Do you wonder if contact lenses might suit your lifestyle? For many Sydney patients, the idea feels appealing but slightly daunting. They often have questions about comfort, safety and cost.
With professional fitting and guidance, most first-time wearers adapt quickly and safely. Small details like lens design, proper fit, and careful hygiene make a major difference to clarity and ease-of-use.
I’m David Truong, Owner and Principal Optometrist at Beyond Eyecare. Here’s what to expect during your contact lens fitting and how to prepare for a successful first experience.
Key Takeaways
- Most people in Sydney can safely wear contact lenses with professional fitting and guidance from an optometrist.
- The contact lens fitting process includes eye assessments, trial lenses, and training on safe handling and hygiene.
- Daily contact lenses offer convenience and lower infection risk, while monthly lenses are cost-effective for regular wear.
- Dry eyes from contact lenses are usually manageable with lubricating drops, proper cleaning, and adherence to wear schedules.
- Regular follow-up appointments help maintain clear vision, healthy eyes, and long-term contact lens comfort.
Who Can Wear Contact Lenses (and Who Should Be Cautious)?
Most people can safely wear contact lenses with the right assessment and fitting. Those with short-sightedness, long-sightedness, astigmatism, or presbyopia are usually suitable candidates. Teenagers and adults can both adapt well when we provide proper training and aftercare.
What if you have mild or moderate dry eyes? You may do well with daily disposable or silicone hydrogel lenses that retain moisture and allow higher oxygen flow. Specialty designs like scleral lenses or hybrid lenses may improve comfort even further by forming a protective, hydrating layer over the cornea.
When contact lenses are problematic, such as with severe dry eye, recurrent infections, or ocular surface disease, we may recommend treatment first or a trial of specialty lenses under close supervision.
During a contact lens fitting, we evaluate your tear film, corneal shape, and eye health to determine which design offers the clearest vision and lasting comfort.
What Happens During a Contact Lens Fitting?
It’s important for us to perform a professional fitting because it reduces risks such as infection, poor vision correction, or corneal irritation. It also helps new wearers build confidence early in their lens routine. The appointment usually takes 45–60 minutes. This allows time for assessment, training, and discussion of your goals.
Initial Eye Examination
Your appointment begins with a complete eye health check. We examine your cornea and tear film, update your prescription, and discuss your daily routine and lifestyle in order to guide lens selection.
Corneal Measurements and Mapping
Advanced topography scans measure the curvature of your cornea. These scans help us to determine the correct lens shape for comfort, vision stability, and oxygen flow. A precise fit prevents movement that could cause irritation or blurred vision.
Trial Lens Fitting
There are many different types of contact lenses available that can cater to your specific visual goals. To make sure the lenses are a good match with your eyes, we observe lens movement, alignment and clarity. From then, we discuss what feels the most comfortable and get a further understanding on how you want to wear the lenses.
Training and Education
If you’re a first-time contact lens wearer, you will get step-by-step guidance when you insert or take out lenses safely. You’ll learn proper cleaning techniques, how long to wear lenses daily, and how to handle them hygienically.
Follow-Up Appointments
We schedule follow up visits after your first fitting to confirm that the eyes have adjusted well. We may make minor refinements to your lens type or prescription based on comfort and performance.
What Types of Contact Lenses Are Available in Sydney?
Sydney patients can choose from a wide range of lens types, each suited to specific vision needs, comfort preferences, and lifestyle goals.
| Lens Type | Ideal For | Key Benefits | Care Requirements |
| Daily disposable lenses | Occasional or busy wearers | No cleaning, lower infection risk | Replace daily, higher long-term cost |
| Fortnightly or monthly lenses | Regular wearers | More cost-effective, wide prescription range | Clean and store nightly with fresh solution |
| Toric lenses | Astigmatism | Custom design for stable, clear vision | May require fitting adjustments |
| Multifocal lenses | Presbyopia (age-related near vision loss) | Clear distance and near vision | Adaptation period may be needed |
| RGP or hybrid lenses | Irregular corneas, complex prescriptions | Sharp, consistent vision, durable | Gradual adaptation and detailed cleaning routine |
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If you have more than mild astigmatism then we may recommend you go with a toric contact lens. To learn more about what torics are, who they help and how they work, watch the following video from the “Antonio the Optometrist” YouTube channel.
What Is the Cost of a Contact Lens Fitting in Sydney?
Professional contact lens fittings in Sydney typically range between $80 and $200. This depends entirely on how complex the procedure you require. This fee generally covers the assessment, trial lenses, and your initial training session.
Daily disposables tend to be more expensive over time but patients value them for convenience and low maintenance. Reusable lenses, such as fortnightly or monthly types, are more economical for everyday wear but may need regular cleaning and storage.
Costs can vary based on lens type (daily, monthly, toric, multifocal, or RGP), your prescription, and any specialty care needed for dry eye or corneal irregularities. During your appointment, we will outline exact costs before proceeding.
What Are the Benefits of Contact Lenses Over Glasses?
Why wear contact lenses when you can just wear glasses? Contact lenses offer greater freedom for those with active lifestyles. They move naturally with the eyes, which gives a wide and unobstructed field of vision. This is ideal for sports, exercise, or outdoor activities.
Contacts also eliminate issues like fogging and lens reflections, which makes them more comfortable in humid or cool environments. Many patients appreciate the extra visual precision, especially with advanced lens designs that correct astigmatism and presbyopia. With some cheaper spectacle lenses there is sometimes less refractive clarity in the peripheral vision – a problem that contact lenses also avoid.
What Are Some Tips for First-Time Contact Lens Wearers?
Do your eyes feel dry or slightly irritated after a few hours of wear? Many first-time contact lens users experience minor discomfort early on, but small adjustments in routine often make a big difference in comfort and eye health.
- Follow the wear schedule provided by your optometrist — typically 8 to 12 hours per day for new wearers.
- Carry lubricating drops to refresh your eyes during long days or while working on screens.
- Always wash and dry your hands before handling your contact lenses.
- Never use tap water to rinse or store your lenses.
- Avoid sleeping, swimming, or showering while wearing lenses — unless specifically prescribed for extended wear.
- Mild dryness or lens awareness is common during the first few days of wear.
- Persistent redness, pain, or blurred vision should be reviewed promptly by an optometrist to rule out irritation or infection.
How Can I Choose the Best Optometrist For Contact Lenses in Sydney?
Look for an optometrist experienced in fitting a wide range of lens types and supported by advanced diagnostic tools such as corneal topography.
At Beyond Eyecare, every contact lens fitting is designed to be personal, precise, and supportive from start to finish. Our focus is on long-term eye health and everyday comfort for each patient.
- Comprehensive eye assessments to measure corneal shape, tear quality, and visual needs.
- One-on-one lens training for insertion, removal, and cleaning techniques.
- Trial fittings using different lens materials and designs to find the best match.
- Ongoing aftercare with regular reviews to monitor comfort and vision.
- Professional guidance on daily habits, wear schedules, and lens maintenance for safe, consistent results.
How Can I Book a Contact Lens Fitting Appointment?
You can contact Beyond Eyecare online or by phone to schedule your first appointment.
What to Expect at Your Visit
We’ll be with you through every stage; from your eye health check to lens selection and aftercare planning. We provide clear information on fees, fitting options, and maintenance routines before any decisions are made.
Preparing for Your Appointment
Bring your current glasses prescription and details of your eye health history. If you have specific lifestyle needs, such as contact lens wear for sport, travel, or screen-heavy work, mention them so we can recommend the most suitable option.
Final Thoughts
You want to enjoy clear, comfortable vision with contact lenses that fit your lifestyle — but you’re unsure if you can adapt to them and you feel confused about which type to choose. Or maybe you are an existing contact lens user but you’ve been having difficulties with them.
If any of these sound like you, then booking an initial consultation with us is the right decision — we’ll assess your eyes, chat through your vision goals, and help you find lenses that feel so natural you’ll forget you’re wearing them.
It’s completely normal to feel a bit nervous about trying contacts for the first time — everyone does at the start.
Book an appointment with Beyond Eyecare today at Zetland (02) 9662 6364 or Surry Hills (02) 9556 1160. You can also schedule a convenient time through our website.
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