Please see below, some of the common questions asked regarding contact lenses…..
How do I go about gettting contact lenses?
If you want to wear contact lenses to correct your eyesight, you must start by consulting an eyecare practitioner for a fitting. Only registered optometrists, contact lens opticians and medical practitioners can fit contact lenses. Please contact us on 0141 639 2121 to book your initial consultation
What happens when I go for my contact lens appointment?
Fitting includes discussing your visual and lifestyle requirements. An eye and contact lens examination will determine if your eyes are healthy and if you are suitable for lens wear. Your eyecare practitioner will also take measurements of your eyes to find the best lens type, fit and vision, before trialling lenses with you.
I’ve tried contact lenses before without success, should i try again?
Yes. Research has shown that many people who drop out from contact lenses can be successful with modern lenses. Lens designs and materials are constantly evolving – so ask your eyecare practitioner about the latest developments.
How do I know if contact lenses are right for me?
Your eyecare practitioner will put contact lenses on your eyes so that you can see how they feel, and will then check the lens fit and your vision. Once you’ve tried the lenses, you and your practitioner can decide together whether contact lenses are right for you.
Can I try contact lenses before I decide if I want to continue?
At Mearns Opticians we offer a free trial on all soft disposable lenses, so you can take the lenses away with you to see how you get on with them. You’ll need to learn how to look after your lenses, put them on the eye and remove them, before you take them away to try. Once you’ve worn the lenses, you’ll need to have the health of your eyes checked and the fitting completed.
Can I wear contact lenses for sport?
Yes, contact lenses have many advantages for sport because they provide all-round, natural vision, are more stable than spectacles and are not affected by rain, fog or reflections. They allow protective eyewear or sunglasses to be worn and means a low risk of damage or injury. What type of contact lens is best for sport? Soft contact lenses are generally the best choice for active sports as these tend to move less on the eye compared to rigid gas permeable lenses (RGP) and are less likely to be dislodged. For outdoor sports, your contact lenses can also incorporate protection from ultraviolet (UV) light.
Can contact lenses protect my eyes against the sun?
Some contact lenses block ultraviolet (UV) light and, worn with other forms of eye protection, offer protection from damaging UV rays. UV-blocking lenses alone can offer some protection when wearing sunglasses is undesirable or impractical.
How much do contact lenses cost?
The cost of contact lenses varies according to the lens type and the frequency of wear. Remember that you will need to pay for check-ups as well as for lenses. Your contact lens practitioner may include the cost of check-ups in the price of your lenses, charge separately, or offer a monthly eye plan or payment scheme.
How can I check my eye for problems related to my lenses?
Ask yourself these three questions, each time you wear your lenses: do my eyes feel good with my lenses; do my eyes look good – no redness; and do I see well – no unusual blurring with either eye? If the answer to any of these questions is no, leave your lenses off and consult your contact lens practitioner immediately who will advise you what to do next.
Can a contact lens go round the back of my eye?
The outer coating of the eye is continuous with the inner coating of the eyelid. If a lens is dislodged from the front of the eye it may settle under the upper or lower lid but cannot go behind the eye. Make sure you remove the lens if it becomes dislodged.
I suffer from allergies, can I still wear contact lenses?
Most people with allergies can successfully wear contact lenses. With the right choice of lenses, and, where necessary, appropriate medication, all but the most severely affected can continue to wear their lenses. Daily disposable soft lenses have been shown to be effective for those suffering from seasonal allergies such as hay fever.
I suffer from dry eye, can I still wear contact lenses?
Contact lenses are not contraindicated in most cases of dry eye and can be worn successfully even in challenging environments. Ask your contact lens practitioner for advice on lens types and alleviating dryness, and check before using any eye drops or dry eye preparations.
I’ve heard about lenses that correct your vision whilst you sleep, what are they?
Orthokeratology (‘ortho-K’, ‘corneal reshaping’ or ‘overnight vision correction’ or ‘Nocturnal lenses) uses specially designed rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contact lenses to alter the shape of the cornea (the transparent front part of the eye) during sleep. These lenses are designed to be worn overnight and removed in the morning and to correct vision without the need for spectacles or contact lenses during the day.
Can I wear contact lenses for swimming?
The BCLA advice for contact lens wearers is to not wear contact lenses for swimming – or in hot tubs or whilst showering or participating in water sports – unless wearing tight-fitting goggles over the top. After swimming – or if lenses are removed and stored whilst swimming – contact lenses should be cleaned and disinfected in fresh solution before putting them back on the eyes. The BCLA recommendation is that regular swimmers talk to their eyecare practitioner about being fitted
Will I still need glasses?
Yes. You’ll need to have an up-to-date pair of glasses to wear when you remove your lenses. You may want to combine different types of vision correction to suit your eyesight and lifestyle. And you may also want to have sunglasses to wear with your contact lenses.
17 Broomburn Drive
Newton Mearns
Glasgow
G77 5JQ
t: 0141 639 2121
e: info@mearnsopticians.com
Monday to Friday
9:30am to 6pm
Saturday
9:30am to 1pm
Sunday
Closed
Free Private Parking Available At Rear Of Property & On Street Parking For Disabled Badge Holders
