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YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Why wear Contact Lenses?
Contact lenses provide more natural vision, a freedom that spectacles do not give.
Contact lenses are worn on the eye and move with your eye so you tend to look through the optimum area of the lens giving distortion free vision and unobstructed peripheral vision.
Unlike spectacles they do not steam-up or smudge, get splattered by rain, slip down your nose or hurt you behind the ears!
Who can wear Contact Lenses?
Contact lenses are suitable for all age groups although special care is needed for the elderly or very young. They are available for most prescriptions, long sighted, short sighted and those with astigmatism. Even bifocal and varifocal contact lenses can be supplied and there are lenses to enhance or change your eye colour.
Can they harm my eyes?
Modern contact lens wear is comfortable, convenient and safe but there is an greater risk of eye infections. To minimise this (unless you are wearing daily disposable lenses) it is essential that you follow correct cleaning and disinfecting routines and regularly replace your lenses and lens case.
Contact lens wearers should attend for Aftercare (check-ups of the eyes and lenses) and eye examinations (for spectacles) when recommended to ensure safe, successful and trouble free wear.
What lenses are available?
Contact Lenses are generally ‘daily wear’ and are removed before bed and (except for daily disposable) cleaned and disinfected overnight prior to wear the next day.
There are two main types of daily wear contact lenses, Durable and Disposable.
Durable lenses are worn during the day for several months and disposed of only when worn out. The most popular durable lens is Rigid Gas Permeable.
Disposable lenses are replaced at regular intervals (monthly or daily). Most soft contact lenses are disposable. |
Which type is right for me?
How often you wish to wear lenses can determine which type of lens will be best for you.
If you wish to wear lenses all day every day Rigid Gas Permeable may be best
If you choose to wear contact lenses just for leisure and sport then Daily or Monthly Disposable Soft may be best. Soft lenses are less easily dislodged than Rigid Lenses and are often the best for active sports.
As Independent Opticians we are not tied to one supplier but can select from a wide range of different manufacturers to ensure you are supplied with the most suitable lenses.
Can I swim in Contact Lenses?
You should not swim in contact lenses, especially soft, as they can absorb chemicals or germs in the water. This can irritate the eyes and possibly cause infection. It is also easy for the lenses to be washed out of the eye, especially if you place your head under the water.
Do I still need spectacles?
You should always have a current pair of spectacles. Over time, wearing contact lenses, especially soft lenses, all day long every day could damage your eyes.
Most people are therefore advised to wear their spectacles in the evenings or on occasional days during the week to prevent potential eye health problems.
Should you have trouble with your lenses (eye infections, damaged lenses, etc) then you will need to wear spectacles. If you could not wear your lenses, could you drive or work without spectacles. | 
