Contact Lenses: Key Tips for First-Time Users

Are you excited to try contact lenses for the first time? Once your optometrist gives you the green light, you may have a lot of questions about what happens before your fitting appointment.

Essential Advice: Start with daily disposable lenses. They simplify your routine by eliminating the need for a cleaning schedule, which can be overwhelming for newcomers. Always wash your hands before handling your contact lenses, and avoid using tap water to rinse them. Make sure to schedule a fitting appointment with your optometrist to ensure the right lens type aligns with your prescription and eye health.

Your optometrist has determined that you are a good candidate for contact lenses, and it’s natural to feel a mix of excitement and apprehension about touching your eyes. These feelings are quite common among first-time users.

We frequently assist individuals embarking on their first contact lens journey. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover vital information to consider before your fitting appointment, how to evaluate the differences between daily and monthly lenses, and essential routines to maintain your eye health and comfort.

Making an Informed Choice: Daily vs. Monthly Contact Lenses

Quick tip: Opt for daily lenses if you are new to contact lenses, wear them part-time, suffer from allergies, or travel often; these lenses offer a fresh pair each day with no cleaning needed. Monthly lenses are more suitable for regular users who are comfortable with a nightly cleaning routine and can provide a more economical option when cared for properly.

Choosing between these two types often proves easier than expected. Understanding the benefits and drawbacks can significantly influence your experience.

The Benefits of Daily Disposable Lenses

With daily disposable lenses, you start each day with a fresh pair and dispose of them each night. This eliminates the need for cleaning, storage cases, and solutions, relieving you from the worry of remembering when you last wore your current pair.

Who stands to gain from daily disposables:

• New users seeking a straightforward experience
• Occasional wearers, such as for sports or special events
• Individuals with allergies, as a fresh lens each day helps reduce the build-up of pollen and other allergens
• Frequent travellers who appreciate convenience
• Anyone wishing to avoid a nightly cleaning routine

The downside: While daily disposables may appear more expensive initially, when you account for the costs of cleaning solutions, cases, and the risk of eye infections due to poor hygiene, the price difference may not be as large as you think.

Understanding Monthly Contact Lenses and Their Benefits

Monthly lenses can be worn for up to 30 days. You must remove, clean, and store them in fresh solution nightly to maintain their comfort and effectiveness.

Who should consider monthly lenses:

• Regular users looking for the most cost-effective long-term solution
• Individuals comfortable with a nightly cleaning regimen
• Those with prescriptions not available in daily disposable formats, including some unique or complex prescriptions

The downside: Consistent nightly cleaning is crucial. Neglecting this can lead to serious eye infections.

Important Insights About Fortnightly Lenses

Some brands offer a replacement schedule every two weeks. These lenses have the same cleaning requirements as monthly lenses but require more frequent replacement.

Our standard recommendation for new wearers: Start with daily disposables. They eliminate the cleaning hassle, which many newcomers find challenging. Once you feel confident with inserting and removing lenses and can recognise discomfort in your eyes, consider transitioning to monthly lenses if cost becomes a concern.

Mastering the Art of Inserting Contact Lenses for Beginners

Quick tip: Always wash your hands, ensure the lens is the right way up, hold your eyelids open, look slightly upwards, place the lens on the white part of your eye just below the iris, and then blink. Most people become comfortable with this procedure within a week, and your optometrist will assist you during your fitting.

At first, inserting a lens may feel strange. Your body instinctively protects your eyes, which might cause you to blink or flinch when something approaches. With practice, this reflex will decrease, and most individuals adapt within a week.

1. Thoroughly wash your hands. Use soap and water, then dry with a lint-free towel. Residue on your hands can transfer to the lens and, ultimately, to your eye.
2. Check the lens orientation. Place it on the tip of your index finger. It should look like a smooth bowl with clean edges. If the edges flare outward, it’s 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 upwards. 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 in 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 main objective of the fitting session.

Effective Methods for Removing Contact Lenses

1. Wash your hands thoroughly.
2. Look upwards.
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 properly. For monthly lenses, store them in a clean case filled with fresh solution.

If you find removal challenging in the first week or two, consider using a soft contact lens handler or tweezers. These tools can make the process easier while you develop the necessary muscle memory. Most users no longer need 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’re using daily disposables, you can disregard 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 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 may contain microorganisms that can cause 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. Never rinse your lens case with tap water.

These precautions are not overly cautious. We handle numerous cases of contact lens-related infections each year, primarily due to patients taking shortcuts with water. Adhering to these guidelines will help you avoid similar issues.

Frequently Prescribed Contact Lenses

Every prescription and eye condition is unique. Your optometrist will recommend the most appropriate 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 Daily Disposable Lens Choices

• Dailies Total 1: Utilises water gradient technology, creating a lens surface that is nearly entirely water. This is a popular choice for individuals experiencing mild dry eye symptoms.
• Acuvue Oasys 1 Day: Offers excellent oxygen transmission and built-in UV protection, making it a favourite among those spending time outdoors or in brightly lit environments.
• Precision 1: Features Alcon’s SmartSurface technology, which creates a thin moisture layer across the lens for all-day comfort.
• Miru 1Day Flatpack: Boasts the world’s thinnest contact lens packaging. The lens sits on a flat pack ensuring it is oriented correctly when picked up, removing guesswork for new users.

Popular Monthly Contact Lens Selections

• Biofinity: A well-regarded monthly lens with high oxygen permeability, available in a broad prescription range, including complex prescriptions.
• Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde: Utilises SmartShield surface technology to resist protein and lipid deposits that may cause discomfort as the month progresses. Ideal for those whose current monthly lenses become uncomfortable with extended wear.

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 have existing dry eye symptoms, your fitting discussion should focus on which lens type will suit you best and whether to combine them with any supportive treatments.

Feel free to raise any concerns with us during your fitting. Contact lens wear and dry eye can coexist, but the approach must be tailored to your individual 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 newfound 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 require immediate attention. Reach out to us (or any optometrist) if you notice:

• Pain that persists after removing the lens; pain indicates something is wrong.
• Redness that lasts 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 wasn’t present before.

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

Answers to Common Questions About Contact Lenses

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

Most new users 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 continue to struggle with insertion 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 designed for daytime wear only. Sleeping in standard lenses restricts oxygen flow to your cornea and greatly heightens 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. Typically, it 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 centre 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 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 increase comfort while wearing lenses. Your optometrist will select the suitable 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 Apply to You

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

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 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