Contact Lenses: Key Tips for First-Time Wearers

Are you ready to explore contact lenses for the first time? After receiving approval from your optometrist, you might have numerous questions regarding what to anticipate before your fitting appointment.

Essential Tip: Start with daily disposable lenses. These lenses eliminate the complications of a cleaning routine, which can be overwhelming for beginners. Always wash your hands before handling your contact lenses and never rinse them with tap water. Be sure to schedule a fitting with your optometrist to ensure the right lens fits your prescription and eye health.

Your optometrist has determined that you are a good candidate for contact lenses, and it’s completely natural to feel a blend of excitement and apprehension about touching your eyes. These emotions are very common among new users.

We frequently assist first-time contact lens wearers. This guide provides essential insights to consider before your fitting appointment, how to evaluate the differences between daily and Monthly lenses, and the vital 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 frequently travel; they offer a fresh lens every day with no cleaning required. Monthly lenses are better for regular users who are comfortable with a nightly cleaning routine and can provide a lower daily cost when maintained properly.

Choosing between these two types is often more straightforward than it appears. Understanding the pros and cons can significantly influence your experience.

Understanding the Benefits of Daily Disposable Lenses

With daily disposable lenses, you start each day with a fresh pair and dispose of them at night. This eliminates the need for cleaning, storage cases, and solutions, allowing you to forget about when you last wore your current pair.

Who benefits from daily disposables:

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

The downside: Although daily disposables may initially seem more expensive, when you consider the costs of cleaning solutions, cases, and the potential for eye infections from poor hygiene, the price difference may be less significant than you think.

Discovering Monthly Contact Lenses and Their Benefits

Monthly lenses can be used for up to 30 days. You must remove, clean, and store them in fresh solution each night to ensure comfort and maintain their integrity.

Who are monthly lenses suitable for:

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

The downside: Regular nightly cleaning is essential. Neglecting this can lead to serious eye infections.

Essential Information About Fortnightly Lenses

Some brands offer a replacement cycle every two weeks. They require the same cleaning regimen as monthly lenses but need to be replaced more frequently.

Our usual recommendation for new wearers: Start with daily disposables. These eliminate the cleaning hassle that many new users 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 Insertion Process for Contact Lenses

Quick tip: Always wash your hands, ensure the lens is properly oriented, hold your eyelids open, look slightly upwards, place the lens on the white part of your eye just below the iris, and then release and blink. Most people become comfortable with this process within a week, and your optometrist will assist you during your fitting.

At first, inserting a lens may feel strange. Your body instinctively protects your eyes, causing you to blink or flinch when something approaches. With practice, this reflex will lessen, and most individuals 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 outwards, it is 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 the other hand to lift the upper lid. This creates a clear path for the lens.
4. Look slightly upwards. 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 allow the lens to settle into place.
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 main objective of the fitting session.

Proven Techniques for Removing Contact Lenses

1. Wash your hands thoroughly.
2. Look upwards.
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 during the first week or two, consider using a soft contact lens handler or tweezers. These tools can simplify the process 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 assist you.

Essential Cleaning and Care Tips for Monthly Contact Lenses

Quick tip: Clean each lens with a multipurpose solution for around 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 serious 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 around 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 entirely).
• Regularly replace your lens case, every one to three months.

Never use tap water on contact lenses. Tap water can harbour 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 handle numerous cases of contact lens-related infections each year, primarily due to patients taking shortcuts with water. Adhering to this guideline will help you avoid similar problems.

Commonly Recommended Contact Lenses

Every prescription and eye condition is unique. Your optometrist will suggest 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 Choices

• Dailies Total 1: Utilises water gradient technology, resulting in a lens surface that is nearly entirely water. This is a popular option for patients experiencing mild dry eye.
• Acuvue Oasys 1 Day: Offers excellent oxygen transmission and built-in UV protection, making it a preferred choice for those spending time outdoors or in bright environments.
• Precision 1: Incorporates Alcon’s SmartSurface technology to create a thin moisture layer across the lens, ensuring comfort throughout the day.
• Miru 1Day Flatpack: Features the world’s thinnest contact lens packaging. The lens sits on a flat pack, ensuring it is oriented correctly when picked up, eliminating guesswork for new wearers.

Popular Monthly Contact Lens Selections

• Biofinity: A well-known monthly lens with high oxygen permeability, available in a broad prescription range, including complex prescriptions.
• Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde: Utilises SmartShield surface technology to resist protein and lipid deposits that can cause discomfort as the month progresses. Ideal if your current monthlies become uncomfortable as they age.

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 already have dry eye symptoms, your fitting discussion should focus on which lens type will suit you best and whether to incorporate any supportive treatments.

Feel free to discuss 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 Should You 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 subside. Prompt attention can prevent serious complications.

Certain issues can wait until your next appointment, while others cannot. Reach out to us (or any optometrist) if you notice:

• Pain that persists after removing the lens; pain indicates that 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 indicate an infection, lens damage, or a corneal issue. Don’t hesitate to seek help, and avoid assuming the problem will resolve on its own. Early intervention can prevent potentially serious complications.

Frequently Asked Questions About Contact Lenses

How long does it typically 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, usually 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 significantly 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 typically 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 important for individuals with dry eyes than for 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 more expensive 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 considered 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 up to date. We assess the fit, corneal health, and prescription accuracy during each review.

When This Guide May Not Be Suitable for You

• If you are under 16 years old — fitting contact lenses for children requires a separate discussion with parents or guardians. Please schedule 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 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 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