Contact Lenses Guide: Top Tips for New Users

Are you preparing for your first experience with contact lenses? Once your optometrist has approved you, it is natural to have various questions about what to anticipate before your fitting appointment.

Important Guidance: Start with daily disposable lenses. These lenses eliminate the requirement for a cleaning routine, which can be intimidating for novices. Always ensure your hands are thoroughly cleaned before handling your contact lenses, and avoid using tap water on them. Schedule a fitting with your optometrist to verify that the chosen lens aligns with your prescription and meets your eye health needs.

Your optometrist has determined that you are a suitable candidate for contact lenses, and it is completely normal to feel excited yet slightly apprehensive about managing your eyes. Many new users experience these emotions.

We regularly assist individuals who are new to contact lenses. This guide will provide you with essential insights to consider before your fitting appointment, help you evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of daily versus monthly lenses, and outline crucial routines to maintain healthy and comfortable eyes.

Making an Informed Choice: Daily Versus Monthly Contact Lenses

Essential Advice: Choose daily lenses if you are new to contact lenses, plan to wear them occasionally, suffer from allergies, or travel often; they provide a fresh lens every day without the need for cleaning. Monthly lenses are better suited for regular users who are comfortable with a nightly cleaning routine and can offer a lower daily cost when properly cared for.

The decision between these two types is often simpler than people expect. Understanding their respective benefits and drawbacks can significantly enhance your overall experience.

Examining the Benefits of Daily Disposable Lenses

With daily disposable lenses, you wear a new pair each morning and dispose of them before bed. This method removes the necessity for cleaning, storage cases, or solutions, alleviating the burden of remembering how long you have worn your current pair.

Who benefits from daily disposables:

• First-time users seeking a straightforward option
• Individuals who wear lenses occasionally for sports, social events, or weekends
• People with allergies, as a fresh lens daily helps prevent the build-up of pollen and other irritants
• Frequent travellers who appreciate convenience
• Anyone wishing to skip a nightly cleaning routine

The downside: Although daily disposables may seem more expensive on a daily basis, considering the costs of cleaning solutions, cases, and the potential risk of eye infections from poor hygiene can help mitigate this perceived cost difference.

Understanding the Advantages of Monthly Contact Lenses

Monthly lenses are designed to last for up to 30 days. Each night, they must be removed, cleaned, and stored in fresh solution to maintain their comfort and integrity.

Who are monthly lenses ideal for:

• Regular wearers seeking the most economical long-term solution
• Individuals who are comfortable with a nightly cleaning routine
• Those with prescriptions that may not be available in daily disposable formats, including specific or complex prescriptions

The downside: Consistent nightly cleaning is crucial. Failing to adhere to this step can lead to severe eye infections.

Essential Information About Fortnightly Lenses

Certain brands produce lenses that are designed to be replaced every two weeks. They require similar cleaning processes to monthly lenses but necessitate more frequent replacements.

Our standard recommendation for first-time wearers: Start with daily disposables. They simplify the cleaning process, which can be challenging for new users. Once you feel comfortable with inserting and removing lenses and can identify signs of discomfort, consider switching to monthly lenses if cost becomes a significant concern.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Inserting Contact Lenses for Beginners

Quick tip: Always wash your hands, ensure the lens is not inside out, hold your eyelids open, look slightly upward, place the lens on the white part of your eye just below the iris, then release and blink. Most individuals master this technique within a week, and your optometrist will walk you through it during your fitting.

Initially, inserting a lens may feel unusual. Your body instinctively protects your eyes, which can cause blinking or flinching as something approaches. With practice, this reflex will decrease, and most people adapt within a week.

1. Thoroughly wash your hands. Use soap and water, then dry with a lint-free towel. Any residue can transfer to the lens and subsequently to your eye.
2. Check the lens orientation. Place it on the tip of your index finger. It should resemble a smooth bowl with clean edges. If the edges flare outward, 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 path 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 help the lens settle into place.
6. Repeat for your other eye.

Your optometrist will guide you through this process during your fitting. Our aim is to ensure you can confidently insert and remove your lenses before you leave.

Effective Techniques for Safely Removing Contact Lenses

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

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

If you find it challenging to remove your lenses during the first week or two, consider using a soft contact lens handler or tweezers. These tools can facilitate the process as you develop the necessary muscle memory. Most users no longer require these aids after about a month, but using them is perfectly acceptable if they assist you.

Essential Cleaning and Care Guidelines for Monthly Contact Lenses

Quick tip: Clean each lens with a multipurpose solution for about 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 leading cause of severe contact lens infections.

If you are using daily disposables, you can skip this section as cleaning is unnecessary.

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 advises “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 harbour microorganisms that lead to severe eye infections, including Acanthamoeba keratitis, a painful and potentially sight-threatening condition. This means avoiding swimming or showering with your lenses unless you wear sealed goggles. Do not rinse your lens case with tap water.

This precaution is not excessive. We encounter numerous cases of contact lens-related infections annually, primarily due to patients taking shortcuts with water. Adhering to this guideline will help you avoid such complications.

Frequently Prescribed Contact Lenses

Every prescription and eye condition is distinct. Your optometrist will recommend the most suitable lens tailored to your specific needs during your fitting. Here are some of the lenses we frequently fit and stock, along with their optimal uses.

Top Recommendations 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 popular choice for patients with mild dry eye.
• Acuvue Oasys 1 Day: Offers excellent oxygen transmission and built-in UV protection, making it a preferred choice for those who spend time outdoors or in bright conditions.
• Precision 1: Incorporates Alcon’s SmartSurface technology to create a thin moisture layer across the lens, ensuring comfort throughout the day.
• Miru 1Day Flatpack: Features the world’s thinnest contact lens packaging. The lens sits on a flat pack, ensuring it is oriented correctly when picked up, eliminating guesswork for new users.

Popular Monthly Contact Lenses

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

Strategies for Managing Dry Eyes or Sensitivity

Wearing contact lenses can contribute to dry eye, and experiencing dry eye can make wearing contact lenses uncomfortable. If you are already experiencing dry eye symptoms, it is essential to discuss which type of lens will be most suitable and whether to incorporate any supportive treatments during your fitting consultation.

Feel free to voice any concerns during your fitting. Contact lens wear and dry eye can coexist, but the approach must be customised to your specific condition.

When Should You Contact Your Optometrist?

Quick tip: If you experience pain, persistent redness, sudden blurriness, discharge, or a lingering sensation of “something in my eye” after removal, or new light sensitivity — reach out to us immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to improve. Timely care can prevent serious complications.

Some issues can wait until your next appointment, while others require immediate attention. Reach out to us (or any optometrist) if you notice:

• Pain that does not improve after lens removal; pain indicates something is wrong.
• Redness that lasts more than a few hours.
• Sudden blurred vision while wearing lenses.
• Discharge or excessive tearing.
• A feeling of something stuck in your eye after removal.
• New light sensitivity that was not present before.

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Contact Lenses

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

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

Is it safe to sleep while wearing contact lenses?

No, unless they are specifically prescribed for overnight use. Standard daily and monthly lenses are intended for daytime wear only. Sleeping in regular lenses restricts oxygen flow to your cornea and greatly increases 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 is impossible for a lens to slip behind your eye. It will typically move to the side or fold 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 does not 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 becomes even more critical for individuals with dry eyes compared to those without. Daily disposables with high water content are usually 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 determine the most appropriate lens based on your tear film during your fitting.

What are the typical costs of 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 monthly lenses belong to 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.

Do I need 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 Be Relevant to You

• If you are under 16 years of age — 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 examination — obtain your prescription and corneal health check first. Lenses should only be considered after this.
• If you wish to wear cosmetic lenses without a prescription. Avoid purchasing unregulated lenses online — this is illegal in Australia and can result in serious corneal injury.

Are You Ready to Start Your Contact Lens Journey?

Book your contact lens fitting at our Central Coast practice, and we will assist you in finding the perfect 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.

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