Eye care

Daily wear, extended wear, and more Contact lenses are a fantastic alternative to wearing glasses. You might be worried about learning to put them in, but it’s really easy once you know how! And there are plenty of different varieties, so you can choose the best contact lenses to suit your needs. Our guide below explains all the different types, from daily contact lenses, to multifocal contact lenses, and even coloured contact lenses! There’s pretty much a type of contact lens to suit every prescription and lifestyle. Just check with your optometrist at your next appointment. What are the different types of contact lenses? There are two main types of soft contact lenses to choose from, daily disposables and reusables. Below are the most popular options! Daily contact lenses ‘Dailies’ are disposable contact lenses that you put in the bin at the end of every day, and choose a fresh new pair each morning. Great for people who want to use contacts every now and again, they are the ultimate no-fuss contact lens style. Because they’re disposable, they don’t require cleaning or a special case. And you won’t need to worry about losing them either. Bi-weekly contact lenses These are reusable contact lenses that are changed every two weeks. (It could be a good idea to set a reminder on your phone for lens change day!) Reusables are great for people who want to wear contact lenses every day. They’re cost-effective and easy to use too. At night,At night, you simply clean and store the contact lenses in a recommended contact lens solution, ready to wear again in the morning. Monthly contact lenses Just like bi-weekly contact lenses, monthlies are reusable lenses. The only difference is the time period; instead of changing them every two weeks, you change them every 30 days. Monthlies are a perfect choice of contact lenses for those with higher levels of astigmatism, as well as for people with more complex prescriptions. N.B. Contrary to popular belief, monthly contact lenses are not worn all month without removing them! You should never sleep with your regular contact lenses in. So you still need to take them out and clean them every night. Wearing them all the time would be very sore and could potentially harm your eyes. The only exception to this is extended wear contact lenses which can be worn overnight for up to 6 nights in a row. Speciality lenses Other types of lenses are available – Leightons offers a range of less-common speciality lenses, which can be helpful for specific eye conditions. These lenses include: Toric contact lenses Prescribed and fitted by your optometrist, toric contact lenses are used to correct astigmatism giving you crisp vision all day. They are available in daily disposable and reusable options. Varifocal contact lenses If you have varifocal glasses, you might want to look into multifocal contact lenses too. These are useful for people with presbyopia – who struggle with seeing objects close up – as well as long-distance vision. Great for reading books and watching sunsets in complete clarity! Ortho-K lenses Orthokeratology or ‘Ortho-K’ lenses utilise a corrective system that reshapes the surface of your cornea (the front layer of your eye) overnight. Almost like magic, you’ll take out your overnight lenses in the morning, and wake up with crisp, natural vision. And you won’t need to wear glasses or lenses in the daytime. Regular contact lenses are not suitable for swimming and water sports, so if you’re a water baby, these could be the perfect solution for you. Gas permeable contact lenses Gas permeable contact lenses are a type of hard contact lens that can give better vision and last longer. However, they can be more difficult to fit and you might need more time to get used to them. Ortho-K lenses are a type of gas-permeable contact lens. If you think they could be for you, one of our friendly optometrists will be able to discuss their suitability for your eyes at your next appointment. How do I know which contact lenses are right for me? Are you forgetful, prone to losing things, a sports player, or an eco-warrior? These are all questions you might ask yourself when thinking about what contact lenses are right for you. But of course, the best option to help you discover the best contact lenses is to discuss your case with an optometrist. If you’re interested in switching to contact lenses or would like advice about the many different options, our expert optometrists are here to help. You can book an appointment online, call us on 0800 40 20 20, or pop into your local branch. Book an appointment

Festival season is well and truly underway, with Glastonbury starting things off back in June and plenty more to come this month, including, Rewind, Reading & Leeds and Carfest, to name a few! But did you know that festivals can present potential dangers for your eyes and ears? You’ll likely be in the sun all day long – with its harmful UV rays. A great option is polarised sunglasses. A good pair will minimise UV light exposure, as well as reduce the glare from reflected light, and their filtering effect will also improve colour and contrast, making everything you see look more vivid and clear! Another thing to think about at festivals is hay fever. To stop itchy, watery and sore eyes, stock up on antihistamines for your trip (over the counter or from your GP) – and some eye drops can be a good idea too. We stock Thealoz Duo eyedrops. These drops will lubricate your eyes and help flush out any irritants (pollen, dust etc) which might irritate your eyes. You can pick it up in-store when you come in for your next eye appointment. Hearing Problems at Festivals Rocking out to your favourite bands right up close to the stage is an undeniably good time. But unfortunately, it’s not so great for your ears. The decibels at festivals and other live music events regularly reach dangerous levels for our hearing – so it’s essential to consider some protection. Plug it! - At Leightons, we offer a range of ear plugs that will decrease sound levels to be safe for your ears but will still allow you to enjoy the music with great clarity. Custom moulded earplugs go a step further, offering even better sound protection and comfort. It’s no surprise they’re used by top bands and DJs. Keep your distance - The further away you are from the stage and the speakers, the lower the decibel level and the less damage you’ll do to your ears. Take a break - Not a fan of the next act? Want to check out some of the non-music-related activities on offer? Feeling a bit peckish? All these are good excuses to get away from the stage and give your ears a rest. It really does make a difference. Book an appointment If you’re worried about hearing or eye problems after a festival or want further advice on pre-festival preparation for your sight and ears, we’re always happy to help. You can book an appointment with one of our expert audiologists or opticians online, over the phone on 0800 40 20 20, or pop into your local branch for a chat.