Contact Lenses: Key Tips for First-Time Users

Are you gearing up to try contact lenses for the first time? Once your optometrist gives you the green light, you might have a range of questions about what to anticipate before your fitting appointment.

Essential Tip: Start with daily disposable lenses. They simplify the process by eliminating the need for a cleaning routine, which can be overwhelming for novices. Always wash your hands before handling your contact lenses and never rinse them with tap water. Make sure to schedule a fitting with your optometrist to ensure the right lens aligns with your prescription and eye health.

After evaluating your suitability for contact lenses, it’s completely normal to feel a blend of excitement and apprehension about touching your eyes. Many first-time users share similar feelings.

We frequently assist new contact lens wearers. This guide provides vital information to consider before your fitting appointment, how to compare daily and monthly lenses, and the essential routines to keep your eyes healthy and comfortable.

Making an Informed Choice: Daily vs. Monthly Contact Lenses

Quick tip: Opt for daily lenses if you are new to contact lenses, wear them occasionally, have allergies, or travel often; they provide a fresh lens every day without the need for cleaning. Monthly lenses are more suitable for regular users who are comfortable with a nightly cleaning routine and can be more economical in the long run if maintained properly.

Choosing between these two types is often more straightforward than you might think. Knowing the pros and cons can greatly enhance your experience.

Understanding the Benefits of Daily Disposable Lenses

With daily disposable lenses, you begin each day with a new pair and dispose of them at night. This means no cleaning, no storage cases, and no solutions, freeing you from the hassle of remembering how long you've worn your current pair.

Who benefits from daily disposables:

• New wearers seeking a straightforward experience
• Individuals who only wear lenses occasionally, such as for sports or special events
• People with allergies, as a fresh lens each day prevents the build-up of pollen and other irritants
• Frequent travellers who appreciate convenience
• Anyone wishing to avoid a nightly cleaning routine

The downside: While daily disposables may appear more expensive upfront, when you consider the costs of cleaning solutions, cases, and the risk of eye infections from poor hygiene, the price difference might be less significant than you expect.

Discovering Monthly Contact Lenses and Their Advantages

Monthly lenses can last up to 30 days. You need to remove, clean, and store them in fresh solution each night to maintain comfort and integrity.

Who are monthly lenses ideal for:

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

The downside: Regular cleaning each night is crucial. Neglecting this can lead to serious eye infections.

Essential Information About Fortnightly Lenses

Some brands offer a replacement cycle every two weeks. They share the same cleaning requirements as monthly lenses but require more frequent replacements.

Our standard advice for new wearers: Start with daily disposables. They eliminate the cleaning hassle, which many new users find challenging. Once you’re comfortable with inserting and removing lenses and can detect discomfort in your eyes, consider transitioning to monthly lenses if cost becomes a significant concern.

Mastering the Art of Inserting Contact Lenses for Beginners

Quick tip: Always wash your hands, ensure the lens is oriented correctly, 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 people become comfortable with this process within a week, and your optometrist will assist during your fitting.

At first, inserting a lens might feel strange. Your body instinctively protects your eyes, which could make you blink or flinch when an object approaches. With practice, this reflex will diminish, and most individuals adapt within a week.

1. Thoroughly wash your hands. Use soap and water, then dry with a lint-free towel. Any 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 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 clears a 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 allow the lens to settle into place.
6. Repeat for your other eye.

Your optometrist will guide you through this process during your fitting. We ensure you can confidently insert and remove your lenses before you leave, which is the primary aim of the fitting session.

Effective Techniques for 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, 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 simplify the process while you develop the necessary muscle memory. Most users no longer need these tools after a month, but using them is perfectly acceptable if they help.

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 the leading cause of serious contact lens infections.

If you’re 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 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 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, and do not rinse your lens case with tap water.

This precaution is not overly cautious. We encounter numerous cases of contact lens-related infections each year, primarily due to patients taking shortcuts with water. Adhering to this guideline will help you avoid similar problems.

Frequently Prescribed 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. Here are some of the lenses we regularly fit and stock, along with their ideal applications.

Top Daily Disposable Lens Choices

• Dailies Total 1: Utilises water gradient technology, resulting in a lens surface that is nearly entirely water. This is a popular choice for patients experiencing mild dry eye.
• Acuvue Oasys 1 Day: Offers excellent oxygen transmission and built-in UV protection, making it a preferred option for those spending time outdoors or in brightly lit environments.
• 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 sits on a flat pack, ensuring it’s oriented correctly when picked up, eliminating guesswork for new wearers.

Popular Monthly Contact Lens Options

• Biofinity: A well-known monthly lens with high oxygen permeability, available in a wide prescription range, including complex prescriptions.
• Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde: Utilises SmartShield surface technology to resist protein and lipid deposits that cause discomfort as the month progresses. Ideal if your current monthlies become uncomfortable as they age.

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

Feel free to discuss any concerns with us during your fitting. Contact lens wear and dry eye can coexist, but the strategy 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 newfound light sensitivity — reach out to us immediately. Don’t wait for symptoms to diminish. Prompt attention 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 persists after removing the lens; pain signals that 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 was not present before.

Any of these symptoms could indicate an infection, lens damage, or a corneal issue. Don’t hesitate to seek help and avoid assuming the problem will resolve on its own. Early intervention can prevent genuinely serious complications.

Common Inquiries Regarding Contact Lenses

How long does it generally 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, usually 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 solely for daytime wear. Sleeping in standard lenses restricts oxygen flow to your cornea and significantly increases the risk of infection. If you require overnight wear, 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 typically 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 enhance comfort while wearing lenses. Your optometrist will select 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 into one price range, while monthlies belong to another, and specialty lenses (such as toric for astigmatism or multifocal for presbyopia) often carry a higher price due to their complex optics. Current pricing for each type is available 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 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 Be Applicable to You

• If you are under 16 years of age — 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 Embark on Your Contact Lens Journey?

Book 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