Contact Lenses: A UK Guide

Types of contact lens

The College of Optometrists and NHS Wales describe these main options:

• Soft lenses mould to the shape of your eye. Most lenses fitted in the UK are soft, and they come as single-use daily, fortnightly or monthly lenses
• Rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses are firmer and sit close to the eye. They usually last one to two years but take longer to get used to
• Toric lenses correct astigmatism, in both soft and rigid designs
• Multifocal options help with close-up focusing from your forties: bifocal or varifocal lenses, monovision (one eye set for distance and one for near), or distance lenses with reading glasses over the top
• Orthokeratology lenses are rigid lenses worn overnight that temporarily correct short sight
• Coloured and novelty lenses still carry an infection risk, even with no prescription, so they should be fitted by a professional

• Astigmatism
• Presbyopia
• Short-sightedness

Getting fitted

A contact lens fitting is separate from a standard eye test. The optometrist or contact lens optician checks that the lenses suit your eyes, shows you how to put them in and take them out, and explains how to clean and store them. You should be able to handle your lenses safely before you take them home. Many high street opticians, including Boots Opticians, Specsavers and Vision Express, offer fittings, as do independent practices.

• Contact lens fitting
• Contact lens eye test

Safe wear: the rules that matter most

Infections linked to contact lenses can be serious. The College of Optometrists and NHS Wales advise:

• Wash and dry your hands before touching your eyes or lenses
• Never rinse or store lenses in tap water, and avoid showering in them
• Do not swim in lenses. Prescription swimming goggles are a safer way to see clearly in the water
• Take your lenses out before bed. Sleeping in them raises the risk of infection, unless your optometrist has fitted lenses for overnight wear
• Throw daily lenses away after each use. Reusable lenses need the cleaning solution your practitioner recommends
• Put lenses in before make-up, and keep eyeliner outside the lash line
• Keep a pair of glasses as a backup

When to take your lenses out and get advice

If your eye becomes red, painful or uncomfortable, or your vision blurs, take your lenses out and contact your optometrist. The College of Optometrists says you should never go to bed with a painful red eye: get advice straight away. If you cannot reach an optician, contact NHS 111.

• Red eye
• Conjunctivitis

Check-ups and your specification

You need regular contact lens check-ups, often called aftercare, to make sure the lenses still suit you and are not harming your eyes. Your practitioner decides how often. Your contact lens specification has an expiry date, and suppliers cannot sell you prescription lenses once it runs out, so book a check before it expires. A contact lens check is not the same as a full eye test, so keep up your routine eye tests too.

• How often to have an eye test

Buying contact lenses online

You can buy lenses from wherever you wish, as long as you have a valid specification. Under the Opticians Act, prescription lenses must be sold by or under the supervision of an optometrist, dispensing optician or doctor, or under their general direction once the seller has your original specification or has checked it with your practitioner. Lenses for children under 16 cannot be sold under general direction. The College of Optometrists recommends buying the same lenses you were fitted with, from a reputable supplier.

Help with the cost

If you qualify for an NHS optical voucher, for example because you are under 16 or have a full HC2 certificate, the NHS says you can use it towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses. Contact lens prices vary by lens type and how often you replace them, so ask your optician for a quote.

• NHS optical vouchers
• Who gets a free NHS eye test