Discover the right contact lenses for you with Specsavers

Whether you want to wear contact lenses every day, or just occasionally – like for playing sport – there’s a wide range of brands available. Advances in contact lens technology mean they’re more comfortable, more wearable and suitable for more people than ever before. And at Specsavers, you can even have a free lens trial to make sure your contacts are just right for you.

The first step of your contact lens journey with Specsavers is making sure that your eye tests and contact lens prescriptions are up to date. Even if it’s less than two years since your last test, it makes sense to check your vision again, so that your new lenses will be spot-on for you. At Specsavers, you’ll always see a fully trained optician who will check the quality of your vision and the health of your eyes.

After your eye test, you’ll book in for a contact lens assessment, where the optician will assess what sort of lenses will best suit your eyes and your lifestyle. They will also talk you through different products, prices, and how to use and care for your lenses.

Contact lens aftercare

Once you have your new lenses, it doesn’t mean Specsavers says goodbye, either. You’ll have an aftercare appointment, where the optician will look at how your lenses fit, how comfortable they feel and how your vision is. They will check for any problems or discomfort and provide treatment for symptoms such as dry or itchy eyes.

When you find the right contact lenses, they should provide great vision and be really comfortable – you may even forget you have them in. What’s more, wearing contacts is also safe, as long as they are prescribed by a qualified practitioner, used correctly, and the contacts-wearer attends aftercare appointments.

This is where Specsavers comes in: unlike companies who just sell lenses online, they offer aftercare to help ensure your eye health is always protected, as the wrong lenses could cause damage to your eyes without you even realising.

Contact lenses: dos and don’ts

Do make sure your hands are clean and dry before touching your contact lenses.

Don’t sleep in lenses, unless your optician has advised you to.

Don’t wear them in water – and never clean your lenses or lens case with tap water.

Do check for any tears or damage before use (short nails can help prevent this).

Do dispose of lenses and lens solution after the recommended time.

Do follow cleaning instructions. If you use a lens case, clean this regularly with your solution and allow it to air-dry.

Don’t reuse solution or saline when cleaning or storing your lenses.

Don’t continue to wear lenses if your eyes are red or sore.

If in doubt, take your contact lenses out and pop down to Specsavers for advice.

How to deal with uncomfortable contact lenses

While lenses don’t usually cause discomfort, from time to time they may feel gritty or uncomfortable – but there are ways you can solve this problem. Firstly, wash and dry your hands before you touch your lenses, then, if they are reusable contact lenses, rinse them with your solution. Don’t be tempted to use water, as it could cause an eye infection.

If you wear daily disposables, it’s best to throw away the lens that’s causing you discomfort and start again with a fresh one. If it still doesn’t feel quite right, use your finger to gently slide it over to the white of your eye and back again, as this should get rid of any air bubbles or debris.

You could also try using eye drops – just ensure they are safe to use with your contact lenses and have been prescribed by your optician. If you’re still finding your lens uncomfortable, take it out and check it hasn’t got a rip in it. If it does, it will need to be replaced. And if you’re still having problems, pop into your local branch of Specsavers for help and advice.

The right contact lenses for you

Specsavers has plenty of different brands and types of contact lenses, but you needn’t be overwhelmed by the choice – qualified opticians will help you decide which are right for you.

Daily disposables – worn for one day then thrown away, these don’t need to be cleaned.

Monthly or twice-monthly disposable lenses – lasting for either two or four weeks at a time, these need to be removed and cleaned at night, but also offer great value.

Coloured contact lenses – perfect for either a dramatic new look or enhancing natural colour. Daily and monthly prescription coloured contacts are also available.

Multifocal or varifocal lenses – accommodating different vision types in one lens, these correct both distance and close-up vision without the need for glasses.

Toric contact lenses – specially shaped for those with astigmatism.

Book a free contact lens consultation at Specsavers, visit specsavers.co.uk to find your nearest store.