Contact Lenses
Why do people choose contact lenses instead of glasses?
Contact lenses typically provide better vision than glasses for
some visual conditions such as severe short-sightedness (myopia),
long-sightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism, corneal distortion,
or after cataract removal (aphakia).
Contact lenses also provide a wider view than external corrective
lenses, as side vision (peripheral vision) is often blocked, obscured
or limited by spectacle frames. Contact lenses do not fog up with
changes in temperature - or from perspiration - and they are unaffected
by rain.
Many people choose contact lenses because they think glasses
make them look less attractive or they find spectacles annoying.
Sports players and people involved in vigorous activities can
find contact lenses more convenient than spectacles, especially
for water sports and contact sports.
However, some people avoid contact lenses through a fear of them
or because they believe they are inconvenient. Recent advances
in contact lens technology mean that many people who previously
couldn’t wear them now can.
If you have any concerns or questions about contact lenses,
all of our Optometrists are happy to discuss these with you.
We provide free trial lenses and have samples at each
of our practices that you can see and touch, and all the advice
you need to help you make an informed decision on whether contacts
are right for you.
Types of Contact Lenses
Contact lens types are generally designed to correct one type
of sight condition, whether it be myopia (short sightedness),
hyperopia (long sightedness), or astigmatism, and in some cases
more than one.
Your Optometrist will recommend a particular contact lens, and
corresponding solution, over others according to your circumstances
and requirements. In your initial consultation, a number of tests
and measurements will be performed to determine the optimum contact
lenses for your specific needs. Additionally any other factors
that determine your ability to wear lenses successfully will be
explained to you.
Bifocal and Multi-focal contact lenses
Until recently, contact lens wearers who required visual correction
for reading had to use reading glasses over their contacts to
see close up. Now, multifocal contact lenses offer good vision
both close up and in the distance. Bifocal contacts work much
like bifocal eyeglasses. They feature two "obvious"
prescriptions, with the distance vision on the top of the lens
and the near vision at the bottom, with a line separating the
powers.
Multi-focal lenses work more like progressive eyeglass lenses,
where the different prescriptive powers are blended on different
parts of the lens. A multi-focal contact lens has many points
of focus, for a natural visual transition from distance to close
up.
Your eye learns to differentiate the proper power for the correct
distance.
Caring for your lenses and your eyes
The best success for contact lens wearers involves following
your Optometrist’s, and the products’ recommendations for lens
care and duration of use. Your Optometrists will discuss different
cleaning and storage solutions systems for your lenses, and
will recommend the best type for your eyes and your lenses.
Nearly all complications for contact lens wearers occur as a
result of not following these recommendations.
A licence to wear contacts
First time contact lens wearers must go through a process
of examination and follow up visits (over 3 months) with your
Optometrist to gauge long term suitability. At Matthews,
we term this process 'A license to wear contacts.'
Each and every year thereafter, this license needs to be renewed.
This is a national guideline stipulated by the New Zealand Association
of Optometrists, in conjunction with The Ministry of Health.
Contact Lens Fitting or Re-fit
A New Contact Lens Fitting, which covers your
visits with the Optometrists for:
- Initial consultation
- Trial lenses as required
- Contact Lens Handling / Teaching session
- 1st Contact Lens after care (1 week)
- 2nd Contact Lens after care (1 month)
- 3rd Contact Lens after care (3 months)
Please note: The timing for these visits may be changed by
your Optometrist depending on the type of Contact lens you are
wearing i.e. Extended wear lenses require different follow-ups.
If you are changing contact lenses, returning to contact lenses
or are new to our practices, you will need a Contact Lens
Refit, which covers your visits with the Optometrists
for:
- Initial consultation
- Trial lenses as required
- Contact Lens Handling / Teaching session (if a refresher is required)
- 1st Contact Lens after care (1 week)
- 2nd Contact Lens after care (1 month)
If further examinations are required, they will be charged in
addition to your New Contact Lens Fitting of Refit fee.
What do the lenses cost?
Contact Lens prices vary considerably depending on what length
of time they are designed to be worn, and what they are made from.
Please remember that contact lenses need to be purchased per
box. This means if you have a different prescription in each eye
you will need two boxes.
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