Daily disposable lenses
Best for travel, sports and occasional wearWorn once and discarded at the end of the day. Convenient and hygienic, and often helpful for occasional wear, travel, sports, allergies or busy routines.
Contact lenses
Contact Lens Exams & Fittings in Edmonton, St. Albert & Morinville
Contact lenses that fit your eyes, your tear film and your life, not just your prescription.
A contact lens exam is more than choosing a box of lenses. Because contacts sit directly on the eye, they need to match your prescription, corneal shape, tear film, comfort needs, wearing schedule and lifestyle. We help new and experienced wearers find a safe, comfortable fit.
- Contact lens exams and fittings
- Daily, monthly, toric and multifocal lenses
- Training for new wearers
- Dry eye and comfort assessment
- Follow-up care and re-order support
- Six Edmonton-area locations
Why it matters
Contact Lenses Need to Fit More Than Your Prescription
Your glasses prescription is only one part of the contact lens fitting process. Contact lenses rest directly on the surface of the eye, so the fit must be comfortable, stable, breathable and healthy.
A lens that does not fit properly can move too much, feel dry, blur your vision, irritate the eye or increase the risk of complications. A lens that fits well should give you clear vision, feel comfortable through the day and support the long-term health of your eyes.
At Capital Vision Care, we assess your eyes before recommending lenses, so your contact lens prescription is built around how your eyes actually function.
In short
What Is a Contact Lens Exam?
A contact lens exam is a specialized eye exam and fitting for people who want to wear contacts. It includes your vision prescription, eye health assessment, corneal measurements, tear film evaluation, lens selection, trial lens fitting, comfort check, vision check and contact lens safety education.
Your optometrist confirms the lens type, power, fit and wearing schedule before finalizing your contact lens prescription.
Lens options
Contact Lens Options at Capital Vision Care
Your optometrist recommends lenses based on your eyes, prescription, comfort and lifestyle.
Monthly lenses
Best for regular, everyday wearersReused for a set replacement period and cleaned daily. A good option for regular wearers who are comfortable with lens care.
Toric lenses for astigmatism
Best for astigmatismDesigned to correct astigmatism. They need to sit in the right position on the eye to keep vision clear and stable.
Multifocal lenses
Best for distance and near visionSupport both distance and near vision, for patients who want less dependence on reading glasses.
Lenses for dry eye-prone eyes
Best for sensitive, dryness-prone eyesIf dryness or irritation has made contacts difficult, we assess your tear film and discuss lens materials, wearing schedules, drops and dry eye treatment.
Lenses for teens
Best for active, responsible teensSome teens are strong candidates, especially for sports, confidence or active lifestyles. Readiness depends on responsibility, hygiene, eye health and training.
Specialty lenses
Best for complex or hard-to-fit eyesFor prescriptions, eye shapes, corneal conditions, post-surgical eyes or comfort challenges that need a more customized option.
First-time wearers
New to Contact Lenses? We Teach You Step by Step
Trying contact lenses for the first time can feel intimidating. We make the process calm, practical and hands-on.
You will not be sent home with contacts until you are comfortable handling them safely.
- Wash and dry your hands before handling lenses
- Insert and remove your lenses safely
- Tell whether a lens is inside out
- Clean and store reusable lenses
- Follow your wearing and replacement schedule
- Avoid sleeping, showering or swimming in lenses unless advised
- Know when to stop wearing lenses and call the clinic
Ready to book?
New to contacts or due for a refit? Book a contact lens exam at any of our six clinics.
Book a Contact Lens Exam
What to expect
What Happens at a Contact Lens Exam
- 1 We start with your goalsWe ask why you want contacts, how often you want to wear them, and whether you play sports, work long screen hours, travel, have dry eye symptoms or need help with reading.
- 2 We check your prescription and eye healthYour optometrist confirms your vision needs and checks whether your eyes are healthy enough for contact lens wear.
- 3 We measure your eyesWe assess corneal shape, tear film, eyelids and the front surface of the eye.
- 4 We choose a trial lensYour optometrist selects a lens type, material, size and prescription to test on your eyes.
- 5 We check fit, movement, vision and comfortThe lens is assessed on the eye to make sure it centres, moves properly, feels comfortable and provides clear vision.
- 6 We teach safe lens careIf you are new to contacts, we teach insertion, removal, cleaning, replacement and safety habits.
- 7 We schedule follow-up if neededSome patients need a follow-up appointment before the contact lens prescription is finalized.
- 8 We help you order lensesOnce the prescription is finalized, our team can help you order the lenses recommended for your eyes.
Who should book
Book a Contact Lens Exam If You Want Contacts or Yours Do Not Feel Right
A contact lens exam or refit is the right next step if any of these sound familiar.
- You want to try contact lenses for the first time
- Your contacts feel dry, blurry or uncomfortable
- Your lenses move too much or feel tight
- You have astigmatism
- You need help with reading or multifocal vision
- You want daily disposable lenses
- You want contacts for sports or an active life
- Your prescription has changed
- You wear contacts but have not had a recent fitting
- You want to order more contact lenses
- You were told contacts are hard to fit
- Your eyes get red or irritated after wearing contacts
Call sooner if you have pain, redness, discharge, light sensitivity or sudden blurry vision while wearing contacts.
Dry eye and comfort
Explore Dry Eye Treatment
If Contacts Feel Dry, the Lens May Not Be the Only Problem
Many people give up on contacts because they feel dry, gritty, blurry or uncomfortable. Sometimes the issue is the lens design. Other times it is the tear film, eyelids, oil glands, allergies, screen use or dry eye disease.
If your contacts are uncomfortable, your optometrist may recommend a different lens material, a daily disposable option, dry eye treatment, lid hygiene, lubricating drops or a modified wearing schedule, and can coordinate care with our dry eye technology and ocular hygienist support.
Quick questions
Contact Lens Questions, Answered
Is a contact lens exam different from a regular eye exam?
Yes. A regular eye exam checks vision and eye health. A contact lens exam adds measurements, fitting, trial lenses, comfort assessment, lens movement assessment and contact lens safety education.
Can I use my glasses prescription to buy contacts?
No. A contact lens prescription is different. Contacts sit directly on the eye, so it must include lens-specific details such as brand, power, curve, diameter and fit.
Can I wear contacts if I have dry eyes?
Sometimes. Your optometrist will assess your tear film and may recommend a different lens type, daily disposables, dry eye treatment or a modified wearing schedule.
Where to go
Book a Contact Lens Exam Near You
Capital Vision Care offers contact lens exams and fittings across six Edmonton-area clinics. Choose the location that works best for your schedule, commute, school, work or neighbourhood.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in a contact lens fitting?
A contact lens fitting includes measurements of your eyes, assessment of your tear film and eye health, lens selection, trial lens evaluation, vision testing with the lenses, comfort assessment, and training on safe insertion, removal and care.
How long does a contact lens fitting take?
Timing depends on whether you are a new wearer, need training, are trying multifocal or toric lenses, or require a more complex fit. Your clinic team can explain the expected appointment length when you book.
Are contact lenses safe?
Contact lenses are safe for many patients when they are properly fitted, cleaned, replaced and worn as directed. Poor hygiene, overwear, water exposure, sleeping in lenses or ignoring symptoms can increase the risk of eye problems.
Can I shower or swim with contact lenses?
You should avoid exposing contact lenses to water, including showers, pools, hot tubs, lakes and tap water. Water can expose the lenses and eyes to germs and increase infection risk.
Can I sleep in contact lenses?
Do not sleep in contact lenses unless your optometrist has specifically prescribed lenses for overnight wear and explained the risks. Sleeping in contacts can increase the risk of infection and irritation.
What should I do if my eye turns red while wearing contacts?
Remove your contact lenses and call the clinic, especially if you have pain, light sensitivity, discharge or blurry vision. Do not keep wearing lenses through symptoms.
Are daily contact lenses better than monthly lenses?
Neither is automatically better for everyone. Daily lenses are convenient and reduce cleaning steps, while monthly lenses may be preferred for certain prescriptions or budgets. Your optometrist can recommend the best option for your eyes.
Can contacts correct astigmatism?
Yes. Toric contact lenses are designed to correct astigmatism. They require a proper fit to keep vision clear and stable.
Can contacts replace reading glasses?
Multifocal contact lenses may help some patients see at both distance and near. They are not perfect for everyone, but they can be a good option for patients who want less dependence on reading glasses.
Can teens wear contact lenses?
Many teens can wear contact lenses successfully if they are responsible with hygiene and handling. Your optometrist will assess readiness, eye health, prescription and lifestyle.
Why are my contacts uncomfortable?
Contact lens discomfort can be caused by dry eye, allergies, poor lens fit, overwear, deposits, old lenses, screen use, eye inflammation or the wrong lens material. A contact lens refit can help identify the cause.
Can I order contact lenses from Capital Vision Care?
Yes. Once your contact lens prescription is finalized and current, our team can help you order the lenses recommended by your optometrist.
Explore more
Related Services
Ready for Contacts That Actually Fit?
Whether you are new to contact lenses or frustrated with lenses that feel dry, blurry or uncomfortable, we can help. Book a contact lens exam and fitting at one of our six Edmonton-area clinics.
Sources
Sources and Further Reading
For safe contact lens wear and care: