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Your Guide to Contact Lenses

Everything you need to know about getting started with contact lenses, caring for your contact lenses, and choosing the right ones

Can I wear contact lenses?

Contact lenses open up a world of possibilities. Almost everyone can wear contact lenses and enjoy the benefits that they offer. From playing sports and being active, to looking your best when you’re heading out. Contact lenses allow you to get on with whatever it is you love doing, providing comfort, clarity and freedom.

The benefits of contact lenses:

  • Contact lenses move with your eyes, allowing a natural field of view, with no frames to obstruct your vision, greatly reducing distortions.
  • They are excellent for sports and other physical activities.
  • They don’t fog up or get splattered by mud or rain.
  • They may offer better, more natural sight than glasses.
  • Many people prefer how they look with contacts.
We're here to help. If you're looking to get started with contact lenses, simply book in for a comprehensive eye test at your nearest Bailey Nelson store.

Which ones are right for me?

Choosing the right contact lenses

We have a wide selection of contact lenses to choose from including dailies, monthlies, fortnightly, extended wear and progressive lenses. Our expert optometrists will help you to work out which are the best contact lenses for your needs.

We also have a broad variety of brands to choose from the world’s leading contact lens manufacturers including Johnson & Johnson, Alcon, CooperVision and Bausch & Lomb which supply well known contact lens brands: Acuvue, Ciba Vision, MyDay and PureVision2.

We've also got our own range of Bailey Nelson contact lenses for all your needs. Our contact lenses are comfortable, breathable, affordable and made from a super-moist material that resists drying for lasting hydration and comfort.

Types of Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are usually categorised by length of wear.

Daily Contact Lenses

Daily disposable contacts lenses are one of the most convenient types of lenses. They are inserted on the eye every morning and thrown away every night, so you don’t need care solutions or to clean them. They're also usually preferred by people with sensitive eyes or sufferers from allergies and other eye conditions.

One time use is an easy care routine for many first-time wearers or people with active lifestyles.

Fortnightly Contact Lenses

Fortnightly disposable contact lenses are great value. These contacts are intended to be worn for two weeks, taking them out each night. Simply clean daily and store in lens solution overnight to maintain safety and cleanliness. They only require simple cleaning and storage in lens solution overnight to maintain safety and cleanliness.

Monthly Contact Lenses

These contacts are intended to be worn for one month. Because you’ll have these longer, they require some amount of responsibility to keep them clean. The lenses need storing and cleaning in lens solution overnight which allows you to keep them for an extended period of time. As you’ll need fewer lenses, monthly contact lenses tend to be great value.

Coloured Contact Lenses

Wearing coloured contact lenses allows you to enhance the colour of your eyes or change them entirely. They are available with prescription or without for purely cosmetic purposes. If you want to try coloured contact lenses, speak to your local store. Remember you should never share your contact lenses with anyone else, regardless of if they have been cleaned. Also, when buying coloured contact lenses, ensure you purchase them from a trustworthy brand and optometrist and not a party store.

Your Prescription

The type of contact lenses you wear may also be determined by your prescription. Simply put, it's usually whether or not you have an astigmatism or require multifocal lenses.


Toric Contact Lenses

Astigmatism is a common condition which impacts the shape of the eye causing blurring vision. Toric contact lenses are specially designed to fit the shape of astigmatic eyes and are available as daily or monthly contact lenses.


Progressive Contact Lenses

Presbyopia makes it more difficult to see near objects as we get older. Those who enjoy wearing contact lenses and avoid the need to wear reading glasses on top of their contacts can now wear progressive contact lenses. Progressive contact lenses are designed for presbyopia and allow you to switch between seeing close-up and far away.

How to get contact lenses

Get contact lenses in 3 easy steps

Step 1: Expert consultation

Your contact lens prescription will not be the same as your glasses prescription, so you’ll need to have a separate contact lens assessment to determine what kind of prescription you’d need. Our optometrists will assess your vision and help you find the perfect contact lens to suit you and your lifestyle.

Step 2: Trial plus follow up 

Trying contacts for the first time can be a little daunting that’s why we offer a trial to make sure you get the right fit for you. Along with the trial you’ll have follow up consultations to make sure your transition to contacts is simple and easy.

Step 3: Order new contacts

When you’re happy with your contacts you can place your order online. This is the easiest and most convenient way to purchase contacts, providing the best value and ensuring you’ll always have them on hand.

Step by step guide

Contact lenses ins and outs

Wearing contacts can be tricky at first, so we’ve created a step by step guide to help you get comfortable with your contacts.

Putting them in

Step 1. Wash your hands

First up, make sure your hands are clean and dry. Wash them with a non-moisturising hand soap and dry your hands with a lint-free towel.

Step 2. Scoop the lens

Open your lens pack and scoop your lens out using the tip of your index finger.

Step 3. Check the lens

Check the lens, make sure it looks ok. It should be in a bowl shape, if it has a lip it means it’s inside out. If it has a tear or bits of debris or looks damaged in anyway throw it away and choose another lens.

Step 4. Pull down your eyelid

The easiest way to insert your lens is to place it on the index finger of your dominant hand and use your free hand to pull the top of the eyelid up - this helps stop your blinking reaction.

Step 5. Bring the lens to your eye

Pull your bottom eyelid down and bring the lens towards the center of your eye.

Step 6. Place it, don't press it

Don’t press it onto your eye – it will go into place on its own (there’s no need to touch your eye).

Step 7. Move your eyes

When the lens is in place move your eyes from side to side and then close them both. This will release any air bubbles trapped under the lens and makes sure it’s in the right position.

Step 8. Repeat on the other eye

Too easy!

Taking them out

1. Before you remove your contacts make sure you wash and dry your hands.

2. Look straight ahead into the mirror. Tilt your head down slightly and hold your upper and lower eyelids out of the way, just like you did when you put your contacts in.

3. Place your index finger of your dominant hand on the contact lens and slide the lens down to the lower white part of your eye. Then gently squeeze the lens between your thumb and index finger to take it out.

4. Now repeat on the other eye and you’ve just taken your contacts out. Great job!

Contact Lens Fitting

Whether you’re just getting started with contacts or you’ve worn them for years, it’s good to know what to expect at a contact lens fitting. It’s different to an eye test, which you would have already done. It’s another important step towards making sure your contacts are the perfect fit for you.


What do I need to know?

The first thing you’ll do is have a chat with your Bailey Nelson Optometrist. This will help decide what type of lens suits you. What activities do you do? How often do you want to wear contacts? You’ll discuss everything and anything to make sure you end up with contacts that fit you and your lifestyle. It could be daily fortnightly or monthly lenses, there are many types to choose from.

Next the Optometrist will look into your eyes. They’ll take a really good look.

They’ll check the surface and all around it to make sure you can wear contact lenses safely, securely, and comfortably.

You’ll try on your select lenses, checking that you can see clearly and that they fit perfectly.

When you are both happy with your choice our friendly in-store team will talk you through the ins and outs of contact lenses, you can relax knowing your eyes are in good hands.

If you currently wear contacts, you’ll need to wear them to your appointment, unless they are causing discomfort or irritation.

Contacts give you so much freedom and flexibility to get on with the things you love. A contact fitting will ensure you make the most of wearing contacts.

Remember to bring your Medicare or Private Health Fund to make on the spot claims.

When it comes to contacts, we’ve got you covered!

Contact Lens Comfort

To ensure your contacts are comfortable follow our tips.

  • Check the prescription before you open the pack.
  • Be careful when handling your contact lenses, they are fragile and can tear easily if they come in contact with sharp nails.
  • Make sure your hands have been washed and are clean and dry before touching your lenses or eyes.
  • Never use tap water or anything other than contact lens solution to clean your lenses. 
  • Store fortnightly or monthly lenses  in a clean lens case with fresh solution overnight.
  • Never use old contact lens solution.
  • Make sure you regularly clean your contact lens case. 
  • Daily disposable lenses are for 1 day use only. Always discard them after wear. 
  • Don’t wear your lenses for longer than the recommended time. 
  • Apply your eye make-up after you have inserted your contact lenses.
  • Stop wearing your lenses if your eyes become red or sore.
  • Don’t sleep in your contact lenses unless advised that it is safe to do so by your Optometrist.
  • Never share your contact lenses with someone else. 
  • Always check with your Optometrist if using eye drops with your contact lenses.
  • Return to all your aftercare visits as recommended by your Bailey Nelson Optometrist.

Ordering contact lenses online

It’s easy to order online.

Contacts are even more convenient when you order them online. Placing an order is simple and easy and will ensure you always have refills handy.

1. Choose your lenses. 

Select your preferred lenses from our range of brands,  types and price. We can  help you with your selection at any time. 

2. Enter your details. 

Simply fill in your details and delivery address. 

3. Choose your payment  method. 

We have various secure  payment options to choose from. Once you’ve  completed your order you’ll  receive a confirmation  email with the full details  of your purchase including  information on making a  claim with your health fund.

Pay for contact lenses with Health Fund 

Buying contact lenses in store allows you to claim instantly with your Health Fund via HiCaps. If you choose to buy online you will need to claim directly with your Health Fund using the tax invoice email we will send to you. 

Contact concerns

If your contacts are causing any discomfort or you have any of the following symptoms - redness, pain, light sensitivity, discharge or vision loss contact us immediately.

Otherwise you can always visit our friendly team in-store who will help you with any contact lens questions or concerns.

Protecting the environment

Recycling contact lenses

Like you, we at Bailey Nelson want to make sure we’re doing what we can to protect the environment. Contact lens boxes, the plastic blister packaging and solution bottles can all be recycled. The foil lids and contact lenses themselves cannot be recycled, although some local authorities do offer special services. Remember to never throw contact lenses away down the sink or the toilet as they can cause pollution.