Answers To Some of the Most Frequent Questions About Contact Lenses
Are contact lenses comfortable?
Most people are soon completely unaware that they are wearing contact lenses. Soft lenses are the quickest and easiest to adapt to wearing, a matter of just a few hours usually.

What are the advantages?
Numerous. Good all-round vision, no spectacles to pinch your nose, slip down or fog up; and the chance to participate in a variety of activities and sports where glasses are a nuisance or totally impractical.
But perhaps most of all, just looking good and making the most of your eyes.

Are there any disadvantages?
The only disadvantage compared to spectacles is the need to regularly clean your contact lenses.
At first it may seem a nuisance but it soon becomes second nature, like cleaning your teeth. This ensures that you gain maximum enjoyment from your lenses. For most people it's a small price to pay for the freedom and advantages that come with wearing contact lenses.

I've been told contact lenses are expensive, is this true?
Improved manufacturing methods and the popularity of contact lenses have brought prices down quite dramatically.
In fact, contact lenses need cost no more than a pair of fashionable spectacles. What you are paying for when you first have contact lenses is the skill and care of the contact lens specialist.
Once you've been tested and fitted with your first pair, replacing them usually costs far less than a new pair of spectacles.

Can I wear contact lenses overnight?
Specially formulated extended wear soft contact lenses are available for those special occasions when it isn't always convenient to remove your lenses before going to sleep. And, of course the moment you wake up everything is in clear, sharp focus.
However, as eye physiology varies from one person to another, only your optometrist can advise as to your suitability for extended wear contact lenses.

Why are Contact lenses better than glasses?
Glasses are worn over the nose and generally tend to be more cumbersome and annoying especially in wet weather, fogging lenses in hot steamy environments, sports restrictions, and most importantly with glasses the frames restriction of the peripheral vision. Contact lenses tend to increase your field of vision by more than 25%, make you enjoy sports more and give you a feeling of freedom and more confidence.

What are the main types of lens?
There are three types of Contact lens.
1. Corneal lenses
2. Scleral lenses
3. Soft lenses
Corneal lenses are usually smaller than 1cm in diameter - of clear or tinted plastic, fitted on the cornea to float on a very thin film of tears formed between the lens and the cornea. They are known as 'hard' or 'Gas permeable' lenses. It can take a few weeks to adapt to the wearing of the lenses.

Can I wear make-up with lenses?
There is no special make-up for Contact lenses, however some cosmetics may prove better and especially made for use with Contact lenses. It is important to put the lenses in first, it will make the make-up application much easier and when removing make-up, remove the lenses first, this will stop any cream or dye to get absorbed by the lens.
General Advice:-
· Avoid excessive make-up.
· Wash hands carefully before applying make-up. (The little finger is usually cleanest, or use clean cotton buds).
· Perfumes or preservatives in make-up is one of the main sources of Allergy. Use non- perfumed Allergy tested and low in oil make-up.
· Use hairsprays and aerosols with great care to avoid possible contamination.
· Use water-based eyeshadows not loose powders
· Choose fibre free mascaras.

Which solution should I use?
This will depend on the lenses you are using and what you need for the environment. You will be given full instructions on the use of solutions with your lenses.
It is important to remember 2 major points.
1. Cleaning the lenses must be done as instructed using FRESH solutions to kill potentially harmful bacteria, fungi and germs, that get deposited on the lens.
2. You must follow the instructions carefully and DO NOT cut short the quantity or the time needed, and never reuse old solutions.

I need Bifocal - Can I have Contact lenses?
Yes. Many people enjoy contact lenses for distance with a pair of reading glasses for use on them, however this is not satisfactory. Bifocal contact lenses are now available in all lens types hard, gas permeable and soft, however they tend to be more expensive. Fortunately most makes offer a FREE trial period on bifocals, which allows us to see your suitability to bifocal lenses without great financial loss.

Can children wear Contact lenses?
There is no real age limit to lenses. Babies and toddlers may be fitted with extended wear lenses, children generally can be fitted with them if clinical advantage are seen to warrant this action. Around the age of 9 years+ tend to be the age where daily wear lenses can be handled by a child. Our experience show many parents are willing to help their children over this hurdle by getting involved. There is no such thing as 'Wait for the eyes to settle down' or the 'Prescription to stop deteriorating'. Contact lenses especially hard lenses tend to help slow down the progression of deterioration.

Are Contact lenses available through the NHS?
Contact lenses are only supplemented through the NHS. The supplement varies subject to DSS support to these groups: *Children under 16 years of age * under 19 in full time education * income support and family credit.

What about insurance?
It is always advisable to insure your lenses against loss or damage, however some good contact lens centres now provide 'Replacement Plan Cover'. This tends to be the best to take as it provides a very comprehensive way of caring for your eyes and Contact lenses. It is important to study the benefits of the cover and do not go for the cheaper one. You should ensure that ' After Care' Routine Contact lens check-ups are covered under the scheme especially those emergency attendance or follow up re-calls.

What are disposable lenses?
A new concept of soft extended wear lenses. You wear for 1 week and then throw them away. There is no cleaning or disinfection, no solutions or devices. It is a very healthy form of contact lens wear, convenient and comfortable. The cost tends to be on individual basis and is usually spread on a monthly standing order form, FREE trial is usually given for a period to establish suitability prior to commitment.

Can I wear Contact lenses for sports?
Contact lenses are excellent for almost all types of sports. They are much safer than glasses and win hands down with unrestricted field of vision. Different sports demand different types of contact lenses. Soft lenses tend to be the safest of all especially for squash, riding, rugby, skiing, martial arts. For swimming, soft lenses can be used under goggles (extra care in chlorinated water). If swimming is competitive or serious, special lenses can be fitted.

Can I wear Contact lenses if I have allergies?
This depends on the type of allergy and the lenses wanted. Most allergies can be overcome but using high water soft lenses or ultra thin soft lenses. It is always best to inform your optometrist of the allergies you suffer for advice.

Are Contact lenses difficult to handle?
Some lenses may be tricky and awkward initially, but with careful instructions insertion and removal of lenses can become a very simple and easy process.

How long will it take to get used to wearing lenses?
This depends on the type of lenses, the sensitivity of your eyes and the environment you work in. Soft lenses are usually the easiest to adapt to, hard lenses can take up to a few weeks. Advice will be given by your practitioner on the expected time for adaption.

Can I have a free trial of lenses?
Yes, good Contact lens centres will give you a FREE trial period to assess suitability. The trial may vary from 1 hour to a few days, depending on the lens type. Always ask if a FREE trial is available before any fitting is attempted. Soft Disposables may need a few days trial to assess suitability.

Can I change the colour of my eyes?
Yes, tinted soft lenses are usually used to either enhance the colour of your eyes or with opaque to change the colour completely. Some lenses are available with U.U. inhibitors to protect eyes in the exposed bright lights. The tints do not affect vision normally.

How long will lenses last?
It is very difficult to know how long contact lenses will last; hard lenses last the longest. The life expectancy depends on many factors:-
· Handling: Wrong handling especially with soft lenses may cause tear and damage. (high water lenses also).
· Deposits: Protein and calcium present in tears can cause damage to lenses especially soft lenses.
· Hygiene: Lens care is important to make lenses last longer, follow the cleaning instructions carefully.
· External Factors: Hairsprays, make-up, oils, dirty hands etc.

Are lenses only available if you need glasses?
Not at all, Contact lenses can be obtained for cosmetic reasons as tinted lenses either to enhance the normal colour or change the colour of the eye. It is also used as a cosmetic lens to injuries and deformation of the eye. Contact lenses can also be used to filter U.V. light. U.V. protection lenses can be used for all patients but some may have greater protection especially:
· Those with increased exposure from sun/sand/water or any other surface where U.V. radiation is present.
· Patient inhabiting areas with greater sunlight duration (e.g. whilst sunbathing).
· Occupation-related increased U.V. exposure areas.
· Computer terminal operators & office workers in fluorescent lighting.
· Those on special drug regimes such as hormone replacement, some antibiotics, gout, authorities, tranquillisers or psoriasis
· Those who have a family history of cataracts