Getting used to contact lenses

More and more people are opting to wear contact lenses as a practical alternative to glasses. Their increased popularity is easy to understand – they look more natural, can give you a wider field of vision, and many people find them more convenient. But while they can be a convenient alternative to traditional glasses, adjusting to them may take some time and patience.

What to expect when you start wearing contacts

An adjustment period is very normal when you first get contact lenses. You may experience some blurry vision, discomfort (also known as “lens awareness”), or slight eye strain for up to two weeks after your first time wearing your lenses. Don’t give up though, it’ll be worth it once you’re used to them.

Normal side effects of contact lens wear

You may initially have some awareness of the lens in your eye as you adjust to your new contact lenses. Thankfully, there are ways to alleviate these issues during the adjustment period.

Businesswoman sitting at her desk, massaging her eyes with a pained expression.

Blurry vision

Dry, tired eyes can cause blurry vision. But so can improper cleaning and storage of your reusable contact lenses, or an improper fit. Make sure you’re always cleaning your lenses after every wear with a cleaning solution made for your type of lenses and approved by your optometrist. Additionally, make sure you rinse your lenses in the solution before putting them in and after removing them, and ensure you’re storing them in the correct solution as well. If the blurry vision persists, your prescription may need adjusting – your optometrist can review this for you.

Discomfort and irritation

You may experience some discomfort when you’re still getting used to how lenses feel when they’re in your eyes. Don’t rub your eyes or try to poke at the lenses with your fingers. Instead, blink as normally as possible and use eye drops if your eyes or lenses feel dry. If they continue to be uncomfortable, remove the lenses and speak to your optician.

Eye strain

Spending a lot of time looking at computer screens can cause eye fatigue at the best of times but when you’re getting used to contact lenses it can make it feel worse. To help ease eye strain, limit wearing your contacts to just a few hours a day until you adjust. If you also notice that your eyes are dry or irritated, use eye drops or switch back to your glasses to let your eyes rest.

How long does it take to get used to contact lenses?

Patience is key during the adjustment period. It usually takes around 10-14 days to get used to new contact lenses. If it’s taking longer, get in touch with your optometrist as there may be a fit issue or you’re not wearing them correctly which is slowing down your adjustment.

Contact lens issues to watch out for

Prolonged irritation and infection are less common side effects of wearing contact lenses that may indicate improper use or len-related issues. It’s important to be vigilant so that you don’t damage your eyes.

Risk of infection

When wearing contact lenses, there is an increased risk of eye infections. To make sure you’re not unnecessarily introducing bacteria into your eyes, always wash your hands with soap and water before handling your lenses.

Tweezers holding a contact lens above a plastic container on a gray background, illustrating the careful handling of lenses.

You may want to avoid wearing makeup for the first couple of weeks but if you do continue to wear it, apply your makeup after you put your lenses in, and make sure you’re removing your lenses before your makeup. Cleanse your reusable lenses properly between wears and use the correct storage solution to keep your lenses clean.

Tips for a smooth transition to contact lenses

Gradually increase length of wear – don’t expect to be able to wear lenses for a full day right away. You will probably find that slowly increasing the amount of time you wear them for over a few weeks will be most comfortable.

Proper lens care and hygiene – make sure you are caring for your lenses correctly and always have clean hands before touching your lenses or your eyes. This minimises the risk of infection and introducing bacteria to your eye.

Using eye drops and lubricants – if your eyes feel dry or irritated, use eye drops to keep your eyes lubricated. Leaving dry eyes untreated can cause permanent eye damage so it’s important to take it seriously. Speak to your optometrist if you are experiencing dry eye syndrome. They may suggest a different type of contact lens or regime.

Find the perfect lenses – The most important step in the journey of comfortably wearing contact lenses is finding the right lenses for your eyes. Your optometrist will measure the size of your pupils, the curvature of your eye, and your prescription and recommend the best type of contact lenses to suit you.

When to consult your eye care professional

Stress the importance of communication with eye care professionals, emphasising that they are key resources for successful contact lens wear.

It’s vital to communicate with your optometrist and optician team if you have any issues with your contact lenses. They are a key resource for successful contact lens wear and can ensure you have the best fit, prescription, and can help you find the perfect lenses for your specific needs such as daily wear or specific conditions like astigmatism.

If you want to give contact lenses a try, book your contact lens consultation today.

Book your contact lens consultation
Find a Leightons branch near you

You may also like

Are contact lenses and glasses prescriptions the same?
Are contact lenses and glasses prescriptions the same?
While both glasses and contact lenses do the same job in correcting your eyesight, there are some obvious differences in how each is worn. Glasses rest on the nose and are positioned away from the eyes, whereas contact lenses are in direct contact with your eyeball. These differences are the fundamental reasons why contact lenses and glasses prescriptions are absolutely not the same. In this article, we’ll explain why in more detail. Contact lens vs glasses prescription – what’s the difference? Quite simply, the lenses in your glasses will be very different to your contact lenses. That’s because each type of lens refracts light differently and therefore during an eye test, different measurements have to be made. The measurements from one eye test are not compatible with the other. So, is the prescription for contacts the same as glasses? The answer is NO because you need to have 2 separate eye tests, which will result in 2 different prescriptions. Contact lens prescription A contact lens prescription comprises a set of measurements relating to the curvature, size and power of the contact lens along with other relevant information. These measurements are carried out by an optometrist, also known as an ophthalmic optician. Glasses prescription An optometrist or ophthalmic optician is also responsible for carrying out the actual eye tests for glasses and lenses. The tests are to determine the strength of the lenses you require, along with other factors such as eye dominance, pupillary distance and axis number. All this information will be included in your glasses prescription. Learn how to read your glasses prescription How to read your contact lens prescription Have you ever wondered what all the abbreviations and letters on your contact lens prescription mean? Read on to find out. What does Base Curve (BC) mean? Base Curve (BC) refers to the specific curve with which a contact lens is made. Different corneal curves will need different base curve lenses, although with modern more flexible contact lens materials, there is some lea way in this. What does Diameter (DIA) mean? This measurement refers to the Diameter (DIA) of the contact lens itself and corresponds with the size of your cornea. It is the measurement from one edge of the lens to the other and is measured in millimetres. What does Power/Sphere (PWR/SPH) mean? The term Power (PWR) together with Sphere (SPH) refers to the strength of the lens. For long-sightedness this figure will show a plus sign (+) and for short-sightedness, it will begin with a minus sign (-). Other contact lens prescription figures People who have an eye defect such as astigmatism, will need to wear toric lenses and therefore will see additional words or abbreviations on their prescription. The same applies to people who might have presbyopia or short-sightedness, and have a prescription for varifocal or multifocal contact lenses. Other contact lens prescription figures are Prism, which refers to a lens or lenses that are designed to correct double vision. Also, Pupillary Distance (PD), which is a term that relates to the distance between the centre of your pupils. It is measured in millimetres and it is important that this measurement is accurate to ensure clear and comfortable vision. OD - Stands for Oculus Dexter, which means ‘right eye’ OS - Stands for Oculus Sinister, which means ‘left eye’ BAL - Stands for Balance, which means both eyes are prescribed the same lenses. DS - Stands for Dioptres Sphere, which means the eyes are spherical in shape. VA - Stands for Visual Acuity, which is a measurement of how clearly a person can see with corrective lenses. This measurement is expressed as a fraction. Your contact lens prescription might also include the brand or manufacturer’s name. What does Cylinder (CYL) mean? The term Cylinder (CYL) refers to an astigmatic prescription. if you have astigmatism then your eye will be more oval-shaped as opposed to globe-shaped. With this condition, you would need specially designed contact lenses called Toric lenses. What does Axis (AX) mean? Axis (AX) refers to the angle that the cylinder or astigmatic correction is placed in order to provide clear vision. This is a number, which is measured in degrees from 0 to 179. What does Addition (ADD) mean? The term Addition (ADD) refers to the amount of additional correction required to see clearly nearby and is given over and above the distance contact lens prescription. Multifocal contact lenses will have an ‘add’ in their prescription. An ‘add’ is generally only required when you develop presbyopia (an age related inflexibility of the intraocular lens, that typically starts between age 40and 45) What does Dominant mean? Most people have a Dominant eye which they unconsciously favour slightly, and a non-dominant eye. Certain contact lenses are best fitted taking this into account (generally multifocal contact lenses). Typically the dominant eye is fitted with the D lens (for better Distance vision) and the non-dominant eye is for better Near vision (this would be the N lens). Can you convert a glasses prescription to a contact lens prescription? No, it’s not possible to do this because the optics of the lenses are different. Likewise, you cannot convert a contact lens prescription to a glasses prescription. How to get a contact lens prescription If you would like to know how to get contact lenses then you will first need to make an appointment with your optician for a contact lens prescription. Your appointment with your optician will include an assessment and a contact lens eye test. This is a different eye test to the type you would need for glasses. After your initial assessment and test, you will then need to have a contact lens fitting. Your optician will demonstrate how to safely insert and remove your lenses and how to care for them. Finally, you will receive your free written contact lens prescription. You can buy your contact lenses from the optician that carried out your eye test or you can buy them from another optician or an online supplier. Contact lenses need to be reviewed more frequently You should be aware that your eyesight can change over time so it’s important you get your eyes retested at least every 2 years. If you notice any changes in your vision at any time before that period then contact your optician for a check-up. Book a contact lens consultation today.
Learn more
Right Arrow
Navigation Previous
Navigation Next