Contact Lenses: Beginner’s Essential Tips to Get Started

Are you preparing to embark on your first experience with contact lenses? After receiving the green light from your optometrist, it’s completely normal to have questions regarding what to anticipate before your fitting appointment.

Essential Advice: Start with daily disposable lenses. These eliminate the need for a cleaning routine, which can often feel overwhelming for beginners. Always wash your hands prior to handling your contact lenses, and avoid using tap water. Book a fitting with your optometrist to ensure you choose the correct lens that aligns with your prescription and eye health.

Your optometrist considers you an excellent candidate for contact lenses, and it’s entirely normal to feel both excitement and anxiety about the prospect of touching your eyes. These emotions are common among first-time users.

We frequently assist new contact lens wearers, and this guide offers vital insights to prepare you for your fitting appointment, advice on comparing daily and Monthly lenses, and essential routines to maintain the health and comfort of your eyes.

Making an Informed Choice: Daily vs. Monthly Contact Lenses

Quick tip: Opt for daily lenses if you are a beginner, wear lenses sporadically, suffer from allergies, or travel often; they offer a fresh lens each day without the need for cleaning. Monthly lenses are ideal for regular users who can manage a nightly cleaning routine, often resulting in lower overall costs when maintained properly.

Choosing between these two options is usually more straightforward than many assume. Knowing the pros and cons can significantly influence your experience.

Unpacking the Benefits of Daily Disposable Lenses

With daily disposable lenses, you wear a new pair every day and dispose of them at night. This approach removes the need for cleaning, storage cases, or solutions, relieving you from the hassle of remembering when you last used your current pair.

Who stands to gain from daily disposables:

• First-time users seeking a hassle-free experience
• Occasional wearers, such as for sports, special events, or weekends
• Individuals with allergies, as daily new lenses prevent the build-up of pollen and other irritants
• Frequent travellers who appreciate convenience
• Anyone wishing to bypass a nightly cleaning regimen

The drawback: Although daily disposables may appear more expensive initially, factoring in the costs of cleaning solutions, storage cases, and the risk of eye infections due to poor hygiene may significantly narrow this cost gap.

Understanding Monthly Contact Lenses and Their Advantages

Monthly lenses are designed to last up to 30 days. Each night, you must remove, clean, and store them in fresh solution to maintain their quality and comfort.

Who are monthly lenses appropriate for:

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

The drawback: Consistent nightly cleaning is crucial. Failing to adhere to this routine can lead to serious eye infections.

Essential Insights on Fortnightly Lenses

Certain brands offer a two-week replacement cycle. They require the same cleaning practices as monthly lenses but necessitate more frequent replacements.

Our standard recommendation for new users: Begin with daily disposables. They eliminate the cleaning routine that often poses challenges for new users. Once you feel confident with inserting and removing lenses and can recognise when your eyes feel uncomfortable, you may consider transitioning to monthly lenses if cost becomes a primary concern.

Mastering Lens Insertion Techniques for First-Time Users

Quick tip: Always wash your hands, ensure the lens is oriented correctly, hold your eyelids open, look slightly upwards, position the lens on the white of your eye just below the iris, then release and blink. Most people become adept at this process within a week, and your optometrist will guide you during your fitting.

Initially, inserting a lens might feel strange. Your body instinctively protects your eyes, causing you to blink or flinch when something approaches. With practice, this reflex will diminish, and most individuals adapt within a week.

1. Thoroughly wash your hands. Use soap and water, and dry them with a lint-free towel. Residue on your hands 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 out, 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, creating a clear entry 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 assist the lens in settling.
6. Repeat for your other eye.

Your optometrist will accompany you through this entire process during your fitting. We ensure that you can confidently insert and remove your lenses before you depart, as this is the primary aim of the fitting session.

Effective Techniques for Safely Removing Contact Lenses

1. Thoroughly wash your hands.
2. Look upward.
3. Slide the lens down onto the white part of your eye with 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 removal challenging in the first week or so, consider using a soft contact lens handler or tweezers. These tools can simplify the process as you build the necessary muscle memory. Most users no longer need these tools after about a month, but there is no harm in using them if they assist you.

Essential Cleaning and Care Practices 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). Regularly replace your lens case every one to three months. Avoid tap water, as it is the leading cause of severe contact lens infections.

If you opt for daily disposables, you can skip this section since cleaning is not necessary.

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 completely).
• Regularly replace your lens case every one to three months.

Never use tap water on contact lenses. Tap water may contain microorganisms that can lead to severe eye infections, including Acanthamoeba keratitis, a painful condition that could jeopardise your vision. 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 precaution is not overly cautious. We see numerous cases of contact lens-related infections each year, primarily due to patients taking shortcuts with water. Following this guideline will help you avoid such issues.

Frequently Prescribed Contact Lenses

Every prescription and eye condition is unique. Your optometrist will recommend the best lens tailored to your specific requirements during your fitting. Here are some lenses we commonly fit and stock, along with their ideal applications.

Top Choices for Daily Disposable Lenses

• Dailies Total 1: Features water gradient technology, resulting in an outer lens surface that is nearly entirely water. This is a preferred option for patients experiencing mild dry eye.
• Acuvue Oasys 1 Day: Provides excellent oxygen transmission and built-in UV protection, making it a top choice for those spending time outdoors or in bright environments.
• Precision 1: Utilises Alcon’s SmartSurface technology to create a thin moisture layer across the lens, ensuring all-day comfort.
• Miru 1Day Flatpack: Boasts the world’s thinnest contact lens packaging. The lens sits on a flat pack, ensuring it’s oriented correctly when picked up, eliminating guesswork for new wearers.

Popular Monthly Contact Lens Selections

• Biofinity: A highly regarded monthly lens known for its 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 can cause discomfort towards the end of the month. Ideal for those whose current monthlies become uncomfortable as they age.

Addressing Dry Eyes or Sensitivity While Wearing Contact Lenses

Wearing contact lenses can contribute to dry eye, and experiencing dry eye can make wearing contact lenses uncomfortable. If you already have dry eye symptoms, your fitting discussion should focus on which type of lens will be most suitable and whether to incorporate 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 tailored to your specific condition.

When to 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 without delay. Do not wait for symptoms to fade. Quick intervention can prevent serious complications.

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

• Pain that does not diminish after removing the lens; pain signifies something is amiss.
• Redness that persists for 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 typically take to adjust to wearing contact lenses?

Most new wearers adapt to 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 have difficulties with insertion after two weeks, schedule a follow-up appointment. Sometimes, a different lens material or a handling tool can greatly enhance 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 significantly elevates 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 shifts to the side or folds. 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 than for those without. Daily disposables with high water content typically offer more comfort for dry eye patients compared to 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 most suitable 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 category, while monthlies belong to another; specialty lenses (such as toric for astigmatism or multifocal for presbyopia) tend to be more expensive due to their intricate optics. Current pricing for each type can be found on its product page. We also provide discounted rates for ongoing subscriptions, so be sure to ask us during your fitting.

Do I need to consult an optometrist to obtain 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 up to date. 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 arrange a consultation.
• If you have not had a recent eye examination — 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 practice is illegal in Australia and can result in serious corneal injury.

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 ideal lens suited 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