Contact Lenses

Interested in Trying Contact Lenses?

Whether you fancy a new look or need more freedom for sports and other activities, Contact Lenses offer an Excellent alternative to Spectacles.

With advances in contact lens options there are few people who cannot use contact lenses either full or part-time. Contact lenses are worn on the eyes and therefore it is essential that they are fitted by an appropriately qualified Eye Care practitioner who can advise on the most appropriate options.

There are many benefits to wearing contact lenses including (but not limited) to the following:

• Wider field of view compared with spectacles.
• Not affected as much by weather conditions, e.g. don't fog up or have reduced visibility in the rain.
• Protective eyewear/sunspecs can be worn more easily than over prescription specs.
• Less susceptible to smearing and dirt especially when playing sport than spectacles.
• Better Depth Perception.
• Less Distortion for higher prescriptions than in spectacles.
• Fewer reflections.
• Less likely to damage contact lenses in sport than glasses.
• In some sports spectacle wear is not advisable and therefore the use of sports goggles or contact lenses allows spectacle wearers the ability to play all sports.

Types of Contact Lenses

• The most common lenses used today are soft disposable lenses; including monthly, two-weekly or daily disposable.
• Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses are not as popular as they used to be due to the advances in soft lens technology and their disposable nature, but for some eyes they are best choice. They offer excellent vision, durability and as they are non-disposable, they can be a more cost-effective option than their soft disposable counterparts.

Contact Lens Fitting Appointment

New Fitting Appointment: £25

Before booking a fitting appointment, we need an up-to-date spectacle prescription.

If you have had a recent sight test then we will book a contact lens fitting appointment, if not we can arrange a double appointment for you, we will do the sight test first and then proceed to the contact lens fitting.

• We start with a comprehensive eye examination including the front of the eye and eyelids.
• We will take some measurements of the front of your eye and alongside your spectacle prescription then decide on the most appropriate contact lens to trial.
• Once we are happy with the fit of the lenses, the vision and your comfort we will then teach you how to handle the lenses and how to care for them appropriately.
• We will then arrange to see you again in the practice a few weeks later with your new lenses and assess if you are happy with them before ordering more lenses.

The College of Optometrists have produced a very good video which demonstrates good practice when handling contact lenses:

Contact Lens Follow Up Appointments

Follow-Up Appointment Charge £25

(The 1st appointment after a "New Fit" is included in the Fitting Fee)

It is important to have regular check-ups to make sure that your contact lenses are still suitable for you and are not damaging your eyes. Many contact lens problems have no symptoms in the beginning and therefore regular exams allow us to identify any possible issues and intervene before you are aware of any negative effects.

Your Optometrist will tell you how often you need to have check-ups, as this will depend on factors such as the type of lenses that you wear and how long you wear them for.

What Should I Bring to My Contact Lens Appointment?

1. Please come to your appointment wearing your contact lenses (please insert your lenses at least 1 hour before your appointment time.)
2. Your contact lens case (if you have one).
3. Your current spectacles.
4. Any details of contact lens solutions or eye drops that you are using.
5. The details of the contact lenses you are wearing if you have not had them fitted at our practice.

What Happens During a Contact Lens Check-up?

• We will ask you if are having any problems with your lenses, and how long you wear them for
• We will check your vision with your contact lenses and see if the strength of your lenses needs to be altered.
• Examine how well your contact lenses fit on your eyes
• Examine the health of your eyes once the lenses have been removed. We will generally put orange dye in your eyes, which will allow us to look at your tears and see any damage the lenses may be causing to your cornea. (The dye is completely harmless, however it can stain your lenses).
• When we are happy that your contact lens fitting is complete we will give you a copy of your contact lens specification (prescription), which will include an expiry date. You will not be able to order contact lenses after this date unless you have another check-up.

Top Tips if You Wear Contact Lenses

• Good lens wear and care is essential to prevent avoidable eye problems. Wash your hands and dry them thoroughly before using any type of contact lens and follow all the recommended procedures.
• Never use tap water to clean lenses - this could lead to serious problems, including corneal ulcers and eye infections. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for cleaning, disinfecting and wearing the lenses.
• Don't change how you clean your contact lenses without asking your optometrist or optician first.
• Be very careful if ordering contact lenses online. "Clinical Equivalent" does not mean the "same" lens. These lenses are generally made with an older material and are therefore cheaper to manufacture and sell. These lenses are available to us at the time of fitting and after an assessment of your eyes we will determine which lenses are the best for you and advise you of your various options.
• Replace your contact lens case regularly to reduce the risk of infection and always use fresh solution to store your lenses.
• You shouldn't wear your lenses for longer than you have been told by your optometrist, and certainly not for more than 16 hours in a day. You should never sleep in them unless they are specifically designed for overnight wear.
• Don't bathe or go swimming in your contact lenses unless advised you can by your eye care practitioner.
• Never share or swap contact lenses with anyone else.
• If you wear eye make-up, always apply it after putting your contact lenses in and always dispose of out of date make-up.
• Go to regular after-care appointments with your optometrist - at least once a year or more often if your optometrist recommends it, or if you have problems.
• If in doubt, take them out. If you experience any signs of redness, pain or loss of vision - consult your optometrist or optician immediately for advice.

Do's & Dont's Factsheet of Contact Lens Care (bcla.org.uk)