An update

• contact lenses should not be worn overnight as they are much more likely to cause problems.
  
• if they are worn overnight, silicone hydrogel lenses are the safest. Here are some problems.
  
• the safest lens is the daily wear rigid lens, not worn at night.
  
• contact lens do's and dont's...an excellent review here
  
• see here for information about contact lenses
  
• See http://www.bcla.org.uk/ or for allergy to contact lens solutions
  
• Some new research concerning contact lens safety, see here.
  
• if you have a sore eye you must remove your lens immediately. If your eye is very red you should attend the Eye Centre Casualty at the City Hospital, Dudley Road, with your contact lens and its case. There is a chance you have an infection and prompt treatment speeds recovery. A red eye after contact lens use is best treated with olfoxacin  or another quinolone drops initially, to prevent infected ulcer formation. Chloramphenicol is no longer suitable in this role as there is too much resistance (College meeting, 2006)

Our Clinic

If the ophthalmologist (eye specialist) refers you to the contact lens clinic, the contact lens practitioner should telephone you in the next few days to arrange your first appointment.

Please bring your glasses with you if you have any, even if they are out of date.

On your first visit the contact lens practitioner will explain why the contact lenses have been recommended, and together you will decide which type of contact lens to prescribe. You are welcome to ask questions about the proposed contact lenses, or any other concerns about your eyes.

Contact lenses are fitted in the Eye Department only on the recommendation of the ophthalmologist or optometrist. Contact lenses are ideal for many people, particularly if you are very short sighted. If you live in the area served by Good Hope Hospital and have a lot of trouble with contact lenses supplied by your own optometrist, you may wish to contact us. Unfortunately there are a few people that cannot find contact lenses that suit them, no matter how hard the patient or optometrist tries.