Lisburn: 028 9260 1888 Dundonald: 028 9048 5033 Glengormley: 028 9083 2138 Dromore: 028 9269 2223 Longstone St: 028 9260 5500
Night Lenses in Belfast from Sam Baird Opticians
What are Night Lenses
Night Lenses are contact lenses that harmlessly correct your vision while you sleep.
This revolutionary technique uses a process called Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) and is a non-surgical alternative to short sighted people who do not wish to wear glasses or contact lenses during the day. At Sam Baird Opticians in Belfast, we can help you understand how night lenses could help you lead a glasses-free life. Contact us for more info.
How do they work?
A trained optometrist takes special measurements to map the shape of the cornea (the front surface of the eye).
A customised hard contact lens is then made. The lenses are inserted before sleeping overnight and they gently reshape and flatten the front surface of the eye.
This reshaping helps control how light passes through the eye to correct your vision. Once the lenses are removed, the cornea retains the new shape to give you clear “natural” sight throughout the day. The lenses are comfortable to wear and easy to use.
You can think of a Night Lens a little like a retainer for the eyes. Hence Ortho-K is sometimes referred to as ‘braces for the eyes’.
Ortho-K treatment is a completely reversible process. If the lenses are not worn for several days, the cornea of the eye gradually returns to its original, natural shape and the shortsightedness returns.
Who are Night Lenses For?
Night lenses are suitable for patients of all ages who are looking for an alternative to glasses or contact lenses. For example:
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Active children and teenagers who require sports goggles or contact lenses to play sports.
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Patients who play contact sports where a traditional contact lens can dislodge.
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Patients who find traditional contact lenses dry or uncomfortable, for example in air-conditioned office environments.
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Patients who want the freedom of not wearing glasses and contact lenses.
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Traditional contact lenses should not be worn in water, so nocturnal lenses are ideal for patients who enjoy swimming or watersports.
Am I suitable?
If your prescription is between -1.00 and -4.00 diopters of shortsightedness, then your vision is correctable with Night Lenses. They can cater for astigmatism of up to 2.00 diopters.
You don’t need to have worn contact lenses before, you will be taught how to handle and insert the lenses.
Is it safe?
Unlike laser eye surgery, the process is completely reversible. Laser eye surgery carries much more risk of long-term complications.
Night Lenses are also suitable for children and teenagers, where laser is not appropriate for patients under 21.
Like wearing soft lenses, hand hygiene is very important when handling the lenses. Provided the lenses are properly cleaned with the correct solution there is little risk of eye infection.
The lenses are made of a rigid gas permeable material (or RGP for short). This lens material lets lots of oxygen pass through to the cornea.
As no lens is worn during the day, Night lenses are very suitable for dry eye patients
Night lenses and Myopia Management
Night lenses are one of the most effective methods of slowing down the progression of short sightedness in children.
Research shows night lenses slow down eye growth by more than 50% compared to traditional soft lenses and glasses.
Recent international studies are also showing that the benefits of using night lenses to control childhood myopia are having long lasting effects into adulthood.
Myopia (short-sightedness) in children occurs due to natural physical growth of the eye.
Myopia can lead to an increased risk of serious eye conditions such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and increased floaters in later years.
The incidence of Myopia has doubled in the UK in the last 50 years – so there is much interest and research in this area currently.
The principle behind this method is that the reshaped front surface of the eye provides clear central vision and produces a slight peripheral blurring on the retina.
The peripheral blurring is key as it has been shown to significantly reduce the growth of the eye and hence lessen the change in prescription over time.
This is the same principle that is used by the Stellest myopia control spectacle lenses and the MiSight daily contact lenses but with the advantage of not needing to wear glasses or lenses through the day.
What to expect
Throughout the day you will have sharp vision. As the day goes on, the cornea will gradually start returning towards its original shape.
As the treatment naturally wears off it will be topped up by the next night’s wear.
Some patients find that the results can last 2-3 days following an overnight wear before they notice any changes, but it is recommended that you put the lenses back in every night to maintain continued and consistent results.
In the beginning, it may take a few days for the vision to stabilise and for your clear vison to last the full waking day. Most patients find they have optimum vision after one week.
Some patients find they experience some glare off lights in dark settings, this is normal in the first 4-6 weeks of treatment.
Aftercare
Night Lenses are removed every morning, cleaned with special gas-permeable contact lens cleaning solution then stored in a container until bedtime.
The act of cleaning will microscopically change the shape and curve of the lens. This means that, after a year of daily cleaning the lens will not have the same effect that it had at the start of treatment.
To maintain the best level of vision, it is recommended that night lenses are replaced on an annual basis.
We recommend an annual check-up for adults and a 6-month check-up for children to ensure the lenses are working as intended.
The Fitting Experience – Four appointments
At a night lenses fitting appointment, we first take a measurement of your eye using a corneal topographer.
This device precisely maps the shape of your cornea to assist us in designing the lens that will perfectly correct your vision.
Once your customized lenses arrive, we will teach you how to put the lenses in and take them out. You will also be shown how to clean and care for the lenses.
We will check your eyes the morning after the first night of wear to ensure the process is happening as expected and again 2 weeks later.
If any changes to the lens design need to be made, this is covered in the initial cost.
Assessment Appointment
At a Night Lenses fitting appointment, we first take a measurement of your eye using a corneal topographer.
This device precisely maps the shape of your cornea to assist us in designing the lens that will perfectly correct your vision.
Costs
All initial fitting appointments are priced at £100 and are non-refundable.
This includes the measurement appointment, training appointment, next day and 2-week check-ups.
Night lenses are not covered by NHS eyecare and so cannot be used in conjunction with an NHS voucher.
You can decide to pay up front or split the cost with a direct debit plan
*Avizor GP contact lens cleaning solution or an equivalent product
** Solutions are dispatched on a 3 monthly basis
*** Payment for lenses is due at the 2-week review.
We recommend a direct debit as the simplest and most cost-effective payment method.
Once you have paid the initial £100 fitting fee, you can set up a direct debit at the 2-week appointment.
The benefits include:
• Spread the cost of your lenses.
• Damage or loss cover for 1 pair of Lenses over a 12-month cycle
• Cleaning solution is included at a discounted rate and delivered to your door every three months
• Free sight tests*
• Night Lens checkup appointments included – unlimited.
• 20% off sunglasses
*Sight tests for under 16s and 17-18 year olds in full-time education are covered by the NHS.
FAQs
Joining the Direct Debit Scheme
We understand that a monthly direct debit can be a big commitment. If, after a few months of wearing your Night Lenses, you decide that you would like to join one of our direct debit schemes then just contact us in store and we can arrange it.
This will allow you to pre-pay for your next set of lenses, while also enjoying the benefits of the Direct Debit scheme such as:
• Spread the cost of your lenses.
• Damage or loss cover for 1 pair of Lenses over a 12-month cycle
• Cleaning solution is included at a discounted rate and delivered to your door every three months
• Free sight tests*
• Night Lens checkup appointments included – unlimited.
• 20% off sunglasses
*Sight tests for under 16s and 17-18 year olds in full-time education are covered by the NHS.
Contact Us
If you're interested in trying night lenses, get in touch for more information.
Lisburn : 028 9260 1888
Dromore : 028 9269 2223
Dundonald : 028 9048 5033
Glengormley : 028 9083 2138
Longstone St : 028 9260 5500
