Your Guide to Contact Lens Aftercare

Contact lens aftercare is exactly what it says on the tin… care for after you have been fitted with contact lenses. Or in other words, a check-up.

As you may or may not know, once you have completed your contact lens fitting you will be issued with a contact lens prescription.

Contact lens prescriptions are normally valid for 12-24 months. As your contact lens prescription expiry date approaches it’s time to book in with your optician for your contact lens aftercare appointment.

But my vision is fine with my contact lenses, why do I need to go for a check-up?

Just like a regular eye examination, you need to make sure that you keep up to date with your contact lens aftercare appointments. This is so your optician can make sure that your contact lens prescription is correct for your vision needs and check the health of your eyes. It is only then, after your aftercare appointment, that you will be issued with a new contact lens prescription.

Remember! You need an in-date contact lens prescription to be able to purchase your contact lenses, so your aftercare appointment is essential for you to continue to wear your contacts.

You wouldn’t purchase a new pair of prescription specs with your old glasses prescription…so why would you try to purchase contact lenses with an old prescription.

What is checked when I have my contact lens aftercare appointment?

During your contact lens aftercare appointment your contact lenses will be checked to make sure your vision needs are being met.

Not only this, but it is the ideal time to speak with your optician about anything contact lens related. Whether it is just some advice you require or you would like to discuss a symptom you may have, what better time and person to speak with than your contact lens specialist.

Other checks that are carried out during your contact lens aftercare appointment are such as checking how your lenses fit. You can also show your optician how good you have got at inserting/removing your lenses.

Just to reiterate, your eye examination and your contact lens aftercare appointment are two different check-ups. You will still need to attend your opticians for both. A contact lens prescription can only be issued if you are in date for both your eye tests AND contact lens check-up.

Our handy tip… Why not book both your eye test and contact lens check up at the same time.

We hope we have been able to answer a few of your questions on what contact lens aftercare is. If you want to learn more about contact lens aftercare, why not check out our dedicated contact lens aftercare page below for more information.