Answers about wearing lenses
Are contact lenses difficult to care for?
ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses are designed to give you the flexibility and freedom to do what you want, when you want, with exceptional comfort and crisp vision. ACUVUE® lenses are extremely comfortable. They are manufactured with materials that comprise a quantity of water. The material and the design of the lens are specially designed to fit the unique form of your eye.
According to the expiry date on my lens package, they’ve expired. Can I still wear them?
No. Once your lenses are past their expiry date we cannot ensure the lenses or the solution are sterile. We do not recommend you wear contact lenses past their expiry date.
I forgot to change my lenses on the date recommended by my optician. What must I do?
Remove your lenses as soon as possible and replace them with a new pair. If you are suffering from irritation, contact your optician immediately and follow his or her instructions. Most people like to setup a wearing schedule because it helps them remember to change their lenses in time. If you don’t have one yet, sign up for our free ACUMINDER™ service.
Why should I change my lenses on time? They still feel fine.
They may feel fine, but changing your contacts as directed by your optician is essential to keeping your eyes comfortable and healthy. As your lenses reach the end of their specified life, they attract deposits from your eyes, hands and environment. This may affect the lens surface, causing irritation and disrupting your eyesight or affecting your eye health in the longer term. If you need a little extra reminder to change your lenses on time, sign up for our free ACUMINDER™ service.
It feels like my ACUVUE® lens is ‘lost’ in my eye. What should I do?
First of all, be reassured the lens cannot get lost behind your eye. Just roll your eye around until the lens works itself around to where you can see it. If you can see it, remove the lens. Alternatively put some rewetting drops or a few drops of saline solution into your eye and look up, down and side to side this is to try and move it to where you can see it. You can also close your eyes and gently move your finger over your lid around your eye to reposition the lens where you can see it. If these methods do not work for you or you are experiencing extreme discomfort, call your optician for assistance.
Can I use artificial tears with my ACUVUE® lenses?
Yes, but only artificial tears or eye drops specifically made for soft hydrophilic (water-loving) lenses. Consult your eye care professional. It is always necessary to consult your eye care professional before changing your brand of eye drops, as mixing products can sometimes cause complications.
Can I use eye drops with my ACUVUE® lenses?
Yes, but you should use eye drops specifically recommended for use with soft hydrophilic (water-loving) contact lenses. Check with your optician before you use any eye drops.
I left my ACUVUE® lenses in the car – and I think they may have got very hot. Is it safe to still wear them?
If the ACUVUE® lenses are still sealed in their original foil packages, they’re safe to use. If, however, your lenses are out of their original foil package or in your own lens case, we recommend you throw them away and use new ones.
Can I continue to use my glasses if I start wearing lenses?
Certainly. Lenses can be used when your glasses are inconvenient – it all depends on your activities, your needs and your preferences. It’s up to you to choose!
I have astigmatism can I wear contact lenses?
Yes! Ask your optician, you can wear daily disposable 1•DAY ACUVUE® MOIST® for ASTIGMATISM or reusable ACUVUE® ADVANCE® for ASTIGMATISM or ACUVUE® OASYS® for ASTIGMATISM, lenses. They give patients with astigmatism comfort and visual clarity that is as good as with glasses.
A friend of mine has never worn contact lenses and wants to try mine on. Is this okay? What if I disinfect the lens before and after she tries it?
We strongly recommend that you never share your lenses with anyone. Your contact lenses are medical devices that have been specially recommended by your optician for your unique eyesight needs and the unique shape of your eye. If your friends want to wear contact lenses, we suggest them to ask their optician about a free trial of ACUVUE® contact lenses.
Do I need to give my eyes a rest from contacts? Do they need time to ‘breathe’?
Your eyes don’t usually need a rest from lenses. Unless your optician recommends otherwise, you can safely wear contact lenses every day. Contact lenses such as 1•DAY ACUVUE® TruEye™ and ACUVUE® OASYS® with HYDRACLEAR® Plus, are made with the latest silicone hydrogel materials, which provide much more oxygen to the eye than traditional soft lenses. The more oxygen your eyes get the healthier and whiter your eyes will be.
Can I swim or shower while wearing my ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses?
When you swim or shower in lenses you could expose them to the risk of infection from the water. If you want to wear contact lenses during activities involving exposure to water, especially swimming and other water sports ask your optician and he will be able to advise you for the activity you want to do.
What can I do if my contact lenses aren’t comfortable?
If you’re finding your contact lenses to be uncomfortable, it is important you speak to your optician. You might want to consider upgrading to ACUVUE® lenses such as ACUVUE® OASYS® and 1•DAY ACUVUE® TruEye™ featuring our latest technologies.
What can I do if my eyesight isn’t that good, even with contact lenses?
There can be many reasons your eyesight is not good, even when you wear contact lenses. It could be as simple as dry eyes, poor fitting lenses, or an out-of-date prescription. If you have any problems with your eyesight or lenses, the first thing to do is speak with your optician and go for an eye test.
If I've had LASIK or another form of refractive surgery, can I still wear contact lenses?
Maybe, LASIK is not always a permanent solution, you may still need eyesight correction with the onset of presbyopia. We recommend you ask your optician at your next appointment.
