Contact lenses queries and questions

Your optometrist will provide you with a timetable for gradually increasing the length of time you can wear your lenses, starting with a few hours each day. It can take up to 14 days to reach maximum wear time with gas‑permeable lenses, but it’s usually much quicker for soft lenses. Good hygiene and lens care are essential for keeping your lenses and eyes in good condition, so always follow the care regime prescribed by your optometrist and make sure to attend regular aftercare visits.

Make sure that the lens is still in your eye. If your eye is irritated it may feel like the lens is still there, but it may have already fallen out. If the lens is still at the centre of your eye, with clean hands, try sliding it down towards the bottom of your eye and gently, but firmly, pinch it from the edges inwards. If the lens seems stuck, then place a few drops of sterile saline solution, lubricating eye drops (specifically formulated for contact lenses) or contact lens solution into your eye before trying to remove again. Sometimes lenses can become stuck under your top eyelid. Looking straight ahead in the mirror, tilt your head back slightly and lift your top lid as far as possible to see if the lens is there. Then try sliding it down and pinching it out. If you’re still struggling, come and see your optometrist in store as soon as possible.

Good hygiene is essential for keeping your eyes healthy and your contact lenses in good condition. If you drop a lens, you’ll need to rinse it thoroughly with saline at the very least, though ideally you should clean it and disinfect it again before you put it back in. Some disinfection solutions will complete the process in just a couple of hours – please check your solution instructions first. If you wear daily disposable lenses, it’s best to just start again with fresh lens.

Don’t wear a lens that is damaged as this could cause irritation and harm to your eye. Just throw it away and start again with a fresh one. A lens can’t be damaged while being worn. If you find a tear or split it’s mostly likely to happen when handling the lens. If you need a replacement lens, just get in touch with your local store.

If you fall asleep with your lenses in, you might find that they feel stuck to the surface of your eye – especially if you’re dehydrated (like after drinking alcohol). Never try to remove your lenses if they don’t come off easily. Instead, you should blink and apply contact lens‑friendly eye drops until your eyes moisten. The lenses will then be easier to move and take out. It’s a good idea to leave your lenses out the following day to give your eyes a chance to recover. If you have any discomfort or redness see one of our independent optometrists as soon as possible. If your lifestyle or work requires you to wear your lenses for long hours or even to sleep in them, then continuous wear lenses might be a good option for you. Your optometrist will be able to tell you if they’re suitable for you.

Your optometrist will advise the best cleaning products to use and provide you with care instructions when you’re fitted with your contact lenses. You’ll need to clean them every time you wear them. Don’t forget: never use tap water to clean your lenses.

You might find your lenses feel uncomfortable if your hay fever is active. Your optometrist might suggest you stop wearing them until your symptoms subside, or you can use some lens comfort drops for temporary relief. Alternatively, your medical practitioner may be able to prescribe you with drugs which, taken each year before hay fever season, might prevent allergic reactions. If you take over‑the‑counter hay fever remedies, there’s no reason why you can’t continue to wear lenses providing there’s not too much itching or eye watering. However, you shouldn’t wear your lenses if you use topical drugs that you put into your eyes.

If you have a contact lens allergy you should stop or reduce your lens wear until the problem clears up. Make sure that you’re following the proper care procedure for your lenses. If the problem doesn’t resolve within a couple of days or if your symptoms worsen, visit your optometrist. They may suggest that you change your contact lens type or solution or reduce the length of time that you wear them. Occasionally, you might have to avoid wearing contact lenses for a period of time.

There are three main causes of conjunctivitis – viral, bacterial and allergic – so without knowing what type you’ve had it’s hard to determine whether you need a new pair of contact lenses. If you wear daily, biweekly or monthly reusable contact lenses it’s best to start with fresh lenses and storage case (for reusable). Wait for a couple of days after the symptoms have cleared up to make sure you're fully recovered. If you use yearly replacement or gas‑permeable lenses, make sure you clean and disinfect the lenses and use a fresh storage case. If the symptoms come back visit your optometrist for more advice.

Of course. In fact, many people find it easier to apply their make‑up once they start wearing contact lenses because they can see what they’re doing much better. For hygiene reasons, it’s better to apply your lenses before putting make‑up on, and take them out before removing your make‑up. You might want to avoid powdery and metallic shadows and mascara with fibres in case the particles get onto your lenses. Several brands offer formulas developed for contact lens wearers and those with sensitive eyes.