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Contact lens beginner tips and tricks

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New to contact lenses? You’re about to upgrade your vision.

Contact lenses give you freedom, sharper peripheral vision and zero frame interference. But like any new routine, there’s a learning curve — especially when it comes to handling and care.

Here’s everything you need to know to get started properly — from prescription basics to avoiding beginner mistakes.

First things first: get a contact lens fitting

Before you order lenses, you need:

  • A contact lens fitting


Even if you already wear glasses, your contact lens prescription will be different. Lenses sit directly on the cornea, so measurements like base curve and diameter are essential for comfort and eye health.

During your fitting, your optician checks:

  • Lens movement

  • Stability

  • Vision clarity

  • Oxygen flow to the eye


Always order exactly what you’ve been prescribed.

How do I start wearing contact lenses for the first time?

Start simple. 

Choose your wearing pattern

Your lifestyle decides this.

Daily disposable lenses

  • Fresh pair every day

  • No cleaning required

  • Most hygienic option

  • Ideal for sport and occasional wear


Two-weekly contacts or monthly lenses

  • More cost-effective

  • Require cleaning and storage

  • Best for consistent wearers


Extended wear lenses

  • Designed for overnight use

  • Only wear as prescribed

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The key: stick to the manufacturer’s recommended wearing schedule. Overwearing lenses reduces oxygen reaching the cornea and increases infection risk.

How to read your prescription

When ordering lenses for myopia (short-sightedness) or hyperopia (long-sightedness), you’ll enter:
  • Power (SPH) – Your vision correction strength
  • Base Curve (BC) – Matches your corneal shape
  • Diameter (DIA) – Determines lens width

If you have astigmatism, you’ll need toric lenses and additional values:

  • Cylinder (CYL) – Extra correction
  • Axis – Orientation of correction (0–180°)

If you have presbyopia, multifocal lenses include:

  • Addition (ADD) – Near vision correction
  • Dominant eye (D) – For lens balancing

Understanding these values reduces ordering errors and ensures clear, stable vision.
Putting in and taking out your lenses

Putting in contacts feels awkward at first. That’s normal.

Follow this method:

  1. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly

  2. Place the lens on your index finger

  3. Hold your upper lid up and lower lid down

  4. Place the lens directly onto the iris

  5. Blink gently to centre it

If the lens feels uncomfortable, take out your contact lenses, rinse (if reusable), and try again.

Struggling? Take a break. Use lubricating eye drops. Never force it.

What mistakes should new contact lens wearers avoid?

This is where most problems happen.

Avoid:

  • Extending wearing time
  • Skipping cleaning steps

Sleeping in standard lenses reduces oxygen permeability (Dk/t) and can lead to dry eyes or infection. Your cornea needs oxygen. Lenses that block it increase risk.
Daily life with contact lenses

Once you’re confident, lenses feel effortless. 

You’ll notice: 

  • Wider field of vision 

  • No slipping frames 

  • Clearer sport performance 

  • Freedom in all weather 


But remember: 

  • Remove lenses before water exposure 

  • Use rewetting drops if needed 

  • Replace lenses on schedule 


If your eyes feel irritated, remove lenses immediately.

When should you see an optician?

Book an appointment if you experience:

  • Persistent discomfort
  • Redness
  • Light sensitivity
  • Unusual discharge

Routine eye exams ensure your prescription and lens fit remain accurate.
Try everclear ELITE

everclear ELITE daily lenses are made with silicone hydrogel, offering high oxygen permeability to help keep eyes looking healthy for up to 12 hours.

Benefits include:

  • Ultra-hydrating design

  • Strong moisture retention

  • Built-in UV protection

  • Ideal for dry eye wearers


If comfort is your priority, they’re worth trying.

Ready to get started?

Once your prescription is sorted: 
  1. Choose your wearing pattern 
  2. Enter your prescription details 
  3. Order online in minutes 
Clear vision, no frames. Simple.
Daily life with your lenses

Look at you go! You've nailed the other steps and just need to ease into your new routine. You'll realise in no time that switching from glasses to contact lenses was a fantastic idea, particularly for sporting enthusiasts, as they give you more freedom, clearer vision, and many even have in-built UV protection. Although, water-based activities like swimming and showering with your lenses is a no-no - if you do fancy a paddle or it's time to wash off at the end of the day, always make sure to take them out.


Be it a quick nap or bedtime, you can't sleep with your lenses in either, as this limits the amount of oxygen that can reach your eye, causing dryness and eye infections. If you do make the mistake (hey, we're all human), use some eye drops to provide instant relief. In fact, you'll find that eye drops are your best friend and can swiftly put you out of your discomfort. Whether you've been staring at the computer screen for too long, at a BBQ or out meandering on a windy day, eye drops will soothe those dry, irritated eyes. Unsure of the best technique to use to apply eye drops? Take a peek at our easy-peasy instructions.

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Try everclear ELITE

Exclusive to Vision Direct, everclear ELITE lenses are super-comfy and convenient, with an ultra-hydrating formula to lock in moisture throughout your day. These daily disposable lenses, made with silicone hydrogel material, allow oxygen to pass through to your eyes, so they stay and look healthy for up to 12 hours. Wearers with dry eyes will benefit from the hydrophilic design, formulated to put an end to irritations and stop any itchiness. Plus, UV blocking offers an extra layer of defence against harmful sun rays.

Discover everclear ELITE
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