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Contact Lenses

Contact LensesIf you don’t want to always wear glasses but need vision correction, contact lenses offer an easy alternative. A contact lens assessment at Stratton Opticians will give you the opportunity to try contact lenses both in the consulting room and in your own environment. This extended trial period will allow you to fully experience the benefits of contact lenses and see how they can enhance your life.

We have been fitting new and existing patients with hard and soft contact lenses for over 40 years and have a wealth of experience in this field. Being independent, we work with every manufacturer, stock all brands of contact lenses and are very flexible in our patients trying a wide range to find the best solution for them.

1) Initial assessment appointment

  • We'll discuss your lifestyle and help to choose the contact lenses that are right for you.
  • Examination of the ocular surface and lids
  • Assessment of the tear film
  • Discussion of appropriate lens types according to results of above
  • Application of trial lenses to assess immediate tolerance (occasionally this may need to be booked as a separate appointment if trial lenses need to be specially ordered)
  • Vision assessment with lenses
  • Fit assessment

2) Contact Lens handling lesson

  • Teaching session with qualified member of staff lasting approx 20-40 minutes
  • Lens insertion and removal technique
  • Wearing instructions / lens care / cleaning where necessary
  • Solutions and hygiene advice
  • Contact lens 'do's and donts'
  • Trial pack of lenses to take away to be worn in your own environment and trial pack of solutions where necessary

3) Follow-up appointment

  • Lenses need to be worn to this appointment (please wear at least 2 hours before attending)
  • Review of fit and vision, refinement where necessary
  • If any changes are made a further appointment may be necessary, which will be covered by the fee paid at the first appointment

If your child wants contact lenses or if you feel it may be a suitable choice for them, we’ll happily discuss that with you, too. Contact lens technology has changed so much in recent years, there is something to suit almost anyone. Click here for more information on contact lenses for children.

Contact lens Trial

If you don’t want to always wear glasses but need vision correction, contact lenses offer an easy alternative. A contact lens assessment at Stratton Opticians will give you the opportunity to try contact lenses both in the consulting room and in your own environment. This extended trial period will allow you to fully experience the benefits of contact lenses and see how they can enhance your life.

Handling

Insertion of soft contact lenses
Carefully remove a lens from its case, ensuring you select the correct lens for each eye.
Place the lens in the palm of your hand and add a little soaking solution.
Place the lens on your forefinger and look at the shape of the lens from the side.
This lens is inside out – note the shape of the lens at the edges.
This lens is the correct way round.
Using the second finger of one hand, gently raise the upper eyelid.
Using the second finger of the other hand pull down the lower eyelid slightly and gently place the lens onto your eye.

Removal of soft contact lenses
Before removing the lens, thoroughly wash your hands.
Look straight ahead and pull down the lower eyelid with your second finger.
Place your index finger on the lens and slide it onto the white part of the eye.
Pinch it off between your thumb and index finger

Insertion of Rigid Gas Permeable lenses
Remove the lens from the case, ensuring you select the correct lens for each eye.
Place the lens in the palm of your hand and add a little wetting solution.
Place the lens on the tip of your forefinger.
Using the second finger of one hand raise the upper eyelid.
Using the second finger of the other hand pull down the lower eyelid ...
...and gently place the lens onto your eye.

Removal of Rigid Gas Permeable contact lenses
Wash your hands thoroughly before removing your lenses.
For your left eye, place the forefinger of your left hand at the corner of your eye.
Place your right hand below the eye ready to catch the lens.
Watch again ...
Stare wide and with your left forefinger pull the eyelid towards your ear ...
... then blink.
The lens should just pop out of your eye.

Caring for Contact Lenses

Caring for Soft contact lenses
Always wash your hands thoroughly and use a lint-free cloth to dry them. Remove a lens and place it in the palm of you hand. Add a small amount of all-in-one solution and gently rub the lens in a circular motion for a few seconds to remove any deposits.
Rinse the lens, place in a clean case and add some all-in-one solution. Replace the lid and the lenses will be ready for the next time you wear them.

Caring for Rigid Gas Permeable contact lenses
Wash your hands thoroughly and dry them with a lint-free cloth. Every time you remove your lenses, place the lens in the palm of you hand and add a small amount of cleaning solution.

Gently rub the lens in a circular motion for a few seconds to remove any deposits. Rinse the lens with solution and then place the lens in a clean case with more solution. Replace the lid and your lenses will be ready to be worn another day.

Golden Rules

The risk of any complications or eye infections as a result of contact lens wear is extremely low and is usually the result of poor hygiene. Research shows that risk is also increased for smokers and for wearers who sleep or swim with their lenses in.

Your chance of developing a problem can be reduced by following some simple golden rules:

  • Visit us regularly for check-ups
  • Clean and disinfect your lenses exactly as advised
  • Ensure your hands are clean when handling your lenses
  • Replace your lenses regularly as directed
  • Never rinse your lenses with tap water
  • Don’t sleep in lenses
  • Don’t swim with contact lenses unless you are wearing watertight goggles
  • Don’t wear your lenses if you are suffering from a heavy cold or flu
  • Replace your lens case every month

If your eyes are red and sore or photophobic (sensitive to light) take your lenses out straightaway. If after a few hours your eyes are still red and sore phone the practice immediately for advice. If this happens to be outside our Practice hours call NHS 24 on phone number 111.

Children & Contact lenses

Contact lens wear can have a positive effect on kids’ confidence and ability to concentrate in class, meaning better results and happier children. If your child is active and plays sports, then contact lenses may be the ideal choice for them. No more smudged lenses, steaming up or costly broken frames. They will benefit visually from better depth perception, a wider field of view and all round better stability of vision.

We regularly prescribe children’s contact lenses here at Stratton Opticians to children to help restore clear vision.

Alcon CIBA VISION
Bausch & Lomb
CooperVision
Johnson & Johnson
Cantor & Nissel
Providing NHS Services
The College of Optometrists
General Optical Council
Association of Optometrists

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Opening Hours

Monday: 9am – 5.30pm
Tuesday: 9am – 5.30pm
Wednesday: 9am – 5.30pm
Thursday: 9am – 5.30pm
Friday: 9am – 5.30pm
Saturday: 9am – 2.00pm
Sunday: Closed

Off-street parking outside practice / Car park located opposite


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