Contact lenses are now available in such a wide range of materials and prescriptions that in most cases there is a contact lens suitable for you!

Contact lenses offer advantages as an alternative to glasses because they:

• Give a full field of view;
• Don’t fog up;
• Can be used in the rain; and
• Correct vision without changing the size and shape of the world because they sit on the surface of the eye.

It could well be argued that contact lenses are a better, more natural form of vision correction than glasses.

The Evolution of the Contact Lens

In the past contact lenses were worn until they “wore out”. What this really meant was that every time a lens was worn, it accumulated fat and protein from the wearer’s tears that over time reduced the performance of the lens. As the lens became dirtier, the quality of vision, the comfort of lens and its ability to allow the eye to breathe all deteriorated.

These issues have been overcome to a significant degree with the advent of disposable contact lenses. Disposable lenses have the advantage of being used for a certain time and then discarded according to a planned schedule. For you this means better vision, better comfort and less chance of developing a complication.

Contact Lenses Available Today

Contact lenses are available in single use (Daily Disposables), 14 day and Monthly wearing schedules. They are produced in a variety of prescriptions to correct:

• Short and long sightedness (single vision);
• Astigmatism (Toric Lenses); and
• Reading vision (Multifocal Lenses or Monovision Lenses).

They can also be made out of different plastics which affect how oxygen passes through the lens. All lens types are now available in what is called silicone hydrogel form. This material greatly increases the oxygen availability for the eye when wearing the lenses compared to older, cheaper materials.  This allows for greater comfort and longer wearing times – sometimes up to 30 days continuous or extended wear.

Getting Fitted for Contact Lenses

The fitting of contact lenses and the choice or material, lens design and wearing schedule will depend very much on your lifestyle and what you want the lenses to achieve for you.

Fitting contact lenses can involve a number of fitting visits at first.

Step 1 – The Initial Consultation: At your initial contact lens consultation you and your Optometrist will determine which modality best suits you and trial lenses will be ordered to suit your needs. There is no cost to you for these lenses or the fitting visit which will take place a few days after the initial visit.

We will teach you how to clean and handle the lenses, and we will also show you how to insert and remove the lenses. Their fit on your eye and the accuracy of the prescription is measured and adjusted if necessary.

Step 2 – The Follow Up Consultation:  A follow up visit is scheduled 7-10 days after your initial consultation.  Your lenses will be assessed on your eye for their fit and accuracy.  In addition, any problems will be addressed. In most cases that will be it and from then on an annual check of your eyes is recommended.

For Seasoned Contact Lens Wearers

As an ongoing contact lens wearer, we are here to provide you with support and to address any issues that may arise. Times change and so may your needs, so we can always modify your contact lens modality as you require.

Contact lens wear should be clear and comfortable. If at any time your vision is blurred with the lens or you have a red eye or any discomfort you are not sure about then please remove the lenses and come to see us as soon as you can. Most problems are easily addressed but sometimes the underlying cause may require antibiotic and anti-inflammatory treatment to prevent permanent damage.

Contact Lenses Aren’t as Expensive Anymore Either

Contact lens wear need not be expensive.  On a cost-basis, contacts usually only add up to a couple of dollars per wear which is less than half the cost of a cup of coffee. There will always be cheaper alternatives available, but we offer large discounts off the retail price for orders of an annual supply of lenses and we have the ability to supply replacement lenses in the event of lost or torn lenses.

Our turnaround and delivery times are faster than the internet contact lens providers and unlike Specsavers, we are not held to using the same supplier for all our lenses, enabling us to provide you with the lens that best suits your needs.

We know our contact lenses and wish to provide you with a solution that best caters to your lifestyle. Make an appointment and discuss your options for moving to a spectacle free world today.