Contact Lenses

For many spectacle wearers there are times when they would rather not wear spectacles for sport or social occasions. Others want freedom from spectacles most of the time. The easiest way to achieve either of these is with contact lenses.

Many spectacle wearers presume that contact lenses will not suit their eyes. This can be because of a number of wrong assumptions such as;

• They are uncomfortable
• They fall out all the time
• I can't bear to touch my eyes
• They're too fiddly and difficult to look after
• They're expensive
• They're bad for your eyes

Contact lenses have moved on considerably from the days when any of these objections were valid. Nowadays contact lenses are so soft that you barely know you are wearing them and so flexible that they mould to your eyes.

They cannot just “fall out” and are so permeable that they cannot damage your eyes through lack of oxygen.

Contact Lenses do not have to be expensive and they are not difficult to look after either. You can now purchase disposable contact lenses that are only worn once and then thrown away. This means no solutions are needed.

Contact Lens Assessments
If you are interested in trying contact lenses the first step is to book in for a detailed contact lens assessment.

We have to be sure that your eyes are right for contact lenses and that contact lenses are suitable for you and your lifestyle. There are now so many different types of contact lenses that we will spend time finding the right lenses that are best for you.

As part of the assessment we advocate that you have an extended trial. We will make sure that we train you until putting them in is second nature. Following the teaching session, we will give you a set of diagnostic lens to try in your normal environment for a few days. After this trial we will re-assess your eyes and get your feed back as to whether lenses have met you expectations.

It is only at this point that we will order your first supply of lenses.

Regular Check Ups
Regular check ups will be arranged so that we can ensure we identify and deal with any potential problems before they arise. We can fit and supply almost any type of contact lens, with full aftercare, advice and training at every step. Please contact us for further details.

What are Rigid Lenses?
Rigid lenses are made from a variety of rigid polymers; they are smaller than a soft contact lens covering the central area of the cornea.

Because they are rigid, they take a period of time to adapt to, as you will be aware of the edge of the lens when you blink over it. This will vary from one individual to the next but is typically one week, from initial wear to becoming unaware of the lens.

Rigid lenses are better able to cope with astigmatism than standard soft lenses and will correct up to 3diopters of astigmatism.

The materials these lenses are made of are generally more oxygen permeable than soft lenses and so can be worn safely for longer.

The risk of eye infection is also less as the soft lens materials can grow bacteria, yeasts and fungi and so need a stricter cleaning regime. Bifocal and multifocal lenses are now also available in RGP lenses, which correct near as well as distance vision for those people who require separate distance and reading prescriptions.

Each lens has different benefits and disadvantages. We will advise you on which will best match your needs.

What are Soft Lenses?
Soft lenses are made from a flexible polymer. As a result the lenses mould to the shape of the cornea and quickly become stable and comfortable on the eye.

It is extremely unusual for the lenses to displace which makes these ideal for sport.

However they do not correct astigmatism very well and astigmatism over 0.75 dioptres requires a specialist toric soft contact lens.

There are now also available bifocal and multifocal soft lenses, which correct near as well as distance vision for those people who require separate distance and reading prescriptions.

Soft lenses can correct; myopia (“short sightedness”), hyperopia (“long sightedness”), astigmatism, and presbyopia (loss of focusing ability for near vision).

There are many different types of soft lenses. They vary by the frequency of replacement, materials they are made of, their water content and their thickness. The last three parameters affect the oxygen permeability and therefore the maximum safe wearing time of a lens.

We supply daily disposable, fortnightly disposable, monthly disposable and yearly lenses. 30-day continuous wear lenses are also now available.