Contact Lenses Fitting & Teach Service in Melbourne
Experience the ultimate freedom and clarity of vision with contact lenses in Melbourne.
Discover the Freedom of Contact Lenses: More Than Just Vision Correction
“I’m worried about touching my eye or putting something in it.”
This is common! Our contact lens “teach” service provides patient, step-by-step guidance. You’ll learn easy, gentle techniques to put in and take out contact lenses safely until you feel confident. It becomes second nature fast!
What are contact lenses?
They are thin, clear lenses worn directly on the surface of your eye to correct vision, offering a fantastic alternative to glasses.
The benefits extend far beyond just clear sight:
- Unrestricted Vision: Enjoy superior peripheral vision, essential for sports, driving, and an active Melbourne lifestyle. No frames to obstruct your view.
- Aesthetic Freedom: Wear any eyewear you desire, from non-prescription sunglasses to protective eyewear, without the need for prescription frames.
- Weather Friendly: Say goodbye to foggy lenses in humid weather or rain. Perfect for outdoor activities in Victoria.
- Enhanced Self-Confidence: Many individuals, particularly children and teenagers, report improved self-esteem and participation in social and school activities when wearing contact lenses.
"I'm too old, or my vision is too complicated (e.g., astigmatism, needing reading glasses)"
Age and complex prescriptions are no longer barriers! We fit multifocal contact lenses for clear vision at all distances and toric contact lenses for astigmatism correction, helping many Melbourne patients.
Who Can Wear Contact Lenses? Almost Everyone in Melbourne!
Children and Teenagers
Offering freedom for sports, boosting confidence, and even providing myopia control contact lenses, such as Ortho-K and MiSight, to slow the progression of short-sightedness in Melbourne kids.
Adults with Astigmatism
Specialised toric contact lenses are designed to correct the irregular curvature of the eye, providing stable and crisp vision for daily activities and sports.
Individuals with Presbyopia
Multifocal contact lenses allow for seamless vision at all distances – near, intermediate, and far – liberating you from reading glasses for daily tasks in Doncaster East or Altona.
People with Dry or Sensitive Eyes
Newer, highly breathable, and hydrating lens materials ensure comfort even for those with sensitive eyes, a common concern for contact lens wearers.
Those with Complex Prescription
Advanced lens designs can accommodate even strong prescriptions, offering exceptional clarity.
No matter your age or visual challenge, our optometrists in Williamstown and Doncaster can assess your suitability and guide you through the process.
Our Comprehensive Contact Lens Fitting Process: Precision & Personalisation
A meticulous contact lens fitting is paramount for safe, comfortable, and clear vision. At Eye Philosophy Optometrists, our detailed process ensures your lenses are perfectly matched to your eyes and your unique Melbourne lifestyle.
Step 1
Book an Eye Examination
Before any fitting, we conduct a comprehensive eye health check. This involves assessing your tear film quality (crucial for dry eye sufferers in Melbourne), corneal health, and overall ocular surface, ensuring contact lens wear is healthy and comfortable for you.
Step 2
Precise Corneal Measurements
Using advanced diagnostic technology like corneal topography, we accurately measure the unique curvature and shape of your cornea. This data is vital for selecting the precise contact lens base curve that ensures a stable, comfortable, and healthy fit.
Step 3
Lifestyle & Vision Needs Discussion
We’ll delve into your daily activities, work environment, hobbies, and vision goals. Do you play sports in Spotswood? Work on a computer in Doncaster East? Or need clear vision for driving around Kew? This helps us recommend the optimal type of contact lens for your specific needs.
Step 4
Contact Lens Teach
We’ll teach you how to insert, remove and take care of your contact lenses, as well as provide clear advice on how long to wear your contact lenses and strict guidelines on when to replace them (daily, fortnightly, monthly).
Step 5
Trial Lenses & Assessment
You’ll try on various trial lenses. We then meticulously assess the lens movement, centration, and visual acuity to confirm the best possible fit and performance. We encourage you to provide feedback on comfort and clarity during this stage.
Step 6
Follow-Up Appointments
We schedule essential follow-up visits to monitor your eye health with the new lenses, fine-tune the fit, and ensure you’re adapting comfortably to your new contact lenses. This ongoing care is critical for long-term success.
"It seems like too much work, or they're too hard to clean."
Contact lens care is much simpler now! Daily disposable contact lenses require no cleaning. For reusable lenses, our contact lens teach service provides easy, safe hygiene routines, making care straightforward.
Diverse Contact Lens Options: Tailored for Every Eye & Lifestyle
Daily Disposable Contact Lenses: The ultimate in convenience and hygiene. Wear a fresh, sterile pair every morning and simply dispose of them at night. No cleaning or storage needed. Highly recommended for occasional wear, active individuals, or those prone to allergies.
Fortnightly & Monthly Disposable Contact Lenses: A cost-effective option for regular wearers. These lenses offer excellent breathability and comfort, requiring daily cleaning and proper storage.
Toric Contact Lenses: Specifically engineered for astigmatism correction, these lenses provide stable, crystal-clear vision by correcting the irregular curvature of your eye. Essential for crisp vision at all distances.
Multifocal Contact Lenses: For individuals experiencing presbyopia (age-related reading vision decline), these advanced lenses offer seamless vision across all distances – near, intermediate, and far – truly liberating you from the need for reading glasses. Perfect for professionals in Melbourne CBD or retirees in Templestowe.
Coloured Contact Lenses (Prescription): Change or subtly enhance your eye colour while simultaneously correcting your vision. We ensure these are properly fitted for safety and comfort.
Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) / Hard Lenses: Offering exceptional crisp vision and durability, these lenses are often the best solution for complex prescriptions, irregular corneal shapes (like keratoconus), or when maximum oxygen permeability is required.
Myopia Control Contact Lenses: Innovative lenses specifically designed to slow the progression of childhood myopia (short-sightedness), helping to protect their long-term eye health.
Scleral Lenses: For more complex cases such as severe dry eye disease, highly irregular corneas, or post-surgical eyes, these larger lenses rest on the sclera (white part of the eye), vaulting over the sensitive cornea to provide unparalleled comfort and vision.
"I'm scared the contact lens will get stuck behind my eye."
Rest assured, it’s impossible! Your eye’s anatomy prevents a contact lens from going behind it. Our fitting ensures the lens always stays in place.
Why Choose Eye Philosophy for Your Contact Lenses in Melbourne?
For over 40 years, Eye Philosophy Optometrists has been a trusted leader in comprehensive eye care across Melbourne. Our unwavering commitment to clinical excellence, advanced technology, and particularly our focus on patient contact lens education and teaching makes us the premier choice for your vision needs in Williamstown, Doncaster, and the surrounding suburbs.
Expert Fitting & Personalised Contact Lens Education
Our highly experienced optometrists are contact lens specialists, adept at fitting even the most complex cases. We take the time to truly understand your eyes and lifestyle, ensuring you get the most comfortable and effective contact lenses. More importantly, we equip you with the knowledge and skills for confident and healthy lens wear through our dedicated “teach” service.
Advanced Technology for Optimal Comfort
We utilise cutting-edge diagnostic tools like corneal topography for precise eye measurements, ensuring an optimal lens fit. This advanced approach minimises discomfort and maximises visual acuity.
Unparalleled Selection & Ongoing Support
From the latest daily disposables to custom specialty lenses, we offer a vast range of options to suit every need. We provide comprehensive aftercare, regular check-ups, and ongoing advice to ensure your contact lens wearing experience remains healthy, comfortable, and clear for years to come.
Convenient Melbourne Locations Serving Your Local Community
With practices strategically located, we’re easily accessible to families and individuals across Melbourne:
- Eye Philosophy Williamstown: 28 Douglas Parade, Williamstown VIC 3016 Perfectly situated for residents of Newport, Spotswood, Altona, Yarraville, Seddon, Kingsville, Footscray, and the wider Western Melbourne suburbs
- Eye Philosophy Doncaster: 700 Doncaster Road, Doncaster VIC 3108 Our Doncaster clinic is ideally situated for patients in Doncaster East, Templestowe, Box Hill, Balwyn, Mont Albert, Mitcham, Blackburn, and surrounding Eastern Melbourne suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Are your eye tests bulk-billed under Medicare?
We partially bulk-bill with Medicare, with a fixed out-of-pocket gap fee of $30 for both adult and children’s eye exams. This means the remainder of the fee will be bulk-billed directly to Medicare for you. This ensures that a thorough assessment of your vision and eye health, which is essential before prescribing contact lenses, is convenient and accessible.
Any specific advanced tests or treatments not covered by Medicare will always be discussed with you transparently upfront.
How much does a contact lens fitting and teach session cost?
The cost of contact lenses in Melbourne varies based on the type (e.g., daily, monthly, toric, multifocal) and your individual needs.
If you are new to contact lenses, our contact lens fitting and teach service fee covers trial lenses and 3 appointments – the initial eye test, fitting and teach session, followed by a review appointment.
If you are an existing wearer, our refitting service fee covers trial lenses and 2 appointments – the fitting and teach session, followed by a review appointment.
We’ll provide a clear breakdown of all costs and discuss package options for your contact lens supply.
How long does a contact lens fitting and teach session take?
The initial appointment will take up to 30 minutes, and the fitting and teach session typically takes around 30-60 minutes. This includes trial lens fitting, and our comprehensive contact lens teach service where you learn how to put in and take out contact lenses safely. Follow-up appointments are usually shorter.
Are contact lenses comfortable, especially for new wearers?
Modern contact lenses are designed for exceptional comfort. Thanks to advanced materials and our precise fitting process, most new wearers in Williamstown and Doncaster adapt quickly and find them incredibly comfortable, often forgetting they’re wearing them!
Can I sleep in my contact lenses?
Unless specifically prescribed by your optometrist for extended wear, most contact lenses are not safe to sleep in. Sleeping in lenses not designed for overnight wear significantly increases the risk of eye infections. Always follow our professional advice regarding your specific lens type and wearing schedule to protect your eye health.
Are contact lenses safe for my eyes in the long term?
When properly fitted, cared for, and monitored by regular check-ups, contact lenses are very safe. Our thorough fitting process, combined with our in-depth contact lens teach service on hygiene and proper wear, significantly minimises any risks. Regular follow-up appointments are crucial for maintaining long-term eye health.
Can I swim or shower with contact lenses in?
It’s generally advised not to swim or shower with contact lenses due to the increased risk of exposure to bacteria and potential infections. If you must swim, wear sealed goggles and dispose of your lenses immediately afterwards, or consider using daily disposables. Always consult your optometrist for personalised advice specific to your lenses and activities.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses are a great alternative to those who are engaging in sports and want to be glasses-free.
Will my private health insurance cover contact lenses?
Many private health insurance policies with optical extras provide coverage for contact lenses. We accept all major health funds in Australia and can process your claim directly via HICAPS at our Williamstown and Doncaster clinics, reducing your out-of-pocket expenses.
Can I get multifocal contact lenses if I wear multifocal glasses?
Yes, absolutely! Multifocal contact lenses are an excellent option for individuals with presbyopia, allowing you to see clearly at all distances – near, intermediate, and far – without the need for reading glasses. Our optometrists are highly experienced in fitting these advanced lenses to provide clear vision for all aspects of your life, from reading a book to driving.
Ready for the Freedom and Confidence of Contact Lenses?
Our expert team in Doncaster and Williamstown is ready to guide you to clear, comfortable, and confident contact lens wear, ensuring you master all the contact lens hygiene tips and handling techniques for optimal eye health.