Contact lens technology is constantly evolving and advancing.

Nowadays many types of eyesight like astigmatism and presbyopia (needing reading glasses) can be corrected where previously they couldn’t. Lenses are now available that you can sleep in for a whole month! If you are fashion conscious you can even get your contact lenses to match the colour of your outfit!

Contact lenses are great for sports, social events or even just as an alternative to the everyday wearing of glasses.
As an independent practice, we deal with all the major lenses companies including Johnson and Johnson (Acuvue), Bausch and Lomb, Coopervsion and Cantor& Nissell. But we also deal with specialised lens makers for custom fit lenses if required.
If you have been told in the past that you are not suitable for contacts, this may not be the case now. So, if you have been thinking about getting lenses then why not talk to us about your options? We would only be happy to help!

Many types of contact lenses are available. The type of contacts you use depends on your particular situation. Your optician will be able to help you choose from the following types of lenses. This will lead to a no obligation free trial of contacts.

PMMA lenses:

Rigid or "hard" contacts were the first lenses; they were developed in the 1960's. They are made of a type of plastic called PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), which is very durable, but does not allow oxygen in the air to directly reach the cornea. When the eye blinks, the lens moves, which allows the oxygen dissolved in the tears to reach the cornea. Rigid lenses are the least comfortable type of contacts and are not really used anymore. However, some people still prefer them for their durability and lower cost.
These lenses are rarely fitted these days because of advances in other contact lens materials.

Gas-permeable lenses:

These lenses are also known as "RGPs." They are newer rigid or "hard" lenses made of plastics combined with other materials, such as silicone and fluoropolymers, which allow oxygen in the air to pass directly through the lens. For this reason, they are called "gas permeable."
Once fitted, they should be replaced roughly every two years.
The main advantages of RGPs are that they can provide very crisp vision even with astigmatism, they are robust and economical and they allow air to reach the eye easily.
Disadvantages would be that they take a while to adapt to, and require more cleaning and maintenance when compare to say a daily disposable.

Soft contact lenses:

These lenses are made of plastic materials that incorporate water. The water makes them soft and flexible, as well as allowing oxygen to reach the cornea.

Silicone Hydrogel lenses are the latest development in soft contact lens materials. They are healthier than conventional soft lenses because they allow up to 6 times more oxygen to pass through them and increased oxygen transmission results in better overall eye health

Soft contact lens options:

Daily disposables-These are one-use throwaway lenses. They are easy to carry around and do not require the use of contact lenses cleaning fluids. They come in blister packs filled with a solution to keep them hydrated.

Monthly disposables-These are soft lenses that when used are cleaned and stored in a container. After a month they are then disposed of. They sometimes can cost less than daily disposables and comes in a broader range of parameters, which are more suitable for some wearers. Along with daily disposables they have become the most commonly fitted type of contact lens.

Non-disposable lenses-These are lenses designed to last up to two years. They can be used for specialized custom fit lenses or for regular prescriptions as an economical option.

Extended wear-These are lens that can be slept in overnight. They generally are monthly lenses made of silicon hydrogel, which is excellent at allowing oxygen to the eye compared to standard materials.

Nearly all the above options come in other variations e.g. toric (to correct astigmatism)
coloured and presbyopic (to correct reading vision)

Contact lens fitting

1st appointment- Fitting.Normally takes an hour.
A contact lens fitting begins with a regular eye test to ascertain the most up to date spectacle prescription and to check the overall health of the eye.

Then we measure the shape of the eye and check the health of the cornea-the part of the eye that is in ‘contact’ with the contact lens.

At this stage we would further discuss the types of lenses most suitable for your prescription, your expected wearing time and your needs.

We will then insert a trial lens into your eyes and let them settle for 20 minutes, after which we check the vision, the fit and comfort.

2nd appointment-Handling. This is where you are shown how to insert and remove the contact lenses. At that stage you will be given information on hygiene, wearing time, do’s and don’ts and what to do if there is a problem.
Then we give you a free trial of contact lenses to try at home.

Final appointment-A final check-up is made 1-2 weeks later.
After the lenses are fitted you are obliged to get annual contact lens check-ups to facilitate trouble free wearing the lenses in the future!

Mongey Opticians offer a contact lens re-ordering service for existing patients.
View details and contact lens re-ordering form here >>