Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a prescription to order?
Yes. A contact lens prescription is required for every order. If you don’t have a printed copy of the prescription you can still order through Nowcontacts. You simply need to enter your optometrist details in the space provided and we will verify the prescription on your behalf.
Can I use my spectacle prescription?
No. Your spectacle prescription is often different to your contact lens prescription.
How do I know if my contact lens prescription is valid?
Your prescription must not be over 2 years old and must be from a qualified Optometrist or Opthalmologist.
How do I obtain my contact lens prescription?
If you have had a contact lens consultation with your Optometrist or Opthalmologist and your practitioner is satisfied with the fitting, you are entitled to receive your contact lens prescription. Your practitioner is not obligated to release an expired prescription.
How do I read my prescription?
Only industry trained persons will completely understand your prescription. But there are a few helpful tips that can make your ordering experience easier.
Make sure your prescription contains the following information
- Manufactures name
- Brand name
- Sphere Power (sph) – the power needed to correct your vision; represented in a numerical form ranging from –20 and +20
- Base curve (BC) – the inside curve of your contact lens; a number between 8.0 and 10. Or a witten form such as steep, med or flat
- Diameter (diam) – the size of your contact lens; a number between 13.0 and 15.0
The following is an example of such a prescription:
Johnson & Johnson, Acuvue Oasys
8.6, 14.2, -2.50
If you require "Toric" lenses for astigmatism (see eye conditions) your prescription will contain extra information
- Cylinder (cyl) - A number between –4.00 and +4.00, this number appears after the sphere power
- Axis - A number represented in a degrees form ranging from 0 to 180, this number appears after the cylinder
The following is an example of such a prescription:
Bausch & Lomb, Purevision Toric
8.6, 14.00, -1.00/-1.75x90
Without all this information your contact lens order will not be complete.
Your prescription might also be written as follows:
| A1 OPTOMETRIST | ||
| PO Box 123 | ||
| Brisbane QLD 4000 | ||
| Miss A. Smith | ||
| 456 Long Drive | ||
| Brisbane QLD 4000 | ||
| # 7890 | Contact Lens Prescription | |
| RIGHT EYE | LEFT EYE | |
| Supplier | Bausch and Lomb | Bausch and Lomb |
| CL Type | PureVision Toric | PureVision Toric |
| BC | 8.7 | 8.7 |
| Diameter | 14.0 | 14.0 |
| Sphere | -3.00 | -3.5 |
| Cylinder | -0.75 | -0.50 |
| Axis | 90 | 100 |
| Add + | N/A | N/A |
| Optometrist Name: | A. Smith | |
| Prescription Date: | 01.01.2008 | |
| Expiry Date: | 01.01.2010 | |
| Note: | This in not a Spectacle Prescription | |
What types of contact lenses are there?
Please remember only an Optometrist or Ophthamologist is qualified to prescribe the lens that best suit your eyes.
Soft conventional lenses
Made of hydrophilic flexible plastics that allow oxygen to pass through to the eyes. Usually the higher the water content the higher the oxygen transmission.
- very short adaptation period
- more comfortable and more difficult to dislodge than RGP lenses
- available in tints and bifocals too
- great for active lifestyles
- suitable for most prescriptions
Daily-wear soft disposable lenses
These lenses are designed as single-use lenses only. Daily wear lens are designed to be worn for a single day and discarded at night.
- Typically no lens care is required
- Assures fresh and clean lenses when replaced
- great for active lifestyles.
Extended-wear soft lenses
Available for overnight continuous wear*. Made of silicon hydrogel material that maximises oxygen transmission.
- Can usually be worn without interruption, even while sleeping, *up to a maximum number of days.
- Now available in toric
Frequent replacement or disposable lenses
Soft lenses that are designed to be replaced on a "as you wear" or time schedule. Most commonly these lenses are replaced fortnightly or monthly.
- Assures fresh and clean lenses when replaced
- Available in most prescriptions and colours
- spare lenses conveniently on hand
Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) or HGP
Made of a harder less flexible plastics that allow oxygen to pass through to the eyes.
- Vision may be sharper than with soft Contact Lenses
- easy to put on and to care for
- durable with a relatively long life (1-2 years)
- available in tints (for handling purposes)
- daily-wear and extended-wear designs available.
Nowcontacts does not sell my type of contact lens.
If you are unable to order your lenses online, please contact our offices either by email or telephone and we will investigate if we are able to supply that particular type of lens. Some lenses require additional information that is not able to be included in our normal ordering system.
Can I change brands of contact lenses?
You can only change the brand of contact lens you order AFTER consultation with your Optometrist or Ophthalmologist. You will need to provide Nowcontacts an updated and valid contact lens prescription.
Can I wear my contact lenses longer than the manufactures recommended time?
It is vital that you only wear the contact lenses as per the manufactures instructions. If you do not follow these instructions you will significantly increase the chances of eye infection. ALL contact lenses have to be replaced after a certain period of time.
When should I NOT wear contact lenses?
We have a qualified Optometrist as an adviser on medical issues related to contact lens wear. He suggests using the following principles to decipher when NOT to wear your contact lenses.
LOOK GOOD Check your eyes before and after contact lens wear. Ensure you the whites of your eyes are not bloodshot or red. Also check your eyelids for any inflammation.
SEE GOOD Check your eyes before, during and after contact lens wear. Ensure you have clear vision, and there is no blurring or haze obstructing your vision.
FEEL GOOD Check your eyes before, during and after contact lens wear. Ensure your eyes feel comfortable and there is no irritated, scratchy or dryness to the eyes.
If you have any of the symptoms listed above or feel anything out of the ordinary with your eyes please discontinue wear and contact your eye care practitioner IMMEDIATLEY.
I experience "dry eye" symptoms – can I still wear contact lenses?
Yes. There are many contact lenses available on the market today that are specifically designed for people with dry eyes. There are also lubricants, such as eye drops or gels that your eye care practitioner can prescribe for you.
Can I play sports with my contact lenses?
For the majority of people – yes. Many people wear contact lenses specifically to play sport. Unlike spectacles contact lenses will give you a more freedom and usually enhanced vision. Please consult your eye care practitioner to find out what lenses will best suit your lifestyle.
Can I go swimming with my contact lenses?
Yes, but swimming goggles are essential to avoid lost lenses. Please do not wear contact lenses in a spa or hot-tub as there is an increased risk of severe infection.
Can I wear coloured contact lenses?
The majority of contact lens wearers are able to wear coloured contact lenses however, you will need to consult your optometrist or ophthalmologist and obtain a valid coloured contact lens prescription.
What is the difference between opaque and enhancer coloured contact lenses?
Opaque coloured contact lenses are ideal for people wanting to completely change they eye colour – for example brown to blue eyes. Enhancer coloured contact lenses will only "enhance" your natural eye colour.
Can a contact lens get "lost" in my eye?
No. Fortunately the eye has a barrier called the conjunctiva that stops this from occurring. It is possible though for the lens to get displaced underneath the eyelid. You may need to gently rub the closed eyelid until the lens replaces itself or removes itself from the eye. If you are unsure if you still have a lens in your eye please consult your eye care professional.
What cleaning products should I use?
There are many cleaning products available on the market. It is best you use whatever cleaning products your Optometrist or Ophthamologist has recommended. Nowcontacts does have solution available for purchase but please be aware this may not suit all types of contact lenses or contact lens wearers.
Contact lens safety
- Do not sleep in your lenes unless you have been otherwise advised by your eye care practitioner
- Please do not share your contact lenses with anyone
- Contact lenses are medical devises and must be correctly fitted
- When handled incorrectly they can transmit harmful bacteria that may lead to severe infection
- Wash hands thoroughly before handling your lenses
- Please attend your eye care practitioner for regular check up’s
- Replace lens storage cases every 3 months to prevent bacteria
- Insert lenses BEFORE applying makeup
- Do not use expired solution or lenses
- Remember all soft contact lenses absorb moisture, please do not use tap water or saliva when handling your lenses
Glossary of Common Eye-Related Terms
Aspheric - a thin contact lens with gradually changing power
Astigmatism - condition of the eye in which the eye is shaped like a football instead of a baseball resulting of blurred vision
Axis - precise location of the point where correction is needed on the eye
Base Curve - a number between 7.0 and 10.0 or a phrase, such as steep or flat, that describes the curvature of the eye
Bifocal - contact lenses with two or more viewing zones
Cleaning Solution - removes debris from contact lenses
Coloured lens - a contact lens with a tint or color added, either for handling/visibility purposes or to enhance or change eye color
Colorblends - brand name of coloured lenses, Freshlook Colorblends
Cornea - referred to as the "window of the eye," it is the outermost layer of the eye
Corrective lens - see contact lens
Contact Lens - thin plastic material designed to fit over the cornea for the correction of a refractive error.
Cylinder - measurement of how much correction is needed
Daily wear Contact Lens - contact lenses that are worn for one day
Deposits - accumulations of substances (usually protein) onto the contact lens
Diameter - the width of the eye, measured in millimeters
Diopter - measurement unit of the refractive correction of a contact lens
Disinfecting Solution - used to disinfect contact lenses
Enzyme cleaner tablets or Solution - see Solution
Eye Care Provider (ECP) - see Optometrist, Opthalmologist, or Optician
Flat medium - a base curve of 8.6 or 8.7
Farsightedness - see Hyperopia
Glaucoma - a condition in which the pressure inside the eye is elevated to a point that can damage the optic nerve and cause a loss of peripheral vision, or blindness
Hyperopia - a condition in which a person can see clearly at a distance but not up close
Light filtering tint - designed for sports use, these tints help objects stand out against a background
Monovision - technique to limit the effects of presbyopia by correcting one eye for hyperopia and the other for myopia.
Multifocal - a contact lens with more than two viewing zones
Myopia - also known as nearsightedness, a condition in which a person can see clearly up close but not at a distance
Nearsightedness - see Myopia
OD - right eye
OS - left eye
Ophthalmologist - medical doctor who specializes in eyes. Can perform exams, treat disease and perform surgery
Optometrist -performs exams, diagnoses and treats disease. They prescribe, fit and dispense eyeglasses and Contact Lenses
Oxygen permeability - the amount of oxygen diffusing through contact lens material under specified testing conditions
Power - see Sphere
Presbyopia - also known as farsightedness, a condition in which a person can see clearly at a distance but not up close
Rewetting Solution - used as a lubricant to increase comfort
RGP (Rigid Gas Permeable) lens - a contact lens made of slightly flexible plastics that allow oxygen to pass through to the eyes
Rinsing Solution - removes debris from contact lenses in preparation for use
Rx-prescription
Solution - there are many different types of solutions, made for different types of contact lenses.
Sphere - a measurement of how much correction is needed, it is a number between -20 and +20.
Steep medium - a base curve of 8.3 or 8.4
Tint - depending on the contact lens, there are different types of tint such as a handling or visibility tint, light filtering tint, enhancement tint or color tint
Toric-contact lens designed to correct astigmatism by bearing two different powers at right angles
Verification - process used to verify a patient's prescription
Visibility Tint - lightly tinted lenses for easier insertion and removal
Visitint® - brand name, lightly tinted lenses for easier insertion and removal
ORDERING
Ordering on line
Nowcontacts has endeavoured to make ordering on line a simple experience. If you have any problems with the ordering systems please e-mail or telephone our friendly staff for support.
Following are a few FAQ that should help you when placing an order.
I am a new customer, what is the easiest way to order?
Select the contact lens type you wish to order. Enter your prescription into the fields provided. Add to cart. Go to Checkout. Become a member and then checkout. Fill in the required fields and create an account. Fill in your address. Indicate whether you will fax the prescription or enter your optometrists details. Select payment method and fill in the required fields.
How do I place a repeat order?
Log in to your account using the fields in the top right hand side of the home page. Then choose repeat order and follow the prompts.
I am a previous customer but I have forgotten my postcode and/or email address, what do I do?
Email us on sales@nowcontacts.com.au. We will then be able to supply you with the relevant information.
How do I change my login/email address linked to my current account?
After logging in to your account, you can go to my account settings and amend as required.
How do I keep track of my order?
After logging in to your account, choose my order history which will list all your orders and where they are up to in processing/shipping. Once shipped, this will include an eparcel number which can be used by Australia Post to track your order.
How do I claim a Health Fund Rebate?
Nowcontacts is able to supply you with an invoice suitable for claiming through your health fund. The invoice clearly shows a Health Fund Provider Number and Health Fund Item numbers for your convenience.
