Contact Lens Fitting in Brooklyn: What to Expect at Nostrand Optical
A contact lens fitting is a separate, dedicated appointment from your regular eye exam — and getting the right fit matters more than most people realize. At Nostrand Optical on Nostrand Ave in Crown Heights, Dr. Alexander Shlivko, OD fits patients for a full range of contact lenses, including lenses for astigmatism, dry eye, and multifocal needs.
If you've been thinking about switching to contacts, or you've worn them for years but never had a proper fitting, here's exactly what the process looks like and why it's worth doing right.
Key Takeaways
- A contact lens fitting is not the same as an eye exam — it's a separate appointment that evaluates the fit, health, and function of lenses on your specific eyes.
- Dr. Shlivko fits multiple lens types, including spherical, toric (for astigmatism), multifocal, and specialty lenses for dry eye and difficult prescriptions.
- First-time wearers get hands-on training — you'll leave knowing how to insert, remove, and care for your lenses.
- Nostrand Optical accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and most major insurance plans — contact lens exams are often covered.
- Trial lenses are provided at the fitting so you can test them before committing to a full supply.
If you're ready to get started, book an appointment with Dr. Shlivko at our Crown Heights office. We're accepting new patients and we'll verify your coverage before you come in.
Why a Contact Lens Fitting Is Different from Your Regular Eye Exam
A lot of people assume that getting contacts is just a matter of asking their eye doctor to add a contact lens prescription to their glasses prescription. It doesn't quite work that way.
Your glasses prescription tells us how much correction your eyes need. But contact lenses sit directly on the surface of your eye, which means the fit, the curvature of the lens, the diameter, and the material all have to work with your specific corneal shape and tear film — not just your prescription number.
During a contact lens fitting, Dr. Shlivko measures your corneal curvature using a keratometer, evaluates the health of your ocular surface, and selects a lens that matches both your prescription and your eye anatomy. He'll also look at your tear film, which affects how comfortable lenses feel throughout the day, especially if you work at a screen or live in a dry environment.
If your glasses prescription is -2.00 and your friend's is also -2.00, you might still need completely different contact lenses. Same correction, different eyes.
This is why contact lens fittings exist as a separate service. It's not an upsell. It's the clinically correct way to get contacts that actually work for you.
What Happens During a Contact Lens Fitting at Nostrand Optical
The fitting appointment typically runs 30 to 45 minutes, sometimes longer for complex prescriptions. Here's what to expect when you come in.
Corneal measurements. Dr. Shlivko will measure the curvature of your cornea to determine the base curve of the lens, which affects how the lens sits on your eye. A lens that's too flat or too steep can cause discomfort, blur, or worse, affect the health of your corneal surface over time.
Tear film evaluation. Your tear production and tear quality directly affect how contact lenses perform. If you have underlying dry eye, that needs to be factored into lens selection. Certain materials and replacement schedules work much better for dry eye patients than others.
Trial lens placement. You'll try on a pair of lenses selected for your prescription and measurements. Dr. Shlivko will evaluate the fit under a slit lamp — checking centration, movement, and coverage — while also asking how they feel to you.
Vision assessment with lenses in. You'll read a chart with the trial lenses in to confirm the prescription is working correctly. For multifocal wearers, this also includes near and intermediate distance testing.
Training for new wearers. If this is your first time wearing contacts, a staff member will walk you through insertion, removal, and care before you leave. You won't be sent home to figure it out on your own.
Follow-up check. A follow-up appointment is typically scheduled to confirm the lenses are still fitting well after wearing them for a few days. Fit can shift slightly once the eyes have adapted.
Which Contact Lenses Does Dr. Shlivko Fit?
Not every contact lens practice fits the full range of lens types. At Nostrand Optical, Dr. Shlivko works with:
Spherical lenses — standard single-vision lenses for patients with nearsightedness or farsightedness and little to no astigmatism. These are the most commonly prescribed lenses and are available in daily, bi-weekly, and monthly replacement schedules.
Toric lenses — designed for patients with astigmatism. Toric lenses have a specific orientation and need to stay aligned on the eye to correct vision properly. Fitting toric lenses takes more precision than spherical lenses, and not every lens brand works equally well for every patient. Dr. Shlivko will trial a few options if needed to find the one that stabilizes best on your eye.
Multifocal lenses — for patients over 40 who need correction for both distance and near vision. These can be a good alternative to reading glasses, but the fitting process is more involved. It may take a couple of visits to dial in the prescription balance between distance and near.
Specialty and difficult-to-fit lenses — Dr. Shlivko fits patients who haven't had success with standard lenses, including those with dry eye disease, irregular corneas, or prescriptions that fall outside the typical range. If you've been told contacts "won't work for you," it's worth a conversation before writing them off entirely.
If you've been managing dry eye alongside your contact lens wear, our post on dry eye treatment in Brooklyn covers what Dr. Shlivko looks at and how treatment can make lens wear more comfortable.
Contact Lens Fitting in Brooklyn: A Few Real Patient Scenarios
Maria, 34, Crown Heights. Maria had worn the same brand of monthly lenses for six years, but over the past year she'd started noticing dryness and irritation by mid-afternoon. She assumed she just needed to use more drops. When she came in for a fitting, Dr. Shlivko found that her lens material wasn't well-suited for the reduced tear production she'd developed, likely tied to long hours at a screen. He switched her to a daily silicone hydrogel lens with higher oxygen permeability. Within two weeks, she reported the afternoon dryness was mostly gone. Same prescription, different lens — that's why a fitting matters.
James, 47, Prospect Heights. James came in reluctantly. He'd worn glasses his whole life and figured contacts were for younger people. His main concern was reading — he'd started needing readers on top of his distance glasses, which he found annoying. Dr. Shlivko fit him for multifocal contacts and was upfront that the first pair might not be perfect. After two trial pairs and one prescription adjustment, James was getting solid distance and near vision without readers. He still wears glasses some days, but now he has the option. He said the fitting took longer than he expected but was worth the time.
Destiny, 19, Flatbush. First-time wearer, nervous about touching her eyes. The insertion and removal training took about 20 minutes, and she needed a few tries before she felt comfortable. By the end of the appointment she could do it on her own. She came back a week later for her follow-up and the fit was good. She's now on daily lenses and hasn't looked back.
Does Insurance Cover a Contact Lens Fitting in Brooklyn?
This is one of the most common questions we get, and the answer is: it depends on your plan, but coverage is more common than people think.
Many vision insurance plans cover a contact lens exam or fitting allowance as part of your annual benefit. Medicaid covers contact lens exams for eligible patients in New York, and Medicare Part B generally does not cover routine contact lens fittings (though Medicare Advantage plans vary). Commercial plans like UnitedHealthcare, Health First, Anthem, and Fidelis typically include some contact lens benefit.
Nostrand Optical accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and most major insurance plans. We can verify your coverage before your appointment so there are no surprises. Visit our insurance page to see what we accept, or just call us and we'll look it up for you.
If you're paying out of pocket, CareCredit financing is also available with 0% interest options.
One thing worth knowing: your contact lens prescription is separate from your glasses prescription and has to be filled separately. A contact lens prescription includes the base curve, diameter, brand, and replacement schedule — details your glasses prescription doesn't cover. It also expires, usually annually, because Dr. Shlivko needs to confirm your eyes and the lenses are still a good match each year.
How Often Do You Need a Contact Lens Fitting?
If you're already a contact lens wearer, you still need an annual contact lens exam — not just to update your prescription, but to check the health of your corneas and ocular surface. Long-term contact lens wear can cause changes to the cornea over time, and those changes are easier to manage when they're caught early.
If you've been wearing the same lenses for a few years without seeing an eye doctor, that's worth correcting. Eyes change. Prescriptions drift. And the lens technology available now is meaningfully better than what was available even five years ago.
The American Optometric Association recommends annual contact lens exams for all wearers. The American Academy of Ophthalmology notes that skipping follow-up care is one of the most common causes of contact lens-related complications.
If you're overdue, it's easy to get back on track. Schedule a contact lens exam at Nostrand Optical and Dr. Shlivko will assess where you're at and what, if anything, needs updating.
Common Questions About Contact Lens Fittings in Brooklyn
Can I get contacts if I have astigmatism? Yes. Toric lenses are specifically designed for astigmatism and work well for most patients. The fitting is more involved than a standard spherical lens fitting, but it's a routine part of what Dr. Shlivko does.
What if I've tried contacts before and they never felt comfortable? Discomfort is usually a fit or material issue, not an eye issue. It's worth trying again with a proper fitting and current lens options. Materials and designs have improved significantly, and a lens that didn't work for you five years ago may not represent what's available today.
How long does a contact lens prescription last? In New York, contact lens prescriptions are valid for one year. After that, you'll need a new fitting exam to renew.
Can kids get contact lenses? Dr. Shlivko evaluates patients on a case-by-case basis. Maturity, motivation, and the ability to follow a care routine matter more than age alone. If your child is interested in contacts, it's worth discussing at their next exam. Our post on pediatric eye exams in Brooklyn covers what we look for in younger patients.
Do I need to bring my glasses to the fitting? Bring them if you have them. It helps Dr. Shlivko compare your glasses and contact lens prescriptions and ensures nothing gets missed. If you're coming in for your first exam and fitting together, you can learn more about what a full eye exam in Crown Heights covers.
Book a Contact Lens Fitting at Nostrand Optical in Crown Heights
If you're in Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, Flatbush, Bed-Stuy, or anywhere along the Nostrand Ave corridor, Nostrand Optical is the straightforward choice for a contact lens fitting that's done properly. Dr. Alexander Shlivko, OD takes the time to fit lenses for your specific eyes — not just your prescription number.
We accept Medicaid, Medicare, UnitedHealthcare, Health First, Fidelis, Anthem, and most union plans. CareCredit is available if you're paying out of pocket. You can check what insurance we accept or book your fitting appointment directly online.
We're at 1018C Nostrand Ave in Crown Heights. New patients are welcome, and we'll verify your coverage before you come in so you know exactly where you stand.
Sources: American Optometric Association — Contact Lenses | American Academy of Ophthalmology — Contact Lens Care | NIH/PubMed — Contact Lens-Related Complications