Contact lenses, a liberating solution for vision correction, offer unparalleled convenience and comfort. They are often more suitable for specific tasks than glasses, such as sports. They are available in nearly all prescriptions, including myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and even presbyopic prescription.
The majority of contact lenses are available in disposable form, providing a hassle-free and flexible solution for vision correction. For those seeking a more personalised option, custom-made lenses are also available.
Contact lenses are split into two categories: soft and rigid lenses. Soft lenses are more commonly prescribed. Generally, these lenses are frequently replaced and disposed of after 1 day, a fortnight or a month of wear, but custom-made lenses can last longer than this.
Hard lenses, or rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses, are custom-made to fit your eye. They are often used for patients with certain corneal diseases, such as keratoconus, or those with particularly dry eyes or higher prescriptions.
To ensure the suitability of contact lenses, your eyes must be healthy and free from any conditions that could affect their use. Your optometrist, a trusted professional, will perform a comprehensive eye examination to assess your ocular health, providing you with the reassurance that you are in good hands and suitable for contact lens wear.
At the appointment, your optometrist will discuss your motivation for wearing contact lenses. This, along with your prescription and ocular health, will determine which contact lenses are most suitable for you. They will then order trial contact lenses for you.
These lenses are essentially a ‘try-before-you-buy’ option. They provide you with the opportunity to trial the lens for comfort and vision and also for the optometrist to assess the fit of the lenses, ensuring your eyes remain healthy while wearing them.
Before you take the lenses home, they will teach you how to insert and remove the lenses, along with cleaning them, and provide general care instructions. A follow-up appointment is then scheduled after you have worn the lenses for several days. This is to check your vision, reassess the fit of the lenses and check your eye health.
As a contact lens wearer, your eye health is a top priority. Annual eye examinations are a crucial step in ensuring your eyes remain healthy and your contact lenses continue to fit correctly. This regular check-up ensures that any changes to your vision or the comfort of your eyes or lenses are promptly addressed, making you feel cared for and prioritised.
Contact lenses are an excellent solution for those who prefer to be spectacle-free. They give you freedom from your glasses and provide clear and comfortable vision.
The Bottom Line
Contact lenses offer an excellent alternative to vision correction without the need for glasses. Almost everyone is suitable for contact lenses. Visit your optometrist in Canberra today to organise a contact lens consultation, where we will discuss personalised options for your vision care.