Contact Lenses

Contact Lenses Why choose Contact Lenses? Can they work for me? Are they easy to wear? Can I wear coloured contact lenses even if I don't need spectacles? What about cleaning and storing contact lenses? Can my lenses get lost behind the eye? How often do I need to come back? Do I still need spectacles/sunglasses? Getting started - what do I need to do?

Why choose Contact Lenses? Contact lenses can be worn on an occasional basis, on a "daily wear" basis (i.e. worn for 12-14 hours each day and removed overnight) or on a "continuous wear" basis (i.e worn day and night). The variety of contact lens options allows great flexibility around work, leisure and social activities including sports. Many contact lens wearers also enjoy the opportunity to enhance or alter their eye colour with one of the many tinted contact lens options available. While there are many reasons why contact lenses may be appealing and convenient, contact lens wearers still need to have spectacles for the occasions when they cannot or choose not to wear their contacts. We have a special interest in contact lenses and assess all new types and materials as they become available. These include gas permeable hard lenses, toric lenses, daily and continuous wear disposable lenses including multifocal designs.
Can they work for me? Before making a decision about wearing contact lenses you should have your eyes examined, we can then recommend the type, material and design of contact lens most suitable for you.
Are they easy to wear? A contact lens floats on the tear layer and so does not actually touch your eye. The lens moves slightly with each blink which allows tears to circulate underneath the lens and helps supply oxygen to the front of the eye. Any awareness of the lenses when wearing contacts for the first time is usually caused by the eyelids bumping the edge of the lenses with each blink. This lid sensation may be more obvious with hard lenses. Most people wearing soft lenses for the first time are surprised to find that they hardly feel them at all.
Can I wear coloured contact lenses even if I don't need spectacles? For someone who has normal vision but who wants to wear tinted contact lenses an eye examination, a teaching session to learn how to handle and clean the lenses and an aftercare review appointment are important for safe lens wear. Contact lenses should never be shared between wearers, you must only wear lenses which have been prescribed for you.
What about cleaning and storing contact lenses? At your teaching appointment you will learn how to handle and clean your contact lenses and be given cleaning and storage solutions. Cleaning and storage systems are simple but are very important for your long term comfort and safety. Daily cleaning is an essential part of successful lens wear, if continuous wear lenses are removed before they are due for replacement they must also be cleaned before putting them back in. Daily disposable lenses must not be cleaned and stored, these lenses are designed to be worn once and then thrown away.
Can my contact lenses get lost behind the eye? It is not possible to lose a lens behind the eye and it is most unusual for a contact lens to fall out of the eye.
How often do I need to come back? For the new wearer it is important for the optometrist to review the lens fit, comfort and vision during the first few months. We then recall all our contact lens wearers for an annual check up and advise our disposable wearers to have their eyes examined and prescription reviewed before reordering lenses.
Do I still need spectacles? It is important to have a current pair of spectacles for those occasions when you cannot wear your contacts. There may also be occasions when you prefer not to wear contacts or you may decide to remove your lenses when you get home from work, modern frame styles are attractive so it is nice to have the choice.
Do I still need sunglasses? Many contact lenses have a UV inhibitor included in the material which provides protection but will not reduce glare. It is still important to wear your sunglasses for added protection and comfort. Now that you wear contact lenses you have the opportunity to wear your choice of fashion sunglasses!
Getting started - what do I need to do? Make an appointment for an eye examination by contacting us at any of our three locations and mention that you are interested in contact lenses. Back
If you have any questions relating to eyes or vision please do not hesitate to contact our staff at one of the following locations Victoria Street Bishopdale Mall Ferrymead
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