Guide to Contact Lenses

Which are the right contact lenses for me?

Are you confused by the vast choice of contact lenses? What is the difference between soft lenses and gas permeable lenses? Can I wear contact lenses even though I suffer from dry eyes? What are novelty lenses?

This complete guide contains the answers to these and many more questions you may have about contact lenses. It provides an outline of contact lenses; the various types; the initial lens assessment and where to purchase them.

The aim is to help you learn more about the various aspects of contact lens wear so that you are able to make an informed decision about whether to wear them or not. This will also help to decided upon the most suitable type for you as per advice from your optician.

This guide is here to educate, guide and inform you: it is not designed as a replacement for advice given by an optician or any eye professional. If you have any queries about your contact lenses or eyesight in general then speak to your GP or optician.

Comprehensive overview of contact lenses

This guide is structured as follows:

• Contact lenses
• Advantages of contact lenses
• Disadvantages of contact lenses
• Contact lenses assessment
• Types of contact lenses
• Contact lenses online
• Contact lenses advice
• Contact lenses problems
• Contact lenses FAQs
• Glossary

We have structured this guide as thus so that it presents what can be, a complex subject, in an easy to understand manner. The information presented here is a response to the questions people ask about contact lenses; many of these being repeatedly asked via forums and other similar situations.

We hope that you find what you are looking for from this guide or enjoy browsing through it out of personal interest.

First time wearers of contact lenses

Are you looking to try contact lenses for the first time? If so then this guide is designed to help you to do so. It contains a wealth of information about this popular corrective device which is easy to use, affordable and convenient.

Many people contemplating contact lenses for the first time are apprehensive about doing so. They worry about whether they will be able to insert them correctly or if they will lose a lens. Another concern is that of safety: are contact lenses safe to use or is there a risk to your eyes? Can they cause any harm such as eye infections or will they hurt?

Let us reassure you by saying that these are understandable concerns, especially with anything to do with your eyesight. But consider this: think about how many people you know who wear contact lenses and are perfectly happy with them.

Ask your family and friends. Speak to work colleagues or anyone else you know who wears contacts. They will be able to alleviate your worries about these. This guide will also help. Have a look at our contact lenses FAQs section as this contains helpful and sympathetic answers to questions such as this.

Existing contact lens wearers

Whilst this site contains plenty of information for those people new to lenses, we have not forgotten about people who already wear contact lenses. This guide is also aimed at people who have worn lenses for some period of time and are thinking about changing to another type or have a particular issue about contact lenses.

If this is you then we hope that you will find what you are looking for in this guide. Visit the appropriate section or alternately, visit our contact lenses FAQs section.

One of the most pressing issues for contact lens wearers is that of whether to switch to another brand or type. For example, you may monthly or extended wear lenses but would prefer something more flexible (and less time consuming) such as daily disposable lenses.

Daily disposable lenses have become increasingly popular over the years which are due to their ease of use and the fact that they do not require cleaning or soaking in a solution.

If you are thinking about changing to these then find out more about them in our types of contact lenses section.

Contact lens care

This is a very important part of contact lens wear and should not be avoided or carried out in a half-hearted manner. It is important that you look after your contact lenses carefully to avoid the risk of an eye infection or any other problems.

Let us reiterate: contact lenses are safe but like any form of medical device they need to be used correctly and as per any instructions given.

Our contact lenses advice section discusses this in more detail. It also contains hints and tips on looking after your lenses which you may find of use. Plus don’t forget our types of contact lenses section: this section discusses the two main categories of contact lenses – soft contact lenses and gas permeable lenses. You will find information about the various types of contact lenses within these categories.

For example: the soft contact lenses section has a separate subsection about daily disposable lenses, another about two week disposable lenses, monthly disposable lenses and so on.

Each of these individual sections includes information on how to care for that particular type of lens.

Learn more about contact lenses….