Contact Lenses: Key Tips Every Beginner Should Know

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 inquiries regarding what to anticipate prior to your fitting appointment.

Essential Advice: Start with daily disposable lenses. They eliminate the need for a cleaning routine, which can often be overwhelming for newcomers. Always ensure your hands are clean before handling your contact lenses, and never use tap water on them. Make an appointment for a fitting with your optometrist to confirm you receive the right lenses that correspond to your prescription and eye health.

Your optometrist has determined that you are a suitable candidate for contact lenses, and it’s entirely natural to feel a blend of excitement and apprehension about the notion of touching your eyes. Such feelings are common among those trying lenses for the first time.

We frequently assist new contact lens users, and this guide offers crucial information to understand before your fitting appointment, tips for comparing daily and Monthly lenses, as well as essential routines to maintain healthy and comfortable eyes.

Making an Informed Choice: Daily vs. Monthly Contact Lenses

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

Choosing between these two options is typically less complicated than many assume. Recognising the pros and cons can significantly influence your experience.

Understanding the Benefits of Daily Disposable Lenses

With daily disposable lenses, you wear a new pair each day and dispose of them at night. This process removes the need for cleaning, storage cases, or solutions, freeing you from having to remember when you last used your current pair.

Who benefits from daily disposables:

• First-time users seeking a straightforward experience
• Occasional wearers, such as during sports, special events, or weekends
• Allergy sufferers, as new daily lenses prevent the build-up of pollen and other irritants
• Frequent travellers who appreciate convenience
• Individuals who want to avoid a nightly cleaning routine

The downside: While daily disposables may appear more expensive at first glance, considering the costs associated with cleaning solutions, storage cases, and potential eye infections due to inadequate hygiene can considerably diminish this cost difference.

Discovering Monthly Contact Lenses and Their Advantages

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

Who are monthly lenses suitable for:

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

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

Important Information About Fortnightly Lenses

Some brands offer a two-week replacement cycle. They require the same cleaning as monthly lenses but need to be replaced more frequently.

Our standard recommendation for new users: Start with daily disposables. They eliminate the cleaning routine, where many beginners face difficulties. Once you feel confident with inserting and removing lenses and can identify when your eyes feel uncomfortable, consider transitioning to monthly lenses if cost becomes a significant concern.

Perfecting Contact Lens Insertion Techniques for New Users

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 provide support 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 diminish, and most people adapt within a week.

1. Thoroughly wash your hands. Use soap and water, then dry with a lint-free towel. Any residues on your hands can transfer to the lens and then to your eye.
2. Check the orientation of the lens. Place it on the tip of your index finger. It should look like a smooth bowl with clean edges. If the edges flare out, it is inside out. Just 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 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.
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 objective of the fitting session.

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 with fresh solution.

If you find removal challenging during the first week or two, consider using a soft contact lens handler or tweezers. These tools can simplify the process as you develop the necessary muscle memory. Most users no longer need these tools after about a month, but it’s perfectly acceptable to use them if they help you.

Essential Cleaning and Care Practices for Monthly Contact Lenses

Quick tip: Clean each lens with a multipurpose solution for around 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 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 indicates “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).
• 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 serious eye infections, including Acanthamoeba keratitis, a painful condition that could threaten 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 excessive. We see numerous cases of contact lens-related infections every year, primarily due to patients taking shortcuts with water. Adhering to this guideline will help you avoid such issues.

Frequently Prescribed Contact Lenses

Every prescription and eye condition is unique. Your optometrist will suggest the most suitable lens tailored to your specific needs during your fitting. Here are some lenses we often fit and stock, along with their ideal applications.

Top Choices 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 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: Employs 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 correctly when picked up, eliminating guesswork for new wearers.

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 can cause discomfort towards the end of the month. Ideal if your current monthlies become uncomfortable as they age.

Addressing Dry Eyes or Sensitivity While Using 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.

Recognising When to Contact Your Optometrist

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

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 serious complications.

Frequently Asked Questions About Contact Lenses

How long does it typically take to adapt to wearing contact lenses?

Most new wearers become adept at inserting and removing their lenses within a week. Physical comfort—meaning not feeling the lens in your eye—generally 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 intended 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 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 provide more comfort 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 choose 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 within 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 can be found 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 Suit Your Needs

• If you are under 16 years old — fitting contact lenses for children necessitates 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.

Ready to Begin Your Contact Lens Adventure?

Schedule your contact lens fitting at our Central Coast practice, and we will assist you in finding the ideal 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