If you need vision correction, there is an attractive alternative to wearing spectacles – contact lenses. Most people are pleasantly surprised at how comfortable today's contact lenses are. They have come a long way since they were first developed and research breakthroughs are leading to new materials and more choices all the time.
If you have ever wondered if you can wear them, there has never been a better time to find out. Click here to book your eye exam today
Contact lenses are particularly good for people with an active lifestyle. They are well suited to sport because they don't slip off or break – even in the toughest game, race or match. They also have the added advantage of not steaming up in bad weather. They can help with hobbies – they don't cause problems when you are using a camera, binoculars or a telescope.
Generally contact lenses give improved all-round vision with a more natural look, which can make you look younger! Coloured contact lenses can give you a new look for a special occasion or just when you want to look different.
There are contact lenses for most common sight problems. Whether you are short-sighted, long sighted, young or older, you can probably wear contact lenses with our help.
Age is no longer a barrier to wearing contact lenses. As we get older, our eyes lose their ability to shift focus between near and far objects. This natural ageing process is called presbyopia. In the past, the only option was to wear spectacles with multifocal lenses. Now there are bifocal and progressive contact lenses specially developed for those with presbyopia. Contact lenses are suitable for regular everyday wear or can be used as an appealing and convenient complement to your spectacles. We can advise on the best choice for you and also keep you up-to-date on all the latest developments.
Contact Lens Options
The latest lens materials and designs allow you to see clearly and
comfortably whilst maintaining the health of your eyes. It is our policy
to provide you with a range of options to suit your lifestyle, prescription
and budget.
Daily disposable soft lenses
There are a wide variety of disposable lens options available: all
of which you wear once then throw them away. They are suitable for the
majority of prescriptions, including those with astigmatism and presboyopia.
The great advantage with daily disposable lenses is that you will not
require cleaning and disinfecting solutions i.e. convenient and safe.
Fortnightly & Monthly disposable soft lenses
These are a popular and economical option. You wear your lenses during
the day then take them out at night to clean and disinfect them. The
latest silicone hydrogel materials allow longer wearing times.
Gas Permeable
These are manufactured from a rigid plastic material that allows oxygen to pass through them to keep your eyes healthy. They are suitable for all prescriptions and require less cleaning than soft lenses.
Not sure if contact lenses are for you?
The alternative to correcting your vision with spectacles or contact lenses is laser surgery. We do not preform the procedure at the the practice but our optometrist Claire Keith can advise you on your suitability and refer you to a specialist in laser vision correction.
If you don't like the idea of spectacles but the thought of laser surgery frightens you there is an alternative:
Nocturnal Contact Lenses /Orthokeratology
This is a non-surgical process that uses reverse geometry contact lenses to gently reshape the cornea of the eye while you sleep. When you wake, the lens will have corrected the focusing power of the eye - which means you do not have wear spectacles or contact lenses during the day. Nocturnal lenses offer huge benefits to people in specific areas of employment where spectacles or conventional contact lenses can be a real inconvenience, such as diving, flying and construction. Likewise, no contact lenses mean that you will no longer experience problems with hay fever, dryness, wind, dust or slippage - leaving you free to focus on enjoying a modern, active lifestyle
