Contact Lenses: Essential Tips for Beginners

Are you about to start your journey with contact lenses for the first time? After receiving approval from your optometrist, it’s natural to have questions about what to expect before your fitting appointment.

Essential Tip: Begin with daily disposable lenses. They remove the need for a cleaning routine, which can often feel daunting for beginners. Always wash your hands before touching your contact lenses, and never use tap water on them. Schedule a fitting with your optometrist to ensure you have the right lens that matches your prescription and eye health.

Your optometrist believes you are an ideal candidate for contact lenses, and it’s completely normal to feel a mix of excitement and nervousness about the idea of touching your eyes. These feelings are common among first-time wearers.

We often help new contact lens users, and in this guide, you will find critical information to know before your fitting appointment, tips on comparing daily and monthly lenses, and essential routines to keep your eyes healthy and comfortable.

Choosing Wisely: Understanding Daily vs. Monthly Contact Lenses

Quick tip: Select daily lenses if you are a beginner, wear lenses occasionally, have allergies, or travel frequently; they provide a fresh lens daily without the need for cleaning. Monthly lenses are better suited for regular users who can handle a nightly cleaning routine and can offer a lower overall cost when maintained properly.

Deciding between these two options is usually simpler than many think. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages can greatly affect your experience.

Exploring the Advantages of Daily Disposable Lenses

With daily disposable lenses, you wear a new pair every day and discard them at night. This eliminates the need for cleaning, storage cases, or solutions, freeing you from remembering when you last used your current pair.

Who benefits from daily disposables:

• First-time users who want a straightforward experience
• Occasional wearers, such as for sports, special occasions, or weekends
• Individuals with allergies, as daily new lenses prevent the accumulation of pollen and other irritants
• Frequent travellers who value convenience
• Anyone wishing to avoid a nightly cleaning routine

The downside: While daily disposables may seem pricier at first glance, considering the costs of cleaning solutions, storage cases, and the risk of eye infections due to poor hygiene can significantly reduce this cost difference.

Getting to Know Monthly Contact Lenses and Their Benefits

Monthly lenses last up to 30 days. Each night, you must remove, clean, and store them in fresh solution to maintain their quality and comfort.

Who are monthly lenses suitable for:

• Regular wearers seeking the most cost-effective long-term option
• Individuals comfortable with a nightly cleaning routine
• Those with prescriptions that are not offered in daily disposable forms, including some complex or unique prescriptions

The downside: Consistent nightly cleaning is essential. Neglecting this step can result in serious eye infections.

Key Information about Fortnightly Lenses

Some brands provide a two-week replacement cycle. They share the same cleaning requirements as monthly lenses but require more frequent replacements.

Our standard advice for new users: Start with daily disposables. They remove the cleaning routine, where many new users encounter challenges. Once you feel confident with inserting and removing lenses and can identify when your eyes feel uncomfortable, consider transitioning to monthly lenses if cost becomes a significant factor.

Mastering Contact Lens Insertion for Beginners

Quick tip: Always wash your hands, ensure the lens is not inside out, hold your eyelids open, look slightly upward, position the lens on the white 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.

Initially, inserting a lens may feel unusual. Your body instinctively protects your eyes, which might cause you to blink or flinch when something approaches. With practice, this reflex will lessen, and most individuals adjust 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 then to your eye.
2. Check the lens orientation. Place it on the tip of your index finger. It should look like a smooth bowl with clean edges. If the edges flare out, it is inside out. Just 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, creating a clear path for the lens.
4. Look slightly upward. 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 help the lens settle.
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 Safely Removing Contact Lenses

1. Wash your hands thoroughly.
2. Look upward.
3. Slide the lens down onto the white part of your eye with your index finger.
4. Gently pinch the lens between your thumb and index finger to lift it out.

For daily lenses, simply dispose of them. For monthly lenses, place 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 as you develop the necessary muscle memory. Most users no longer need these tools after about a month, but it’s perfectly acceptable to use them if they assist you.

Crucial Cleaning and Care Practices for Monthly Contact Lenses

Quick tip: Clean each lens with a multipurpose solution for about 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 severe contact lens infections.

If you are 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 about 20 seconds. Even if the solution indicates “no rub,” rubbing helps eliminate more deposits.
• Rinse with fresh solution.
• Place it in a clean case filled with fresh solution (never top up old solution; always replace it completely).
• Regularly replace your lens case, every one to three months.

Never use tap water on contact lenses. Tap water may contain microorganisms that can lead to serious eye infections, including Acanthamoeba keratitis, a painful condition that could threaten your vision. 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 see numerous cases of contact lens-related infections every year, primarily due to patients taking shortcuts with water. Following this guideline will help you steer clear of such issues.

Commonly Prescribed Contact Lenses

Each prescription and eye condition is distinct. Your optometrist will recommend the most appropriate lens tailored to your specific needs during your fitting. Here are some lenses we frequently fit and stock, along with their ideal applications.

Top Daily Disposable Lens Selections

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

Popular Monthly Contact Lens Options

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

Managing Dry Eyes or Sensitivity While Wearing Contact Lenses

Wearing contact lenses can contribute to dry eye, and experiencing dry eye can make wearing contact lenses uncomfortable. If you already have dry eye symptoms, your fitting discussion should focus on which type of lens will be most suitable and whether to incorporate any supportive treatments.

Feel free to raise 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 to Contact Your Optometrist

Quick tip: If you experience pain, persistent redness, sudden blurriness, discharge, a lingering sensation of “something in my eye” after removal, or new light sensitivity — reach out to us immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to improve. Prompt care can prevent serious complications.

Some issues can wait until your next appointment, while others cannot. Contact us (or any optometrist) if you observe:

• Pain that does not lessen after removing the lens; pain indicates something is wrong.
• Redness that persists 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 may signal an infection, a damaged lens, or a corneal issue. Do not hesitate to seek help, and avoid assuming the problem will resolve itself. Early intervention can prevent genuinely serious complications.

Common Questions About Contact Lenses

How long does it usually take to adjust to wearing contact lenses?

Most new wearers adjust to inserting and removing their lenses within a week. Physical comfort—meaning not feeling the lens in your eye—typically 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 explicitly prescribed for overnight use. Regular daily and monthly lenses are intended for daytime wear only. Sleeping in standard lenses restricts oxygen flow to your cornea and greatly 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 usually 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 critical for individuals with dry eyes compared to those without. Daily disposables with high water content tend to provide more comfort 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 can be found 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 classified as 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 current. We assess the fit, corneal health, and prescription accuracy during each review.

When This Guide May Not Be Appropriate for You

• If you are under 16 years old — fitting contact lenses for children requires a separate discussion with parents or guardians. Please book 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 Begin Your Contact Lens Journey?

Schedule your contact lens fitting at our Central Coast practice, and we will help you find the perfect 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.

Discover Contact Lenses at Eyes By Design · Schedule Your Contact Lens Fitting Today