Personalised Contact Lens Care in Canterbury
At Canterbury Eyecare we specialise in finding the right contact lens for your individual eyes and lifestyle, and we'll help you through the whole process.
Contact lenses can be a great alternative to glasses, whether you want freedom from frames every day, clearer vision for sport, or simply another option for particular occasions.
At Canterbury Eyecare, our optometrists provide personalised contact lens fittings based on your prescription, eye health, lifestyle and visual needs. We fit a wide range of contact lenses, including options for astigmatism, multifocal correction, slowing myopia progression in children and if you experience dry eye disease.
There isn’t one contact lens that’s right for everyone. We consider your prescription, eye health, tear film, lifestyle and visual requirements to find an option that works for you.
Fortunately, modern technology means that most people can enjoy the benefits of contact lenses. Age is certainly not a barrier – we have patients as young as five years old and patients in their eighties successfully wearing contact lenses.
Whether you’re trying contact lenses for the first time, have worn them for years, or have tried them before and found them uncomfortable, we’ll work with you to find a solution that suits your eyes.
Experienced Contact Lens Care
Our optometrists have a special interest in contact lenses and bring experience fitting a wide range of lens types and prescriptions.
Chris and Genevieve also wear contact lenses themselves, giving them personal experience of the practical considerations that come with contact lens wear. Laura has also worked in the film industry, fitting contact lenses for actors in horror films.
Our optometrists are members of the Cornea and Contact Lens Society of Australia, supporting ongoing education and professional development in contact lens care.
Think you can't wear contact lenses?
You may have been told contact lenses aren’t suitable for you, or perhaps you’ve tried them before and couldn’t find a lens that was comfortable. Advances in contact lens technology mean there are now options for many different prescriptions and visual needs, our optometrists can assess your eyes and discuss whether contact lenses may be suitable for you.
Contact lenses for different needs
First-time contact lens wearers
Never worn contacts before? We’ll guide you through your options for vision correction, teach you how to insert, remove and clean and care for your lenses, as well as what to expect in your first few weeks of contact lens wear.
Astigmatism
Toric contact lenses can correct vision for people with astigmatism, without visual compromise.
Near and distance correction
Multifocal contact lenses can provide an alternative to glasses for people who need clear vision at different distances and for varied visual needs.
Myopia slowing lens designs
Specialised contact lens designs for children and teenagers with progressing myopia, designed to help slow changes in prescription and eye growth.
Dry eyes
Newer technology lens materials to enable some people with dry eye to successfully wear contact lenses.
Active lifestyles
Contact lenses can provide freedom from glasses for sport, exercise, travel and other activities. Most contact lens wearers use them part-time for their varied visual needs, such as for sport or socialising.
Choosing the right contact lens
Contact lenses are available in different designs and wearing schedules. Depending on your eyes and lifestyle, you may be suited to daily disposable lenses, reusable fortnightly or monthly lenses, multifocal lenses, toric lenses for astigmatism or other specialised lens designs.
We can help you choose the option that provides the right balance of vision, comfort, convenience and eye health for your needs.
Experience your lenses before committing to a full supply
We can arrange a trial of suitable contact lenses before you commit to purchasing a full supply. This gives you the opportunity to experience the vision, comfort and practicality of your lenses before deciding whether they’re right for you.
What to Expect at Your Contact Lens Appointments
1. Understand your needs, assess your eyes and find the right lenses
We’ll discuss your prescription, lifestyle, visual requirements and when you’d like to wear contact lenses. We’ll assess your eye health, prescription and suitability for contact lens wear. We’ll recommend suitable lens options based on your individual needs. In most cases we may stock a trial lens in your prescription but sometimes we need to order in your specific prescription, or a few options to try.
2. Teach you how to wear your lenses and experience the vision
For new wearers, we’ll guide you through insertion, removal and lens cleaning and care. We’ll assess fit and vision, and endeavour to have a set of trial lenses for you to take home and try out for a few days. If you’re interested in getting a headstart, here are some useful video links about how to insert and remove contact lenses:
Coopervision new wearers website
Acuvue tips for first-time contact lens wearers
Alcon how to put in your contact lenses
3. Review and fine-tune
We’ll assess how your lenses perform, make adjustments if needed and reteach any instructions you may need a refresher on. In most cases we can order your full supply after this visit. Sometimes you may need a few review appointments to ensure the right prescription, fit and comfort.
Orthokeratology
Orthokeratology, or Ortho K, are custom designed hard contact lenses which when worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea. The lenses are removed in the morning, allowing suitable patients to see clearly during the day without glasses or contact lenses.
Ortho K lenses are commonly used as part of myopia management for children and teenagers to slow eye growth and hence slow prescription changes. Some adults may also be suitable candidates for this lens design.
Already have a contact lens prescription? If you’re an existing Canterbury Eyecare patient, or if you have a contact lens prescription from elsewhere, you can conveniently order your contact lenses online for collection or delivery.
Contact Lens FAQs
Are contact lenses suitable for me?
Contact lenses can be suitable for many people, including those who have never worn them before. They can provide an alternative to glasses for everyday wear, sport, work and other activities.
Our optometrists will consider your prescription, eye health, lifestyle and visual requirements when recommending contact lenses.
Can I wear contact lenses if I have dry eyes?
Some people with dry eye can successfully wear contact lenses, although the type of lens, wearing schedule and management of the underlying dry eye can all make a difference.
If you have dry eyes and are interested in contact lenses, we can assess your eyes and discuss options that may be appropriate for you.
Can I try contact lenses before committing to a full supply?
Yes. At Canterbury Eyecare, we can arrange a trial of suitable contact lenses before you commit to purchasing a full supply.
This gives you the opportunity to experience the vision, comfort and practicality of your lenses, and allows for any further adjustment to the fit or prescription before ordering a full supply.
Can I wear contact lenses if I have astigmatism?
Yes. There are contact lenses specifically designed to correct astigmatism, called toric lenses.
Your optometrist will assess your prescription and eyes to determine which lens options may be suitable.
How do I look after my contact lenses?
Your contact lens care routine depends on the type of lenses you wear. Your optometrist will provide instructions specific to your lenses, including how to handle, clean and store them and when they should be replaced.
Always follow the wearing and replacement schedule recommended for your lenses.
Can I sleep in my contact lenses?
Most contact lenses should be removed before sleeping. Sleeping in contact lenses can increase the risk of eye health complications, including serious eye infections.
If you have been specifically prescribed lenses for overnight wear, follow the wearing schedule and care instructions provided by your optometrist.
