Contact Lenses: Beginner’s Guide to Essential Tips

Are you embarking on your first experience with contact lenses? After receiving clearance from your optometrist, it’s perfectly normal to have inquiries about what to anticipate prior to your fitting appointment.

Essential Tip: Start with daily disposable lenses. They eliminate the need for a cleaning routine, which can often be overwhelming for newcomers. Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling your contact lenses, and avoid using tap water on them. Book a fitting with your optometrist to ensure you select the right lens that aligns with your prescription and eye health.

Your optometrist has deemed you a suitable candidate for contact lenses, and it’s entirely natural to feel both excited and a bit anxious about the thought of touching your eyes. These emotions are common among first-time wearers.

We frequently assist new contact lens users, and within this guide, you will discover vital information to consider before your fitting appointment, tips for comparing daily and monthly lenses, as well as essential routines to maintain healthy and comfortable eyes.

Making Informed Choices: Daily vs. Monthly Contact Lenses

Quick tip: Opt for daily lenses if you are new to contact lenses, wear them sporadically, suffer from allergies, or travel often; they offer a fresh lens every day without the hassle of cleaning. Monthly lenses are better suited for regular users who can manage a nightly cleaning routine and may provide a lower overall cost when properly cared for.

Choosing between these two options is often simpler than many anticipate. Understanding the benefits and drawbacks can significantly influence your overall experience.

Discovering the Benefits of Daily Disposable Lenses

With daily disposable lenses, you wear a new pair each day and discard them at night. This eliminates the need for cleaning, storage cases, or solutions, freeing you from the worry of remembering the last time you used your current pair.

Who gains from daily disposables:

• First-time users seeking a straightforward experience
• Occasional wearers, such as for sports, special events, or weekends
• Individuals with allergies, as daily fresh lenses prevent the build-up of pollen and other irritants
• Frequent travellers who appreciate convenience
• Anyone looking to avoid a nightly cleaning regimen

The downside: Although daily disposables may appear more expensive initially, when you factor in the costs of cleaning solutions, storage cases, and the risk of eye infections due to poor hygiene, this price difference can be significantly mitigated.

Understanding Monthly Contact Lenses and Their Advantages

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

Who are monthly lenses suitable for:

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

The downside: Consistent nightly cleaning is imperative. Failing to maintain this routine can lead to serious eye infections.

Key Insights into Fortnightly Lenses

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

Our standard guidance for new users: Begin with daily disposables. They eliminate the cleaning routine, a common hurdle for many new users. Once you become confident in inserting and removing lenses and can discern when your eyes feel uncomfortable, consider transitioning to monthly lenses if cost becomes a significant concern.

Mastering Contact Lens Insertion Techniques for New Users

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 part 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 guide you 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 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. Simply flip it over.
3. Hold your eyelids apart. Use the middle finger of the hand holding the lens to pull down the lower lid while the 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 this for your other eye.

Your optometrist will guide you through this entire procedure during your fitting. We ensure you can confidently insert and remove your lenses before you leave, which is the primary goal 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 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 make the process easier as you develop the necessary muscle memory. Most users no longer require these tools after about a month, but it’s completely acceptable to use them if they assist you.

Essential Cleaning and Maintenance 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 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.
• 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 cause serious eye infections, including Acanthamoeba keratitis, a painful condition that could jeopardise 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 frequently encounter cases of contact lens-related infections each year, mainly due to patients taking shortcuts with water. Adhering to this guideline will help you avoid such issues.

Frequently Prescribed Contact Lenses

Each prescription and eye condition is unique. Your optometrist will recommend 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: Features 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: 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-regarded 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 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 contact lens use uncomfortable. If you already have dry eye symptoms, your fitting discussion should centre around which type of lens will be most suitable and whether to incorporate any supportive treatments.

Feel free to voice 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. Get in touch with us (or any optometrist) if you notice:

• Pain that does not diminish 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 absent before.

Any of these symptoms may indicate 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 become accustomed 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 have difficulty 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 designed 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 offer 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’re purchasing 30 or 90 packs. Daily disposables fall into one price range, while monthlies fall into another, and specialty lenses (such as toric for astigmatism or multifocal for presbyopia) typically come at a higher price 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 Apply to You

• 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 severe corneal injury.

Are You Prepared to Begin 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.

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