Contact Lenses
Your choices explained
 Fitting for contact lenses |
Today more than 3 million people in the UK enjoy natural, clear and unobstructed vision in complete comfort because they choose to wear contact lenses.
Whether you simply want the occasional break from spectacle wear or are looking to wear lenses regularly, there has never been a better time to try contact lenses. With the help and advice of our experienced contact lens practitioners why not take advantage of our FREE TRIAL* offers and experience the freedom that modern contact lenses offer.
Evans and Hughes Optometrists have fitted contact lenses and cared for contact lens wearers of all types for many years. The correct choice of lens type, purchase scheme and care option to suit you is paramount if you are to succeed. At Evans and Hughes we fit all lens types and our professional fee structure ensures that our advice is unbiased, here is a general overview of the various lens types available.
Hard Lenses
The first contact lenses to be worn. Although very durable, these lenses which provide crisp clear vision are now only used in special cases, as they do not allow essential oxygen to pass through the lens to the surface of the eye.
Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses
RGP lenses are also made of firmer plastics than soft lenses and like the original hard lenses give excellent clear site with almost all prescriptions. RGP lenses however allow oxygen to pass to the surface of the eye and are healthier to wear, easier to adapt to and more comfortable to wear for prolonged periods. They are not however ideally suited to occasional wear for active sports, but their durability, lower costs, and crystal clear optics make them an attractive option for the regular wearer.
Soft Lenses
Soft lenses are today's
most popular choice. They also allow oxygen to pass freely to the eye but as they
are manufactured from soft gel-like plastics they are; exceptionally comfortable
to wear, very stable in the eye during active sports and require minimal adaption
time. There are many different types of soft lenses but the two main alternatives
are; durable (thicker and less gas permeable but harder wearing if well cared
for) and disposable (thinner, even more comfortable with relatively less lens
care necessary). Disposable lenses or frequent replacement lenses as they are
also known can be replaced at varying intervals from daily to 3 monthly depending
on your ocular and lifestyle requirements.
There are even lenses that can be worn continuously night and day for up to 30 days and all these lens types are available if you have short sight, long sight, astigmatism or wear bifocal or varifocal corrections. If you'd like to combine all this with tints to compliment or change the colour of your eyes then all you have to do is ask.
You can see the choice really is bewildering but our staff are trained to help so please ask for more information if required.
Care Options and Purchase Schemes
Modern contact lenses can be worn safely and successfully by almost everyone but like any other medical device, it is essential that the optimum prescription is maintained and that they are worn and cared for correctly. The General Optical Council and British College of Optometrists advise that all lens wearers have annual contact lens eye examinations. This test is designed to ensure that no contact lens related health problems are allowed to develop and that only the appropriate prescription is worn. In fact, unless there are exceptional circumstances, new contact lenses should not be supplied if it is more than one year since the last consultation.
We therefore advise all regular lens wearers to join our:
Option 1 - all inclusive care scheme, which for a small monthly fee includes all necessary aftercare appointments and covers the cost of all your lenses and solutions, (including a number of free replacements for lost or damaged lenses if you wear disposable lenses). Option 1 scheme members also receive a 20% discount on all spectacle and sunglass purchases.
Option 2 - is a scheme designed primarily for the occasional wearer. Members of this scheme buy lens/solution packages when required and receive discounted eye examinations and aftercare appointments. Members of this scheme also get 10% discount off spectacle and sunglass purchases.
On-line, this is a straight forward purchase option, by buying set quantities of lens/solution packages, great savings on the initial costs can be made - but don't forget there is no allowance for the essential regular check up and no discount on spectacles or sunglasses.
Common Questions
What should I do if I want to try contact lenses?
Firstly
we would suggest that you discuss your requirements with one of our trained
team, this can usually be done without an appointment. You can discuss the various
types and the likely costs involved. If there are no obvious contra-indications
then an appointment for a free lens trial can be arranged.
This first appointment will usually last 1 hour. During the examination, you
will have the opportunity to choose, in conjunction with the optometrist, which
lens type you would like to try. The strength and correct fitting of the lenses
will be determined and the health of your eyes will be assessed. if you are
happy to proceed to trial the lenses over a limited period, you will then receive
instruction on lens care and handling. An aftercare appointment will then be
arranged for the end of the trial period when the suitability of the lenses
and the health of your eyes will again be checked. If there are any minor adjustments,
these can be discussed at this stage, then providing both you and the optometrist
are happy, you are ready to become a fully fledged contact lens wearer.
Are contact lenses difficult to insert and remove?
No. Many people are worried about putting a lens in for the first time, but many simple techniques have been developed which make insertion and removal of contact lenses quite easy. When you get your lenses, you will be taught the best method that suits you and your eyes.
Are Lenses difficult to care for?
While it is very important that lenses are well cared for, developments in lens care products have now made it easy to keep your lenses clean, comfortable and safe. If you would prefer to eliminate the need for a lens care routine altogether then you can opt to try either Daily Disposable lenses or the new Extended wear lenses.
How much do lenses cost?
Unfortunately there are so many different lens types and care options that it is not possible to list them all here. Our trained staff however should be able to give you an estimate and you will be given an accurate quotation before any final choice is made.
To help you make your choice here is a help check list
- How often do you want to wear the lenses?
- Do you play active sports?
- Are you happy to follow a lens care routine?
- Do you suffer any eye irritation eg. hay fever or dry eyes or do you have a history of eye infections?
- Do you want or need to wear the lenses night and day?
- Do you have a fixed budget?
- What type of eyesight do you have - short sight, long sight or astigmatism and do you need different prescriptions for distance and near?
- What type of care scheme do you want to join - option 1, 2 or Online
If you can answer most of these questions, then our trained staff will be able to help you decide which lenses are most likely to suit your eyes and lifestyle, and give an indication of the final cost.
If you would like more information, please contact us.