FAQs

Here at The Optical Store, we offer different contact lens modalities designed to last different amounts of time. Daily contact lenses can be worn for up to 12 hours before they must be removed and disposed of. Weekly, two-weekly and monthly contact lenses can also be worn for up to 12 hours a day, but must be removed and cleansed before bed, and stored in a safe, sterile contact lens container. Extended wear contact lenses are the only type you are permitted to wear while sleeping. These can be kept in for up to seven days

Contact lenses are easy to use, but it’s essential to follow the correct procedures for application and removal to avoid discomfort or damage to your eyes.

To insert your contact lenses:

1. Start by washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water and drying them with a lint-free towel.
2. Check that the contact lens is not inside out by placing it on the tip of your finger and looking at the edge. If it’s shaped like a bowl, it’s correct; if it’s flared out, it’s inside out.
3. Hold your upper eyelid open with one hand and use the other hand to hold the lens on the tip of your index finger.
4. Look up and gently place the contact lens on your eye, then release your eyelid and blink to centre the lens.

To remove your contact lenses:

1. Start by washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water and drying them with a lint-free towel.
2. Look up and pull down your lower eyelid with one finger, then use your other hand to slide the lens down to the white part of your eye.
3. Take the lens out from your eye by gently pinching it between your thumb and index finger.

Non-disposable contact lenses should be stored in a contact lens case. These are divided into two parts so you can keep track of your left and right contact lenses.

After cleaning and rinsing off your contact lenses with sterile saline solution, insert them into the contact lens case and top it up with fresh contact lens solution. This will keep them sterile and hydrated, ready for their next wear. You should replace your contact lens case at least once every three months.

Yes. You can find the expiry date printed on every box of contact lenses you receive. Contact lenses usually last for one year from their manufacturing date. It’s not recommended you wear or open a new packet over a year after purchasing them. Expired contact lenses can lead to infection and potential eyes damage.

Even if the blister packet is unopened, the solution inside may have expired, causing the chemicals to break down and the lenses to dry out, leading to complications.

The first sign of wearing contact lenses inside out is instant irritation, likely prompting you to remove the lens straight away. Cleanse the lens again in contact lens solution, take it on your fingertip and assess the curvature of the edges. Your lens should present a bowl-shape, with no folding or curling around the edges.

If you’re still unsure, flip your contact the other way (make sure you have clean hands), check for curling, and re-insert. Make sure you rinse off your lens before every re-insertion to prevent bacterial build up.

Note that removing and reinserting your lenses too often in a short space can cause irritation. After a few attempts, it might feel like your lens is inside out when it’s not.

Contact lenses can be tricky to remove if your eye is irritated from too many attempts, or if you’ve accidentally slept wearing your lenses.

Apply lens comfort drops or sterile saline solution designed for contact lenses to re-hydrate your eyes and lubricate the lens, allowing it to be removed more easily. If you’re still struggling to remove the lens, see your optician as soon as possible.

No. Torn or damaged lenses can lead to a host of complications such as infections, scarring and more. If you notice a split, tear or other damage to one of your contact lenses, replace it immediately.

Yes, it’s normal for your eyes to dry out slightly while wearing contacts, especially as the day draws to a close. If your eyes are feeling dry and uncomfortable, you can insert some lens-friendly eye drops to moisten and re-hydrate your eyes. You can also buy rewetting drops to re-hydrate your lenses. If irritation persists or your eyes feel truly uncomfortable, it’s best to remove your lenses for the day.

If you’ve ordered the correct prescription but your vision still seems blurry, we’d suggest getting your eyes re-checked by an optician before ordering a different prescription. We wouldn’t recommend self-prescribing a different contact lens power in case there is an underlying issue (such as astigmatism) which is affecting the clarity of your sight.

You should avoid allowing your lenses to make contact with water due to the risk of infection caused by the bacteria present in water. This is just as true for chemically treated water.

You can swim wearing contact lenses if you choose well-fitting goggles to protect your eyes from infection. If showering wearing contact lenses, make sure to keep your eyes shut and do not vigorously rub them, as this can lead to irritation or displacement of the contact lens. If you want to be on the safe side, remove your contacts before entering water and, if necessary, choose prescription swimming goggles.

Contact lenses can get stuck, but not lost. It’s impossible for the contact lens to get “lost behind your eye” — the conjunctiva prevents this from happening.

If you can’t find your contact lens when removing it, it’s either (a) already fallen out, but the irritation leads you to believe it’s still there or (b) stuck under your top eyelid, in which case tilt your head back, lift your top eyelid and slide the lens down, before pinching it out.

Our subscription service allows you to receive your contact lenses automatically at your chosen frequency (e.g., monthly or bi-monthly), so you never run out. It’s a flexible, hassle-free way to stay stocked up and save time.

Simply select the “Subscribe & Save” option on your chosen product page, choose your delivery frequency, and proceed to checkout. You’ll be enrolled in the subscription service automatically.

Yes! You can adjust your delivery schedule after the minimum 2 month billing cycle is complete. You can choose a different interval, pause a shipment, or even skip a month if needed.

To make changes, just give us a call on 020 79986770 or email info@theopticalstore.co.uk and we will be happy to help.

Please note that a minimum of 7 days notice is required to make any changes to your subscription.

Yes, our subscriptions include a discount (usually 5%) off the regular one-time purchase price. The discount is automatically applied at checkout and renewals.

When you sign up for our contact lens Subscribe & Save scheme, you are committing to a minimum of two billing cycles.

• No Early Cancellation: Subscriptions cannot be canceled before the end of the first billing cycle.
• Earliest Cancellation Window: You may request cancellation any time after your second billing cycle has been charged.

Why This Policy Exists

Our subscription scheme gives you 5% off every order as a reward for your ongoing commitment. To make sure all customers can enjoy this benefit fairly, and to prevent abuse from those signing up only to take the discount once and cancel right away, we require a minimum of two billing cycles before cancellation is permitted. This ensures the program remains sustainable and continues delivering savings to our loyal subscribers.

After your second billing cycle, you’re free to cancel at any time, as long as it’s 7 days before your next billing date.

Yes – you will receive an email notification once each order has been dispatched and tracking information once your order is out for delivery.

Yes. If your prescription changes, simply update the details in your account or contact our customer service team. We’ll adjust your future deliveries accordingly.

*7 days minimum notice

If a payment fails, we’ll notify you by email and retry the payment. You can also update your payment method in your account to avoid delays.

Yes, we deliver to all UK addresses, including Northern Ireland, Scottish Highlands, and the Channel Islands.

Most promotional codes can’t be used in combination with subscription discounts, but we often have exclusive offers just for subscribers!

You’ll receive a contact lens prescription after you’ve visited your optician for a contact lens fitting. You need to have completed the fitting stage entirely — opticians cannot prescribe contact lenses without a complete consultation.

Your contact lens prescriptions cover the following:

Base Curve (BC) — The curvature of the lens.

Diameter (D / DIA) — The diameter of the contact lens.

Power (PWR / SPH) — The power of vision correction needed. Positive numbers (e.g. +1.25) indicate long-sightedness while negative numbers (e.g. -2.50) indicate short-sightedness.

If you require toric contact lenses for astigmatism, your prescription will also cover:

Cylinder (CYL) — Corrects blurry vision created by irregular cornea shapes.

Axis (AX) — The angle of the lens needed to correct astigmatism.

If you require multifocal contact lenses for presbyopia, your prescription will include:

Addition (ADD) — The magnifying power added to the lenses to allow clear, close-up vision.

Dominant (D) — Signifies the dominant or non-dominant (N) eye.

You’ll be able to find your current prescription on the side of your most recent contact lens box. If you haven’t bought any contact lenses yet, but have visited the opticians for a contact lens fitting, you can request a copy of your contact lens prescription from the opticians via post, email or in-store.

No — glasses sit at a short distance from your eyes, while contact lenses sit upon them. This means the vision correction power will be different in your spectacles prescription compared to your contact lens prescription.

When visiting the opticians for a contact lens fitting, the optician will make additional measurements (such as base curve and diameter), which are specific to finding the most comfortably fitting lenses for the shape of your eye. These additional measurements are vital when buying contact lenses, reducing headaches and irritation.

Your vision will be more blurry than it should be. If the base curve and/or diameter are incorrect, your eyes will feel more irritated than usual as the day progresses. Incorrect contact lens prescriptions can also lead to headaches.

A valid, up-to-date contact lens prescription will last for around one to two years before it’s recommended you get your eyes re-checked by the optician.

The first signs of wearing an incorrect contact lens prescription will be blurry vision, headaches, eye irritation or other irregular discomfort. Never ignore your symptoms and, if needed, check with an optician in case there is an underlying reason behind your discomfort.

Your optician will usually prescribe your contact lens modality based on your lifestyle and how often you wear contacts lenses, amongst other factors. At The Optical Store, we would always recommend that you consult your optician before making a change, in case there’s a reason you’ve been prescribed your specific modality which you’re not aware of.