YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO CONTACT LENSES

Extremely safe. Contact Lenses are delivered sterile in their packs. Appropriate hand cleaning, lens handling, application, removal (and storage) of your lenses should ensure you have a lifetime of enjoyment from your contact lenses, whether you are short or long-sighted, have astigmatism and /or multifocal vision needs.

You should always wash your hands with water and plain soap before handling contact lenses, but you need to avoid water coming into contact with the contact lenses themselves. Small micro-organisms are present in tap water and can cause potentially serious eye infections. These same organisms can also survive in swimming pools, saunas, hot tubs and the sea. The safest way to avoid an eye infection in these situations is to not wear contact lenses at all- prescription swimming goggles are readily available. Where this is impractical, daily disposable lenses minimise the risks especially if contact lenses are removed with clean and dry hands after any water based activity.

Like anything, ‘practice make perfect’ and our step-by-step guide to contact lens handling can support you through the early days of getting used to handling contact lenses. Ask any experienced contact lens wearer and they’ll tell you that applying and removing contact lenses becomes very easy, very quickly.

An eye examination determines your spectacle prescription and includes checks for eye disease like glaucoma or cataracts and may also identify early general health concerns like eye changes in relation to diabetes. You should wear your glasses to your eye examination. A contact lens check allows your eye care professional to make sure that you are seeing well and that your contact lenses are the most suited to your lifestyle. You should wear your contact lenses to this appointment and bring your glasses with you (and contact lens storage case if wearing reusable lenses).

No. The eye is ‘sealed’ by a continuous membrane called the conjunctiva that extends from under your eyelids to the edge of your cornea. This means that even in the unlikely event of a contact lens being displaced it can’t get lost behind the eye.

Dry eye is actually very common and it affects people in a variety of ways. Sometimes it can make contact lens wear more challenging and your eye care professional will have selected the best contact lens material and solutions (if wearing reusable lenses) to help you get the most comfort from your contact lenses.

Some people find that contact lenses can help with the common symptoms of hay fever as they can prevent the particles causing your allergy to reach the surface of the eye. The best contact lenses for hay fever sufferers are daily disposable contact lenses because you start with a new, clean lens every day and it’s important to have regular contact lens progress checks to monitor any changes.

This is a very common condition called presbyopia and the good news is that there are contact lenses designed to give great vision at all distances just like a varifocal spectacle lens does.

It is not uncommon for children to wear spectacles but they can often get in the way of normal everyday activities. Several studies have indicated that children as young as 5 can benefit from contact lenses and are surprisingly good at handling them. Research tells us that the best lenses for children are daily disposable lenses with a UV block to protect young eyes from exposure to the harmful effects of UV light.

Apply your contact lenses before putting your make-up on and take them out before you remove your make-up.

Never wear a damaged lens as it will be pretty uncomfortable, especially if it is damaged through mishandling (like accidentally dropping the lens on the floor) as the risk of infection can increase. Move on to your next lens and ask your eye care professional for a replacement if needed.

The dry atmosphere inside a cabin may make your contact lenses feel dry, and on longer haul flights you may fall asleep. Carry your glasses and spare contact lenses in your hand-luggage to give yourself the option to take your lenses out. With no solutions or cases to worry about, daily disposable lenses are ideal for travel.

With no reflections from your glasses, more light can reach your eyes and it may feel brighter. Sunglasses will make your eyes more comfortable.

Only attempt to remove your lenses once you have been awake for about 30 minutes. This gives your tear film a chance to help loosen your lenses making them easier to remove. You may use eye drops formulated especially for contact lenses to help lubricate the lens. If your contact lenses remain difficult to remove, seek advice from your eye care professional.

Contact lens cases are often the main culprit when a contact lens wearer develops an eye infection. Sometimes, these eye infections can be really serious so it is important to keep the contact lens case very clean. Current advice suggests rinsing the case with fresh multipurpose solution (or sterile saline if using a peroxide based solution) and leaving it to air-dry face down when it is not in use and replacing the case at least every 3 months.

You must dispose of monthly lenses 1 month from opening. Daily disposable contact lenses are very economical and hygienic and ultimately very convenient if you are only wearing lenses a few times each month.

Your eye care professional will have advised you of the most compatible solution for both your contact lens material and your eyes. We don’t advise changing your brand of solutions without the recommendation of your eye care professional.