A Brief History

In the 1960s many patients were fitted with hard plastic contact lenses. In the 1970s gas permeable hard lenses that let more oxygen through to the cornea were introduced.

Then in the 1980s patients began to wear long term soft contact lenses. These lenses gather a build up of deposits even with regular cleaning.

Both types of these lenses are still fitted and worn successfully today.

In the 1990s disposable lenses arrived and they improved the overall hygiene of wearing contact lenses. They also allowed people to trial contact lenses first. The evolution still continues with the new "continuous wear" lenses.

Getting Started.

To become a successful contact lens wearer you first need to have an eye examination. The health of your eyes will be assessed and the most appropiate contact lens design will be determined.

Often on the same day you will be taught how to handle your trial disposable contact lenses and once you are proficient you can leave wearing your new contact lenses. Most people learn very quickly.

You will then be booked in for a scheduled series of appointments. Please ask to find out how many appointments you will need.

Wearing contact lenses increases the risk of a sight threatening eye infection.
So to maintain healthy eyes regular visits are very important.

Most people who trial contact lenses find them much better than expected and go on to be successful contact lens wearers. Contact lenses often give improved all round vision. They can also improve your lifestyle, ideal for sport and rainy days.

Continuous Wear for up to 30 Days

"Continuous wear" lenses are a revolutionary new design and material that lets through six times more oxygen than previous lenses. It therefore lets enough oxygen through to the cornea to allow overnight wear. There is an increased risk of sight threatening eye infection sleeping in lenses so the follow up visits are very important.

These lenses perform better in dry conditions compared to the non continuous wear lenses

Continuous wear for up to 30 days is now possible. Please see below for the cost.

Other Contact Lenses

Short Sighted and long-sighted patients are often suitable for the conventional disposable lens. They are soft because they contain water and when fitted correctly they usually give comfort and good vision. There are disposable lenses designed to last for different periods from just one day to three months, taken out each night. One month disposables are the most common.

Patients with significant astigmatism need to have a weighted disposable lens, thicker at the bottom so it will not rotate in the eye. They also give good comfort.

Presbyopic patients (over 45 years old) may find contact lenses give great distance vision but poor reading vision. Mono-vision, where one eye is set for distance and the other for reading can overcome this. There are also bifocal disposable lenses available. With practice over 50% of patients adjust and wear contact lenses in their senior years.

Patients wanting to change their eye colour can trial different coloured lenses in our room. Some lenses can enhance your natural eye colour while other lenses can completely change your eye colour.

The Cost

The initial cost is for all the visits combined and includes a pair of trial disposable contact lenses and a starter kit of solution.

For Continuous Wear the initial cost is $315 for new contact lens wearers and $275 for existing contact lens wearers. This includes an eye health examination, trial lenses, teaching if needed and followup appointments needed.

For Non Continuous Wear the initial cost is $275 for new contact lens wearers. This includes an eye health examination, trial lenses, teaching and followup appointments. For existing contact lens wearers the cost is $75 ($55 for students) with followup visits if needed at $40 per visit.

When the trial disposable contact lenses wear out after the recommended number of wears you will need to buy replacement packs of lenses. Packs usually contain 3 or 6 months lenses and range from $180 for 3 months supply of the continuous wear lenses and start from $110 for 3 months supply of the non continuous wear lenses.

Contact lens solution can be bought in "value packs" and we have a Contact Lens Solution Savers Card. On average it costs $30-$35 for 3 months supply of solution for the non continuous wearer. Continuous wear wearers need very little solution.

The costs reduces when you who only wear the lenses ocassionally. Also don't forget to bring your Fly Buys card.

Both Peter L. and Peter S. attend New Zealand Association of Optometrists conferences and New Zealand Cornea and Contact Lens Society conferences where possible.

To make an appointment to trial contact lenses please phone Dunedin 477-0725 or Mosgiel 489-2013 (An examination fee will apply). If you need further information by email please click on our Contact Us page