Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are an excellent alternative to glasses. Whether you want a fresh look, the freedom to be more active or if you want all round vision with no restriction – there’s a lens for just about everyone.
Choosing the right contact lens for you
If you decide to wear contact lenses you need to choose the right lens for your lifestyle. There are very few restrictions of who can wear contact lenses and with a little help from one of optometrists, they will be able to advise you on what type of lenses they think will give you the best comfort and vision.
Contact lenses are suitable for nearly all spectacle prescriptions, whether you are long or short sighted or if you need something to help you see for distance or reading.
Don’t worry if you have been told that contact lenses won’t work because of the shape of the eye (also known as astigmatism) – there are lots of options out there. Age is also not a restriction, with some of the most compliant contact lens wearers being children!
Here’s a short guide to help you decide.
There are four types of contact lenses:
+ Daily disposable contact lenses – use them once and then throw them away.
+ Reusable contact lenses – take them out and clean them after wearing them replace them as directed by your optometrist. This includes fortnightly, monthly or even annual replacement lenses.
+ Orthokeratology – this involves wearing a contact lens whilst sleeping to correct short-sightedness.
+ Extended Wear Lenses – these lenses are designed to be worn for up to 30 days and nights to allow you the ability to have as natural vision as possible. They aren’t suitable for everyone and our optometrists will be able to guide you with this.
Cataracts are caused by a clouding of the natural lens within the eye which gradually happens over a number of years. It is much more common the older we get, and it doesn’t hurt.
Daily disposable contact lenses are a convenient way of correcting your vision and are very comfortable to wear. They suit people who need fresh lenses every day without the need of cleaning solutions and they should never be reused.
The main advantages of daily disposable lenses are:
+ They don’t need to be cleaned or stored.
+ They are probably a more hygienic way to wear contact lenses.
+ They are particularly good for an active or busy lifestyle.
+ They are ideal if you like travelling or socialising.
+ They are a great choice if you want to wear contact lenses part-time or just occasionally.
The main disadvantage to daily disposables is that if you wear them every day, they tend to be more expensive than other options.It may be that your vision needs can only be corrected with reusable contact lenses, or it could be that they are your personal preference. Either way, reusable lenses are comfortable to wear and easy to look after. It is easy to get used to cleaning and storing them as part of your daily routine and this option can be the most cost-effective choice of contact lens for everyday use.
This is also known as ‘Ortho-K’ and involves wearing a rigid contact lens when you are sleeping to correct short sightedness (myopia). In doing so, you achieve stable, clear vision throughout the day without the need for glasses or other contact lenses.
At Angus Optix, we have been fitting this type of lens since 2006, and have testimonies from many patients who would not consider going back to traditional types of lenses once they have worn these. The main advantages of these are:
+ They are ideal for someone with an active or sporty lifestyle or if you have dry eyes with other types of lenses due to working environment (such as an air conditioned office or dusty workspace).
+ These can also be successfully used in children to help prevent progression of myopia.
+ They give the freedom of laser eye surgery but carry none of the risks as the process is completely reversible.
These lenses are usually replaced on an annual basis and do require a little more care when handling them, but costs are similar to that of monthly disposable lenses.
More information on these contact lenses can be found at www.nocturnalens.com. We are one of the few practices in the area who are trained in the fitting of these lenses and are happy to be able to bring this specialist service to you.
We also have a wide range of experience in fitting lenses for the following conditions:
+ Corneal dystrophies such as keratoconus
+ Scleral lenses
+ Failed refractive surgery vision correction
+ Prosthetic lenses for those who have had eye injuries or developmental problems with the eye’s appearance
+ Cosmetic lenses for theatrical use
+ Whatever type of contact lens you decide to go for, we are able to offer competitive and affordable payment plans to suit your needs.
Please call us on 01307 462461 for more details about our direct debit plans which include unlimited aftercare, contact lens solutions and discounts off of glasses and sunglasses. By joining our aftercare scheme for contact lenses, you should not face an unexpected bill for a contact lens check or replacement lenses in the event of an ‘oops’ as this is all part of the service.
Choosing the right contact lenses
Once your eye test has been completed, your results will be handed over to an associate to help you choose the right contact lenses.
Your optician is best placed to advise you on which contact lenses are suitable for you.
He or she will give you a contact lens fitting to make sure you have the right vision correction and lens type for your eyes and your lifestyle.
