FAQ - contact lenses

I have been using contact lenses for years, why do I need a six monthly check?

The fact that a six monthly check is recommended doesn't imply that you don't know what they are doing. Contact lenses are foreign objects that are inserted onto your eyes and they can cause problems and damage to your eyes that you are unaware of until your sight is affected. It is a very wise precaution to be regularly checked. We have experience of patients being made blind by contact lenses because they have not followed instructions or not had regular aftercare checks. Therefore it is better to see Claire every six months so you can be confident of the best ongoing ocular health.


Are contact lenses safe?

No invasive medical procedure is 100% safe but the risks are minimal if the lenses are looked after and your eyes regularly checked. If something is starting to go wrong then the regular aftercare checks will pick it up before serious damage has been done to your eyes and eyesight.


Do I need a current prescription to purchase contact lenses?

Yes. The law states that an optician can only supply contact lenses against a current and in date prescription. This is identical to the prescription you get from your doctor for drugs and medicines. The optical prescription applies to all retail outlets in the UK including purchasing from the Internet. If an optician fails to adhere to these rules then they are breaking the law and can be removed from the Optical Register which in effect deprives them from practicing in the UK. The General Optical Council regularly checks opticians and Internet companies for adherence to the rules.


Is it cheaper to buy contact lenses from the Internet?

Not with Hammond and Dummer - we sell at comparable prices to the Web. For reasons mentioned, a current prescription is essential to buy contact lenses from any outlet therefore an optician has to be consulted every six months. We offer unlimited appointments to see Claire should advice be needed, checks be made or problems encountered. We are delighted to offer trials of lenses to ascertain the correct brand and type and to keep usage and type under constant review so that there is total flexibility of usage throughout the year. This is a fee based service that is tailored to individual need but it also includes other benefits to you such as our price match promise and a significant discount off of all products, including sunglasses, in our practice. Please book a contact lens trial with Claire and be pleasantly surprised; we'll even deliver your contact lenses to your door for no extra charge!