FAQ's
| Q1. | Are contact lenses advisable if I work on a computer all day? |
| Q2. | I suffer with hay fever, am I able to wear contact lenses? |
| Q3. | Can I wear contact lenses to change the colour of my eyes? |
| Q4. | I need bifocal spectacles, can I wear contact lenses? |
| Q5. | Are contact lenses recommended for sports use? |
| Q6. | Are 'soft' lenses better or 'gas permeable' lenses? |
| Q7. | I have astigmatism, can I wear contact lenses? |
| Q8. | Can I wear contact lenses on an occasional basis? |
| Q9. | How long can I wear my contact lenses for? |
| Q10. | Do I need to clean my contact lenses? |
| Q11. | Can anybody wear contact lenses? |
| Q12. | Are contact lenses expensive? |
| Q13. | Why should I come to Eyesite Eye Care Centres for my contact lenses? |
Q1. Are
contact lenses advisable
if I work on a computer
all day?
A.
Working with a computer
for a sustained period,
in an environment
that may typically
be air conditioned,
needs special consideration
with regard to fitting
contact lenses.
It is well known that people tend to blink less frequently when using display screen equipment. This then gives the opportunity for the contact lenses to dehydrate, which in turn compromises lens comfort and reduces the level of oxygen to the eye.
This problem can be addressed by using advanced design contact lenses that retain their moisture throughout the day, thereby enhancing comfort and maintaining a high level of oxygen to the eye.
Q2. I
suffer with hay fever,
am I able to wear
contact lenses?
A.
For most of the year,
you should be able
to wear your contact
lenses on the same
basis as non-hay fever
sufferers. However,
at the height of the
hay fever season the
contact lenses may
become less tolerable.
As your Eyecare practitioner, we are perfectly poised to manage the symptoms of itchy, red eyes associated with hay fever. Your contact lens wearing regime may need to be tailored according to your symptoms during this time of year. We are also in a position to communicate directly with your GP should we feel that a course of eye drops are necessary to keep your symptoms at bay.
Q3. Can
I wear contact lenses
to change the colour
of my eyes?
A.
Coloured contact lenses
are suitable for most
people to wear, even
for those who require
no sight correction,
as well as for people
with short sightedness,
long sightedness and
astigmatism.
After an initial consultation to assess your suitability, the Optician will be able to advise you on a vast range of cosmetic fashion lenses. If your eyes are light in colour you may want to just enhance your natural shade. If you are more daring, you may want a radical eye colour change even if your natural eyes are very dark. However, if subtlety is what you are after then the latest range of 'advanced colour technology' lenses may be tempting.
Most coloured lenses are now available in a soft, disposable type making them suitable for wear on a daily or occasional basis.
Q4. I
need bifocal spectacles,
can I wear contact
lenses?
A.
Those who require
sight correction with
either bifocals, varifocals
or two pairs of spectacles,
may find the freedom
of contact lenses
to their advantage.
We can offer flexibility in the choice of contact lens prescription to allow clear vision at all distances with either bifocal or varifocal contact lenses. Alternatively we can cater for your visual needs with a combination of contact lenses and spectacles. Either way, these contact lenses are available in soft, gas permeable, and astigmatic designs.
Q5. Are
contact lenses recommended
for sports use?
A.
Playing many sports
while wearing glasses
can be awkward or
dangerous. Football,
rugby, tennis - it's
clear that glasses
would be a nuisance,
but even gentle sports
like golf can be
more fun with contact
lenses - they don't
get rain on, steam
up or slip down -
and there are no edge
distortions or interference
from bifocals. Contact
lens wearers benefit
from a more 'true
to life' image of
things, so speed
and distance judgment
can be better than
wearing spectacles.
For certain sports, such as squash and cricket, contact lenses should be worn in addition to some form of eye protection.
We generally advise that contact lenses are not worn for swimming. Firstly, the chances of losing a contact lens are quite high, but more importantly, the risk of an infection or an irritation from chemicals in the pool should be avoided.
Q6. Are
'soft' lenses better
or 'gas permeable'
lenses?
A.
There are two main
types of contact lens:
Gas permeable lenses are smaller and tougher than soft lenses. The great advantage of this type of lens is that it allows the eye to breathe, making it the ideal choice for those who want to wear lenses for most of the day. Although they can take a little longer to adapt to than soft lenses, they offer an excellent quality of vision, especially when you have a stigmatism, and they are also extremely durable.
Soft
lenses contain mainly
water which makes
them comfortable almost
immediately. This
makes them ideal for
occasional use. They
are more secure than
gas permeable lenses
and are therefore
a better option for
sports. Soft lenses
do need changing often
to reduce the risk
of infection and are
most commonly disposed
of every month. We
can offer soft lenses
with cosmetic tints
to enhance or change
the colour of your
eyes. They are also
available if you have
astigmatism.
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Q7. I
have astigmatism,
can I wear contact
lenses?
A.
Astigmatism is a very
common condition where
the shape of the eye
is irregular. Gas
permeable contact
lenses are ideal for
correcting astigmatism.
If however, you wish
to wear lenses for
sport, or on an occasional
basis then 'toric'
soft lenses would
be more suitable.
Toric lenses are specifically
designed to correct
astigmatism, and are
available in disposable
form, and also with
cosmetic colours.
Q8. Can
I wear contact lenses
on an occasional basis?
A.
The latest daily disposable
lenses can be worn
as little or as often
as you wish. These
lenses are comfortable
almost immediately
making them ideal
for infrequent wear.
Each time you use
them you have a fresh
pair. One in three
contact lenses fitted
in the UK is now a
daily disposable lens.
Q9. How
long can I wear my
contact lenses for?
A.
The length of time
that lenses can be
worn will vary for
individuals. As a
guide though, we would
generally recommend
that they be worn
for twelve hours per
day as a maximum,
preferably with one
day without lenses
at all. This allows
the eyes to have sufficient
rest between wear.
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We would strongly advise that contact lenses are always removed prior to sleep. This is in order to minimise the risks of infection and allow the eye to breathe. However, in exceptional circumstances, special lenses can be designed for thirty days continuous wear.
Q10. Do
I need to clean my
contact lenses?
A.
With the exception
of daily disposable
lenses, all contact
lenses need to be
cleaned after every
time of wearing. This
cleaning process is
essential to reduce
the risks of infection
from bacteria. Following
a simple care regime
can, effectively control
various germs that
accumulate on the
contact lenses and
storage case.
When you have finished wearing your lenses for a particular day they need to firstly be cleaned, then rinsed, and finally disinfected. This generally takes about five minutes per day.
Q11. Can
anybody wear contact
lenses?
A.
With such a vast range
of designs and materials,
almost everybody has
the potential to wear
contact lenses. After
a detailed examination
of the eye, your Optician
can advise on the
best type of lens
to suit your vision
and lifestyle.
Q12. Are
contact lenses expensive?
A.
At Eyesite Eyecare
Centres we are committed
to providing a quality
service with time
to discuss individual
needs. Our qualified
Optometrists will
be there to help you
from your first examination
right through to becoming
a successful contact
lens wearer. We pride
ourselves on our level
of care and have excellent
facilities and equipment
to support this, so
giving you the best
possible chance of
success.
Q13.Why
should I come to Eyesite
Eye Care Centres for
my contact lenses?
At
Eyesite we will assess
your requirements
and discuss the cost
and convenience options.
For example if you
are wearing contact
lenses only twice
a week for sport it
may be cheaper for
you to have daily
disposable lenses
instead of monthly
disposables. We have
many options tailored
to your individual
needs. They need not
be expensive.
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