Contact Lens Fitting in Toowoomba: Your Complete Guide
Contact lenses offer freedom from glasses — but they're not one-size-fits-all. The right lens depends on your prescription, your eye shape, your lifestyle, and how often you want to wear them. Getting properly fitted by an optometrist is the safest and most effective way to start wearing contacts.
At Darling Downs Optometry in Toowoomba, we offer professional contact lens fitting consultations for new wearers and existing wearers looking to upgrade or change lens type.
Types of Contact Lenses
There are several different types of contact lenses, and the right choice will depend on your individual needs.
Daily disposables Single-use lenses discarded at the end of each day. These are the most hygienic option and ideal for people who wear contacts occasionally or who have sensitivities. No cleaning required.
Fortnightly or monthly lenses Reusable lenses that are cleaned and stored each night. More economical for daily wearers. Require a proper cleaning and disinfecting routine.
Toric lenses Designed to correct astigmatism. These lenses are weighted to stay in the correct orientation on the eye. Available as dailies or monthlies.
Multifocal contact lenses Correct both distance and near vision, making them suitable for patients over 40 who are beginning to find reading difficult. An alternative to reading glasses.
Extended wear lenses Approved for overnight use in some cases, though this carries additional risks and is not appropriate for everyone.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) Rigid lenses worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea. Used for both vision correction and myopia control. See our separate guide on Ortho-K for more information.
What Happens During a Contact Lens Fitting?
A contact lens fitting is a separate appointment from your regular eye test and involves several additional steps:
Corneal measurements: We measure the curvature and diameter of your cornea to find lenses that will sit correctly on your eye.
Tear film assessment: Poor tear quality or quantity can make contact lens wear uncomfortable. We assess your tears to identify any dry eye issues that need to be managed before or during lens wear.
Trial lens fitting: We fit trial lenses from the appropriate range and check how they sit on your eye, how clearly you can see, and how comfortable they feel.
Instruction and training: For new wearers, we spend time teaching you how to insert and remove lenses safely, how to clean and store them (if applicable), and what warning signs to watch for.
Follow-up: We arrange a follow-up appointment after a week or two of lens wear to assess how your eyes are responding.
Is Everyone Suitable for Contact Lenses?
Most people can wear contact lenses successfully, but they're not right for everyone. Factors that may affect suitability include:
- Severe dry eye disease
- Certain corneal conditions (e.g., keratoconus)
- Allergies or eye inflammation
- Very high or complex prescriptions (though there are specialist lenses for many of these)
Our optometrists will assess your suitability during the fitting consultation and be honest with you about whether contacts are a good option.
Tips for Safe Contact Lens Wear
Whether you're new to contacts or a long-term wearer, these habits matter:
- Always wash and dry hands thoroughly before handling lenses
- Never sleep in lenses unless they are specifically approved for overnight wear
- Never rinse lenses in tap water — use only appropriate contact lens solution
- Replace lenses on the schedule recommended — don't stretch them beyond their intended life
- Remove lenses immediately if you experience redness, pain, discharge, or sudden blurring
- Have an up-to-date pair of glasses as a backup
Book a Contact Lens Fitting in Toowoomba
Call Darling Downs Optometry on (07) 4638 8828 to arrange your contact lens fitting consultation. We're located at 355 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba, and our experienced team is happy to guide you through the options.
If you haven't had an eye test in the past two years, we'll arrange that first to make sure your prescription is current before fitting lenses.
Darling Downs Optometry — 355 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba QLD 4350 —
(07) 4638 8828
