Contact Lens Cost Cutting article discussion

wishiwasarichgirl

dagger_meerkat wrote: »

Ok, the only lenses I can find with these specs are Ciba vision. Do manufacturers only do very specific attributes as I can't seem to find any Acuvue lenses with my specifications?

basically, yes. they don't want you to be able to order from other suppliers.

The only dailies with specs of 8.6/14.2 are Ciba focus dailies.

anyway, ciba focus dailies will always be much cheaper than acuvue dailies - acuvue spend thousands on advertising and so always charge more for their lenses, no matter where you look.

shoperholicnot

i ordered some contacts from vision direct and i ordered the wrong prescription, sent them back and they replaced them pronto. really good company with really good prices. i paid 63.00 for a years supply,money back through Quidco too!, I was paying specsavers £15 a month for the same ones!

TarePanda

HEy if anyone wears coloured contacts like i do, go to https://www.cosmeticlenses.co.uk and use the code "free freshlook" which give you £11.90 off for every 3 boxes of Fresh look contacts you buy.
I dont know when this promo ends tho

treliac

dagger_meerkat wrote: »

Right .. on most of these sites and other contact lens sites, the only base curve is 8.5/9.0 and a diameter of 14.2 and yet my prescription states a BC of 8.6 and a diameter of 13.8.

Would the 8.5/14.2 do?

I'm really very sceptical about the need to be so precise. IMO your prescription states BC 8.6 and diameter 13.8 because this is the Focus Dailies spec. and these are what you've been sold. I don't believe that a larger lens, i.e. diameter such as 14.2, which is the more standard diameter, is going to make a difference. Comfort on the eye is a lot to do with the edge design.

Opticians have been completely happy to let me try different soft contact lenses and make my own mind up about which I prefer. There may well be a point at which the variation becomes too great (and I haven't tried Acuvue - too expensive) but the mainstream BC 8.6, diameter 14.2, or closely thereabouts, seem fine.

Why don't you go into a Tesco optician. My local one assured me that they will not try to prevent me from ordering online from wherever. I think that fear of loss of business is behind some of the 'precious' attitudes I have come across in some of the independent or franchise businesses.

treliac

DailyClicker wrote: »

but still found my eyes were a little sore during the day

I used to assume that the higher water content lenses would be the most comfortable, but a manufacturer I got in touch with told me that lower water content are more comfortable. The higher water content absorbs more moisture from the eye causing more dryness.

nedmundo

treliac wrote: »

I'm really very sceptical about the need to be so precise. IMO your prescription states BC 8.6 and diameter 13.8 because this is the Focus Dailies spec. and these are what you've been sold. I don't believe that a larger lens, i.e. diameter such as 14.2, which is the more standard diameter, is going to make a difference. Comfort on the eye is a lot to do with the edge design.

Opticians have been completely happy to let me try different soft contact lenses and make my own mind up about which I prefer. There may well be a point at which the variation becomes too great (and I haven't tried Acuvue - too expensive) but the mainstream BC 8.6, diameter 14.2, or closely thereabouts, seem fine.

Why don't you go into a Tesco optician. My local one assured me that they will not try to prevent me from ordering online from wherever. I think that fear of loss of business is behind some of the 'precious' attitudes I have come across in some of the independent or franchise businesses.

I refer you to my answer on the other thread.

One manufacturers 8.6 curve desgin lens can fit completely differently to another. The reason being different material modulus, water content, thickness, edge design, parabolar function - need I go on?

A larger base curve i.e. 14.2 compared to 13.8 will give a steeper or tighter fit, even if the base curve remains the same. Everybodies eyes have varying tear production qualities and differing amounts of different tear components.

Therefore, some may prefer a low water content and others a high H2O content. In theory, the higher water content is healthier as it transmits more oxygen to the cornea, but this advantage can be offset by the extra thickness required to make the lens mechanically strong enough.
You just can't generalise as to which water content is more comfortable and whether all the lenses will fit the same. On some eyes then yes maybe, but on others, the difference in in-situ performance is stark.

You're conclusion is based on your own experiences and from being cynical regarding pricing and marketing. Your opticians may be happy to dish out different lenses to try, for you to in effect self prescribe and self evaluate. If they are cutting corners, it is to save cost to either you or them. Don't tar us all with the same brush!

I don't care how sceptical you are about different lens parameters and materials. Your advice is flawed and can potentially lead to someone on here making a decision with damaging long term consequences for their eyes and their vision. Contact lens wear is putting a foreign body in the eye with a view to preventing/minimising and changes/ complications to them. We are dealing with peoples vision here - I for one don't want to be picking up the pieces of another contact lens patient's wrecked contact lens wearing career as a result of complacency on the part of patients and practitioners - all in the name of cost and cynicism.

treliac

nedmundo wrote: »

A larger base curve i.e. 14.2 compared to 13.8 will give a steeper or tighter fit, even if the base curve remains the same. Everybodies eyes have varying tear production qualities and differing amounts of different tear components.

In your haste to reply to me, don't you mean 'a larger diameter i.e. 14.2'

Therefore, some may prefer a low water content and others a high H2O content. In theory, the higher water content is healthier as it transmits more oxygen to the cornea, but this advantage can be offset by the extra thickness required to make the lens mechanically strong enough.
You just can't generalise as to which water content is more comfortable and whether all the lenses will fit the same. On some eyes then yes maybe, but on others, the difference in in-situ performance is stark.

Yes, exactly, you're talking about individual preference, what some may prefer and what is more comfortable for the individual. The optician can't say that without giving the patient the opportunity to try different lenses. As I, as well as others, have said - that is why our opticians have let us try different brands and that is also why opticians cannot be that specific. Within correct and safe parameters, there is still a lot of scope.

You're conclusion is based on your own experiences and from being cynical regarding pricing and marketing. Your opticians may be happy to dish out different lenses to try, for you to in effect self prescribe and self evaluate. If they are cutting corners, it is to save cost to either you or them.

I don't believe my optician was encouraging self-prescribing. They were just allowing me to choose from the range of lenses that were suitable for my eyes. But I do believe that they were doing their best to hang onto business rather than to lose it to online buying. TBH if I had stuck with the original lens I was offered I would have given up CL wear altogether. As it is, I have found what suits me best and can appreciate the true freedom and comfort that lens wear can bring.

I refer you to my answer on the other thread.

Yes, nedmundo, as you say we've been round this one before. Unfortunately, too many people agree with me. I know you are putting forward the optician's argument and also that contact lens wear is to be taken seriously with the appropriate guidance. However, intelligent and educated wearers are able to separate the wheat from the chaff and are able to make decisions about suitable lenses for themselves once they have enough knowledge.

Don't tar us all with the same brush!

I'm sure you are an excellent practitioner.

treliac x

nedmundo

treliac wrote: »

In your haste to reply to me, don't you mean 'a larger diameter i.e. 14.2'

Yes you're right!! An Adnams too many!

LEA-422

Anyone tried daysoftlenses before? any good? i been using Acuvue 1 day moist.

nedmundo

Try reading the thread!