First Contact Lenses: Your Practical Guide to Getting Started

Are you a first-time contact lens wearer? If your optometrist has just confirmed you're a suitable candidate, you might be curious about what to expect before your fitting appointment.

Quick tip: Begin with daily disposables. They eliminate the need for a cleaning routine, which can often pose challenges for new wearers. Always wash your hands before handling lenses. Avoid using tap water on your lenses. Schedule a fitting with your optometrist to ensure the correct lens matches your prescription and eye health.

Your optometrist has deemed you an ideal candidate for contact lenses, and you may feel a mix of excitement and apprehension about the idea of touching your eyes. Both feelings are completely valid.

We assist first-time contact lens wearers regularly. Here’s what you should understand ahead of your fitting appointment, how to evaluate daily versus monthly lenses, and the essential aspects of the routine that ensure your eyes remain healthy and comfortable.

Choosing Between Daily and Monthly Lenses: Which is Right for You?

Quick tip: Opt for daily lenses if you're a first-timer, wear lenses part-time, suffer from allergies, or travel frequently; they provide a fresh lens every day without the need for cleaning. Monthly lenses are suited for regular wearers who are comfortable with a nightly cleaning routine, offering a lower cost per day if maintained properly.

This initial choice is typically more straightforward than many assume.

Understanding Daily Disposable Lenses

With daily disposables, you insert a new pair each morning and discard them at night. There is no need for cleaning, storage cases, or solutions, and you won’t have to remember when you started using your current pair.

Who benefits from daily disposables:

• First-time wearers seeking a hassle-free routine
• Individuals who wear lenses occasionally (for sports, events, or weekends)
• People with allergies, as a fresh lens daily prevents the accumulation of pollen and other allergens
• Frequent travellers
• Anyone who prefers to avoid a nightly cleaning routine

The drawback: Daily disposables tend to have a higher cost per day compared to monthlies at first glance. factoring in the expenses for cleaning solutions, cases, and potential eye infections from poor hygiene significantly reduces this difference.

Exploring Monthly Lenses

Monthly lenses can be worn for up to 30 days. Each evening, you need to remove, clean, and store them in fresh solution.

Who they suit:

• Regular wearers looking for the most economical ongoing option
• Individuals comfortable with a nightly cleaning routine
• Those with prescriptions not available in daily disposable formats (including some complex or unique prescriptions)

The downside: Consistent cleaning every night is essential. Neglecting this routine can lead to eye infections, which can be serious.

Considering Fortnightly Lenses

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

Our typical advice for new wearers: Start with daily disposables. They eliminate the cleaning routine, where many first-time wearers encounter issues. Once you're comfortable with inserting and removing lenses and can identify when your eyes feel uncomfortable, consider switching to monthlies if cost is a major factor.

How to Insert Contact Lenses for the First Time

Quick tip: Wash your hands, verify that the lens isn't inside out, hold your eyelids open, look slightly upward, place the lens on the white of your eye just below the iris, then release and blink. Most individuals feel at ease within a week, and your optometrist will guide you through this process during your fitting.

Initially, it may feel unusual. Your body instinctively protects your eyes, causing you to blink or flinch when something approaches. With practice, this reflex diminishes, and most people become comfortable within a week.

1. Wash your hands. Do so thoroughly with 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 your index finger’s tip. It should resemble a smooth bowl with clean edges. If the edges flare outwards, it’s inside out. Simply 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 your other hand to lift the upper lid. This creates space for the lens to enter without triggering your reflex.
4. Look slightly upward. Position the lens on the white part of your eye, just below the iris.
5. Release and blink. Let go of your eyelids gently and blink several times to allow the lens to centre itself.
6. Repeat for the other eye.

Your optometrist will assist you throughout the entire process during your fitting. We ensure you can confidently insert and remove the lenses before you leave, which is the primary goal of the fitting session.

Removing Contact Lenses

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

For daily lenses, dispose of them. For monthly lenses, place them in a clean case with fresh solution.

If you find removal challenging in the first week or two, consider using a soft contact lens handler or tweezers, which can simplify the process while you develop muscle memory. Most individuals no longer require these tools after a month, but there’s no harm in using them as long as they assist you.

Cleaning and Care for Monthly Lenses

Quick tip: Clean each lens with multipurpose solution for approximately 20 seconds, rinse, and store in fresh solution (never top up old solution). Replace your lens case every 1 to 3 months. Never use tap water as it is the leading cause of serious contact lens infections.

If you use daily disposables, you can skip this section. There’s no need for cleaning.

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 says “no rub,” rubbing removes more deposits.
• Rinse with fresh solution.
• Place in a clean case filled with fresh solution (never top up old solution; always replace it entirely).
• Replace your lens case every 1 to 3 months.

Never use tap water on contact lenses. Tap water contains microorganisms that can lead to severe eye infections, including Acanthamoeba keratitis, a painful and potentially sight-threatening condition. This also means you should avoid swimming or showering with your lenses unless wearing sealed goggles, and do not rinse your lens case with tap water.

This precaution is not overly cautious. We encounter cases of contact lens-related infections every year, primarily due to patients taking shortcuts with water. Adhering to this guideline strictly will help you avoid such issues.

Commonly Fitted Lenses

Each prescription and eye is unique. Your optometrist will suggest the most suitable lens for your specific needs during your fitting. Below are the lenses we frequently fit and stock, along with their ideal applications.

Popular Daily Disposables

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

Widely Used Monthly Lenses

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

Managing Dry Eyes or Sensitivity

Wearing contact lenses can contribute to dry eye, and dry eye can make wearing contact lenses uncomfortable. If you are already experiencing dry eye symptoms, your fitting discussion should cover which lens type will be most suitable and whether to combine them with any supportive treatments.

Discuss any concerns with us during your fitting. Contact lens wear and dry eye can coexist, but the approach must be personalised.

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 — contact us immediately. Don’t wait for symptoms to subside. Prompt attention can prevent serious complications.

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

• Pain that does not diminish after removing the lens. Pain indicates that something is amiss.
• Redness that continues for more than a few hours.
• Sudden blurred vision while wearing lenses.
• Discharge or excessive tearing.
• A sensation of something being stuck in your eye after removal.
• New light sensitivity that wasn’t present before.

Any of these symptoms may indicate an infection, a damaged lens, or a corneal issue. Do not delay in seeking help, and avoid assuming the problem will resolve on its own. Early intervention can prevent genuinely serious complications.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to adjust to contact lenses?

Most new wearers become comfortable with inserting and removing their lenses within a week. Physical comfort, meaning not feeling the lens in your eye, usually 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 improve your experience.

Is it safe to sleep in my contact lenses?

No, unless they are specifically prescribed for overnight use. Regular daily and monthly lenses are intended for daytime use only. Sleeping in standard lenses restricts oxygen flow to your cornea and greatly increases the risk of infection. If you require overnight wear, consult your optometrist about extended wear lenses.

What should I do if a contact lens gets stuck in my eye?

It’s not possible for a lens to slip behind your eye. It typically 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 be more comfortable 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 for your tear film during your fitting.

What are the costs of contact lenses in Australia?

Prices vary depending 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) are more expensive due to their complex optics. Current pricing for each type is available on its product page. We also offer discounted rates for ongoing subscriptions, so ask us during your fitting.

Do I need to see 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 worn lenses for years, your prescription must be current. We assess the fit, corneal health, and the prescription itself during each review.

When This Guide May Not Be Applicable

• You are under 16 years old — fitting contact lenses for children requires a separate discussion with parents or guardians. Please book a consult.
• You have not had a recent eye exam — obtain your prescription and corneal health check first. Lenses come after, not before.
• You wish to wear cosmetic lenses without a prescription. Avoid purchasing unregulated lenses online — this is illegal in Australia and can lead to corneal injury.

Ready to Begin Your Journey with Contact Lenses?

Schedule a contact lens fitting at our Central Coast practice, and we will help you find the perfect lens for your eyes, prescription, and lifestyle. You’ll leave your fitting feeling confident in your ability to insert, remove, and care for your lenses.

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