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My lens life.

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My lens assessment.

Preparing for your contact lens journey.

Congratulations on starting your contact lens journey. This is your first step to enjoying the freedom of vision correction that can adapt to your lifestyle.

You’ve made a great choice.

By starting your contact lens journey you’re joining over six million people in the UK who currently wear contact lenses1. And we know this is a great choice as 81% of them say that wearing contact lenses and glasses give them the best of both worlds when it comes to vision correction2.

Start of a journey.

Your contact lens journey starts here and together with your optician, My Lens Life will be with you every step of the way. We know that starting to wear contact lenses for the first time may create questions so this website will help give you the key information you need to know about starting your contact lens journey.

The My Lens Life journey has three easy steps:

  • Step 1
    Initial contact lens assessment appointment lasting 30 minutes to one hour.
  • Step 2
    Contact lens trial lasting around a week with a follow-up appointment at the end.
  • Step 3
    Start enjoying your lens life! Return to your optician for an aftercare check-up within the timeframe indicated by your optician.

1. CVI data on file 2019, UK population: https://www.populationpyramid.net/united-kingdom/2018/ and Vision Needs Monitor standard report 2018.
2. Draper M et al. Mixed-methods study of behaviours & attitudes to vision correction of spectacle & contact lens wearers. BCLA 2019 poster presentation.Fitting and appointment times can vary depending on your prescription, wearing plans and ocular needs

Your contact lens journey starts with your contact lens assessment.

A good starting point is to have an up to date spectacle prescription. With an eye examination your optician can check your vision, get an up to date prescription, and see how healthy your eyes are. Let’s explain what will happen at your assessment.

How much time to allow.

An average contact lens assessment will take between 30 - 60 minutes.

What happens during your contact lens assessment.

The assessment is a chance for the optician to find out what lenses best suit your lifestyle and to discuss the choice of lenses, prices and caring for your lenses. In most cases your optician will trial a lens on your eye which fits your prescription. In the unlikely case where your prescription lens is not in stock in the practice, you’ll be invited back, at your convenience.

How to apply and remove your lenses.

The second part of your assessment will be spending time learning how to apply and remove your contact lenses. This may be with your optician or with a specialised contact lens trained expert.

At first this may seem complicated but don’t worry, it’s normal if it takes some time. This is your opportunity to ask as many questions as possible to ensure you feel confident. You’ll be encouraged to take your time and relax. It can feel frustrating not to feel like an expert first time but this is very normal and be reassured you’ll find a way which works best for you.

Trying the lenses out.

After the contact lens assessment, if your lenses are in stock, you’ll be given some trial lenses to cover approximately a one-week period, depending on timings of the trial follow-up appointment. Your follow-up appointment will be agreed with your optician before you leave and will depend on your individual needs, your lens type and wearing time expectations.

What you’ll take home with you.

The second step of My Lens Life starts when you’re ready to take your trial lenses home with you. You’ll be given a lens life trial pack which will provide everything you need during your trial. This will include the following;

  • A trial pack storage bag.
  • A ‘lens trial handling guide’ with step-by-step reminders on how to apply and remove your lenses, plus hints and tips.
  • Complementary items to welcome you on your lens life journey.

Your follow-up trial appointment.

Step three of My Lens Life starts after your trial finishes. You’ll be invited back to talk through your trial experience during a follow-up appointment. This is also an opportunity to check the fit of the lenses, your vision and see if any minor adjustments are needed to optimise your vision performance, to see whether the lens type meets your needs for comfort and handling, and finally to check the health of your eyes.

It’s important for your optician to ensure you feel confident that you are ready to become an ongoing contact lens wearer. They’ll talk through any questions and concerns you had during your trial and discuss solutions if needed. They may also offer alternative lenses if they feel these would better suit your eyes.

Don’t worry, you’ll have all the support you need during your initial contact lens trial.

Taking on the myths.

People’s understanding of contact lenses are often based on myths so let’s try to address some of these for you now.

  1. Contacts lenses might be uncomfortable.
    With today’s soft contact lenses, you can look forward to long-lasting comfort. Some people say the first time contact lenses are placed on the eye they feel like a small drop of water, nothing more. Within minutes you may barely notice them although for some people it may take a few days to get used to them. Afterwards the vast majority of wearers go on to enjoy comfort through the day.
  2. I think contact lenses will be hard to put in and take out.
    Don’t worry. Your optician will make sure you’re completely happy with applying and removing your lenses.
  3. I play sports, so I don’t think I can wear contact lenses.
    Contact lenses are actually ideal for many sports3. Unlike spectacles, they can’t break or fall off.
  4. Contact lenses might slip behind my eye.
    This is a common concern, but it’s actually physically impossible for a contact lens to get lost behind your eye.
  5. I think contact lenses will be expensive.
    There are lots of options available with lenses to suit all lifestyles and budgets.

3. Contact lenses are not suitable for water based sports. Please check with you eye care practitioner.

  • Online help.
    This website has trusted resources you can reference for your contact lens journey. If you need a reminder on applying and removing your lenses, you’ll find additional videos plus answers to your questions and some hints and tips too.
  • Telephone help.
    Please call your practice directly if you would like to talk to a member of staff about your trial or any concerns you might have.
  • Face-to-face help.
    Our local stores are open six or seven days a week so don’t hesitate to call in if you need a chat.

We look forward to you starting your lens life journey and we’re here to help you every step of the way.

My lens trial.

The second step of your contact lens journey.

What type of contact lens do you have?

Daily Disposables

Daily Disposables →

Fresh, new contact lenses every day.
 Monthly Reusables

Monthly Reusables →

Wear, clean, store and re-use for up to one month.

Welcome to your lens life.

The final step on your contact lens journey.

Welcome to the world of contact lenses.
Like millions of others, you’ve made a great choice.

I have had so many compliments from friends telling me that I look so much younger while wearing contact lenses. At least one of my friends and one work colleague, after seeing how good I looked wearing lenses, went on to get their own.1

1 CVI data on file 2019, Verve Trial Research, 558 participants, United Kingdom, online quantitative survey and online qualitative pop-up community.

My Lens Life is with you every step of the way on your contact lens journey.

Continuing your journey.

Your contact lens-wearing journey continues from here and it’s important that you continue to feel confident as your lens usage increases so that you fully enjoy your wearing experience.

This includes being confident on applying and removing your lenses and knowing where to go for any extra help. Together with your optician, My Lens Life will be with you every step of the way.

Choice of lenses.

As a new lens wearer you might experience symptoms such as blurry vision, dryness or irritation a few weeks into wearing lenses more regularly, which you didn’t experience during your trial. This is not unusual – although if it continues make an appointment to see your optician.

Your optician may be able to trial you with a different contact lens. There‘s a wide range of lenses available to suit every wearer’s personal eye needs and your optician will be able to provide you with excellent advice on choosing a different lens to help manage any symptoms.

What happens next?

Now’s the time to really start enjoying the freedom that wearing contact lenses gives you. So, over the next few weeks and months, your optician will be in touch regularly to give you encouragement and help through the first year of your contact lens journey.

After around a year of wearing contact lenses, or within the recommended time frame, your optician will get in touch with you to arrange a follow-up contact lens aftercare appointment. This is a great opportunity for the optician to check your vision is clear, eyes are healthy and that you’re still enjoying wearing contact lenses.

It’s also a chance for you to understand any upgrades and offers that are available to you especially if you have had any lifestyle changes within the year.

Six things you might experience over the first few months of wearing your contact lenses.

  1. Application and removal – Is getting better and easier but may still be tricky at time which is normal. For tips and hints or a reminder of how to do it, watch the videos in our library.
  2. Dryness - during the day or in the evening your eyes may feel dry or gritty. Try some comfort drops especially before removing your lenses. If the feeling persists then let your optician know as maybe other lens types and materials are more suitable for you.
  3. Tired eyes - when wearing your lenses your vision may be different than your glasses and make your eyes feel tired. If this persists then let your optician know as other lens types or power maybe be more suitable.
  4. Blurry, unclear vision sometimes or often – vision can vary with the type of lenses and material and more suitable lenses may be available to you, so please let your optician know and try other options. Or you might simply need a slight change to the contact lens prescription.
  5. Aware of your lenses – it may be that mostly you are not aware of your lenses or you may be aware of them often. If you are aware of your lenses and it’s not comfortable then let your optician know as other lenses may be more suitable for you.
  6. Wearing your lenses more and less than planned – your lifestyle may have changed and you want to wear your lenses more but don’t have enough or you are building up a stock of lenses and you don’t need as many. Talk to your optician to adjust your supply.

Your aftercare check-up

What will happen at my check-up?

Your contact lens aftercare will take about 20 minutes and it is an important part of your contact lens journey. It may be longer if your optician would like to see you for a full eye examination at that time too, your optician will evaluate:

  1. Your experience and satisfaction with your lenses including comfort.
  2. Lens suitability to your lifestyle and discuss options available.
  3. The vision with your lenses.
  4. The lens fit and behaviour on your eye.
  5. Your eye surface, tear film and the overall health of your eyes.
  6. Possible outcomes of your check-up could be:
    • No change (continue with wear as now)
    • Change lens type
    • Change lens prescription.

What do I need to bring?

You should wear your contact lenses to, and at least two hours prior to this appointment and bring your glasses with you (and contact lens storage case if wearing reusable lenses).

Time to ask questions

Your contact lens aftercare check-up is a great opportunity to ask questions to your optician. We have listed a few commonly asked questions below:

  1. Are there any new technology upgrades?
  2. Is it normal to get tired eyes after several hours of wear?
  3. Am I handling my contact lenses correctly or do I need a reminder on application, removal and contact lens disinfection?
  4. I am stocking up on too many lenses, can I take a payment holiday?
  5. I am wearing my lenses for more hours than when I first started, are my current lenses still suitable for me?
  6. I would like to know more about the monthly subscription package.

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