Frequently asked questions

We have included some of the most frequently asked questions about contact lenses and your overall eye health below - or click the button below so we can help you find an answer to your question.

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Top Questions

Top questions

How old do I have to be to wear contact lenses?

Lots of teens and even some children wear contact lenses. Successful lens wear depends more on responsibility and attitude than age. Seeing an optometrist will help you figure out whether contact lenses are right for you.

Are contact lenses comfortable to wear?

We can't speak for all contact lens wearers but in over 40 clinical trials against other contact lenses, ACUVUE® contact lenses have never been beaten in comfort+.

+Clinical trial results posted on ClinicalTrials.gov, a website maintained by the NIH, were reviewed as of April 30, 2024. The 47 clinical trials evaluated subjective comfort as a primary or secondary endpoint for the ACUVUE® OASYS Brand family (including daily disposable families), the 1-DAY ACUVUE® MOIST Brand family (within the category of hydrogel daily disposable), and the ACUVUE® VITA® Brand family, vs. competitors’ products.

Can contact lenses get lost behind my eye?

No, they cannot. A membrane called the conjunctiva covers the white of your eye and connects to the inside of your eyelid so there’s no chance that a contact lens can go behind your eye.

Can contact lenses get stuck to my eye?

This is very unlikely. Contact lenses can usually be removed easily using the method your optometrist recommended. All it takes is practice and patience.

Can contact lenses pop out of your eye?

Not likely. With proper fitting, contacts should stay in place almost all the time. Even on that rare occasion when a contact lens moves out of place, it usually stays on your eye until you can move it back.

Can contact lenses scratch your eye?

Such contact lens related problems can occur but they are rare when they are fit and prescribed by a qualified optometrist. Proper care, handling and replacement of the prescribed lenses can help reduce the chances of complications.

Contact Lens Prescriptions

Contact lens prescriptions

Why do I need a prescription for contact lenses?

A contact lens intended for vision correction requires a prescription. Only a qualified eye care professional can properly measure you for vision correction and determine which size and type of contact lens is best for you. Also, safely wearing contact lenses requires periodic monitoring of your eye health and vision needs. Typically, an annual examination is recommended for renewal of your contact lens prescription.

Is my contact lens prescription different than my spectacle prescription?

Yes. A prescription for contact lenses requires different information than a prescription for spectacles. Along with the level of vision correction, a contact lens prescription will include a measurement of the base curve and diameter of your eyes. These are fitting specifications, and they can be brand- and material-specific.

How do I get a contact lens prescription?

Start by scheduling a contact lens appointment with an optometrist. Your first contact lens fitting takes a little longer than a regular eye exam. Be sure to let the practice know you want a contact lens fitting, not just a regular eye exam. Want to find an optometrist near you who carries ACUVUE®? Find a nearby one here.

What is a base curve?

The base curve is the back curvature of a contact lens. It is used to determine the best and most comfortable natural fit to your eye.

What is diameter?

Diameter is the distance from edge to edge of your lens. Your optometrist will determine the correct diameter for you during your exam.

Are contact lenses more expensive than glasses?

Contact lenses can be surprisingly affordable. And with health insurance including extras cover, out-of-pocket costs may be even less. Plus, replacing a lost contact lens from your supply is easier compared to the hassle and unexpected cost of having to replace lost or damaged spectacles.

Wear & Care

Wear and care

Is it difficult to take care of contact lenses?

Advances in technology have made contact lenses even more convenient than before. Caring for them with multipurpose lens solutions make cleaning, disinfecting and storing your contacts simple and more effective. For the most convenient way to wear contacts, consider daily disposable contact lenses (such as ACUVUE® OASYS MAX 1-Day).

Can I continue using my spectacles if I start wearing contact lenses?

Of course. You can still wear contact lenses or spectacles, alternating for specific activities, needs or preference. However, even if you choose to wear contact lenses full-time, it's recommended that you have a pair of spectacles in your current prescription just in case.

I don't need spectacles all the time. Why should I wear contact lenses?

Even if you only wear spectacles part-time, contact lenses can offer a convenient and easy alternative for certain activities like playing sports. Unlike spectacles, in normal wearing conditions, contact lenses won't smudge, steam up, fall off or break.

Can I wear contact lenses while participating in sports or recreational activities?

Game on. Contact lenses can offer crisp, clear, reliable vision—and you won’t have to worry about them fogging up, falling off or breaking during a game like spectacles can. Remember that contact lenses should never be worn during water activities like swimming.

Are eye infections common when wearing contact lenses?

Contact lens-related health problems can occur, but they're rare. Infections are most commonly related to poor cleaning routines or other lens-care-related issues. If you follow your optometrist's directions for proper wear and care, you should be fine.

Products

Products

What’s the difference between daily disposable and frequent replacement lenses?

Daily Disposable contact lenses are used for one day and then thrown away. They typically do not involve the use of lens solution.

Frequent Replacement lenses are reused for two weeks to one month (depending on the lens and your optometrist’s recommendation) and require cleaning and disinfection every day.

Extended wear means the contact lenses are approved for overnight wear of up to six nights/seven days (based on your optometrist’s recommendation and under strict supervision). Some lenses are approved for even longer wear periods, but we believe that a shorter wear cycle and more frequent replacement of the contact lens is safer and more comfortable.

What’s the difference between Toric and astigmatism contact lenses?

They are actually the same. Toric lenses specifically correct for astigmatism.

What is hydrogel?

Hydrogel is a soft, water-holding polymer plastic used to make contact lenses.

What is a silicone hydrogel?

Silicone hydrogel is a soft contact lens material that generally allows more oxygen to pass through the lens.

What does Dk and Dk/t mean?

Dk, or oxygen permeability, is the rate that oxygen can flow through a contact lens material. Dk/t or oxygen transmissibility, determines how much oxygen gets through a lens of a particular thickness.

Do ACUVUE® contact lenses contain PFAS?

Johnson & Johnson Vision does not use PFAS ingredients in our ACUVUE® soft contact lenses.

Eye Health

Eye health

Can I wear contact lenses if I’ve had cataract surgery?

Only your optometrist can tell for certain.

If I’ve had LASIK or another type of refractive surgery, can I still wear contact lenses?

Only your optometrist can tell for certain. LASIK surgery permanently alters the shape of your eye, but doesn’t prevent the development of presbyopia, so you may still need vision correction at some point.

How do allergies affect contact lenses?

The eye's response to allergens like pollen and dander can make contact lenses more difficult to wear. Allergens may accumulate on the contact lens causing additional discomfort. In these instances, it is recommended to use daily disposable lenses like ACUVUE® OASYS MAX or ACUVUE® MOIST which are fresh and clean every day.

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Contact us for any other questions you might have.

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Footnotes

¶The names and optometrist profiles on this site are provided for informational purposes only and do not represent an endorsement of any particular healthcare professional. The choice of optometrist and particular treatment options belongs to you.

‖MyACUVUE® is subject to Terms of Use which can be viewed upon downloading the app. Alternatively, you may email [email protected]  for a copy. MyACUVUE® is only available at selected Optical Practices which you can find in the above Practice Locator.

ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Important information for contact lens wearers: ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses are available by prescription only for vision correction. An Eye Care Professional will determine whether contact lenses are right for you. Although rare, serious eye problems can develop while wearing contact lenses. To help avoid these problems, follow the wear and replacement schedule and the lens care instructions provided by your optometrist. Do not wear contact lenses if you have an eye infection, or experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems. If one of these conditions occurs, contact your optometrist immediately. For more information on proper wear, care and safety, talk to your optometrist and ask for a Patient Instruction Guide or call the ACUVUE® Support Team on 1800 736 912.

2024PP10416

ACUVUE
®Registered trademark © , Johnson & Johnson Vision Care (Australia) Pty Ltd. This site is published by Johnson & Johnson Vision Care (Australia) Pty Ltd., which is solely responsible for its content. It is intended for use by residents of Australia. ACUVUE OASYS®, 1-DAY ACUVUE® MOIST, HYDRACLEAR®, LACREON®, 1-DAY ACUVUE® DEFINE®, EYELID STABILISED® DESIGN and PUPIL OPTIMISED DESIGN are trademarks of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. Third-party trademarks used herein are trademarks of their respective owners.