CONTACT LENSES
There has never been a better time to wear contact lenses. More people than ever can wear modern contact lenses, even if you have astigmatism or need varifocal spectacles.
CONTACT LENS ASSESSMENTS
At your first appointment, we will assess your suitability for contact lenses if you've not worn them before or if you have and want to try again.
We will help you decide which lenses to choose, explain the process, teach you how to put your lenses on and take them off of your eyes, and explain how to look after them.
Whenever we try a patient in a lens they haven't worn before we do a follow-up check to make sure vision and eye health are both satisfactory and, in some cases, we may need to try several different kinds of lenses.
Contact lens patients can either pay for each appointment separately or pay a one off fitting fee that covers all follow-up appointments until we're happy with the lenses. We also offer a direct debit facility for patients who want to order their lenses on a regular basis.
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONTACT LENSES
SOFT CONTACT LENSES
- daily, weekly, 2 weekly, monthly, 3 and 6 monthly disposable
- lenses for astigmatism
- bifocal and multifocal lenses
- bespoke lenses for high prescriptions and high astigmatism
- lenses for complex medical needs (e.g. keratoconus)
- lenses for myopia control
- coloured lenses for enhanced appearance
GAS PERMEABLE LENSES
- regular lenses and lenses for astigmatism
- bifocal and multifocal lenses
- lenses for those who have had laser eye surgery
- bespoke lenses for high prescriptions and high astigmatism
- Orthokeratology lenses (overnight lens that result in good sight all day without lenses at all!)
- lenses for myopia control
- special lenses for medical eye conditions and unusual shape eyes
AFTERCARE & ADVICE
Because contact lenses sit on the surface of the eye, we have a responsibility to make sure that we check the health of your eyes on a regular basis. This means that we aren't able to provide contact lenses for patients if their contact lens prescription is out of date.
MYOPIA MANAGEMENT CONTACT LENSES
At Paul Adler Optometrist, we supply non-pharmacological approaches to managing myopia, including special single-vision spectacle lenses like (MiYOSMART), multifocal spectacles, dual-focus contact lenses (monthly or daily disposable) and Ortho-K contact lenses which are worn at night and removed in the morning to give good vision all day and control of short sight.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
MYOPIA & ORTHO-K LENSES
The effect of treatment is best in younger people. Most clinicians advocate close monitoring and fitting upon the first signs of myopia. It is not uncommon to start using contact lenses for control of myopia around the age of 8 years old.
Orthokeratology (often called Ortho-K) is a non-surgical process which gently massages the front part of the eye (the cornea) using contact lenses to change the eye’s prescription. Ortho-K uses specially designed, tailor-made rigid gas permeable contact lenses that are worn at night. When the lenses are removed in the morning, vision is seamlessly corrected. The effect provides great vision without lenses all day.
The procedure was first used over 40 years ago.
Advances in computer-controlled manufacturing methods and new high-tech lens materials have made accurate and controlled Ortho-k lenses a possibility.
As with all contact lenses, there is always a small risk associated with lens wear, so it is important to follow the advice we give in respect of lens hygiene, cleaning and procedures.
We take a special photograph of each eye using an instrument called a Topographer. The instrument provides a topographical map of the curves and contours of the shape of the cornea. We use this to digitally design your lenses which are tailor made based on the shape of each eye and your optical prescription.
Before you take your new lenses home, we will check that they fit properly and teach you how to use them. We'll need to see you for a follow-up appointment after your first night of wear to check that the lenses are working as intended. Assuming that there are no problems, you will be asked to wear the lens for up to seven nights before another contact lens check. Once you are comfortable with your Ortho-k lenses, we will need to review your lenses and check the health of your eyes every six or twelve months.
Many people see really well after one night of wear, but in some cases it may take up to two weeks before to reach the full effect.
Most people use the lenses every night but some people use the lenses every other night without a problem.
Absolutely. It is very important to regularly check the health of the eye while wearing Ortho-K lenses.
The lenses are specifically designed to be worn when you are asleep. For this reason, when the eyes are closed, there is very little sensation and most people find that they can wear the lenses without any problem.
Yes. Vision is usually excellent when you are wearing the lenses.
Unfortunately not. It works with moderately short sighted people who have moderate amounts of astigmatism. Please contact us for advice on suitability of your prescription.