Contact Lenses: A Practical Guide for Beginners

Are you embarking on your contact lens journey for the first time? After receiving the green light from your optometrist, you likely have questions about what to anticipate before your fitting appointment.

Essential Tip: Start with daily disposable lenses. They eliminate the hassle of a cleaning routine, which can often be overwhelming for newcomers. Always remember to wash your hands before handling your contact lenses, and avoid using tap water on them. Make sure to schedule a fitting with your optometrist to ensure that the right lens aligns with your prescription and eye health.

Your optometrist has determined that you are an excellent candidate for contact lenses, and it is natural to feel both excited and a bit anxious about the thought of touching your eyes. These emotions are entirely normal and common among new wearers.

We frequently assist first-time contact lens users. Here, you will discover vital information you should know before your fitting appointment, how to compare daily versus monthly lenses, and essential routines that ensure your eyes remain healthy and comfortable.

Making the Right Choice: Daily vs. Monthly Contact Lenses

Quick tip: Opt for daily lenses if you are a newcomer, wear lenses part-time, have allergies, or travel often; they offer a fresh lens each day without the need for cleaning. Monthly lenses are ideal for regular users who are comfortable with a nightly cleaning routine and can provide a lower daily cost when maintained properly.

Choosing between these two options is typically more straightforward than many believe. Understanding the pros and cons can significantly influence your experience.

Discovering the Benefits of Daily Disposable Lenses

With daily disposable lenses, you wear a fresh pair every morning and throw them away at night. This means there is no need for cleaning, storage cases, or solutions, allowing you to avoid the hassle of remembering when you last used your current pair.

Who can benefit from daily disposables:

• First-time wearers who desire a hassle-free experience
• Individuals who wear lenses occasionally, whether for sports, events, or weekends
• People suffering from allergies, as a new lens daily prevents the buildup of pollen and other irritants
• Frequent travelers who appreciate convenience
• Anyone wanting to avoid a nightly cleaning regimen

The downside: Although daily disposables appear more expensive per day at first, factoring in the costs of cleaning solutions, cases, and the potential for eye infections due to poor hygiene can significantly minimize this cost difference.

Understanding Monthly Contact Lenses and Their Benefits

Monthly lenses have a lifespan of up to 30 days. Each night, you must remove, clean, and store them in fresh solution to maintain their integrity and comfort.

Who are monthly lenses suitable for:

• Regular wearers searching for the most cost-effective long-term option
• Individuals comfortable with a routine of nightly cleaning
• Those with prescriptions that are not available in daily disposable formats, including some complex or unique prescriptions

The downside: Regular cleaning every night is crucial. Skipping this step can lead to serious eye infections.

What You Should Know About Fortnightly Lenses

Some brands offer a two-week replacement cycle. They have the same cleaning requirements as monthly lenses but necessitate more frequent replacements.

Our typical recommendation for new wearers: Start with daily disposables. They eliminate the cleaning routine, where many new wearers experience difficulties. Once you feel at ease with inserting and removing lenses and can recognize when your eyes feel discomfort, consider transitioning to monthly lenses if cost becomes a significant concern.

Mastering the Art of Inserting Contact Lenses for the First Time

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 of your eye just below the iris, and then release and blink. Most individuals become comfortable with this process within a week, and your optometrist will support you through this during your fitting.

Initially, inserting a lens may feel foreign. Your body instinctively protects your eyes, which may cause you to blink or flinch when something approaches. With practice, this reflex will lessen, and most people adjust within a week.

1. Thoroughly wash your hands. Use soap and water, then dry with a lint-free towel. Any residue on your hands can transfer to the lens and subsequently to your eye.
2. Check the orientation of the lens. Place it on the tip of your index finger. It should resemble 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. Let go of your eyelids gently and blink several times to allow the lens to settle into place.
6. Repeat for your other eye.

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

Effective Techniques for 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, 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 necessary muscle memory. Most users no longer require these tools after a month, but using them is perfectly fine if they help.

Essential Cleaning and Care Tips 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). Replace your lens case every one to three months. Avoid tap water as it is the leading cause of serious contact lens infections.

If you are using daily disposables, you can skip this section since 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 states “no rub,” rubbing helps remove more deposits.
• Rinse with fresh solution.
• Place it in a clean case filled with fresh solution (never top up old solution; always replace it entirely).
• Replace your lens case regularly, every one to three months.

Never use tap water on contact lenses. Tap water can harbor 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 wear sealed goggles. Additionally, do not rinse your lens case with tap water.

This precaution is not overly cautious. 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 issues.

Popular Contact Lenses Frequently Prescribed

Each prescription and eye condition is unique. 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 ideal applications.

Top Choices for Daily Disposable Lenses

• Dailies Total 1: Utilizes 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: Offers excellent oxygen transmission and built-in UV protection, making it a favorite among 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 new wearers.

Commonly 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: Utilizes 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 Managing 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 conversation should address which type of lens will be most suitable and whether to combine them with any supportive treatments.

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

When Should You Reach Out to Your Optometrist?

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

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

• Pain that does not diminish after removing the lens; pain indicates something is wrong.
• 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 indicate an infection, a damaged lens, or a corneal issue. Do not delay in seeking help, and avoid assuming the problem will resolve on its own. Early intervention can prevent genuinely serious complications.

Frequently Asked Questions About Contact Lenses

How long does it typically 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, 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, a different lens material or 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. Regular daily and monthly lenses are designed for daytime wear only. Sleeping in standard 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’s impossible for a lens to slip behind your eye. It usually moves 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 center 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 crucial for individuals with dry eyes compared to those without. Daily disposables with high water content tend to be 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 appropriate lens based on your tear film during your fitting.

What are the typical costs of contact lenses in Australia?

Prices vary based on the brand, lens technology, and whether you’re purchasing 30 or 90 packs. Daily disposables fall into one price range, while monthlies 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 ask us 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 Suitable for You

• If you are under 16 years old — fitting contact lenses for children requires a separate discussion with parents or guardians. Please book a consult.
• 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 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.

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