Optical Health and Wearing Contact Lenses
What is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a common vision problem that is caused when the front surface of the eye, (called the cornea), is not perfectly rounded, which leads to blurred vision. Instead of having equal curvatures, astigmatic eyes have several different curvatures. As a result, the light is focused differently in the eye and this is what causes the blurring.
Can I wear soft contact lenses if I have astigmatism?
If you were under the impression that you couldn’t wear contact lenses because your eyes are astigmatic, you can! There are soft Toric daily contact lenses, two-weekly contact lenses and monthly contact lenses available that are made especially for people with astigmatism. Contact your optometrist to get a prescription to correct your astigmatism and any other vision problem.
If my 2-week disposable contact lenses are in good condition after 2 weeks, can I continue to wear the same pair?
It is very important to adhere to the wearing schedule prescribed by your Optometrist, and recommended by the manufacturer. Each lens is manufactured to last a certain length of time and if you go past that time, or do not follow a proper cleaning regimen, you are jeopardising the health of your eyes
I wear contact lenses and in order for me to read I have to wear reading glasses over them. Are there any other alternatives so that I don't have to wear glasses at all?
Yes, multifocal contact lenses are readily available. You should see your Optometrist and explain your problem. He will fit you with the relevant multifocal contact lens and provide you with a prescription which you can send to Optics2U so that you save money when ordering your contact lenses.
Can I change to a different contact lens?
Yes, but you need to get your Optometrist to refit you with the contact lens brand you require. Optics2U offer a wide selection of some of the cheapest contact lenses online.
I have a prescription from an “own brand” contact lens supplier. Can I get these from Optics2U?
We supply the branded equivalent of “own brands” e.g. Specsavers, Boots, Vision Express etc. Many opticians' own branded contact lenses are simply re-packaged versions of named brand contact lenses. To find the lenses you need, just use the tables in our FAQ's to see which of our cheap contact lenses are the same as your optician's own brand of contact lenses.
(Note: Our Optometrist will need to see a copy of your contact lens prescription in order to verify that we supplying the correct branded equivalent).
Can I use my contact lenses when I am swimming?
We recommend that you don't wear your contact lenses whilst swimming because there are bacteria in the water that can adhere to your lenses and cause infections. If you do swim with your lenses, make sure you wear goggles over them and disinfect the lenses shortly after completing your swim.
Can I share my contact lenses with someone else?
NO. Never wear someone else's contact lenses or let anyone else wear yours. Sharing contact lenses can result in the spread of infections that can severely damage your eyes. You should only wear contact lenses prescribed specifically for you by a qualified eye care professional.