Contact Lenses: Beginner Tips You Need to Know

Are you preparing to embark on your first contact lens experience? Once your optometrist has given you the green light, you may have several questions about what to anticipate before your fitting appointment.

Essential Tip: Start with daily disposable lenses. They eliminate the need for a cleaning routine, which can be intimidating for newcomers. Always ensure your hands are clean before handling your contact lenses, and avoid using tap water on them. Book a fitting session with your optometrist to confirm that you receive the right lens tailored to your prescription and eye health.

Your optometrist considers you a suitable candidate for contact lenses, and it's perfectly normal to feel both excited and apprehensive at the thought of touching your eyes. Many first-time wearers experience similar emotions.

We frequently assist new contact lens users, and this guide offers vital information to review before your fitting session. You will also find tips for comparing daily and monthly lenses, as well as essential routines to maintain your eye health and comfort.

Make an Informed Choice: Daily vs. Monthly Contact Lenses

Quick tip: Opt for daily lenses if you are new to contact lenses, wear them occasionally, suffer from allergies, or travel often. They provide a fresh lens each day without the hassle of cleaning. On the other hand, monthly lenses are more suitable for regular users who can commit to a nightly cleaning routine and may offer lower long-term costs when properly maintained.

Choosing between these two options is often easier than many believe. Understanding the pros and cons can significantly enhance your experience.

Benefits of Daily Disposable Lenses Explained

With daily disposable lenses, you wear a fresh pair each day and discard them at night. This approach removes the need for cleaning, storage cases, or solutions, alleviating the worry of remembering when you last wore your current pair.

Who should consider daily disposables:

• First-time users seeking a straightforward experience
• Occasional wearers, including those who engage in sports, attend special occasions, or wear lenses on weekends
• Individuals with allergies, as daily new lenses prevent the buildup of pollen and other irritants
• Frequent travellers prioritising convenience
• Anyone wanting to avoid a nightly cleaning routine

The downside: Although daily disposables may appear more expensive initially, considering the costs of cleaning solutions, storage cases, and the potential for eye infections from inadequate hygiene can diminish this cost difference.

Understanding Monthly Contact Lenses and Their Advantages

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

Who are monthly lenses ideal for:

• Regular wearers looking for the most cost-effective long-term option
• Individuals comfortable with a nightly cleaning regimen
• Those with prescriptions unavailable in daily disposable formats, including some complex or unique prescriptions

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

Essential Information About Fortnightly Lenses

Certain brands offer a two-week replacement cycle. These lenses share the same cleaning requirements as monthly lenses but require more frequent changes.

Advice for new users: Start with daily disposables. They eliminate the cleaning routine, which often poses challenges for new users. Once you feel more confident in handling your lenses and can recognise discomfort, consider transitioning to monthly lenses if cost becomes a significant concern.

Mastering the Art of Contact Lens Insertion for Beginners

Quick tip: Always wash your hands, ensure the lens is not inside out, 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 provide guidance during your fitting.

At first, inserting a lens may feel unfamiliar. Your body instinctively protects your eyes, which may cause you to blink or flinch when something approaches. With practice, this reflex diminishes, and most individuals acclimatise 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 out, it is inside out. Just flip it.
3. Hold your eyelids apart. Use the middle finger of your lens-holding hand to pull down the lower lid while your other hand lifts 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 that you can confidently insert and remove your lenses before you leave, which is the primary goal of the fitting session.

Proven Methods for Safely Removing Contact Lenses

1. Wash your hands thoroughly.
2. Look upwards.
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 during the first week or two, consider using a soft contact lens handler or tweezers. These tools can simplify the process as you build muscle memory. Most users no longer need these tools after about a month, but it's perfectly fine to use them if they help.

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 refill 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 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.
• Place it in a clean case filled with fresh solution (never top up old solution; always replace it completely).
• Regularly change 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 poses a risk to 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 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 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 requirements during your fitting. Here are some lenses we commonly fit and stock, along with their ideal uses.

Top Daily Disposable Lens Recommendations

• Dailies Total 1: Features water gradient technology, resulting in an outer lens surface that is nearly entirely water. This is a popular choice for patients with mild dry eye.
• Acuvue Oasys 1 Day: Offers excellent oxygen transmission and built-in UV protection, making it a preferred option for those who spend time outdoors or in bright conditions.
• 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 well-respected monthly lens known for its 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 can cause discomfort towards the end of the month. Ideal if your current monthlies become uncomfortable as they age.

How to Manage 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 selecting the most suitable lens type 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 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 diminish after removing the lens; pain indicates something is wrong.
• Redness that persists 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 signal an infection, a damaged lens, or a corneal issue. Do not hesitate to seek help, 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 usually take to adjust to wearing contact lenses?

Most new wearers adjust to 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 explicitly 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 significantly increases the risk of infection. Consult your optometrist about specially designed extended wear lenses if you need to wear lenses overnight.

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 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 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 are 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 pricier 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 necessitate 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 Suitable for You

• If you are under 16 years old — fitting contact lenses for children requires 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 follow, not precede.
• 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 Prepared to Start Your Contact Lens Journey?

Book your contact lens fitting at our Central Coast practice, and we will assist you in finding the perfect 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.

Explore Contact Lenses at Eyes By Design · Schedule Your Contact Lens Fitting Today