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From your first pair to everyday life: a clear guide to choosing, using and replacing your contact lenses with greater awareness.
Contact lenses can give you greater freedom in many situations throughout the day: sport, travelling, work, a night out, or simply the desire to see clearly without always having to wear glasses. But you don’t choose a lens simply by reading the prescription on the packet. The material, shape, replacement schedule and how they feel on the eye must all work together.
This guide brings together the main Isolani product ranges and helps you understand where to find the right information: from initial fitting to maintenance, right through to buying a lens you’ve already identified and verified online.
The right lens isn’t determined by prescription alone
Two different packs may have the same prescription but behave differently. The material, diameter, base curve, geometry and the way in which the lens moves and stays centred all vary. Your habits matter too: how many hours you want to wear them, in what settings, during which activities and how often.
For this reason, the first choice should not be a random selection from among the available products. The starting point is an up-to-date prescription from an ophthalmologist; the role of the optician-optometrist is to translate this into a technically correct fitting, to teach the patient how to use the lenses and to monitor their performance. On the technical page Contact lenses: types, materials and parameters you’ll find the key definitions; the glossary entry Curve base explains one of the most common parameters found on packaging.
Where would you like to start?
First application
Lens selection, fitting, insertion, removal and aftercare at optical centres.
Understanding the different types
Daily, fortnightly, monthly, toric, multifocal and specialist solutions.
Online buyback
How to check the name, specifications and packaging without changing the lens yourself.
Catalogue and spare parts
Find the lens you’ve already fitted and check the size, availability and delivery times.
Daily, monthly, toric or multifocal?
Lifespan alone does not determine the quality of a lens. Daily disposable lenses eliminate the need for maintenance as they are replaced after each use; fortnightly and monthly lenses require a specific cleaning and storage routine. Toric lenses are designed to correct astigmatism, whilst multifocal lenses provide multiple optical powers to accommodate vision at different distances.
However, there is no single ‘best’ category. A daily disposable lens may be convenient for sport, travel or occasional use; a scheduled replacement lens may be suitable for regular use. The choice depends on a combination of your prescription, your individual circumstances and your everyday life.
For further information, you can read the entry Daily disposable contact lenses or browse the categories directly daily, fortnightly e monthly.
The Isolani programme: try, learn, be supported
The initial fitting is not simply a matter of handing over a box. It is a process during which the lens is tried on, its centration and movement are assessed, the wearer’s comfort is discussed, and visual quality is checked under the intended conditions of use. Learning how to insert and remove the lens with confidence is also part of the fitting process.
The process is an ongoing one. Habits, needs and comfort levels can change; for this reason, it is not advisable to replace a lens yourself with a product that appears similar. At Isolani Opticians, the Advanced Contact Lens Practice This is the approach we take to both the most common applications and those requiring bespoke solutions, always in accordance with the ophthalmologist’s prescription and instructions.
To gain an understanding of materials and innovations without turning technology into a universal panacea, a historical perspective also remains useful Latest-generation contact lenses.
The little everyday gestures that really make a difference
Materials may change, but certain good habits remain essential. These are simple guidelines that have featured in Isolani’s educational materials for years and are now backed up by official recommendations on the use and care of contact lenses.
The limit specified for the product is not a target
The port time during the day and the replacement cycle The lens’s specifications and the actual usage are two different things. The product information sets out the recommended usage guidelines and maximum limits; it does not automatically determine how many hours of wear are suitable for each individual. When fitting the lens, a personalised programme is agreed upon, taking into account the individual’s response, tear production, lens centration, lens movement, comfort and planned activities.
Everyday life matters too. A day at the beach shouldn’t automatically turn into a day spent wearing your contact lenses right through to the evening: you should remove your contact lenses before swimming and, if they come into contact with water, take them out as soon as possible. Daily disposable lenses should be discarded; reusable lenses must be cleaned and disinfected properly before their next use.
You don’t need to take this risk to see clearly in the water: at our Centri Isolani centres, we can provide prescription swimming goggles and prescription diving masks, depending on the prescription, the model and the activity. For swimming, a dedicated prescription solution may cost just a few tens of euros; a diving mask, on the other hand, requires a more specific assessment, as the visual requirements, field of view and conditions of use vary.
Contact lenses are not a substitute for glasses: They add a sense of freedom to your day. Even those who use them regularly should have a Up-to-date and properly adjusted glasses, ready for when it’s time to remove your contact lenses or when they aren’t the most suitable option. True comfort comes from knowing how to alternate between the two options according to the agreed schedule, your activities and your actual needs.
Ignoring the recommended times and instructions on your own can increase the risk of infections and complications, some of which may be serious. Taking a few simple precautions, having a spare pair of glasses to hand, and consulting the person supervising the application can help reduce these often avoidable risks.
- Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before touching your contact lenses and lens case;
- follow the instructions for use and replacement schedule for the fitted lens;
- For reusable lenses, use the specified solution and do not top up the solution already in the container;
- Do not use water or saliva to clean, rinse or store your lenses;
- Do not share your contact lenses with other people;
- avoid showering, swimming and water-based activities whilst wearing contact lenses, unless the activity has been specifically assessed;
- Keep a spare pair of glasses to hand, which may be useful if you need to remove your contact lenses.
Further information: CDC – Healthy Contact Lens Wear and Care e FDA – Contact Lens Solutions and Products.
Sport, travel and action-packed days
When on the move, contact lenses can offer stability, freedom and a wider field of vision than prescription glasses. For outdoor sports, they can be combined with non-prescription sports glasses chosen to provide protection from the sun, glare, wind and the specific requirements of the sport.
However, convenience does not mean you can ignore the rules of use: water-based activities require specific assessments and, in many cases, a swimming mask or prescription sports glasses are the safest option. When travelling, it is also a good idea to take a spare pair of glasses, enough lenses and lens solutions in their original containers.
When not to insist
A contact lens should not be kept in at all costs. If you experience pain, significant redness, discharge, severe sensitivity to light or a sudden change in vision, the lens must be removed and you should consult an ophthalmologist without delay. Isolani can check the technical aspects of lens fitting, but diagnosis and clinical management are the responsibility of the doctor.
Even recurring discomfort, albeit less severe, warrants attention: it may be a sign that your habits, equipment, posture or duration of use need to be reassessed in consultation with your healthcare professional.
Useful further reading
Would you like to start or review your application?
Please bring your optician’s prescription with you and, if you already wear contact lenses, your current pack as well. This will make it easier to review your history and determine whether the solution still meets your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions about Contact Lenses
Is my prescription strong enough to get contact lenses?
No. As well as the power, the lens parameters and characteristics must be determined by a prescription and fitted by a professional. The material, geometry, diameter and base curve are not automatically interchangeable.
Can I switch to a different brand whilst keeping the same numbers?
It is best not to do this yourself. Two lenses with similar prescriptions may have different materials, geometries and characteristics. Any change should be discussed with the professional overseeing the fitting.
Are daily contact lenses always the best choice?
There is no single type that is best for everyone. Daily lenses are practical and maintenance-free, but the choice depends on your prescription, individual characteristics, frequency of use and daily activities.
Can you sleep in your contact lenses?
As a general rule, contact lenses should be removed before going to sleep. There are specific products and regimens available, but these must be recommended and followed under the guidance of a professional and an optometrist: it is not enough for a lens simply to feel comfortable.
Can I play sport whilst wearing contact lenses?
In many activities, they can offer freedom of movement and a wide field of vision. However, depending on the conditions – such as water, wind, sun or the risk of impact – it is also important to consider the most suitable external protection for the sport in question.
When can I order my contact lenses online again?
When you are reordering a contact lens that has already been fitted and checked, ensure that the name, specifications and packaging are exactly the same. If you have any doubts, or if there have been any changes or if you are experiencing any discomfort, it is best to seek advice before making a purchase.
The information on this page is provided for information purposes only and relates to the optical and commercial sectors. It does not contain any medical, clinical or diagnostic content.