Contact Lenses: Key Tips for First-Time Users

Are you excited to try contact lenses for the first time? Once your optometrist approves you, it’s natural to have questions about what to anticipate before your fitting appointment.

Essential Tip: Start with daily disposable lenses. They simplify your routine by eliminating the need for a cleaning schedule, which can feel overwhelming for beginners. Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling your contact lenses, and never rinse them with tap water. Schedule a fitting with your optometrist to ensure you have the right lens that aligns with your prescription and eye health.

Your optometrist has confirmed you are a suitable candidate for contact lenses, so it’s completely normal to feel a blend of excitement and nervousness about touching your eyes. These emotions are quite common among first-time users.

We often assist new contact lens users. This guide provides vital information to consider before your fitting, how to compare daily and monthly lenses, and the necessary routines to maintain healthy and comfortable eyes.

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, suffer from allergies, or travel frequently; they offer a fresh lens each day without the hassle of cleaning. Monthly lenses are ideal for regular users who are comfortable with a nightly cleaning routine, providing a lower daily cost when maintained properly.

Choosing between these two options is often easier than it appears. Understanding their respective pros and cons can significantly enhance your experience.

The Benefits of Daily Disposable Lenses

With daily disposable lenses, you start each morning with a fresh pair, disposing of them at night. This approach eliminates cleaning, storage cases, and solutions, freeing you from the concern of remembering how long you’ve been wearing your current pair.

Who benefits from daily disposables:

• New users seeking a straightforward experience
• Individuals who wear lenses occasionally, such as during sports or special events
• People with allergies, as a fresh lens each day helps to prevent the build-up of pollen and other allergens
• Frequent travellers who appreciate convenience
• Anyone wanting to avoid a nightly cleaning routine

The downside: Although daily disposables may seem more expensive initially, when you consider the costs of cleaning solutions, cases, and the potential risk of eye infections from inadequate hygiene, the price difference may not be as substantial as you think.

Understanding Monthly Contact Lenses and Their Benefits

Monthly lenses can last up to 30 days. You will need to remove, clean, and store them in fresh solution every night to maintain their comfort and quality.

Who should consider monthly lenses:

• Regular users seeking the most economical long-term solution
• Individuals comfortable with a nightly cleaning ritual
• Those with prescriptions that are not available in daily disposable options, including unique or complex prescriptions

The downside: Regular nightly cleaning is crucial. Neglecting this can lead to severe eye infections.

Important Information About Fortnightly Lenses

Some brands offer lenses that need replacing every two weeks. They share the same cleaning requirements as monthly lenses but require more frequent replacement.

Advice for new wearers: Start with daily disposables. They eliminate the cleaning hassle, which many beginners find challenging. Once you feel comfortable inserting and removing lenses and can recognise 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, then release and blink. Most people become comfortable with this process within a week, and your optometrist will support you throughout your fitting.

Initially, inserting a lens might feel strange. Your body instinctively protects your eyes, which may lead to blinking or flinching as an object approaches. With practice, this reflex will decrease, 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, ultimately, to your eye.
2. Verify the lens orientation. Place it on the tip of your index finger. It should appear as 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 your other hand to lift the upper lid. This creates a clear pathway for the lens.
4. Look slightly upward. Position the lens onto 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 position.
6. Repeat for your other eye.

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

Effective Techniques for Removing Contact Lenses

1. Thoroughly wash your hands.
2. Look slightly 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 make the process easier while you develop the necessary muscle memory. Most users no longer require these tools after a month, but using them is perfectly acceptable if they help you.

Essential Cleaning and Care Tips for Monthly Contact Lenses

Quick tip: Clean each lens with a multipurpose solution for about 20 seconds, rinse it, 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’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 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 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. Do not rinse your lens case with tap water.

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

Frequently Prescribed Contact Lenses

Every 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 of the lenses we frequently fit and stock, along with their ideal applications.

Top Daily Disposable Lens Options

• Dailies Total 1: Features water gradient technology, creating a 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 environments.
• Precision 1: Incorporates 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 renowned 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 time goes on.

Strategies for Managing Dry Eyes or Sensitivity

Wearing contact lenses can exacerbate dry eye, and experiencing dry eye can make contact lens wear uncomfortable. If you currently have dry eye symptoms, your fitting discussion should focus on which type of lens will suit you best and whether to incorporate any supportive treatments.

Feel free to raise any concerns with us during your fitting. Contact lens wear and dry eye can coexist, but the strategy must be tailored to your individual 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 newfound light sensitivity — contact 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 require immediate attention. Contact us (or any optometrist) if you notice:

• Pain that persists 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 not present before.

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Contact Lenses

How long does it generally 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, 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 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?

A lens cannot 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 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) tend to be pricier 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 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 evaluate 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 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 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 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