Hard contact lenses - considering trying them

Ben84

I currently wear soft contacts with mixed results and am wondering if anyone here has any thoughts on the hard lenses? I hear they're better for astigmatism and give sharper vision, as well as being unable to dry out. Long term they could also be money saving, but they're initially expensive.

I would just try some, but first any thoughts from people who use/have used them could be valuable before spending lots of money!

Hedgehog99

I used to wear hard gas permeable lenses. My eyes tolerated them well except on windy days when dust on the street got whipped up.

I have astigmatism, but don't need it to be accounted for in my contact lens prescription (it is in my glasses).

I changed to daily soft disposables because:
1) The method used to clean "keepable" lenses changed. When I was first taught by my optician, tap water was used to rinse off the cleaner (I know, anyone new to this now would think that is insane), but then tap water rinsing was banned and the cost of cleaning basically tripled because all rinsing had to be done with the storage solution or sterile saline.
2) cost of replacement lenses. In those days, they were £60 per lens and, although usually careful/lucky, I suddenly lost two within a couple of months
3) wish disposables, I get a fresh new pair every day - no accidental carry over of anything infection etc, no scratches on the lenses, much more comfortable, no waiting for a new lens if I lose one, and my prescription can be updated with each three-month order that's posted out to me so I don't have to wait/"use up" an existing lens.

BlondeHeadOn

I used to wear the old-style hard PMMA lenses (not gas permeable) for 20 years, and to be honest they were the best lenses I ever had. I have astigmatism too, and during that 20 years my prescription hardly changed much and my eyes felt great. I found them easy to clean and care for, although expensive to buy.

I was finally persuaded to try disposable soft lenses, and then GP ones, and never got on with either of them, so now wear glasses instead. :-(

Hard lenses do take a while to get used to, but well worth it in my opinion. I really disliked the soft lenses, which I found gave me much worse vision, and GP ones used to get too dry in my eyes so I gave up on them too.

If you are going for hard ones then find a place that will allow you to trial them first to make sure that they are good for you.

Ben84

Thank you both for your replies.

I'm ok with the effort and cost of solutions, because I already buy and use them for my 2-week lenses. I could use daily lenses, but none I've found have high oxygen permeability.

My prescription doesn't ever seen to change, so I would hope to be fine for some time if I get any. The investments and long term care are more like glasses with these lenses.

I find soft lenses comfortable and have never had a problem with irritation or infection (I use oxysept peroxide cleaner), but their correction just isn't as good as my glasses. Kind of fuzzy at the edges.

As for dry eye, I used to have this, but learned that omega-3 supplement are linked to improvements and have had no problems since taking them. Something to do with the lipid layer of the tear film.

A free trial might not be possible for hard lenses, I couldn't find anyone offering this?

Opticsman

As an Optician, just some friendly advice.

RGP lenses are great for your eyes. They allow lots of oxygen and moisture to the eye, meaning that they are a good option if you do suffer from dry eyes. There is the higher risks with using a long-lasting lens, such as infection, etc. but so long as you clean them properly, look after them properly, and replace them as required, you should have very few problems with them.

Soft lenses generally are more comfortable, especially compared to when you first try hard lenses, and the materials are getting better to allow more oxygen to the eyes. 9 times out of 10, soft lenses don't give you great vision for your astigmatism because the fitting/prescription requires a bit more fine tuning. It's always worth going to your optician to see if they can improve it, or a different optician for a second opinion on fitting of lenses / prescription. There is usually a soft lens that would meet your visual needs. Soft lenses are generally a bit more hygienic, but as I said, if you look after the lenses correctly, then you have nothing to worry about.

The RGP lenses do have a high initial cost, no optician does free RGP trials due to this (also worrying about patients taking the lenses and not returning means the optician is liable for vision issues). Some opticians I know ask you to purchase the RGP lenses and then, should you not get on with them, would refund you majority of the cost (not a full refund).

One more important thing, If you are really considering RGP lenses then make sure you see a Contact Lens Optician / Specialist. While ordinary Optometrists can do an RGP fitting, they are often not as precise or confident doing them, as most opticians fit soft lenses as the norm. A Contact Lens Optician has spent a much greater time studying about the lenses and how to fit all types of lenses properly to a point where they could probably do it with their eyes closed (no pun intended). It just means you would be more likely to get it right first time or in much fewer attempts, while also getting the benefit of their expertise.

Hope this helps.

nedmundo

Opticsman wrote: »

One more important thing, If you are really considering RGP lenses then make sure you see a Contact Lens Optician / Specialist. While ordinary Optometrists can do an RGP fitting, they are often not as precise or confident doing them, as most opticians fit soft lenses as the norm. A Contact Lens Optician has spent a much greater time studying about the lenses and how to fit all types of lenses properly to a point where they could probably do it with their eyes closed (no pun intended). It just means you would be more likely to get it right first time or in much fewer attempts, while also getting the benefit of their expertise.

Hope this helps.

Sorry - but that is total rubbish! It doesn't matter whether it's an Optometrist or a CLO, as long as they are competent and confident dealing with RGPs - unfortunately, there are fewer around these days as the bulk of the market is soft lenses.

Ben84

Thank you Opticsman and nedmundo for the further comments. I had thought this thread had lapsed now, perhaps as hard lenses are not so popular now.

I've actually been wearing my glasses only this past week (had a cold, couldn't be bothered with contacts), and it has reminded me how I dislike wearing the glasses, but also how much better fine detail is with them. I just feel like every time I blink or focus at another distance, my eyes take longer to adjust with the contacts.

I've telephoned my optician and the lady there outlined the rough costs as £40-60 per lens, and that I'll need an appointment for an eye test and choosing lenses. The time needed and cost sounds manageable, although I still have worries about spending around £100 or more on something as an experiment, but I think I'll be making an appointment in time as I do want to try options. I'll update here if I go for it.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I hate wearing glasses too. I have a very high prescription, so glasses tend to be heavy.


I get what you mean about better vision with glasses compared to soft lenses. However, I tried gas permeable lenses on a number of occasions and I really couldn't stand them in my eyes. Tried to persevere but had to give up in the end. They do offer better vision as they come in a larger range of prescription, but my eyes are really sensitive so have had to go for comfort.


If I remember rightly, I didn't pay to trial the lenses. Would only be required to pay if I could get along with them ok.

geri1965_2

I wear RGP lenses. They are £90 per pair, but they last at least two years. In fact I had a check up two weeks ago and was expecting to have them replaced, as they are two years old, and my optician said they looked fine and I didn't need new ones. I don't spend huge amounts of money on solutions either so in my view they are more cost effective than soft lenses and better for my prescription (which is complex).