We fit patients from 12 years old to patients well into their 70’s

Children are fitted under parental supervision and initially on a part time basis. They need to be aware of the risks as well as the huge benefits of lens wear and parents need to be fully  involved and responsible for ensuring compliance with respect to lens wear.

Many of our older patients have enjoyed the freedom of contacts for years ..and see no reason to stop. Varifocal contacts are now available allowing patients to see in the distance and up close. Pursuits such as golf and tennis have encouraged many patients in their 40s’50’s and 60’s to start wearing them.

Then you should definitely come into us for a consultation as we have the product knowledge  and clinical expertise to find the best fitting contact lens to patients with complex prescriptions.

We don’t supply generic contact lenses with our own brand on the box. We supply the highest quality contact lenses from the world leading manufacturers. Because of this policy , we have access to a larger range of products across different suppliers. We can  offer impartial advice and a range of  lens options not available elsewhere.

Astigmatism is a classification of the shape of the cornea. Instead of being spherical like a soccer ball – it is oblong like a rugby ball. Most people have a small amount of Astigmatism that is easily corrected with a standard contact lens.

Patients with large amounts of Astigmatism require a Toric or Astigmatic Contact Lens. These are availale in ever increasing perameters in Daily , Two Weekly and Monthly options ….as well as custom made lenses for particularly complex prescriptions.

We have fitted long and short sighted patients from +6.00 to -10.00 Sph
… and Astigmatic patients up to a -5.00 Cyl

Contact lens manufactures launch several new products yearly so the advancements in the past few years have been numerous. Vast sums of money are spent in research and development yearly to improve

Material and breathability of the lens
Comfort and design and shape
Extent and range of the power

If you are interested in contact lenses , feel free to contact the practice and we can advise you better , especially if you gave up on contacts in the past because of :

Dryness – Had to take lenses out after few hours
Comfort – lens moving on cornea too much
Prescription Suitability

Yes , it is possible.

For years patients have used ‘Monovision ‘ , where one eye is corrected for distance and the other for near. Many patients find this satisfactory  , however , it is not ideal as it can reduce your depth perception and so is not recommended for night driving.

Varifocal or Multifocal contacts are the latest lenses available. They offer variable levels of vision at reading , computer and distance – just like your varifocal spectacles.

They are soft and comfortable and are available in a daily and monthly option.

Existing lens wearers corrected for distance no longer need to use reading glasses over their contacts – just upgrade to a multifocal or varifocal lens.

Contact lenses are classified as medical device and that is why, by law , must be fitted by a qualified optician and you need a prescription to buy them. All contact lens prescriptions in Ireland are valid for 1 year after which you must have a contact lens check up.
If you follow the advice and wearing schedule from your optician and attend for at least a yearly check up you will enjoy hassle free contact lens wear.

However if you are non-compliant and disregard best practice from your optician you will most likely encounter problems.

The following are the most common issues and complications associated with contact lens wear:

• Sleeping In Your Contacts : Falling asleep with your lenses or wearing them in a sauna can cause them to adhere to the cornea. Removing such a lens could damage the cornea and may require a visit to the A&E to have the lens released via irrigation.
• Poor Hygiene :Failure to wash your hands on insertion /removal of your lenses can result in an infection.
• Over wearing your lenses for a longer period than they are designed ( ie wearing the same monthly lens for two months ) can cause corneal erosion and/or oedema , conjunctival redness and infection.
• Swimming in your contacts can increase your risk of infection and lens discomfort as chlorine and water born bacteria absorb into the lens and can irritate and infect the eye.
• Infection from Lens Containers. For monthly contact lens wearers it is best practice recommends that you dispose of your lens container every 30 days.
• Using out of date solutions : Contact lens solutions contain preservatives and disinfectants and wetting agents to clean and maintain the hygiene and moisture of the lens. After 30 days of opening the solutions the efficacy of these preservatives and disinfecting properties diminishes and so reduces the solutions ability to clean your lenses adequately . This leaves your eyes open to infection.
• Failure to attend Contact Lens Check Ups. You may think your vision and clenses are ok . howevere only by attending a contact lens check can yu really discover if the vision is adequate , the fit is exact and that the lens is not harming your eyes.
• Long Fingernails : It is important to keep you nails short enough to safely insert and remove your lenses – otherwise you risk a corneal abrasion and have to cease contact lens wear until it heals adequately