Are you scared of contact lenses?

It’s completely normal to feel apprehensive about using contact lenses for the first time.

Your eye is a sensitive organ with 100x more nerve endings than the tips of your fingers! You are absolutely right to be protective of them.

But contact lenses can be life changing.

Senior Director and Optometrist Gareth Gibbs debunks many of our common fears…

Are contact lenses uncomfortable?

A properly fitted lens is designed to fit very easily on the front surface of your eye so there is no discomfort.

Contact lenses are essentially a foreign body. When you first put them in it’s perfectly normal for your eye to water a bit. Some people also feel a tickling sensation like an eyelash or fleck of dust is there, but within a couple of minutes that awareness will go away and you won’t feel the contact lens at all.

What age can you wear contact lenses?

There is no upper age limit to wearing contact lenses. As you grow older, your tear film begins to dry out a little which can restrict the period of time you can comfortably wear contact lenses each day. But I have fitted contact lenses for customers successfully at all stages of adult life.

While children’s eyes are still developing it’s generally not advisable for them to use contact lenses every day. The contact lens may impact the way the eye develops in unpredictable ways. For full time use, children should be 14 years old.

But children from as young as 6 years old can wear special contact lenses for myopia control which reshape their eyes to reduce shortsightedness. And from the age of 8, children can safely try contact lenses for short-term sports use.

Can I scratch my eye putting in contact lenses?

With proper advice, putting in and taking out your contact lenses is 100% safe. But there are a few things to be aware of, particularly when you’re first learning.

It is possible to scratch your eye and I always recommend trimming the nails of your index finger and thumb on your dominant hand for the first few weeks to avoid any damage.

Can contact lenses get lost in your eye?

It’s impossible to completely lose a contact lens in your eye. The conjunctiva is tissue designed to prevent even the tiniest of microbes getting around the back of the eyeball and can definitely stop a contact lens too! It covers the white part of your eye and folds back on itself to join underneath your eyelid at the top and bottom.

A contact lens can become dislodged, usually from rubbing the eye. But it can’t go far and is easy to gently reposition with a clean finger.

Is it difficult to put contact lenses in and take them out?

Putting contact lenses in is not difficult and many people are able to do it independently within just a couple of goes.

It’s important to learn good technique. Always book an appointment with someone qualified before you try contact lenses for the first time. With good tuition you will understand the process and be able to handle your contact lenses confidently and safely.

Some people feel quite squeamish about touching their eye which puts them off exploring contact lenses. But actually, the lenses don’t touch your eye at all. When you put a contact lens in, it floats on a really thick layer of tears.

Can wearing contact lenses damage your eye?

Contact lenses could cause damage to your eyes with incorrect use. Buying contact lenses online without advice is a common cause of any problems. If your contact lenses are ill-fitting, they can restrict the eye or irritate the inside of your eyelids. If you have an undetected infection such as blepharitis, wearing contact lenses can cause the infection to spread and may result in permanent scar tissue that affects your vision.

Most problems can be avoided by booking a contact lens consultation with a qualified Optometrist first. Your Optometrist will conduct an expert assessment of your eyes and make a recommendation for contact lenses that are well-fitted and safe for you.

The majority of adults can comfortably and safely wear contact lenses. And for many people, wearing them has a hugely positive impact on day-to-day life.

Book a Contact Lens Consultation at Spectacular Opticians to benefit from a personalised discussion with one of our Optometrists who will find the best solution for your needs.