Contact lenses
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Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are liberating, offering clear and comfortable freedom from spectacles—perfect for sports, special occasions and everyday life.
At Page & Small Opticians our experienced optometrists excel in contact lens practice??, successfully fitting even the most challenging eyes and prescriptions, including:
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High prescriptions
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Presbyopia (those who need reading glasses but prefer not to wear them)
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Astigmatism
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Irregular corneas (e.g., keratoconus or corneal grafts)
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Previously failed contact lens wearers
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Those needing vision correction in extreme environments or during sports
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Cosmetic colored contact lenses
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Contact lenses to slow the progression of myopia (short sight)
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Types of Contact Lenses
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INTRO
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Soft Contact lenses:​
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Daily Disposable Lenses: Worn once and discarded at the end of the day, offering excellent convenience and hygiene.
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Monthly or Extended Wear Lenses: Can be worn for up to 30 days continuously or overnight, depending on the type. It’s crucial to follow your eye care professional’s recommendations for safe and healthy wear.
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Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Contact Lenses:
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RGP lenses are durable and provide excellent visual clarity while allowing oxygen to reach the cornea, maintaining eye health. Although they may require an adjustment period, they offer advantages like better durability, resistance to deposit build up, and enhanced tear exchange.
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Toric Contact Lenses:
Designed specifically to correct astigmatism, these lenses have different powers in different meridians to provide clear vision. Toric lenses are available in both soft and RGP materials.
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Multifocal Contact Lenses:
Ideal for individuals with presbyopia, these lenses have multiple powers, enabling clear vision at various distances (near, intermediate, and far). Multifocal lenses can be either soft or RGP, allowing for seamless transitions between visual zones.
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Coloured Contact Lenses:
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Available with or without prescription, colored lenses allow you to change or enhance your eye colour. They come in various shades, from natural-looking enhancements to vibrant hues.
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Scleral Contact Lenses:
These large, gas-permeable lenses cover the entire cornea and extend onto the sclera (the white part of the eye). They are used to correct various vision problems, particularly for those with irregular corneas, providing excellent comfort and stability.
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Contact Lenses: Do's and Don'ts
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Do's
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Have Regular Check-Ups Regular check-ups are essential to ensure your contact lenses remain suitable for your eyes and do not cause any damage. Your optometrist will advise how often you need these check-ups, depending on the type of lenses you wear and how long you wear them. Ensure that the price you pay for your lenses includes these check-ups??. Your contact lens prescription will have an expiry date; to continue purchasing lenses, make sure to have a check-up before this date expires.
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Wash Your Hands: Research shows that two-fifths of people don’t wash their hands before handling their lenses. Always wash and dry your hands before touching your eyes or contact lenses. Use liquid soap rather than bar soap, and try to dry your hands with your own towel at home or use an air dryer or paper towel when out.
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Only Use Recommended Solutions: If you have reusable lenses, always clean and store them using the solutions recommended by your contact lens practitioner. Never rinse or store your lenses in tap water, as this can lead to serious eye infections. Clean your contact lens case daily with fresh solution, let it dry, and replace it as recommended.
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Handle Lenses with Care: If you drop your lens, ensure you clean it with the recommended solution before reinserting it. Never lick your lenses to moisten them—this is unhygienic and can cause infections.
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Have Backup Glasses Handy: Always keep a pair of backup glasses available in case you encounter any issues with your contact lenses or need to give your eyes a rest.
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Don'ts
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Don’t Leave Your Lenses In Too Long: Avoid wearing your contact lenses longer than advised by your optometrist. While some lenses are designed for overnight wear, sleeping in contact lenses increases the risk of infections, including corneal ulcers. If you are permitted to sleep in your lenses, be aware of possible complications and ensure you can remove them in an emergency.
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Don’t Ignore Eye Care: If your lens moves off the front of your eye, gently try to slide it back into place or remove it. You can often move it back into position by massaging your closed eyelid. If you cannot reposition the lens, contact your optometrist for assistance. Remember, contact lenses cannot get lost behind your eye.
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Avoid Tap Water: Refrain from showering or swimming while wearing your contact lenses. Water can contain harmful microbes, like acanthamoeba, which can cause painful infections and permanent vision damage. Instead, consider wearing prescription swimming goggles.
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Don’t Wear Makeup Carelessly: Always insert your contact lenses before applying makeup and remove them before taking off your makeup. Use water-soluble eye makeup, as this will dissolve if it enters your eyes. Apply eyeliner only along the outer edge of your eyelid, avoiding contact with the wet part that touches your eyeball.