Contact Lenses: Essential Tips for New Users

Are you ready to start your first experience with contact lenses? Once your optometrist has approved you for lenses, you might have several inquiries regarding what to anticipate before your fitting appointment.

Key Advice: Start with daily disposable lenses. These lenses eliminate the need for a cleaning routine, which can be intimidating for new users. Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling your contact lenses, and avoid using tap water on them. Arrange a fitting with your optometrist to ensure the chosen lens aligns with your prescription and promotes your eye health.

Your optometrist has deemed you a suitable candidate for contact lenses, and it’s entirely normal to feel a mix of excitement and slight nervousness about handling your eyes. Such emotions are common among newcomers.

We often support individuals who are new to contact lenses. In this guide, you will discover crucial considerations before your fitting appointment, how to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of daily versus monthly lenses, and essential routines to maintain your eyes in good health and comfort.

Making Informed Choices: Understanding Daily and Monthly Contact Lenses

Essential Tip: Choose daily lenses if you are new to contact lenses, plan to wear them infrequently, have allergies, or travel often; they provide a fresh pair daily without the hassle of cleaning. Monthly lenses are better suited for regular users who are comfortable with a nightly cleaning routine and can offer a lower daily cost when properly maintained.

Deciding between these two options is usually easier than many expect. Understanding their individual benefits and drawbacks can significantly improve your experience.

Benefits of Daily Disposable Lenses

With daily disposable lenses, you put on a fresh pair each morning and dispose of them at night. This method eliminates the need for cleaning, storage cases, or solutions, freeing you from the burden of remembering when you last wore your current pair.

Who benefits most from daily disposables:

• First-time users desiring a hassle-free experience
• Individuals who wear lenses occasionally for sports, events, or weekends
• People with allergies, as a new daily lens helps to prevent the buildup of pollen and other irritants
• Frequent travellers who appreciate convenience
• Anyone wishing to bypass a nightly cleaning routine

The downside: Although daily disposables may initially seem more expensive on a daily basis, considering the costs of cleaning solutions, cases, and the potential for eye infections due to inadequate hygiene can help justify the price difference.

Insights into Monthly Contact Lenses and Their Benefits

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

Who should consider monthly lenses:

• Regular users seeking the most cost-effective long-term solution
• Individuals who are at ease with a nightly cleaning routine
• Those with prescriptions that may not be available in daily disposable options, including some complex or unique prescriptions

The downside: Consistent nightly cleaning is crucial. Failing to adhere to this step can result in serious eye infections.

Understanding the Essentials of Fortnightly Lenses

Certain brands offer lenses designed for replacement every two weeks. They require the same cleaning protocols as monthly lenses but necessitate more frequent changes.

Our typical advice for first-time users: Start with daily disposables. They simplify the cleaning process, which can be challenging for newcomers. Once you feel comfortable with inserting and removing lenses and can identify signs of discomfort, consider switching to monthly lenses if cost becomes a significant concern.

Essential Techniques for Inserting Contact Lenses as a Beginner

Quick tip: Always wash your hands, ensure the lens is the correct way round, hold your eyelids apart, look slightly upwards, position the lens on the white part of your eye just below the iris, then release and blink. Most individuals master this technique within a week, and your optometrist will guide you through the process during your fitting.

Initially, inserting a lens may feel unusual. Your body naturally protects your eyes, which might cause you to blink or flinch as the lens approaches. With practice, this reflex will lessen, and most individuals adapt within a week.

1. Wash your hands thoroughly. 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 outwards, 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. This creates a clear pathway for the lens.
4. Look slightly upwards. 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 into position.
6. Repeat for your other eye.

Your optometrist will support you throughout this process during your fitting. Our goal is to ensure you can confidently insert and remove your lenses before you leave.

Effective Methods for Safely Removing Contact Lenses

1. Thoroughly wash your hands.
2. Look upwards.
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 discard them. For monthly lenses, store them in a clean case filled with fresh solution.

If you struggle to remove your lenses in 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 find they no longer need these aids after about a month; however, using them is entirely acceptable if they assist you.

Important Cleaning and Care Instructions for Monthly Contact Lenses

Quick tip: Clean each lens with a multipurpose solution for approximately 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 a leading cause of serious 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 advises “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 entirely).
• Regularly replace your lens case, every one to three months.

Never use tap water on contact lenses. Tap water can contain microorganisms that lead to serious eye infections, including Acanthamoeba keratitis, a painful and potentially sight-threatening condition. This means avoiding swimming or showering with your lenses unless you wear sealed goggles, and do not rinse your lens case with tap water.

This caution is not excessive. We see numerous cases of contact lens-related infections annually, primarily due to patients taking shortcuts with water. Adhering to this guideline will help you avoid such complications.

Frequently Prescribed Contact Lenses

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

Recommended Daily Disposable Lenses

• Dailies Total 1: Utilises water gradient technology, resulting in an outer lens surface that is almost entirely water. This is a popular choice for patients with mild dry eye.
• Acuvue Oasys 1 Day: Provides 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: Incorporates Alcon’s SmartSurface technology to create a thin moisture layer across the lens, ensuring comfort throughout the day.
• Miru 1Day Flatpack: Features the world’s thinnest contact lens packaging. The lens sits on a flat pack, ensuring it is oriented correctly when picked up, eliminating guesswork for new users.

Popular Monthly Contact Lenses

• Biofinity: A well-established monthly lens with high oxygen permeability, available in a wide range of prescriptions, including complex ones.
• 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 monthly lenses become uncomfortable as they age.

Managing 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 are already experiencing dry eye symptoms, your fitting discussion should address which type of lens will be most suitable and whether to combine them with supportive treatments.

Feel free to express 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 is it Necessary to Contact Your Optometrist?

Quick tip: If you experience pain, persistent redness, sudden blurriness, discharge, or a lingering sensation of “something in my eye” after removal, or new light sensitivity — contact us immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to improve. Timely care can prevent serious complications.

Some issues can wait until your next appointment, while others cannot. Reach out to us (or any optometrist) if you notice:

• Pain that does not improve after lens removal; pain indicates something is wrong.
• Redness that lasts 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 delay in seeking 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 usually take to adjust to wearing contact lenses?

Most new users become comfortable with 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, switching to a different lens material or employing 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. Standard daily and monthly lenses are intended for daytime wear only. Sleeping in regular lenses restricts oxygen flow to your cornea and significantly increases the risk of infection. If you require lenses for 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 will usually move to the side or fold 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 does not 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 even 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 sufferers 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 best 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, 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 is available on its product page. We also offer discounted rates for ongoing subscriptions, so be sure to inquire 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 schedule a consultation.
• If you have not had a recent eye examination — obtain your prescription and corneal health check first. Lenses should be considered only after this.
• If you wish to wear cosmetic lenses without a prescription. Avoid purchasing unregulated lenses online — this is illegal in Australia and can result in serious corneal injury.

Are You 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 perfect lens tailored to your eyes, prescription, and lifestyle. You will leave your fitting feeling assured in your ability to insert, remove, and care for your lenses.

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