Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Contact lenses are generally safe when prescribed, fitted and cared for correctly. Poor hygiene, sleeping in lenses that are not prescribed for overnight wear, and wearing lenses longer than directed can increase the risk of infection or other eye problems.

Many people find contact lenses comfortable after a short adjustment period. Soft lenses usually feel comfortable quickly, while rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses can take longer to get used to. Ongoing discomfort should be checked by your eye care professional.

Often, yes. Many lenses are intended for daily use, provided your eyes remain healthy and you follow the prescribed wearing and replacement schedule. Your practitioner will advise how many hours to wear them and when to take breaks.

Do not sleep in ordinary daily-wear lenses. Some specialised lenses, including prescribed overnight Ortho-K lenses, are designed for sleeping, but overnight wear carries an increased risk of serious eye infection. Only sleep in lenses if specifically instructed by your eye care professional.

Possibly. Suitability depends on the cause and severity of dryness, your tear film and the lens type. An eye care professional may suggest treatment or a different lens material or design. Do not continue wearing lenses through persistent dryness, redness or pain.

Yes. Toric soft contact lenses, RGP lenses and certain custom designs can correct astigmatism. The most suitable option depends on your prescription, corneal shape and visual needs.

Yes. There is no single age that suits every child. A practitioner will consider the child's eye health, maturity, ability to handle lenses hygienically and the support available from parents or caregivers.

No. Remove contact lenses before swimming, showering and using hot tubs. Water can carry microorganisms that may cause serious eye infections. Prescription swimming goggles may be a safer alternative for water activities. Scleral lenses are the one exception for showering: see “Can I take a shower with my scleral lenses on?”.

Wash and thoroughly dry your hands before handling lenses. For reusable lenses, use only the cleaning and disinfecting products recommended for that lens type, following the product instructions. Use fresh solution, never tap water or saliva, and do not top up old solution. Daily disposable lenses are discarded after one use.

It depends on the prescribed lens type. Some soft lenses are replaced every day, every two weeks or every month; custom and RGP lenses may have different replacement schedules. Replace lenses when instructed or sooner if they are damaged, unsuitable or no longer fit correctly.

No. Daily disposable lenses are designed for a single day of use and must be discarded after removal. Cleaning or storing them does not make them suitable for reuse.

Remove your lenses immediately and do not reinsert them. Contact an eye care professional promptly; seek urgent assessment if you have pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision, discharge or marked redness. These symptoms can indicate a serious problem that needs timely treatment.

Most contact lenses sit on the corneal surface itself. Scleral lenses are larger and wider, resting on the sclera (the white part of the eye). The lens then vaults over the cornea, leaving a fluid-filled chamber between the lens and the surface of the eye. This design helps hydrate the eye and compensates for irregularities in the shape of the corneal surface.

Initially, there may be a sense of awareness with scleral lenses, or “knowing that the lens is there”. It can take some time to acclimate to this feeling, especially if you have never worn a contact lens before. In the long run most patients report that scleral lenses are more comfortable than other types of rigid lenses, to the point where they are hardly noticeable. The design of scleral lenses helps reduce corneal irritation and keeps the eye hydrated and healthy. They are also custom-designed to fit the unique shape of each individual eye, factors that provide for all-day comfort. While some specialty contact lenses are suitable to wear overnight, scleral lenses are not. It is advised to remove them before going to bed each night.

Most patients wear their lenses all day, from the time they wake up until they prepare to go to sleep. Sleeping with the scleral lenses on for the whole night is not recommended, as it may lead to lack of oxygen to the cornea, congestion on the sclera and a red eye. Changing the saline at specific intervals is recommended.

No. Using scleral lenses will minimise dryness and itching to the extent that it will not bother you, and helps to improve ocular health.

Once you are adapted to the lens, it will be comfortable and should not cause any such issues. However, in case of anything unusual, please contact your eye care practitioner.

There will be a drastic and immediate change in headache or strain in case it is related to your eye condition.

No. Scleral lenses attach to the sclera (the white part of the eye) and create suction, so they do not fall out or get displaced during physical activities unless you are actively trying to remove them.

No. There is no dust awareness during outdoor activities, as scleral lenses cover the cornea completely (the coloured, most sensitive part of the eye) without touching it and rest on the sclera (the strong, white part of the eye).

No. The scleral lenses are attached and sealed at the sclera, so there is no likelihood of lens displacement due to water splashing.

No. Any contact or scleral lenses are not recommended while swimming in a pool. Swimming pool water contains chlorine and bacteria that may affect ocular health.

Lenses can be used once in a while for water sports, scuba diving and rock climbing. Extra attention must be paid to hygiene and disinfection after the activity.

For scleral lenses only: yes, but try to avoid it if not necessary. Regular contact of water with your lenses may invite deposition on the lens surface and may affect lens performance.

Yes. Scleral lenses can be used in any weather conditions. They protect the most sensitive cornea from various environmental conditions.

Working in the kitchen, or next to a stove or fire, should not be a major concern.

Yes, on close observation scleral lenses can be identified.

Any contact lens brings with it a risk of eye infections. However, these complications, when they do occur, are almost always a result of poor lens care or lens hygiene, rather than the fault of the lenses themselves. If you follow the lens-care habits recommended by your eye care practitioner you should have no reason for concern.

Scleral lenses cannot break after falling on the floor unless you step on them, or apply extensive pressure to the lens during cleaning.

Eye rubbing is not recommended, as it may cause serious damage, especially when you are wearing any type of rigid lenses. Wearing scleral lenses will, however, reduce the itching sensation and so the urge to rub the eyes, as the lens maintains a tear pool over the cornea, providing a soothing effect.

Yes. Any prescribed eye drop is related to your ocular health, not to lens wear. If you require eye drops for conditions such as glaucoma or allergies, it is recommended that they be instilled at least 20–30 minutes before the lenses are applied, or after the lenses are removed. The eye-drop schedule may vary, so please check with your eye care practitioner.

Yes, but insert the lenses before using make-up or facial products. If these products come into contact with the lens surface, they can disrupt the quality of vision. Make-up products should be water based, not oil based. Certain eye make-up products have no reaction with lens wear; please check with your eye care practitioner.

All of our scleral lenses are customised for each individual eye. You should not have any difficulty during insertion and removal. We allow a great deal of time not only in fitting these lenses but also in instructing patients on proper insertion and removal techniques.

It is not necessary, but wearing zero-power glasses or sunglasses over the lens while driving a two-wheeler will protect the lens surface from dryness and help maintain lens moisture and comfort. In the case of lenticular astigmatism (cylindrical power that cannot be incorporated in the lens surface), a spectacle can be prescribed over the lens to enhance visual quality; in that case, your dependence on spectacles will not be removed.

The aim of prescribing scleral lenses is not to get rid of your spectacles. Scleral lenses reshape the irregular corneal surface by maintaining a saline reservoir over the cornea, and the required power is incorporated in the lens as needed on the day of examination. Any later change in refractive power (which could be after a year or more) can be prescribed as a spectacle over the scleral lens.

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) uses specially designed rigid gas permeable lenses, usually worn during sleep, to temporarily reshape the front surface of the eye (the cornea). The lenses are removed after waking, allowing many patients to see more clearly during the day without glasses or daytime contact lenses.

Ortho-K may be appropriate for carefully selected children when professionally fitted and monitored. However, sleeping in contact lenses increases the risk of corneal infection, which can sometimes threaten vision. Strict hygiene, parental supervision when needed, and regular follow-up visits are essential.

There is no universal starting age. Suitability depends on the child's prescription, corneal health, maturity, hygiene habits and support at home. An eye care professional must assess each child individually.

Studies show that Ortho-K can slow the growth of the eye (axial elongation), which contributes to myopia progression in many children. Results vary, and it cannot guarantee that myopia will stop. Treatment effectiveness must be monitored over time.

No. The change in corneal shape and the resulting clear daytime vision are temporary. If Ortho-K is stopped, the cornea gradually returns towards its previous shape and the need for vision correction typically returns. This is separate from its potential benefit in slowing myopia progression.

Some patients notice clearer vision after the first few nights, while others need several days or weeks for more stable results. The time taken depends on the initial prescription, eye shape and individual response. Vision can fluctuate during the early treatment period.

The lenses may feel noticeable when first inserted, especially while the eyes are open, but significant pain is not expected. If your child experiences persistent pain, redness, light sensitivity or blurred vision, remove the lenses and seek prompt professional advice.

They are generally worn during the prescribed overnight sleep period, commonly around 7 to 8 hours. The exact schedule depends on the lens and the practitioner's instructions. Do not extend wear to compensate for missed treatment without professional advice.

Most patients need regular overnight wear to maintain their daytime vision. Some may follow an individual maintenance schedule advised by their practitioner. Do not change the schedule on your own.

The temporary correction may begin to wear off, so daytime vision may be less clear. Keep backup spectacles available. Resume the prescribed schedule only as advised, and do not double the wearing time.

Often, yes. Because Ortho-K lenses are usually removed in the morning, many patients can take part in daytime sports without wearing contact lenses or spectacles. Appropriate protective eyewear may still be needed for some sports.

Certain Ortho-K designs can correct selected amounts and types of astigmatism. Whether treatment is suitable depends on the prescription and corneal measurements. Your practitioner will advise after a detailed assessment.

Wash and dry hands before handling the lenses. Clean, disinfect and store them using the specific products and steps prescribed for your Ortho-K lens. Never use tap water or saliva. Saline alone does not disinfect lenses, and hydrogen peroxide systems must be fully neutralised before lens insertion.

Follow-up visits are essential to check vision, lens fitting and corneal health. An early review, often after the first night of wear, is commonly arranged, followed by further appointments as advised. Attend all scheduled reviews even if vision seems good.

Remove the lenses immediately and stop lens wear. Seek urgent assessment from an eye care professional, especially if there is pain, light sensitivity, discharge or reduced vision. Do not restart Ortho-K until a practitioner confirms it is safe.