Contact Lenses
Vision Without Compromise
Contact lenses offer a liberating alternative to glasses, providing clear vision without frames. At Unia Opticians, we’re specialists in contact lens fitting and aftercare, ensuring you enjoy comfortable, healthy lens wear tailored to your individual needs.
Whether you’re drawn to the convenience of daily disposables, the value of monthly lenses, or specialist options for complex prescriptions, we’ll guide you to the perfect solution. Our expertise covers all types of contact lenses, from standard soft lenses to rigid gas permeable and specialist designs.
Have an Enquiry?
Please complete the form below and a member of our team will be in touch.
Expert Fitting Makes All the Difference
Not all eyes are the same, and neither are all contact lenses. Our detailed fitting process includes precise measurements of your corneal curvature, pupil size, and tear film quality, alongside careful assessment of your lifestyle and visual requirements.
We take the time to find lenses that fit your eyes perfectly, ensuring optimal comfort and vision. This thorough approach prevents common problems like dryness, discomfort, or unstable vision that can occur with poorly fitted lenses. Your eye health and comfort are our top priorities.
First Time Wearing Lenses?
We understand that trying contact lenses for the first time can feel daunting. Our patient, supportive approach includes comprehensive training on insertion, removal, and care routines, ensuring you feel completely confident before you leave.
We’ll teach you everything you need to know about safe lens wear, hygiene practices, and what to do if you experience any problems. Many first-time wearers are surprised by how quickly they adapt, and we’ll support you every step of the way until lens wear becomes second nature.
Ongoing Support and Aftercare
Your journey doesn’t end when you collect your lenses. We provide regular follow-up appointments to monitor your eye health and ensure your lenses continue to perform perfectly.
These check-ups allow us to assess how your eyes are responding to lens wear, check your vision remains optimal, and update your prescription if needed. Our team is always available to answer questions, address concerns, or see you urgently if any issues arise. This comprehensive aftercare ensures your long-term comfort and eye health.
Solutions for Every Visual Need
Modern contact lens technology offers solutions for almost every visual requirement. We fit lenses for Astigmatism, Presbyopia, and high prescriptions.
If you’ve been told in the past that you can’t wear contact lenses, advances in lens design mean it’s worth trying again. We also help patients who want to combine contact lenses with glasses, wearing lenses for sports or social occasions whilst using glasses for work or relaxation.
Start Your Contact Lens Journey with Unia Opticians.
Get in touch to book your comprehensive contact lens consultation and discover a new way of seeing the world.
Patient Resources
Contact Lens Dos and Dont's
Find the useful tips on contact lens wear and care to help you get the best out of your contact lenses.
Soft Contact Lenses: Insertion and Removal Tips
Find the useful tips how to safely insert and remove your soft contact lenses.
RGP Contact Lenses: Insetion and Removal Tips
Find the useful tips how to safely insert and remove your RGP contact lenses.
Acanthamoeba Keratitis
Acanthamoeba keratitis is a serious infection of the cornea that can result in permanent visual impairment or loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of contact lenses does Unia Opticians in London offer?
At Unia Opticians we offer a comprehensive range of contact lenses to suit diverse patient requirements. As an independent practice, we have the freedom to fit an array of contact lens types and brands, ensuring we can find the perfect solution for your individual needs.
Our most popular option: Soft Disposable Lenses
Soft disposable lenses are our most frequently fitted contact lens type due to their comfort, convenience, and versatility. These lenses are available in:
Material options:
- Hydrogel lenses: Traditional soft lens material offering excellent comfort
- Silicone hydrogel lenses: Advanced material providing superior oxygen transmission to the cornea, promoting healthier eyes and extended wearing comfort
Correction options:
- Spherical lenses: For short-sightedness (myopia) and long-sightedness (hyperopia)
- Toric lenses: Specially designed to correct astigmatism alongside other refractive errors
Replacement schedules to suit your lifestyle:
- Daily disposable: Fresh new lenses every day, no cleaning or storage required, maximum hygiene and convenience
- 2-weekly replacement: Replace lenses every two weeks with daily cleaning and storage
- Monthly replacement: Replace lenses every month with daily care routine
Wearing flexibility: Soft disposable lenses provide improved comfort and can be worn full-time (every day) or on an occasional basis, making them ideal for:
- Sports and active lifestyles
- Leisure activities
- Situations where spectacles may limit your field of view
- Social occasions
- Alternating with glasses as preferred
As an independent opticians, we’re not limited to specific brands or manufacturers, allowing us to select from the full range of contact lenses available to find the optimal solution for your prescription, eye health, lifestyle, and budget. During your contact lens consultation, we’ll discuss all suitable options and recommend the best choice for your individual circumstances.
Can I wear contact lenses if I have Astigmatism?
Yes, absolutely. At Unia Opticians we fit toric contact lenses specifically designed to correct Astigmatism alongside short-sightedness or long-sightedness.
What are toric lenses?
Toric lenses are specialized soft contact lenses with different powers in different meridians of the lens to correct the irregular curvature of the cornea that causes Astigmatism. Unlike standard spherical lenses, toric lenses must maintain a specific orientation on your eye to provide clear vision, and modern toric lens designs achieve this with remarkable stability.
Available in multiple formats:
At Unia Opticians, toric lenses are available in the same convenient replacement schedules as standard soft lenses:
- Daily disposable toric lenses: Fresh lenses every day with no cleaning required
- 2-weekly replacement toric lenses: Replace every two weeks with daily care
- Monthly replacement toric lenses: Replace monthly with proper maintenance
Material options:
Toric lenses are available in both hydrogel and silicone hydrogel materials, with silicone hydrogel offering superior oxygen transmission for healthier, more comfortable eyes during extended wear.
Fitting expertise matters:
Fitting toric lenses requires additional expertise and precision compared to standard contact lenses. The lenses must be properly aligned and stable on your eye to provide clear, consistent vision. At Unia Opticians, we use slit lamp biomicroscopy and other diagnostic equipment to ensure optimal fit and vision with your toric lenses.
Lifestyle benefits:
Contact lenses can be particularly beneficial for people with Astigmatism who find that:
- Glasses cause distortion in peripheral vision
- Spectacle frames limit field of view during sports or activities
- They want freedom from glasses for leisure or social occasions
As an independent practice, we have access to the full range of toric lens options from multiple manufacturers, allowing us to find the perfect solution for your specific prescription, eye shape, and lifestyle needs. We’ll work with you to ensure your toric lenses provide excellent vision, comfort, and convenience.
How do I know if contact lenses are right for me?
Contact lenses can be an excellent alternative to glasses for many people, but determining if they’re right for you depends on several factors including your prescription, eye health, lifestyle, and personal preferences. At Unia Opticians we’ll assess your suitability during a comprehensive contact lens consultation.
Contact lenses are particularly beneficial if:
Your lifestyle demands:
- Sports and active pursuits: Contact lenses move with your eyes, providing stable vision without frames that can slip, fog up, or break
- Leisure activities: Swimming (with appropriate precautions), hiking, cycling, and other activities are easier without glasses
- Professional requirements: Some occupations benefit from the unrestricted field of view that contact lenses provide
You experience limitations with spectacles:
- Restricted peripheral vision due to frames
- Distortion at the edges of spectacle lenses (particularly with higher prescriptions)
- Glasses fogging up in temperature changes or while wearing masks
- Discomfort from frames or pressure on nose and ears
- Aesthetic preferences for appearance without glasses
Your prescription: Most prescriptions can be corrected with contact lenses, including:
- Short-sightedness (myopia) and long-sightedness (hyperopia)
- Astigmatism (using toric lenses)
- Various prescription strengths
Wearing flexibility at Unia Opticians:
One significant advantage of soft disposable contact lenses is that they can be worn full-time or on an occasional basis. You don’t have to choose between glasses and contacts—many of our patients alternate based on their daily activities. This flexibility means you can wear contacts for specific situations while using glasses at other times.
What we assess during your consultation:
- Your prescription and eye health
- The shape and condition of your cornea using slit lamp biomicroscopy
- Your tear film quality (important for contact lens comfort)
- Your lifestyle needs and wearing schedule preferences
- Your manual dexterity and comfort with lens handling
- Any conditions that might affect contact lens wear
What's the difference between daily, 2-weekly, and monthly contact lenses?
At Unia Opticians we offer soft disposable contact lenses in three replacement schedules: daily, 2-weekly, and monthly. Each option has distinct advantages, and the best choice depends on your lifestyle, budget, and personal preferences.
Daily Disposable Contact Lenses:
How they work:
- Fresh, sterile pair of lenses every single day
- Wear them during the day, then discard at night
- No cleaning, storage, or maintenance required
Advantages:
- Maximum hygiene: Fresh lenses daily minimize risk of infection and deposit buildup
- Ultimate convenience: No lens care solutions, cases, or cleaning routines needed
- Ideal for occasional wear: Perfect if you only want lenses for sports, social events, or specific activities
- Travel-friendly: No bottles of solution to pack
- Excellent for sensitive eyes or allergies: Minimal exposure to lens care products
Best for: Occasional wearers, people with busy lifestyles, those prioritizing convenience and hygiene, anyone with allergies or sensitive eyes
2-Weekly Replacement Contact Lenses:
How they work:
- One pair of lenses worn for up to two weeks
- Remove nightly and clean/store in fresh solution
- Replace with new pair every 14 days
Advantages:
- Balance between convenience and cost
- More economical than daily disposables for regular wearers
- Less frequent replacement than daily while still relatively hygienic
- Suitable for full-time wear
Best for: Regular contact lens wearers seeking balance between cost and convenience
Monthly Replacement Contact Lenses:
How they work:
- One pair of lenses worn for up to 30 days
- Remove nightly and clean/store in fresh solution
- Replace with new pair monthly
Advantages:
- Most economical option for full-time wearers
- Fewer lenses to purchase and store
- Suitable for daily wear throughout the month
- Available in widest range of prescriptions and designs
Best for: Full-time contact lens wearers, those with complex prescriptions, budget-conscious patients committed to proper lens care
Important considerations:
All replacement schedules require:
- Proper hand hygiene when handling lenses
- Following recommended wearing times
- Regular eye examinations to monitor eye health
2-weekly and monthly lenses additionally require:
- Daily cleaning and disinfection
- Fresh storage solution each night
- Clean lens cases (replaced regularly)
- Proper lens care products
Flexibility at Unia Opticians:
Soft disposable lenses provide improved comfort and can be worn full-time or on an occasional basis. Many patients use daily disposables for sports and occasional wear while using 2-weekly or monthly lenses for regular daily use. As an independent practice, we can help you choose the replacement schedule that best suits your lifestyle and requirements.
During your contact lens consultation, we’ll discuss which option aligns with your needs, wearing patterns, and budget to ensure you get the most suitable contact lens solution.
How do I book a contact lens fitting at Unia Opticians London?
To book a contact lens consultation and fitting with us please contact the practice directly, or complete our Request an Appointment form. We’ll arrange a comprehensive appointment to assess your suitability for contact lenses and find the perfect solution for your needs.
What to expect at your contact lens consultation:
Initial assessment:
- Discussion of your lifestyle, visual needs, and why you’re interested in contact lenses
- Review of your prescription and eye health history
- Comprehensive eye examination if you haven’t had a recent one
Detailed eye measurements:
- Assessment of your corneal shape and size using slit lamp biomicroscopy
- Evaluation of your tear film quality (crucial for contact lens comfort)
- Measurements to determine the optimal lens parameters for your eyes
Lens selection and trial: As an independent practice, we have the freedom to fit an array of contact lenses from multiple manufacturers, ensuring we can find the perfect match for your requirements. We’ll discuss:
- Suitable lens types (hydrogel vs. silicone hydrogel)
- Replacement schedules (daily, 2-weekly, or monthly)
- Specialised options if you have astigmatism (toric lenses)
- Whether full-time or occasional wear suits your lifestyle
Training and education:
- Instruction on how to insert and remove lenses safely
- Proper lens care and hygiene (for 2-weekly and monthly lenses)
- Wearing schedule recommendations
- What to do if you experience discomfort
- When to seek advice
Trial period: You’ll typically be provided with trial lenses to wear and assess comfort and vision in your daily life. Follow-up appointments ensure the lenses are fitting properly and your eyes are healthy.
What to bring to your appointment:
- Your current glasses (if you wear them)
- List of any medications you take
- Details of any eye conditions or allergies
Start Your Contact Lens Journey with Unia Opticians
Get in touch to book your comprehensive contact lens consultation and discover a new way of seeing the world.
