contact lens discussion thread (merged)

GlasweJen

There are 3 materials for optical lenses that you're likely to come across on the UK market, plastic, glass and polycarbonate. In terms of what to buy I'd recommend that most adults get plastic (polycarb is mainly for kids or safety specs), people with a really high prescription (think 9.00 sphere plus or a massive cyl) might opt for glass but although it produces lovely thin lenses in some cases it adds considerable weight to the frame and can be very uncomfortable.

In terms of plastic most opticians lenses start at a 1.5 index going up to a 1.7, maybe a 1.74. The higher the number the thinner the lens and the higher the price.

Now before I proceed I must say I work for Asda Opticians.
If you have a prescription that needs a thinner lens I recommend checking out Asda optician, they have a flat rate price of £70 for single vision glasses complete (2 for £90) they will thin down their lenses as standard for that price and also include hard coat, easyclean coat and antireflective coat. If you wear varifocals you can get a complete pair for £110, again thinned down with the coatings and the corridor is really good with little distortion.

eklynne

Hi, thanks for that.
Bit confused though, what do you mean by how long is left on her prescription? I'm taking her to be tested again at the weekend, does that mean the prescription she is given then will be a year long one? I think under 16s need tested every 6 months anyway?
Sorry for the confusion, just don't want to be tied to a dd.
She had specsavers own brand for the past 12 months but we are going to an independent opticians tomorrow for a test. Will he provide me with everything I need to order from elsewhere?

GlasweJen

When you get your contact lenses checked the optician will tell you to see them again, whatever they write as the date they want you back by is the date your prescription runs out. So if I saw my optician today for a lens check and she wanted me back in 6 months my prescription will expire 26/08/10. A contact lens prescription is also dependant on an up to date sight test (yearly for under 16, 2 years for over 16 until you get to 60) the sight test is not part of a contact lens test.

Your optician will be legally obliged to give you a copy of the sight test prescription next week but not the contact lens prescription, some are funny about giving that out as they'll lose money if you shop online. Even if he doesn't give you it all the info you need will be on the contact lens box.

eklynne

Great, thanks for that

pstones578

I've been wearing glasses for a year. I want to try contacts for the next year and see which I prefer. Can anyone please advise what I need to and also where is best to go in order to make sure that I don't spend the earth. I also want daily's.

Thanks for any help.

Ivrytwr3

ever thought about laser eye surgery? Had mine done 7 months now and best thing i ever did!

C_Mababejive

I have been wearing CLs for maybe 10 years...not the same pair of course...i change them daily.

You will be amazed at the difference.

Pop along to your local boots for a consultation.

CLs take longer to prescribe/fit.

Ensure that you only have daily disposables as they are much more healthy than monthlies/reusables.

I buy mine from daysoft via the net..google.

Be guided by your optometrist

brizzledfw

Hi there -I have worn CLs for over 20 years and until about 2 weeks ago wore gas permeables which suited me fine and got lots of oxygen to my eyes.

I have now had a free trial for ones you change fortnightly (again better for me than dailies..it really depends on your prescription) - you will need an up to date eye test though and remember a CL prescription is not exactly the same as one for glasses as the lens actually sits on your eye.

I will be changing to the fortnightly ones as I plan to never have a panic about losing a contact lens again....they will simply be a new pack that they send through the post. I am getting a scheme which includes lenses, solutions and check ups. I also know that with my scheme I can 'pause' it so that if I get too many in stock as it were (eg. I don't wear them for a while) I can stop the direct debit for a bit.

My only advice is go to a reputable optician to start with - you can always swop to internet based companies to get the supplies of lenses and solutions later.

Best of luck

brizzledfw

Oh and I got the free trial through a voucher they sent to me through the post as I had had an eye test there. If you don't have one I suggest you just ask or scour the forums here or local newspapers etc..

pstones578

Thanks for the comments so far. What sort of money should I be looking at to start out with? I will defo be going to a high street supplier first in order to 'hand hold' me for a bit and then I will look to get things a bit cheaper in the long run via the net etc.