FAQs

GENERAL QUESTIONS:

Are contact lenses safe?

Yes! If you follow the directions of your optometrist and stick to seeing them regularly, there is very low risk of an eye problem. Most importantly, only wear daily disposable lenses once, and for fortnightly or monthly lenses it’s important to follow the simple cleaning routine and throw these lenses away on time. And if you do get a sore or red eye, take the lens out and see your optometrist promptly.

 

Are contact lenses comfortable?

Most people tend not to notice the contacts in their eyes at all most of the time. Today’s disposable lens materials are typically comfortable from the word “go”. Some people can experience discomfort wearing their lenses at times, more commonly towards the end of the day. This is more likely if you tend to experience dry or gritty eyes without contacts. If you do find your contacts are not comfortable all the time, see your optometrist. There are new and different lens materials to specifically help with this. Your optometrist might recommend some lubricating drops to help with comfort. There’s actually a whole lot of things your optometrist can discuss with you to enable comfortable contact lens wear.

 

Are contact lenses ok for sport?

Absolutely! No more sweaty glasses, impaired peripheral vision and worry about the glasses getting knocked or falling off.

 

Can I swim in my contact lenses?

Swimming in lenses increases the risk of getting an infection and there is particular infection we worry about if you were to swim in your lenses. Your optometrist is best placed to give you advice related to swimming in your lenses specific to you. As well as the risk of infection, if you open your eyes under water the lenses can pop out. Daily disposable lenses reduce the risk of infection with swimming as the lens gets thrown away at the end of the day and doesn’t go back on your eye. Again, it’s best to speak with your optometrist about this one.

 

Can I wear makeup with contact lenses?

For sure. Its best to put your lenses in before you apply eye makeup and try to keep eyeliner to the outer margin of your eyelid.

 

Can I sleep in my contact lenses?

That’s a good question. Sleeping your lenses increases the risk of complications. There are newer, high oxygen or breathable lenses that may be suitable for sleeping in with certain precautions and regular check ups. It’s important that you have a discussion with your optometrist about this if you are planning on sleeping in the lenses or forget to take them out. Your optometrist can discuss the relative risks and appropriate precautions, and advise on whether or not this would be suitable for you. There are also specialty lenses that are prescribed to be worn only when you sleep. This are called ortho-k and these lenses reshape the surface of the eye and may be used to slow the progression of short-sightedness. We don’t sell ortho-k lenses online: they need to be fitted by your optometrist in person with more frequent check ups. Any lens that is worn for sleeping carries an increased risk of complications compared to wearing them during the day only.

 

Can contact lenses fall out?

Once your lenses are on your eyes, it’s practically impossible for the type we sell here to fall out. Smaller hard or “rigid gas permeable” lenses that are used typically for more complex eye conditions are the type that can occasionally fall out and are not great for contact sports. We don’t sell those online as they are best fitted at your optometrist.

 

Can contact lenses get stuck behind my eye?

No, they can’t. Once a disposable contact lens is on the eye it’s almost impossible for it to dislodge on its own. If you rub your eye hard enough or move the lens yourself, it is possible that it could get caught under your eyelid. It’s pretty rare for this to happen. The lens can’t go behind your eye as such as the clear coating of the eye and eyelid form an effective dead end.

 

Can children wear contact lenses?

Yes! Contact lenses can be a great boost to self-esteem for kids and teens. They can make all the difference for kids who need vision correction to play sport and not all kids will agree to wear their glasses in class unfortunately, so contacts can be a great option to make sure they can see their schoolwork in class. There is a small risk of complications and a bit of practice may be needed initially learning to insert and remove the lenses. Your optometrist will be able to discuss with parents and kids at what age contacts might be right for you or your child. Then it’s important that kids see their optometrist for routine contact lens checkups, to ensure healthy habits and monitor eye health.

There are also specialty contact lenses that are used for kids to reduce the progression of short-sightedness. These are available in newly designed lenses that are worn during the day, or as hard or rigid gas permeable lenses that are worn for sleeping only. Both of these lens types really need more frequent optometrsit visits and closer care so we don’t sell these online.

How often do I need my eyes tested for contact lenses?

That depends on factors such as your age, the stability of your prescription and your eye health. Your optometrist will advise you how often to be tested for contact lenses. After initial testing and when a prescription has been finalised, most optometrists recommend a contact lens review every 12 to 18 months, but it may be sooner depending on the particulars of your eyes and vision.

 

Is it hard to get used to contact lenses?

Disposable lenses are typically comfortable from the word “go”. Learning how to put them in and take them out can take a little practice sometimes. Most people are surprised how comfortable contacts are straight away.

 

What types of contact lenses are there?

Most contact lenses prescribed today are soft disposable lenses. These lenses are designed for regular replacement for optimal eye health, comfort and convenience and are made from a soft hydrogel material designed to be comfortable on the eye and allow the eye to “breathe”. Disposable lenses come in daily, fortnightly and monthly designs, to be replaced at those respective intervals.

 

What are daily disposables?

Daily disposable, or one day contact lenses are made to be worn once and then thrown away. Replacing your contact lenses each time you wear them means you get a fresh, comfortable lens experience each time you wear them. Daily disposables have the lowest rates of complications and are typically the healthiest for your eyes as you wear a new pair day. Because of this here is no cleaning or cleaning solution needed for daily disposables. They are also great for intermittent wear as each fresh pair remains sterile in the original packaging.

 

What are fortnightly disposables?

Fortnightly disposables are designed to be replaced after two weeks. Compared to daily lenses they require a little maintenance, and should be cleaned and stored in contact lens multi-purpose solution.

 

What are monthly disposables?

Monthly disposables are designed to be replaced after one month. They are available in a much larger variety of designs and materials than fortnightly lenses. They require a little maintenance and should be stored in contact lens multi-purpose solution. If you wear contact lenses most days monthly lenses typically are a less expensive alternative than daily disposable lenses.

 

What are custom soft lenses?

In the old days we used to use contact lenses that would be replaced every 12 to 18 months. Modern disposable lenses are much healthier than these lens of old as you don’t get a build up of deposits or microbes on the lenses that can occur with these lenses. Also if you were to lose or break a lens, it’s much less of a hassle. Custom soft lenses still get used a little these days, but mostly for complex eye conditions for which disposable lenses aren’t available.

 

What are hard or rigid gas permeable lenses?

These lenses are made from a harder material than much more commonly prescribed soft disposable lenses. They are usually smaller in size and they can take some getting used to at the start. These lenses are mostly reserved for complex eye conditions these days as their excellent optics offers is advantageous for such eyes.

 

Can I wear contact lenses if I have astigmatism?

For sure. Some people with astigmatism (more commonly higher amounts of astigmatism) can notice fluctuations in their vision with contacts. Other people with astigmatism don’t experience this at all. Your optometrist can usually organise a trial of the lenses for you, so you can judge for yourself without needing to commit to a year’s supply of lenses.

 

Can you get multifocal contacts?

You sure can. Multifocal contacts can be a great way to correct the age-related changes in reading that kick in in our 40’s.

Can I claim contact lenses on my private health fund?

Yes! Most Australian private health funds include contact lenses in their optical extras cover. Your invoice will include our provider number and the private health fund item numbers that you need to claim your rebate. With most health funds, this can be done quickly and easily on their website. The amount you can claim varies from fund to fund and depends on your level of cover. Health funds typically have a limit, which may be inclusive of contact lenses and glasses together. If you need any help lodging your health fund claim, contact customer support.

PRIVATE HEALTH FUND CLAIMING:

Most Australian private health funds include contact lenses in their optical extras cover. Your invoice will include our provider number and the private health fund item numbers that you need to claim your rebate. With most health funds, this can be done quickly and easily on their website. The amount you can claim varies from fund to fund and depends on your level of cover. Health funds typically have a limit, which may be inclusive of contact lenses and glasses together. If you need any help lodging your health fund claim, contact customer support.

CONTACT LENS CARE:

How do I put my contacts in?

It can take a little practice at first, but once you’ve got it it’s usually very straightforward. Check out the 4 easy steps below:

 

*Thank you to Acuvue.com.au for supplying “How to put in contacts in 4 easy steps”

 

How do I take my contacts out?

This can also take a bit of practice, but after you get it the first time it’s typically a piece of cake. Check out the 4 easy steps here:

 

*Thank you to Acuvue.com.au for supplying “How to remove your contacts in 4 easy steps”

 

What do I have to do to look after my lenses?

With daily disposable lenses you get a fresh pair each day you wear them, so there’s no maintenance at all really. You just need to wash your hands before you handle them. With fortnightly or monthly lenses there is a simple cleaning regimen that typically takes less than one minute. Don’t forget to throw them away on time and follow your optometrist’s instructions.

 

What should I do if I get a sore or red eye?

Complication rates with disposable contact lenses are very low. If you get a sore, red eye or if light is hurting your eye it is best to take your lens/es out and see your optometrist promptly.    Your optometrist will be able to assess the issue and might prescribe some eye drops and a short period out of lens wear. If you do get a painful, red eye it’s best to see an optometrist urgently to get the problem treated.

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