Frequently asked questions

Many contact lens specialists encourage lens wear from the age of 11–14, and lenses can then be worn for a lifetime. The real issue is not age but whether a young person is responsible enough to wear and look after lenses properly.

When hydrated and placed on the cornea, contact lenses act as a refractive medium that focuses light rays on the retina. They have the same power as your glasses and bend light in the same way as spectacle lenses.

Your contact lens specialist will tell you how many hours a day you can wear your lenses. There is no simple answer: with contact lenses there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Your specialist will talk to you and, based on your lifestyle and needs, recommend a wearing and replacement schedule made for you. If you think you could, or would like to, wear your lenses for longer, talk to your specialist.

If you are looking for coloured lenses to enhance or change the colour of your eyes, ask your contact lens specialist to fit coloured contact lenses. Like other lenses, they correct short- or long-sightedness, but not other conditions such as astigmatism or presbyopia. They are also available for cosmetic, non-corrective use.

Contact lenses are ideal for sport and an active lifestyle: you see clearly without glasses fogging up, falling off or breaking. And unlike glasses, you can wear them with ski goggles or sunglasses. Contact lenses also give you excellent peripheral vision: nothing gets in the way when you look around to follow the action.

Water environments such as swimming pools and the sea are full of bacteria and microorganisms, so the short answer is no. Swimming with contact lenses puts your eyes at greater risk of infection.

Most lens wearers fall asleep with their lenses in at some point. Many lenses are not designed for overnight wear, so you may wake up with very dry eyes and slightly blurry vision. Never try to force the lenses out: they may have stuck to the eye because tear production naturally drops at night. Use rewetting drops and wait a few minutes until the lenses move normally when you blink; they should then be easier to remove.

No. Contact lenses must never be stored or rinsed in tap water. Tap water contains microorganisms that can stick to the lenses and cause eye infections which, if untreated, can lead to permanent loss of vision. Always use contact lens solution. For the same reason, tap water should never come into contact with your lens case, which should always be cleaned with lens solution.

Of course you can, but to minimise discomfort and keep your make-up looking good we recommend these simple tips:

• Put your lenses in before applying make-up and, if possible, use oil-free and fragrance-free cosmetics
• Replace your cosmetics often: mascara every 3 months, eyeliner every month and eyeshadow every 6 months
• Use waterproof mascara and eyeliner so your make-up doesn’t smudge or flake. Avoid lash-lengthening fibres, which can cause irritation if they get under the lenses

No. The expiry date must be respected so that the product meets its quality specifications for that period.

Of course! You can switch between glasses and contact lenses depending on your activities, needs and preferences. You can also wear contact lenses every day, all day long. It’s up to you.

It is physically impossible for a lens to end up ‘behind’ the eye. A membrane covers the eye and connects it to the inside of the eyelid, preventing anything – including contact lenses – from getting behind it.

It is highly unlikely with soft lenses. When fitted correctly, contact lenses stay in place. Even in the rare case that a lens moves, it stays on the eye and can be put back in position.

No, contact lenses can be removed easily by following the instructions. All it takes is a little patience and practice.

Contact lenses do not scratch the eye because they are very soft. Damaged or chipped lenses, however, can irritate the eyes. Be careful not to scratch your eye with your nails when putting lenses in or taking them out. Also, if a speck of dust or dirt gets into the eye or under the lens, it can irritate or scratch the eye. If you feel discomfort or don’t see well while wearing lenses, take them out immediately and call your optician.

Problems can occur when wearing contact lenses, but they are very rarely serious. Infections happen when lenses are not disinfected properly. If you follow your optician’s advice on hygiene and on how to wear your lenses, an infection is very unlikely.