Contact lens fitting and aftercare appointments

Contact lenses need a sequence of appointments, not a single visit: a fitting where you assess the eyes and choose trial lenses, a handling lesson where the wearer learns to insert, remove and clean them, a follow-up check after a short trial period, and regular aftercare once they're wearing lenses day to day. Give each step its own service and slot length, book the follow-up before the new wearer leaves, and tell them clearly what to bring and how to come — for example wearing their lenses for a certain time before a check. A well-organised sequence is safer for the eyes and saves chair time.

A first fitting takes longer than a routine eye exam: you need the refraction, a look at the front of the eye and tear film, measurements, a discussion of lifestyle and the lens options, then trial lenses on the eye and time for them to settle before you assess the fit. Ask new wearers why they want lenses — sport, occasional wear, full time — because it guides the choice between daily disposables, monthly lenses or other types.

Wearers choose more confidently when they understand the trade-offs: daily disposables need no cleaning but cost more per wear; reusable lenses need a care routine; toric lenses correct astigmatism; multifocal lenses help with near vision. Explain what suits their eyes and habits, show the cost over a year in plain terms, and let them decide. Write down what was chosen and why, so the follow-up starts from the same point.

New wearers need to insert and remove lenses themselves, several times, before taking them home. Teach hand hygiene, lens orientation, insertion and removal, cleaning and storage if the lenses aren't daily, and what to do if an eye becomes red or painful. Some people manage in minutes, others need a second session: plan for both rather than rushing someone who is struggling.

After a short trial, check comfort, vision and the fit, and look at the eye for any sign of problems. Ask the wearer to arrive having worn their lenses for a set number of hours, so you see the lens in real conditions. Adjust the lens type or power if needed, and confirm the wearing schedule.

Established wearers need regular aftercare checks at the interval you recommend. Tell them when their next check is due and book it if they agree. Remind them that a red, painful or blurry eye means removing the lenses and contacting you or another eye care professional promptly, without waiting for the planned check.

People who wear lenses only for sport or evenings still need the same fitting and aftercare. Remind them that occasional wear doesn't mean they can skip checks, and that lenses kept in a case for weeks need fresh solution before use.

On Book, each service has a name, a price and an optional description shown on your public page. Create separate services for the first fitting, the handling lesson, the follow-up check and routine aftercare, and open slots for each at its own length, one place per slot; repeat them each week on chosen weekdays until a date. New wearers book the first fitting online without an account and receive a confirmation email. Book the lesson and the follow-up yourself from your calendar before they leave: first and last name are required, email and phone optional. Put the list of things to bring in each service description.

Durations and prices are examples: set your own. Clients can't move bookings online: they contact you, you reschedule or cancel from your bookings list and tell them yourself, since Book doesn't email clients about changes. Book handles appointments only; it doesn't store clinical records or take payments. It costs €5/month, everything included: unlimited services and bookings, no commission, no contract.