Contact Lenses

young-woman-with-contact-lenseWhat are the benefits of contact lenses?*

Contact lens wear is an alternative to wearing glasses.  Improvements in contact lens materials, production, available prescription types and solutions means that contact lenses are more comfortable, more stable and easier to use than in the past.  Contact lenses can be used during sport, can sometimes improve self-esteem and life quality, and can be successfully worn by children. Contact lenses may also provide:

  • Improved peripheral vision when compared to glasses
  • Freedom from glasses
  • More stable vision for sport compared to glasses that fog, slip or can be knocked off.
  • A steady stream of evidence is demonstrating Ortho-K can slow the progression of shortsight (myopia) in children and teens (this requires an involved discussion with your optometrist as individual results may vary and alternatives of care are needed to be discussed).
  • Correction of astigmatism.
  • Sight correction in complex corneal problems like keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, post-LASIK ecstasia is possible.
  • Be an alternative to reading glasses with contact lenses (multifocal/monovision).

Contact lenses for High Prescriptions*

The range of contact lenses powers is large. Even disposable lenses are now available in surprising high prescriptions. Those prescriptions outside the disposable range can be usually catered for with a little more time and effort to fit custom lenses.

Contact Lenses for Astigmatism*

We fit toric contact lenses for astigmatism.  Modern manufacturing and fitting techniques has made toric lenses more comfortable and more stable than previous designs.  They are available for both part-time and full-time use, and in both disposable and custom made designs.

Contact Lenses in the over 40’s*

There is a broad of contact lenses and fitting techniques to provide you with a part-time or full-time alternative to spectacles.  Some people like the option of wearing contact lenses for certain activities or events, other simply prefer them to glasses.

Complex Contact Lens Cases*

We use an instrument called a corneal topographer to assist fitting patients with unusual astigmatisms like:

  • keratoconus
  • pellucid marginal degeneration,
  • post-LASIK and post laser eye surgery can be fitted and sometimes we ran reshape with orthokeratology
  • post corneal graft surgical corneas, can be fit with complex designs in order to experience clear vision not achieved with regular contact lenses or glasses.

Reduce the Hassle*

Some contact lens do require cleaning, and all require time to place on your eye and remove.  For people who think contact lenses might be a hassle, there are a few options to consider based on your individual needs and the possible risks versus the benefits.  These might include extended wear lenses, daily lenses, or overnight corneal reshaping and orthokeratology (ortho-k).

Sensitive Eyes and Allergies*

This can make full time contact lens wear more difficult, particularly in more severe cases. Your optometrist would need to consider whether the allergies will impact on your contact lens wearing opportunity.

Special Occasions and Sports*

Contact lenses aren’t just for people who want to get away from glasses on a full time basis.  Many people could be wearing contacts as a supplement to glasses.  It pays to ask yourself:

  • What parts of my week would I prefer not to wear glasses?
  • What activities would be more enjoyable if I could see without glasses?

Contact lenses can be worn on a part-time basis.

I wear reading glasses or multifocals, can I wear contacts instead?*

While it takes a little more time to fit, and a little more time to get used to, multifocal contact lenses are available as an alternative to multifocal/bifocal glasses or readers.  Your optometrist will discuss the pro’s versus the con’s so you have a realistic understanding of what can be achieved in your specific situation.

Our Commitment*

We are fully committed to your successful contact lens wearing experience.  With Harmony Vision  as your partner in your contact lens wearing experience, we provide:

  • Our many years of experience fitting nearly every type of contact lens.
  • An understanding that some people require a little more time and patience to become successful at handling and wearing contact lenses.
  • Through us you have access to a full range of disposable contacts and custom lens designs.  This provides freedom in finding a lens that is a good match for your needs.
  • We don’t consider astigmatism, the need to use reading glasses, or bifocals as a reason to not wear contacts as an option.
  • We have experience with complicated cases such as keratoconus or post surgical corneas.
  • You have access to a non surgical treatment that reduces the daytime reliance on glasses to eligible patients, called ortho-k.

Keratoconus and Post Surgical Corneas*

There are many lens designs available to help restore good visual acuity for people with complicated corneas.  Careful computerised assessment of your eye-shape, life-style needs and current quality of vision, help work out what type of contact lens might best suit your needs.

The Serious Side of Contact Lens Wear

While contact lens wear has many great benefits, the advice so far has been general, so there are a few important things to consider.

*Contact lenses are medical devices individually prescribed to your prescription, eye shape, ocular health and life-style, so results may vary from person to person.  Your individual needs to be considered and discussed with your optometrist.

Contact lenses are worn on the eye and while complications are rare, you do need to be aware of the importance of good hygiene and responsible wearing habits to avoid serious eye infections, and the even rarer risk of sight loss.  These risks factors are considered by and discussed with your optometrist, based on your individual situation.