
Can I wear contacts if I have astigmatism?
Astigmatism does not automatically rule out contact lenses. Your provider will look at your prescription and measurements at the fitting and explain which options suit your eyes.
Can I switch between glasses and contacts?
Yes, many people do. Keep an up-to-date pair of glasses for days when your eyes need a rest from lenses. The practice’s eyewear page covers frames and glasses.
Book a Fitting From Newark
Whether you are trying contacts for the first time or your current pair never felt quite right, start with a contact lens exam. Request an exam online, see directions from Newark, or call Eye Consultants to book a time.