Contact Lenses

There are different types of contact lenses and the choice may seem baffling, but we are here to help and advise you.

Choosing Contact Lenses

We will ask you some simple questions and help you decide on the best type to try. We pride ourselves on taking the time and trouble to tell you about all the possible options and we will always try to find the most suitable lenses for you.

Why do you want to wear contact lenses? Is it for special sports pursuits, hobbies or simply as an alternative to spectacles?
How often do you want to wear them? For social use or all of the time?
Have you ever had any problems with your eyes?
What is your general state of health like?
Are you taking any medication?

The Examination

With all this information to hand we will then examine your eyes to check their health and suitability for contact lenses. Lenses will be chosen that are of the correct specification and as close to your prescription as possible.

Contact Lens Assessment

Once we have decided what type of lens suits your prescription and your needs, the next stage is to undertake a trial period with the chosen contact lenses. This will give you an idea of what it is like to have contact lenses in your eyes. Lenses will be chosen that are as close as possible to the prescription and size needed. Once inserted it is usual for the lenses to be left for a short time in order to assess the fit and vision. In some cases we may ask you to take a short walk around town whilst wearing the lenses to see how you feel.

At the end of this visit the lenses that you need will be chosen. In many cases we will have the required lenses available immediately. More specialist requirements may have to be ordered.

If you decide not to go ahead after the trial assessment, no charge will be made apart from that of any necessary initial eye examinations undertaken.

Handling Contact Lenses

We will teach you how to handle the lenses. This involves inserting and removing the lenses from your eyes and, where required, instructions on how to clean and look after them. Once you are competent with the handling you can start to build up your wearing time gradually.

Frames More

Lenses More

Children's Glasses More

Sunglasses More

Testimonials

I hadn't been to see an Optician in about 10 years. I went today and was pleasantly surprised. I was welcomed the moment I walked through the door. All the staff were very helpful and friendly. Mrs Hardcastle was brilliant and explained everything in detail. Nice to know I can still be a fighter pilot! Would recommend this Optometry to anyone.Thank you everyone.

Lorraine Pryce

I hate eye tests, but staff here made me feel so at ease from the moment I walked through the door. I left knowing I made the right choice for change. Thank you.

Carole Markham

I was diagnosed as having a corneal disease called kerataconus some five years ago. In that time I tried a number of different opticians who didn't seem to understand my condition, and I ended up with spectacles that simply didn't give me the vision I needed.

It wasn't until I got referred to Gareth Hardcastle by my consultant Ophthalmologist that I found someone who finally understood my eye condition.

Now some five years later, I am happily wearing specialist contact lenses which give me fantastic vision from morning to night.

Simon C

Having previously tried varifocals and not got on with them I was extremely reluctant to try them again, but was becoming increasingly frustrated at constantly swapping between different pairs of spectacles.

Perhaps somewhat naively, I thought all varifocals were the same.

It wasn't until I had an eye examination at Shrewsbury Optometry that I actually had it explained to me that there was a type of varifocal that could give me the extra reading and computer distance focus that I needed.

I was impressed with the digital lens measuring, and the bespoke lens service that I was provided with.

I now happily wear my varifocals for all my day to day office work, and gone are the days of swapping spectacles.

On our Lenses

Our daughter Erin has Down's syndrome, and has a number of healthy issues including problems with her visual development.

I first came to hear about Shrewsbury Optometry though the hospital eye service, and was recommended to them, having had trouble finding spectaclesthat fit properly.

We saw Elizabeth who took her time to find the right frame for Erin with a specially adapted bridge that meant she no longer peered over the top of her glasses all the time.

We noticed an almost immediate difference in Erin's behaviour, and she began to take interest in objects around her, that we realised she simply wasn't seeing with standard spectacle frames.

We can't thank you enough for the time and care you took for our beautiful daughter.

On our Children's Glasses

Wonderful service from very nice people who genuinely care! Nothing like the high street chains at all! Attention to detail and customer care second to none. I can honestly say I have never had a better eye test! I can honestly say I have never had such wonderful help in choosing glasses and lenses! I will never go back to the high street multiples. I discovered today that the glasses I'd had from a now obsolete high street chain about three years ago were far too strong! I hardly wore them at all because they made me feel sick! Now I know why! If you need an eye test and new glasses go to these people! Danielle on the eye tests and Jess on the glasses choice and fitting - both of them are just wonderful in my opinion!

Jeremy Higgins

I wouldn't go anywhere else for my optical appointments!

My sight is too important to not use the best!

The staff are all very supportive and will ALWAYS go the extra mile to ensure that you are totally happy with your prescription and frames. When there has been a problem, they rectify it as fast as they are able. I have never been disappointed with the service I have received!

Thank you!

Graham Farmer

Having been to several different opticians over the years I became disillusioned with the quality of service and care I received. I never seemed to see the same optician twice, and always felt like their main priority was to sell me a pair of glasses.

My first examination at Shrewsbury Optometry was like a breath of fresh air. I immediately felt like I was in the hands of a professional team, and the level of examination I received was far beyond anything I had received before.

In the ten years since that first examination I have always seen Jenny Hardcastle, and I never ceased to be amazed at the new equipment used during the examinations, which seems to get more sophisticated every year.

Mrs Catrina B