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Contact Lens Guide
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Why contact lenses
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Types of contact lenses
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First time buyers for contact lenses
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How to put in and take out your contact lenses
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General tips
Why contact lenses
Contact lenses are Convenient: for example daily disposables require no cleaning or care (unlike glasses). Many people prefer the look of contact lenses to glasses and find that it is a confidence booster. Sports Use: many people enjoy their favorite sports with contact lenses.
Types of contact lenses
Contact lenses in the following
Daily Disposables – fresh pair of every day
Two Weekly Disposables – fresh pair every two weeks
Monthly Disposables – fresh pair every month
Extended Wear Lenses – can be worn continuously whilst awake and asleep
Toric Lenses – for astigmatism
Multi-Focal Lenses – for patients who cannot see clearly over long and short distances
Colored Contact Lenses – fashion lenses for people who fancy a change from their natural eye colour.
First time buyers for contact lenses
First thing you should do is book a contact lens examination with your Optician. Your optician will take you through the whole process of getting fitted for contact lenses. Then your contact lens dispense optician will give you first time teach, how to put them in and how to remove and will also show you how to clean and take care of them.
For the first time you’ll be given a trial contact lenses which normally last a week. After that trial, you need to visit your Optician again and your optician will ensure that your eyes are healthy and there no sign of any reaction. After this process you can buy 1 month of 3 months worth of contact lens.
How to put in and take out your contact lenses
Step 1: wash, rinse and dry your hands
Use a pH- neutral soap containing no oil, cream or perfume. Dry your hands with a clean lint-free towel.
Step 2: open the packaging
Each lens is wrapped in a sterile blister pack. Don’t use the lens if the blister is damage in any way. The lens strength (your visual correction) is printed on the foil covering the blister. Your eye care Practioner may have prescribed different lens strength for each eye, so be careful to open and use the correct one. To avoid mix-ups, always start with the same lens (right / left). Gently shake the blister before opening it (in case the lens is stuck to the foil). Peel back the foil cover and, using your index figure; gently slide the lens out of the blister. Never use tweezers, other pointed instrument s or your nails to dig out the lens because it could damage it.
Step 3: examine the lens
Place the lens on the tip of your index figure and hold it up to a light. Make sure it’s clean and moist, and check there are no sign of nicks, tears or particles on the surface. Don’t use the lens that appears to be damaged or dry – and if it is, throw it away and use the new lens.
Step 4: check the lens is the correct way around
If you place and in side out lens on your eye it make cause discomfort, or not correct your vision as it should. If the profile of the lens is curved and bowl- like, the lens is correctly oriented. If the lens edges spread outwards, or the profile is plate-shaped, the lens is inside out. You will need to flip it the right way round.
Step 5: placing the lens on your eye
1) Place the lens on the tip of your right index finger (or left index finger if you are left handed and this is easier for you). Make sure your finger is dry, or the lens will stick to your finger and be difficult to place on your eye.
2) Place the middle finger of the same hand close to your lower eyelashes and pull down your lower eyelid.
3) Use the fingers of your other hand to lift your upper eyelid.
4) Place the lens directly onto the eye (cornea).
5) Look down. Release the lower eye lid first, then the upper lid, still looking down.
6) Blink gently. The lens will centre automatically. Try not to rub your eyes once it is in place.
And now to remove your lenses:
Step 1: Wash, rinse and dry your hands
Step 2: blink fully several times
Pull the lower eyelid down. Make sure the lens is positioned over the cornea. Look up, keeping your head straight up. Use your middle finger to pull your lower eyelid down.
Step 3: slide the lens downward
While looking up, place the tip of your index finger on the lower edge of the lens and slide it downward, onto the white part of your eye.
Step 4: remove the lens
Still looking up, gently pinch the lens between thumb and index finger. Carefully remove it from your eye and discard.
General tips
• Never put contact lenses into your eyes if they are damaged
• If your eyes feel uncomfortable, take your contact lenses out immediately. Talk to your eye care
practitioner about what feels wrong and they will be able to help you
• You should never put your contact lenses in non-sterile water (including tap water) as they can
get contaminated and could damage your eyes
• Don’t go swimming with your contact lenses in
• Check your eyes everyday. Your eyes should look healthy, feel comfortable and your vision should be clear.
If not, remove your contact lenses immediately and speak to your eye care practitioner.
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