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Keith Holland Opticians

Contact Lenses | Cheltenham

WHAT ARE CONTACT LENSES?

Contact lenses are small, transparent eye- shaped lenses which float in the tear film on top of the cornea, tucking under the eyelids when we blink.

There are two main types of contact lenses: ‘rigid’ lenses are made of more ‘gas permeable’ materials, and ‘soft’ lenses which can best be described as being made of a jelly- like material.

In recent years, Night Lenses have become very popular – helping to control Myopia, and you wear them while you sleep. Click here for more information

As the cornea does not have a blood supply, it relies on oxygen from the atmosphere dissolving in the tears, which is then absorbed into the cornea to keep it transparent and healthy. Any contact lens must ensure this process continues uninterrupted to maintain clear and healthy eyes. Rigid Lenses are made in a variety of materials which allow oxygen from the atmosphere to pass through the lens to the cornea underneath.

Some people with high prescriptions, and those with keratoconus (a condition of the cornea which makes it steepen unevenly) may find rigid lenses give sharper vision overall. Rigid lenses are also used in orthokeratology, where contact lenses are worn during sleep to gently re- shape the cornea and give clear, spectacle and contact lens free vision during the next day! This can be useful for some sportsmen and women who are distracted by contact lenses while playing, or for those who work in very dusty atmospheres and who cannot tolerate contact lenses in the workplace.

Soft contact lenses fall into two main categories: conventional hydrogel, and silicon hydrogel materials. Technology has constantly improved meaning that lenses have become thinner and healthier for the eyes. Conventional soft lenses are now thin and very safe, made in materials which resist drying out and greasy deposits, and can correct even high degrees of astigmatism, as well as incorporating a reading prescription for the over 50’s.

Silicon hydrogel materials were developed in the last decade using new polymers that allow far more oxygen to the cornea. The aim is to keep the cornea as healthy as possible, increasing the wearing time – and allowing day and night

WHY.CHOOSE.US?

The whole team at Keith Holland Opticians are enthusiastic about contact lenses and are experienced in advising potential patients, with several members wearing lenses themselves. All our optometrists are experienced with children and nervous patients, and those with dry eyes or high prescriptions, and love to solve complex fitting problems!

Our contact lens teaching team will take great time and care to ensure each person is well informed about hygiene and confident about handling their lenses before they are issued. As an independent practice, we source the best contact lenses for your needs from anywhere in the world, and are not ‘tied’ to any single lens manufacturer.

CARE.

HOW TO CARE FOR
YOUR CONTACT LENSES?

It is really important when being fitted with contact lenses to learn how to handle the lenses safely and easily. We take great care over teaching our patients before they are given lenses, and are always available afterwards if there are ever any questions or concerns.

You will be given detailed written instructions when being fitted, but some general advice includes:

  1. First, always wash your hands thoroughly before starting to touch your eyes or lenses, and dry on a lint free towel (or preferably a paper towel).
  2. Use the appropriate solutions recommended by your optometrist, never letting tap water near your contact lenses or case. Replace with fresh solution after each wear.
  3. Replace the contact lens case regularly – dirty cases lead to dirty lenses!
  4. Wear as recommended by your optometrist – do not over-wear your lenses, and never wear overnight unless specifically fitted for that purpose.
  5. If your eyes feel sore, or appear red, remove the contact lenses even if only part way through the day.
  6. Always have up-to-date spectacles which you are happy to wear on “days off” and at the beginning and ends of days.
  7. Ensure that you have regular contact lens checks – usually recommended at six monthly intervals (just like your dental checks), and full eye exams each year to keep on top of the general health of your eyes.
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