How to get contact lenses

Getting a contact lens prescription can be stress-free when you know what to expect. We've put together some of the milestones so you can navigate the experience like a pro, starting with some actions you can take to get the ball rolling.

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Prepare for your contacts

Get ready for your appointment

Find out what to expect and what questions you may want to ask your eye doctor

Learn more

The appointments you'll need—now and later

Once you’ve found a doctor, there are three appointments you should expect to put on your calendar. Each is intended to make sure your lenses are comfortable, work well and keep your eyes healthy.

An eye doctor performing a vision test with a phoropter.

Contact fitting

Your first contact lens fitting will likely take longer than a typical eye exam, so make sure you let your doctor's office know you're interested in contact lenses when you book your exam. At the appointment, your doctor will check your vision and eye health and measure the size and shape of your eye so that your contacts fit just right. Ask how to receive a trial pair of lenses, and your doctor's office will show you how to put on, take off, and care for your lenses. Don't hesitate to ask any questions you have!

Get Appointment-Ready

Doctor attending to a young patient in his eye clinic.

Follow-up visit

After about a week of getting used to your contacts, you'll return to your doctor's office to be sure they are a good fit, healthy for your eyes, and working as expected. If all is well and you're loving your lenses, you’ll get a prescription and can usually take home a supply that day. Make sure you discuss any questions or concerns you have.

$An eye doctor using a phoropter to measure refractive errors.$

Annual exam

Regular exams help to ensure that your eye health, vision, and your lenses are at their best. Prescriptions can change, even if the change hasn't been obvious to you. We've also put together some things you can do in between appointments to keep your eyes happy and healthy.

Everyday Eye Care

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Still not sure about getting contacts?

We get it, trying something new can be scary. But there are lots of reasons contacts can help you be you.

See Why Contacts

Footnotes

Important information for contact lens wearers: ACUVUE Contact Lenses are available by prescription only for vision correction. An eye care professional will determine whether contact lenses are right for you. Although rare, serious eye problems can develop while wearing contact lenses. To help avoid these problems, follow the wear and replacement schedule and the lens care instructions provided by your eye doctor. Do not wear contact lenses if you have an eye infection, or experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems. If one of these conditions occurs, remove the lens and contact your eye doctor immediately. For more information on proper wear, care and safety, talk to your eye care professional, call 1-800-843-2020, or download the Patient Instruction Guides.

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