Starting your adventure with contact lenses for the first time? After your optometrist has approved your candidacy, you likely have questions regarding what to anticipate before your fitting appointment.
Essential Advice: Opt for daily disposable lenses to simplify your experience. They eliminate the need for a cleaning routine, which can be overwhelming for newcomers. Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling your contact lenses, and never rinse them with tap water. Schedule a fitting with your optometrist to ensure the right lens matches your prescription and eye health.
Feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness about touching your eyes is completely normal, especially for first-time users. Your optometrist has confirmed that you are a good candidate for contact lenses, and many new wearers experience similar emotions.
We often assist beginners in their contact lens journey. Here, you’ll find vital information to consider before your fitting appointment, tips on comparing daily versus monthly lenses, and routines to maintain eye health and comfort.
Making the Right Choice: Understanding Daily vs. Monthly Contact Lenses
Quick tip: Opt for daily lenses if you are new to wearing lenses, use them occasionally, suffer from allergies, or travel often; they provide a fresh lens daily without the hassle of cleaning. Monthly lenses are ideal for regular users who are comfortable with a nightly cleaning routine, offering a more economical daily cost when properly maintained.
Choosing between these two lens types is simpler than many assume. Recognizing their advantages and disadvantages can significantly improve your experience.
Discovering the Benefits of Daily Disposable Lenses
With daily disposable lenses, you wear a fresh pair each day and dispose of them at night. This convenience eliminates the need for cleaning, storage cases, or solutions, saving you from the hassle of remembering the last time you wore your current pair.
Who should consider daily disposables:
- First-time users seeking a simple experience
- Individuals who wear lenses occasionally for sports, social events, or weekends
- Those with allergies, as a fresh lens each day prevents the buildup of pollen and other irritants
- Frequent travelers who prioritize convenience
- Anyone wishing to avoid a nightly cleaning regimen
Potential drawbacks: While daily disposables may appear more expensive on a daily basis, factoring in the costs of cleaning solutions, cases, and the risk of eye infections from inadequate hygiene can significantly reduce the perceived cost difference.
Gaining Insight into Monthly Contact Lenses and Their Benefits
Monthly lenses can be used for up to 30 days. Each night, you must remove, clean, and store them in fresh solution to maintain their comfort and integrity.
Who are monthly lenses best for:
- Regular users seeking a cost-effective long-term solution
- Individuals who are comfortable with a nightly cleaning routine
- People with prescriptions not available in daily disposable formats, including some more complex prescriptions
Potential drawbacks: Daily cleaning is essential. Ignoring this step can lead to serious eye infections.
Essential Details About Fortnightly Lenses
Some brands provide a two-week replacement cycle. They require the same cleaning protocols as monthly lenses but need to be replaced more frequently.
Our recommendation for new users: Start with daily disposables. They eliminate the cleaning routine, which many beginners find challenging. Once you feel comfortable inserting and removing lenses, and can recognize when your eyes are uncomfortable, consider switching to monthly lenses if cost becomes a significant concern.
Mastering the Art of Inserting Contact Lenses for Beginners
Quick tip: Always wash your hands, check that the lens is not inside out, hold your eyelids open, look slightly upwards, place the lens on the white of your eye just below the iris, then release and blink. Most individuals become proficient at this technique within a week, and your optometrist will guide you during your fitting.
Initially, inserting a lens may feel strange. Your body instinctively protects your eyes, causing you to blink or flinch when something approaches. With practice, this reflex will lessen, and most people adjust within a week.
- Wash your hands thoroughly. Use soap and water, then dry your hands with a lint-free towel. Any residue on your hands can transfer to the lens and then to your eye.
- Check the orientation of the lens. Position it on the tip of your index finger. It should appear like a smooth bowl with clean edges. If the edges flare outwards, it is inside out. Simply flip it.
- 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.
- Look slightly upwards. Position the lens on the white part of your eye, just below the iris.
- Release and blink. Gently let go of your eyelids and blink several times to ensure the lens settles into place.
- Repeat for your other eye.
Your optometrist will assist you throughout this process during your fitting. We ensure that you can confidently insert and remove your lenses before leaving, which is the main goal of the fitting session.
Effective Techniques for Safely Removing Contact Lenses
- Wash your hands thoroughly.
- Look upwards.
- Slide the lens down onto the white part of your eye using your index finger.
- Gently pinch the lens between your thumb and index finger to lift it out.
For daily lenses, simply dispose of them. For monthly lenses, store them in a clean case filled with fresh solution.
If you encounter difficulty removing your lenses in the first week or two, consider using a soft contact lens handler or tweezers. These tools can make the process easier as you develop the necessary muscle memory. Most users find they no longer need these aids after a month, but using them is perfectly fine if they help 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). Replace your lens case every one to three months. Avoid tap water as it is a leading cause of severe 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.
- Store it in a clean case filled with fresh solution (never top up old solution; always replace it completely).
- Replace your lens case regularly, every one to three months.
Never use tap water on contact lenses. Tap water can contain 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. Do not rinse your lens case with tap water.
This caution is not excessive. We see many 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.
Commonly Recommended Contact Lenses
Every prescription and eye condition is unique. During your fitting, your optometrist will recommend the most suitable lens tailored to your specific needs. Below are some lenses frequently fitted and stocked, along with their ideal uses.
Top Choices for Daily Disposable Lenses
- Dailies Total 1: Utilizes water gradient technology, providing an outer lens surface composed primarily of water. This is a popular option 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 all-day comfort.
- Miru 1Day Flatpack: Features the world’s thinnest contact lens packaging. The lens is housed in a flat pack, ensuring proper orientation when picked up, eliminating guesswork for newcomers.
Popular 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 can cause discomfort towards the end of the month. Ideal for those whose current monthly lenses become uncomfortable as they age.
Effective Strategies for Managing Dry Eyes or Sensitivity
Wearing contact lenses can contribute to dry eye, and experiencing dry eye can make wearing lenses uncomfortable. If you have dry eye symptoms, your fitting discussion should cover which type of lens will be most appropriate and whether to combine them with supportive treatments.
Feel free to discuss any concerns during your fitting. Contact lens wear and dry eye can coexist, but the approach must be tailored 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. Don’t wait for symptoms to diminish. Prompt 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 subside after removing the lens; pain indicates something is wrong.
- Redness lasting more than a few hours.
- Sudden blurred vision while wearing lenses.
- Discharge or excessive tearing.
- A sensation of something stuck in your eye after removal.
- New light sensitivity that was not present before.
These symptoms may indicate an infection, a damaged lens, or a corneal issue. Do not delay in seeking assistance, and avoid assuming the problem will resolve on its own. Early intervention can prevent serious complications.
Frequently Asked Questions About Contact Lenses
How long does it usually 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, typically settles within the first two to three days. If you find insertion continues to be difficult after two weeks, schedule a follow-up appointment. Sometimes, a different lens material or a handling tool can significantly enhance 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 intended for daytime wear only. Sleeping in standard lenses restricts oxygen flow to your cornea and greatly raises the risk of infection. If you need to wear lenses overnight, consult your optometrist about specially designed extended wear lenses.
What steps should I take if a contact lens feels stuck in my eye?
A lens cannot slip behind your eye; it typically shifts 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 moves back to the center 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 is more critical 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 improve comfort while wearing lenses. Your optometrist will select the appropriate lens based on your tear film during your fitting.
What are the average 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 have one price range, while monthlies belong to another, and specialty lenses (such as toric for astigmatism or multifocal for presbyopia) tend to be pricier 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 an optometrist's consultation 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 Meet Your Needs
- If you are under 16 years old — fitting contact lenses for children requires a separate consultation with parents or guardians. Please book an appointment.
- If you have not had a recent eye exam — obtain your prescription and corneal health check first. Lenses should follow the exam, not precede it.
- 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.
Ready to Start Your Contact Lens Experience?
Schedule your contact lens fitting at our Central Coast practice, and we will help you find 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.
Explore Contact Lenses at Eyes By Design · Schedule Your Contact Lens Fitting Today
Original Article First Published At: Your First Contact Lenses — A Practical Guide Before You Start
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