Not keen on wearing glasses? Contact lenses may be an alternative worth exploring. Here's a rundown of the various types available, how they work & how to take care of them
What exactly are contact lenses?
Contact lenses are an alternative to glasses, worn directly on the surface of the eye. They're usually made of clear, flexible, very thin silicone gel, but may be made of thin plastic, depending on the type you choose. Just like glasses, they work by refracting and refocusing the light that comes into your eyes, allowing you to see more clearly.
Contact lenses are suitable for most (though not all) people who wear glasses, and can correct both long and short-sightedness. They can also be suitable if you have astigmatism, or if you currently wear varifocal glasses. If you're considering contact lenses, your optician can advise if they're suitable for you.
Glasses or contact lenses?
Many people choose contact lenses because they like not having to wear glasses all the time. Because the lenses move with your eyes, lots of people find they feel more 'natural' and provide a more complete field of vision. It's worth bearing in mind, though, that contact lenses do need you to strictly follow any cleaning routines required, and to pay scrupulous attention to hygiene.
Most lenses have a maximum recommended daily wear time, and your eyes may become uncomfortable if you keep them in longer than is recommended. If you suffer from allergies or hay fever, you may find glasses are more comfortable during allergy season. Contact lenses also aren't suitable for wearing while swimming. For these reasons, almost all contact lens wearers will also wear their glasses for some of the time.
Types of contact lenses
There are many types of contact lens available. Your optician will carefully assess your sight and eye health and recommend the most suitable type for you, based on your prescription, eye health and overall lifestyle.
• Daily disposable lenses are designed to be worn once, then thrown away. Although you must always ensure your hands are scrupulously clean when handling your lenses, daily lenses don't require any after-wear cleaning
• Daily reusable lenses can be worn daily for periods of usually up to a month. After each wear, they're removed and cleaned, then stored in a special solution overnight to complete the cleaning process
• Extended or continuous wear lenses are designed to be worn day and night, for usually up to a month, and then discarded
• Hard or Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses are made of a firm, durable plastic that's designed to last for up to a year. Opticians sometimes recommend these lenses if you have astigmatism, or if you have a more complex prescription. They're removed and cleaned each night
Getting used to contact lenses
If you decide to give contact lenses a go, your optician will provide a special teaching session so you can get the hang of putting them in and taking them out, and learn how to clean them. To start with, putting something into your open eye can feel very daunting! However, most contact-lens wearers find it quickly becomes second nature.
Your optician may provide you with a 'wearing schedule' that gradually increases the number of hours you wear your contact lenses over a number of days. This allows your eyes to gradually get used to the sensation.
Dos & don'ts for contact lens wearers
• Always wash and dry your hands thoroughly before handling your contact lenses – even if you're simply taking them out and throwing them away
• If your child wears contact lenses, supervise them to start with, to make sure they fully understood their lens care instructions and are following them correctly
• Teenagers may also benefit from the occasional 'spot check' to make sure they're keeping up with their lens care routine
• Make sure you also have a pair of glasses that are up to date with your prescription, as there will be times when you may not be able to wear your lenses
• Be sure to follow your optician's advice about contact lens check-ups, even if you don't experience any problems. Many eye problems don't cause any noticeable symptoms initially, and a check-up is the only way to spot them
• If you experience swelling, redness or discomfort, take your lenses out straight away and make an appointment with your optician
• Only use eye drops that have been recommended by your optician
• Don't wear your lenses for longer than the recommended time
• Never use water or saliva to moisten your contact lenses – this can introduce dangerous infections into your eye. Only use a solution recommended by your optician
• Don't wear contact lenses while swimming, as bacteria from the water can get into your eye and grow on the surface of your lens
• Don't wear lenses that feel rough or uncomfortable on your eye, or lenses with any visible damage
• Don't re-use a disposable lens, or wear any lens after it's reached the end of its life
• Don't hoard left-over cleansing solution. Throw any excess away and start a new bottle on the schedule your optician has given you
• Don't top up the solution in your case, always store your lenses in fresh solution
Can my contact lens get stuck behind my eye?
This is a very common worry, but there's absolutely no way for your contact lens to get behind your eye. Your eyelid and eyeball are connected, so there's no space for a lens to get through. However, contact lenses can occasionally get stuck to the inside of your eyelid. If this happens, the following techniques can help unstick them:
• If you have lubricating eye drops or an all-in-one contact lens solution, you can add a few drops to your eye to lubricate the lens. Never use saliva or tap water – this can introduce dangerous bacteria to your eye
• While looking straight ahead, lift your upper eyelid as far as possible, then massage or very gently 'pinch' the lens out
• If you can't get the lens out, see your optician as soon as possible. If you can't see your optician on the same day, you should go to A&E
Next steps
• To find out if contact lenses might be suitable for you, make an appointment with your optician
• Always wash and dry your hands before handling your lenses – even if you're just removing them to throw away
• If you experience swelling, redness or discomfort while wearing contact lenses, take them out straight away and make an appointment with your optician
