young man during eye exam in Washington

Contact Lens Exam in Washington

Vision Without Limits

Schedule Eye Exam

Discover the Freedom and Convenience of Contact Lenses

  • Need bifocal or multifocal contacts?
  • Rigid gas permeable or soft lenses?
  • Disposables, dailies or colored contacts?

Contact lenses give wearers a full field of focused vision no matter where you look. Because they move with your eyes, contacts help allow you to track action with sharp and clear peripheral vision. Moreover, if you lead an active lifestyle, contacts provide more freedom and flexibility to enjoy your favorite sports.

A contact lens exam will help us determine the perfect contact lens fit for your eyes and lifestyle!

teo women wearing contact lenses

What to Expect From Your Contact Lens Exam

  • Regular eye exam

    During your comprehensive eye exam your optometrist will check that your eyes are healthy and will test your vision to determine your contact lens prescription.

  • Contact lens consultation

    During your contact lens exam your optometrist will check for dry eye symptoms and consult with you to determine what type of contact lenses are the best fit for your lifestyle and vision needs.

  • Contact lens fitting

    For ideal vision correction and comfort, contact lenses must fit well. Your optometrist will examine the size and shape of your cornea and pupil to ensure the right fit.

  • Contact lens trial and follow-up

    Your optometrist will insert trial lenses and ask you to keep them on for 15-20 minutes to be sure the fit is comfortable and vision is clear. After a few days, you'll come in for a follow-up evaluation.

Where Can I Get a Contact Lens Exam?

The right contact lenses, carefully fitted and prescribed by your optometrist, can provide many benefits and prevent discomfort and eye disease.

Once you have determined the right contact lens, you can start enjoying the benefits and freedom of daily or regular contact lens wear.

We offer contact lens exams at our eye clinic and will help determine the best contact lenses for your needs and eye shape. Simply schedule your appointment by contacting Metropolitan Optical – 18th Street in Washington today.

man putting in contact lens

Experience a New Perspective With Contact Lenses!

(202) 467-5555
Buy One, Get One 50% Off Complete Eyeglasses
Buy One, Get One 50% Off Complete Eyeglasses

Our biggest savings of the season is here!

Starting April 6th until June 14th, Buy One, Get One 50% Off Complete Eyeglasses*.

Looking for the perfect pair? Metropolitan Optical – 18th Street's expert opticians are ready to help you find frames that match your style and vision needs.

*Must present offer at time of purchase. Must purchase a complete pair of prescription eyeglasses, including frame and lenses. Discount applied to complete pair of equal or lesser value. Does not include Alain Mikli, Barton Perreira, Burberry, Cartier, Cazal, Chanel, Cutler and Gross, Dita Lancier, Gucci, ic!Berlin, l.a. Eyeworks, Maui Jim, Mykita, Nifties, Oakley, Oliver Peoples, Ray-Ban, Salt, Salvatore Ferragamo, Skaga, Silhouette, Tom Ford, WOOW, YSL, sunglass frames, accessories, contact lenses, or medical procedures. Cannot be used with any other promotion, discount, or offer. Not redeemable for cash. Not valid on previous orders. Other restrictions may apply. Offer valid 04/06/2025-06/14/2025. 25AEG-978350.

Schedule Eye Exam View More Promotions

Contact Lens Exams FAQs

Can dry eye sufferers wear contact lenses?

Usually, yes. While some types of contact lenses can aggravate symptoms of dry eye syndrome, such as eye dryness, redness and irritation, other contacts are perfectly suitable for dry eyes. Speak with an eye doctor near you regarding your dry eye symptoms, and they'll prescribe the perfect contact lenses for ultimate comfort.

Can a child wear contact lenses?

It's a case-by-case basis. Typically, eye doctors don’t prescribe contacts to children under the age of 11 or 12, though there are exceptions. Wearing contact lenses requires responsible care, including cleaning and disinfecting routines. Most teenagers can handle contact lens care if they’re motivated to wear contacts.

Do I need an eye exam and prescription for tinted contact lenses?

Yes! Even if you’re just using contacts to change the color of your eyes, you still need an eye exam and a prescription. Contact lenses are a medical device and require fitting by an eye doctor.

Meet our Contact Lens Exams Specialists

Saba Ayalew O.D.
Kristin Stupiansky O.D.
Patient Reviews
4.7
170 Reviews
5
4
3
2
1
- Apr. 02, 2025
The people at Metropolitan Optical, especially Mr. Paul Allen, are so welcoming, kind, and knowledge... able. I have spent four years living in D.C. while studying at university, and have always had difficulties with my glasses fitting properly given my complex lenses. I likely visited their office nearly two dozen times throughout my time in college, and was always assisted and treated with patience. If you are looking for an optometry office in the District, Metropolitan Optical should be your first choice!
- Mar. 12, 2025
Great! Experience. =D Once i walked in i was greeted, Signing papers are the old age because they ha... ve a tablet to sign and mention any medical issues or past records you may have. (Paperless) Stephanie is so kind and sweet, the machines they have, gave them perfect details of my eye. (Keep up the good work) DR. Stupiansky , showed me a detail picture of my eye and explained what I have... she is nice and polite. Can't forget about Paul , he help me pick a perfect titanium frame that suite me well. ( how he knew I like titanium..) Overall I recommend coming here for an eye exam and or frames . ( can bring in your own frames too, optional)
- Mar. 10, 2025
Best expertise in prescribing eyeglasses in the area! Highly recommend!
- Feb. 19, 2025
Each and every person I interacted with was utmost pleasant and professional. Could not have asked f... or a better customer service experience.
- Jan. 11, 2025
Everyone from the staff to Dr. Stupiansky was nice and knowledgeable. The doctor took her time with ... me and made me feel comfortable and like I was in good hands. Definitely would recommend metropolitan optical!
- Oct. 30, 2024
Had an excellent experience overall. The service was top-notch, and the atmosphere was welcoming and... friendly. Dr. Pavl is incredibly kind and compassionate, making the visit comfortable and pleasant. Highly recommend!
- Sep. 06, 2024
I would give more than five stars if I could - highly recommend to anyone looking for comprehensive ... eye care in the DMV area! The entire team is so friendly and knowledgeable. As a new patient, Lucinda immediately made me feel welcome throughout the intake process. When my previous eye doctor no longer accepted my insurance, I was worried it would be difficult to find comparable care, but Dr. Stupiansky is even better! She gave a great exam, taking the time to answer all of my questions and going above and beyond to recommend exercises to help alleviate my eye strain. HUGE shout out to Jesse and Corey, who were both so helpful and patient with me as I returned several times to adjust my new glasses to fit me just right. The service, warm environment, and glasses selection are all around stellar. Thank you to the whole team at Metropolitan Optical!
- Aug. 31, 2024
Corey is an amazing worker. I’d give the staff, the service and the place itself 5 stars all aroun... d the board. Keep being great.
- Aug. 29, 2024
Friendly staff, friendly knowledgeable doctors! Call me a windmill, ‘cause I’m a big fan.
- Jul. 19, 2024
Great care, great products and super service. Expensive as are most high quality optical stores but ... I have been a patient of Dr. Ayalew and Metropolitan for over 25 years!
- Jul. 12, 2024
I'v been to multiple optical shops lately looking for new glasses. Metropolitan was the most helpfu... l of any place I looked.
- Jun. 27, 2024
Great care. Cool doctor. Easy fast experience.
- Jun. 15, 2024
Best eye doctor I’ve ever been to. Dr. Stupiansky and Lucinda went out of their way to help me whe... n I had an issue — taking the extra time to figure out what exams I needed so I wasn’t over-paying and spending extra time with me to resolve my eye issue. When I needed an urgent follow-up with a specialist and was not able to secure an appointment myself, Dr. Stupiansky took the time to call the specialist to get me in that week itself. Cannot recommend Metropolitan Optical enough.
- May. 10, 2024
The staff here are so welcoming and knowledgeable. They made the entire experience, from the exam to... picking out new glasses, a total breeze. Will absolutely come back, can't recommend them more highly.
- May. 10, 2024
Review Title: Superior Care and Exceptional Service at Metropolitan Optical I have recently had the... pleasure of visiting Metropolitan Optical with my mother for her comprehensive eye examination, under the care of Dr. Saba Ayalew. I must say that the level of service and care we received was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we stepped into her office, Dr. Ayalew was kind, approachable, and demonstrated an extensive knowledge of her field. She was incredibly patient, taking the time to explain every step of the examination process, ensuring that my mother felt comfortable and understood everything that was happening. What particularly amazed me about Dr. Ayalew was her attention to detail. She did not rush the examination, instead, she carefully evaluated my mother's vision and thoroughly discussed the results and potential treatment options. It was evident that she genuinely cared about her patients' well-being and prioritizes their eye health. Aside from Dr. Ayalew's expertise, the other staff at Metropolitan Optical were equally impressive. They were friendly, efficient, and very helpful. They assisted us with insurance matters and guided us through the selection of eyewear, making the whole experience seamless and pleasant. The cleanliness and organization of the office itself also deserve a mention. It is well-maintained, modern, and equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. We found the overall environment both welcoming and professional. I am truly grateful for the personalized care and attention my mother received from Dr. Ayalew. Her professionalism, coupled with her warm and empathetic nature, made our visit a positive one. I would highly recommend Dr. Ayalew and Metropolitan Optical to anyone in search of top-notch eye care. In a world where the medical process can often feel rushed and impersonal, Dr. Ayalew stands out as a beacon of what patient-focused healthcare should be. Rest assured, your eyes are in the best hands with her!
- Apr. 26, 2024
I’ve been going here for more than 15 years. This place is great. Staff are friendly and profess... ional. The office is clean and there is a vast selection of eyeglass frames. Dr. Ayalew is amazing and really thorough. She asks questions related to any new health problems and explains how they could impact eye health. She’s really great.
- Apr. 23, 2024
Visited 4/19/2024. Friendly staff, knowledgeable and caring optometrist and a nice selection of fram... es to choose from. Looking forward to returning for all my eye care needs.
- Mar. 27, 2024
On Tuesday, March 26th, 2024, I had my first occasion to visit Metropolitan Optical at the 18th Stre... et location. From the moment I entered, I was greeted warmly. The technician, Ms.Lucinda, had such a pleasing, sunny personality as she prepared me for Dr. Ayalew. Dr. Ayalew continued this trend by offering exceptional eye care that addressed my concerns. But the STAR of the day was Mr. Corey Styles! I am a fashionable woman in my own way, and wanted my new glasses to reflect that. After perusing several styles but not really finding something that wowed me, Mr. Corey, who was assisting me, informed me he would be right back. When he returned several minutes later, he offered me a selection of frames from Metropolitan Optical’s Pennsylvania Avenue location. OMG!!! The selection was out of this world fantabulous and I found the perfect pair that checked all the boxes and then some! What awesome, exceptional Customer Service!! First time in my mature life had I experienced that level of going the extra mile to please a most discriminating customer. I’m not one to write a lot on social media but I just had to share the extraordinary care and service I received from everyone at Metropolitan Optional, especially my dear Mr. Corey Styles. I am a fan4life! Mary H. Beckett, D.C.
- Mar. 08, 2024
Thank you to Paul the miracle worker. I had accidentally stomped on my glasses and it was a near Hum... ty Dumpty situation. Fortunately Paul bent everything back into place.
- Mar. 01, 2024
Amazing experience at Metropolitan Optical. So happy with my new prescription!

View All 170 Reviews

Contact Lens Exams in Washington

(202) 467-5555 Schedule Eye Exam

Our optometry practice in Washington

Meet our Eye Doctors

Photograph of Saba Ayalew
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Care First
  • Aetna
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed
  • VSP

Want to Wear Contacts for the First Time or Try New Contacts?

Schedule Eye Exam

young man with green eyes wearing contacts