Contact Lenses: Essential Tips for New Users

Are you about to begin your journey with contact lenses for the very first time? After receiving the go-ahead from your optometrist, you may have several queries regarding what to expect leading up to your fitting appointment.

Essential Tip: Begin with daily disposable lenses. These lenses remove the need for a cleaning routine, which can often be daunting for beginners. Always ensure you wash your hands before handling your contact lenses and avoid using tap water on them. It’s crucial to schedule a fitting with your optometrist to confirm that the correct lens matches your prescription and eye health.

Your optometrist has identified you as an excellent candidate for contact lenses. It’s completely normal to feel both excitement and a degree of apprehension about touching your eyes. These feelings are typical among new wearers.

We regularly assist first-time contact lens users. Here, you will find essential information to consider prior to your fitting appointment, insights on comparing daily versus monthly lenses, and crucial routines that will help keep your eyes healthy and comfortable.

Choosing the Right Lenses: Daily or Monthly Contact Options

Quick tip: Select daily lenses if you’re a beginner, wear lenses occasionally, suffer from allergies, or travel frequently; they provide a fresh lens daily without the need for cleaning. Monthly lenses suit regular users who are comfortable with a nightly cleaning routine, potentially offering a lower daily cost when maintained correctly.

Deciding between these two options is generally simpler than many people assume. Being aware of the advantages and disadvantages can greatly enhance your overall experience.

Exploring the Advantages of Daily Disposable Lenses

With daily disposable lenses, you wear a fresh pair each morning and dispose of them at night. This eliminates the need for cleaning, storage cases, or solutions, allowing you to bypass the hassle of remembering when you last used your current pair.

Who benefits from daily disposables:

• First-time users seeking a straightforward experience
• Individuals who wear lenses occasionally, such as for sports, events, or weekends
• People with allergies, as a new lens each day reduces the accumulation of pollen and other irritants
• Frequent travellers who value convenience
• Anyone wishing to avoid a nightly cleaning routine

The downside: While daily disposables may seem pricier on a daily basis, when you consider the costs of cleaning solutions, cases, and the risk of eye infections due to poor hygiene, the cost difference diminishes significantly.

Understanding Monthly Contact Lenses and Their Advantages

Monthly lenses can be worn for up to 30 days. Each night, you must remove, clean, and store them in fresh solution to uphold their integrity and comfort.

Who are monthly lenses suitable for:

• Regular wearers looking for a cost-effective long-term solution
• Individuals who are comfortable with a nightly cleaning routine
• Those with prescriptions unavailable in daily disposable formats, including some complex or unique prescriptions

The downside: Regular cleaning each night is essential. Neglecting this step can result in serious eye infections.

Key Facts About Fortnightly Lenses

Certain brands provide a two-week replacement cycle. They share the same cleaning requirements as monthly lenses but necessitate more frequent replacements.

Our typical advice for new wearers: Start with daily disposables. They eliminate the cleaning routine, which many newcomers find challenging. Once you become comfortable with inserting and removing lenses and can identify signs of discomfort, consider switching to monthly lenses if cost becomes a significant factor.

Mastering the Process of Inserting Contact Lenses for Beginners

Quick tip: Always wash your hands, check that the lens is not inside out, hold your eyelids open, look slightly upward, place the lens on the white of your eye just below the iris, and then release and blink. Most people become adept at this technique within a week, and your optometrist will assist you during your fitting.

At first, inserting a lens may feel unusual. Your body instinctively protects your eyes, which can cause you to blink or flinch when something approaches. With practice, this reflex will diminish, and most individuals adjust within a week.

1. Thoroughly wash your hands. Use soap and water, and dry with a lint-free towel. Any residue on your hands can transfer to the lens and then to your eye.
2. Check the orientation of the lens. Place it on the tip of your index finger. It should appear as a smooth bowl with clean edges. If the edges flare outwards, it is inside out. Simply flip it.
3. Hold your eyelids apart. Use the middle finger of the hand holding the lens to pull down the lower lid while using the other hand to lift the upper lid. This creates a clear pathway for the lens.
4. Look slightly upward. Position the lens on the white part of your eye, just below the iris.
5. Release and blink. Gently let go of your eyelids and blink several times to allow the lens to settle into position.
6. Repeat for your other eye.

Your optometrist will guide you through this entire process during your fitting. We ensure that you can confidently insert and remove your lenses before you leave, which is the main objective of the fitting session.

Effective Techniques for Removing Contact Lenses Safely

1. Wash your hands thoroughly.
2. Look upward.
3. Slide the lens down onto the white part of your eye with your index finger.
4. Gently pinch the lens between your thumb and index finger to lift it out.

For daily lenses, dispose of them. For monthly lenses, place them in a clean case filled with fresh solution.

If you find removal challenging during the first week or two, consider using a soft contact lens handler or tweezers. These can simplify the process as you develop the needed muscle memory. Most users no longer require these tools after a month, but it is perfectly fine to use them if they assist you.

Crucial Cleaning and Care Instructions for Monthly Contact Lenses

Quick tip: Clean each lens with a multipurpose solution for around 20 seconds, rinse, and store it in fresh solution (never top up old solution). Change your lens case every one to three months. Avoid tap water as it is the primary cause of serious contact lens infections.

If you are using daily disposables, you can disregard this section as cleaning is not required.

For monthly or fortnightly lenses:

• After removing each lens, place it in your palm.
• Add a few drops of multipurpose solution.
• Gently rub the lens with your fingertip for about 20 seconds. Even if the solution states “no rub,” rubbing helps eliminate more deposits.
• Rinse with fresh solution.
• Store it in a clean case filled with fresh solution (never top up old solution; always replace it entirely).
• Regularly replace your lens case every one to three months.

Never use tap water on contact lenses. Tap water can contain microorganisms that lead to severe eye infections, including Acanthamoeba keratitis, a painful and potentially sight-threatening condition. This also means avoiding swimming or showering with your lenses unless you are wearing sealed goggles. do not rinse your lens case with tap water.

This precaution is not overly cautious. We encounter numerous cases of contact lens-related infections each year, primarily due to patients taking shortcuts with water. Following this guideline will help you steer clear of such issues.

Commonly Prescribed Contact Lenses

Each prescription and eye condition is unique. Your optometrist will suggest the most appropriate lens tailored to your specific needs during your fitting. Below are some of the lenses we frequently fit and stock, along with their ideal applications.

Top Picks for Daily Disposable Lenses

• Dailies Total 1: Utilises water gradient technology, resulting in an outer lens surface that is nearly entirely water. This is a common choice for patients with mild dry eye.
• Acuvue Oasys 1 Day: Provides excellent oxygen transmission and built-in UV protection, making it a popular option for those who spend time outdoors or in bright environments.
• Precision 1: Incorporates Alcon’s SmartSurface technology to create a thin moisture layer across the lens, ensuring all-day comfort.
• Miru 1Day Flatpack: Features the world’s thinnest contact lens packaging. The lens sits on a flat pack, ensuring it’s oriented the right way up when picked up, eliminating guesswork for first-time users.

Frequently Used Monthly Contact Lenses

• Biofinity: A well-known monthly lens with high oxygen permeability, available in a broad prescription range, including complex prescriptions.
• Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde: Utilises SmartShield surface technology to resist protein and lipid deposits that cause discomfort towards the end of the month. Ideal if your current monthlies become uncomfortable as they age.

Strategies for Alleviating Dry Eyes or Sensitivity

Wearing contact lenses can contribute to dry eye, and experiencing dry eye can make contact lens wear uncomfortable. If you already have dry eye symptoms, your fitting discussion should focus on which type of lens will be most suitable and whether to combine them with any supportive treatments.

Feel free to raise any concerns with us during your fitting. Contact lens wear and dry eye can coexist, but the strategy must be tailored to your specific condition.

When Is It Necessary to Contact Your Optometrist?

Quick tip: If you encounter pain, persistent redness, sudden blurriness, discharge, a lingering sensation of “something in my eye” after removal, or new light sensitivity — reach out to us immediately. Don’t wait for symptoms to fade. Timely care can avert serious complications.

Certain issues can wait until your next appointment, while others cannot. Contact us (or any optometrist) if you notice:

• Pain that does not subside after removing the lens; pain indicates something is amiss.
• Redness that persists for more than a few hours.
• Sudden blurred vision while wearing lenses.
• Discharge or excessive tearing.
• A sensation of something being stuck in your eye after removal.
• New light sensitivity that was not present before.

Any of these symptoms may suggest an infection, a damaged lens, or a corneal issue. Do not hesitate to seek help, and avoid assuming the problem will resolve on its own. Early intervention can prevent genuinely serious complications.

Common Inquiries Regarding Contact Lenses

How long does it usually take to adjust to wearing contact lenses?

Most new wearers become comfortable with inserting and removing their lenses within a week. Physical comfort, meaning not feeling the lens in your eye, typically settles within the first two to three days. If you continue to struggle with insertion after two weeks, schedule a follow-up appointment. Sometimes, a different lens material or a handling tool can significantly enhance your experience.

Is it safe to sleep while wearing contact lenses?

No, unless they are specifically prescribed for overnight use. Regular daily and monthly lenses are meant for daytime wear only. Sleeping in standard lenses restricts oxygen flow to your cornea and significantly raises the risk of infection. If you need to wear lenses overnight, consult your optometrist about specially designed extended wear lenses.

What should I do if a contact lens feels stuck in my eye?

It’s impossible for a lens to slip behind your eye. It usually shifts to the side or folds up. Wash your hands, apply a few drops of preservative-free lubricant, and gently massage your closed eyelid until the lens shifts back to the centre for removal. If it doesn’t come out after 10 to 15 minutes, stop trying and contact your optometrist.

Can I wear contact lenses if I have dry eyes?

Often, yes, but the choice of lens is more critical for individuals with dry eyes compared to those without. Daily disposables with high water content are generally more comfortable for dry eye patients than older monthly materials. Implementing a dry eye management routine (heat therapy, lid hygiene, supplements) can enhance comfort while wearing lenses. Your optometrist will select the suitable lens based on your tear film during your fitting.

What are the typical costs associated with contact lenses in Australia?

Prices vary depending on the brand, lens technology, and whether you’re purchasing 30 or 90 packs. Daily disposables fall into one price range, while monthlies fall into another, and specialty lenses (such as toric for astigmatism or multifocal for presbyopia) tend to be more expensive due to their complex optics. Current pricing for each type is available on its product page. We also offer discounted rates for ongoing subscriptions, so be sure to inquire during your fitting.

Is it necessary to consult an optometrist to purchase contact lenses?

Yes. In Australia, contact lenses are classified as medical devices and require a valid prescription from a registered optometrist or ophthalmologist. Even if you have been wearing lenses for years, your prescription must be current. We assess the fit, corneal health, and prescription accuracy during each review.

When This Guide May Not Apply to You

• If you are under 16 years old — fitting contact lenses for children necessitates a separate discussion with parents or guardians. Please book a consultation.
• If you have not had a recent eye exam — obtain your prescription and corneal health check first. Lenses should come after, not before.
• If you wish to wear cosmetic lenses without a prescription. Avoid purchasing unregulated lenses online — this is illegal in Australia and can lead to serious corneal injury.

Are You Prepared to Embark on Your Contact Lens Journey?

Book your contact lens fitting at our Central Coast practice, and we will assist you in finding the ideal lens tailored to your eyes, prescription, and lifestyle. You will leave your fitting feeling confident in your ability to insert, remove, and care for your lenses.

Explore Contact Lenses at Eyes By Design · Schedule Your Contact Lens Fitting Today