Thinking about Contact Lenses?
Contact lenses can be a wonderful addition to your everyday eyewear, giving you even more flexibility and freedom in how you see, and enjoy the world. Many of our patients love having the choice of switching between spectacles and lenses depending on the day, the occasion, or even their mood.
If you’re into sports, dancing, performing on stage, or enjoy hobbies where glasses get in the way, contact lenses can make life that little bit easier. They’re also perfect for those moments when you’d rather go glasses free, perhaps for a special social event or simply to avoid the all‑too‑familiar steamed‑up lenses when you step into a warm pub on a cold day!
We fit all types of contact lenses and take pride in helping you find the option that feels comfortable, natural, and right for your lifestyle. Whether you want lenses for occasional wear, most days, or need something more specialised, such as lenses designed for conditions like keratoconus, we’re here to guide you.
Benefits of Contact Lenses
Freedom of Movement
Enjoy the ease and comfort that comes without glasses.
Clearer Vision
Experience an unobstructed view without frames in the way.
Custom Comfort
Find the perfect lenses tailored for your unique vision.
Style and Confidence
Enhance your look and feel great every day.
Common Questions
Here’s a quick guide to help you understand your contact lens options.
There are various options to choose from, including soft, rigid gas permeable, and specialty lenses. Soft lenses are popular for comfort, while gas permeable lenses can offer sharper vision. Feel free to ask us about which one suits your needs best.
Choosing the right lenses involves considering your lifestyle, vision needs, and eye health. Our team can guide you through the process to ensure you make an informed choice that fits your everyday activities.
Yes, there are specialised lenses designed for astigmatism, known as toric lenses. These lenses help correct the distortion in vision caused by irregular curvature of the cornea. We can help you find the right fit.
Caring for your contact lenses is straightforward. Always wash your hands before handling lenses, store them in the recommended solution, and follow the replacement schedule. Proper care ensures your lenses remain safe and comfortable.
Your lenses should feel comfortable every time you wear them, if they don’t feel right give us a call and we’ll give you advice or ask you to come in so we can look.
A bit unsure about contact lenses?
Our team will walk you through the different options, explain how each type works, and ensure you feel confident using and caring for them.
If you’re even a little bit curious about trying contact lenses, just ask. We’re always happy to help, answer questions, and explore what might suit you best.
Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition in which the normally round cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) gradually becomes thinner and bulges into a cone-like shape. This irregular shape prevents light from focusing properly on the retina, leading to blurred and distorted vision. It often begins in the teenage years or early twenties and can progress for 10–20 years before stabilising.
Common symptoms include increasing short-sightedness, irregular astigmatism, glare, halos around lights, ghosting of images, and frequent changes in glasses prescriptions. In the early stages, vision can often be improved with spectacles. As the condition progresses, however, standard glasses may no longer provide clear vision.
Specialist contact lenses are usually the most effective way to manage keratoconus. Options include rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses, hybrid lenses, and scleral lenses, all designed to create a smooth optical surface over the cornea. For some patients, corneal collagen cross-linking can help slow or stop progression by strengthening the corneal tissue.
Early diagnosis and regular monitoring are essential. At our practice, we use advanced imaging technology to detect keratoconus and tailor a personalised management plan to help you achieve the clearest, most comfortable vision possible.
Kate is an expert in specialist contact lens fitting (when she’s not at Parish Opticians she’s running the contact lens clinic at UHW), so she’s the perfect person to answer your questions.
