A contact lens fitting is a separate assessment, beyond a standard eye exam, where a Calgary optometrist measures your eyes and trials lenses to find a safe, comfortable fit with clear vision. Because contact lenses are Health Canada–approved medical devices, a glasses prescription alone isn't enough to order them.
The contact lens fitting cost varies by clinic, lens type, and insurance, and it's usually billed separately from your eye exam. Alberta Health (AHCIP) does not cover contact lens fittings or lenses, so most patients rely on private or group vision benefits.
What to Remember
- A contact lens fitting is a separate, doctor-led assessment, and a glasses prescription alone can't be used to order contacts.
- Expect eye measurements, a tear-film check, trial lenses, insertion and removal coaching, and a follow-up visit.
- Fitting fees vary by lens type and complexity, and they're usually billed on top of your eye exam.
- AHCIP does not cover contact lens fittings or lenses, though private or group vision benefits may help.
- FYidoctors offers fittings at multiple Calgary locations, with a subscription and online reordering for convenience.
What Is a Contact Lens Fitting?
A contact lens fitting is a specialized assessment that determines the right lens type, size, curvature, material, and prescription for safe, comfortable wear. Contact lenses are Health Canada–approved medical devices, so they require a prescription and a professional fitting rather than an off-the-shelf purchase.
Your optometrist looks at far more than correction power. A fitting also considers corneal curvature, lens diameter and fit, oxygen permeability, and moisture content. Poorly fitted or improperly used lenses can lead to infections such as microbial keratitis and, in rare cases, irreversible corneal damage. The goal is always to protect your eye health.
What to Expect During Your Contact Lens Fitting in Calgary
Here's what happens, from start to finish, when you come in for a contact lens fitting.
Consultation and Lifestyle Discussion: First, your optometrist talks through your vision needs and daily life: screen time, sports, and any dryness or irritation you notice. Together you discuss lens preferences, such as daily versus monthly wear.
Eye Measurements and Health Check: Next comes keratometry to map your corneal curvature and base curve, along with pupil and iris measurement, refraction, and slit-lamp biomicroscopy. These steps build the foundation of an accurate contact lens exam.
Tear Film Evaluation: Your optometrist then checks the quality and quantity of your tears to flag dry eye and guide lens material. This step is especially relevant in dry, low-humidity prairie air.
Trial Lenses and Insertion and Removal Training: You then try lenses on-eye so your optometrist can assess fit, comfort, and vision. First-timers receive patient, hands-on coaching on inserting, removing, and caring for lenses.
Follow-Up Visit: Finally, a follow-up visit confirms fit and comfort before your prescription is finalized. New wearers and specialty-lens patients can expect more than one visit.
Contact Lens Fitting vs. a Regular Eye Exam
Many patients assume a regular eye exam covers everything, but the two visits do different jobs. A standard eye exam checks your eye health and updates your glasses prescription; it does not produce a contact lens prescription.
A contact lens prescription legally needs extra parameters, including base curve, diameter, and material, which are determined only during a fitting. So even with a current glasses prescription, you still need a fitting before you can safely wear contacts.
How Much Does a Contact Lens Fitting Cost in Calgary?
There's no single set price for a contact lens fitting. The fee varies by clinic, lens type, and complexity. Standard soft lens fittings are the most straightforward, while toric lenses for astigmatism, multifocals, and specialty lenses such as scleral or Ortho-K take more time and expertise and typically cost more.
The fitting fee is usually separate from, and billed on top of, your eye exam fee. New wearers may also pay more, because of added training and follow-ups. To plan ahead, ask your Calgary clinic for a fee estimate for your specific lens type, and check your vision benefits.
Is a Contact Lens Fitting Covered by Insurance or Alberta Health?
Alberta Health (AHCIP) does not cover contact lens fittings or lenses. The Government of Alberta lists eyeglasses and contact lenses as non-covered items.
AHCIP does cover one annual comprehensive eye exam for children 18 and under and for seniors 65 and older, based on a benefit year that runs July 1 to June 30. Adults aged 19 to 64 are covered only for medically necessary eye care.
Fittings and lenses typically fall under private or group vision benefits, and many Calgary clinics offer direct billing to simplify the process.
Choosing the Right Lenses for Your Calgary Lifestyle
Your fitting also helps match you to the right lens. Common options include daily disposables, monthly lenses, toric lenses for astigmatism, multifocals for presbyopia, and specialty lenses such as scleral or Ortho-K.
Dry, low-humidity prairie air and heated indoor winters can affect comfort, so your optometrist matches lens material and wear schedule to your tear film. Dry eye is common, affecting an estimated 21% of Canadian adults (2019 data), so a comfort-focused lens choice matters.
Book Your Contact Lens Fitting in Calgary with FYidoctors
FYidoctors is Canada's largest doctor-led eye care provider, with multiple Calgary locations. Our optometrists guide you through the full path: exam, fitting, trial, follow-up, and lenses, backed by a contact lens subscription and online reordering with home delivery.
Plan to renew, too. Contact lens prescriptions are typically valid for one to two years, so seeing your optometrist regularly keeps you wearing contacts safely. Book an appointment for an eye exam or find a location near you.
FAQ
What happens during a contact lens fitting?
How much does a contact lens fitting cost in Calgary?
Is a contact lens fitting covered by Alberta Health?
Do I need a fitting if I already have a glasses prescription?
How is a contact lens fitting different from a regular eye exam?
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