contact lens discussion thread (merged)

Hermia

jenniewb wrote: »

Am reading this amd am SO JELOUS!! I really want contact lenses but have a strong astigmatism (as well as debt!!) and I have been told by several optitions that I am not suitable for contact lenses, I really want daily lenses, I used to wear CL when I was 15, my optition made them especially but it was a huge cost and they had to last 2 years so I had to clean them daily. Needless to say they were easily ripped whilst cleaning (especially not being able to see them to clean them properly!). I ahve been told that since my astigmatism has gotten worse and contat lenses are now just not do-able.

I wish I could get daily disposables but I guess the technology is just not there yet.

I'm sure it will get there soon. Contact lenses seem to improve every year. I have an astigmatism, but did not get on with the daily disposables for astigmatism at all (they are very fiddly and difficult to get out). I can wear normal DDs fine, but my eye sight is not quite as good with them. As I only wear them for social events, not work or driving, it's not a problem at all and my optician is happy for me to wear them.

I remember when I first asked about DDs they weren't yet available for my presciption. Within 18 months they were. Astigmatism DDs were not available then and now they are. Finger's crossed that the technology will catch up soon!

pmduk

Ask friends who they use locally. I'm using specsavers for daily contacts and really happy with them.

PixelPound

I'm using Asda opticians. It is best to get them from an optician, rather than online, because you get aftercare - free check-ups too ensure they are still working fine for you. Its not the same as wearing glasses - you can get infections, or your eyes can have problems if you wear them too long at a time.
I find them v comfortable, and have on more than one occassion slept in them because I forgot I was wearing them!!

-N34

Does anyone know what the Specsavers Star Price daily contact lens is before it branded to their own make???

terra_ferma

Hello
does anyone know where it is possible to get Acuvue Oasys contact lenses delivered monthly, but cheaper than D&A (I think my friend was paying £24.00).
My friend does not want to change brand or type of contacts because he is very happy with them and can't afford taking chances because without lenses his sight is very bad, and has to wear thick glasses.

I've looked at internet sites, but he needs monthly deliveries because he works long hours and he's away a lot and I'm sure he'd end up forgetting!

terra_ferma

Anyone at all?

janb5

Hi Look above on the health resource bar- there is an article as to which sites are best for contact lenses and maybe you can look into where would be best for your friend. They all vary enormously but I`ve been very happy getting my lenses online. HTH

claireac

I'm not a new user of contact lenses, but my eyes are changing and they're giving me headaches .

I'm very short sighted and have worn glasses since I was 11 (39 now), and started wearing contacts in my early 20's.

I went to get my eyes tested as I work at a pc most of the day and was getting lots of headaches and the optician said it's because I'm starting to get slightly long sighted due to my age (:eek::eek::eek:) and that because I have astigmatism it's making my eyes struggle with the contacts :(.

So I'm wearing my glasses most of the time now. I don't mind in the winter and tbh have always worn my glasses more in the winter, but am dreading the summer now. The contacts seem to help with my hayfever as my eyes don't get so sore when I wear them, and I'm dreading not being able to wear my sunglasses when I want etc, I also hate wearing my glasses in the gym, and what about swimming?? I've always just worn my contacts.........I know, it's all very shallow.........

Any suggestions?? Anyone else had this problem? What did you do?

belfastgirl23

I have exactly the same issue and tbh I just didn't bother with contacts except if I was going to something really fancy. I like to read, watch tv and work at a PC so I pretty much couldn't wear my contacts for any of my normal life

This did come up on another thread and someone mentioned that they wear glasses with their contacts for close up work. Don't know if you would try that, seemed a bit pointless to me but i can see how the hay fever thing might be a real issue for you.

For swimming prescription goggles are great, got mine from boots, £40 and they make a huge difference.

Will be interested to see other responses - we can't be the only ones to suffer from this.

Fuzzy_Duck

Agree with belfastgirl23, if you do a lot of swimming it's worth investing in prescription goggles. Otherwise you can wear your glasses with normal goggles over them, but I'm not sure how comfortable that is!

Likewise you can get prescription sunglasses- I have a pair and they were quite pricey but worth it for the days I can't be bothered with my contacts. Anastacia the pop singer used to wear hers all the time. She was my hero when I was a kid and couldn't stand the thought of putting contacts in- that is until she got laser eye surgery (another option, but not particularly MS!)

As for the gym, is the problem that they're rattling around while you're exercising? (I'm dreadful, have never been to the gym so have no idea what it's like!) You can get them tightened so they fit better to your head, but if it were me I think I'd just take them off and put up with the blurry vision, assuming you can cope without them for a while.

It might be worth seeing a different optician as it's not very often people are told they can't wear contacts at all. I have a friend who's practically blind and very near the cut off point but wears his 24/7 with ease. I have astigmatism and this hasn't been a problem (I just have to pay more for my contacts ) but unsure how to combat the long sightedness as I am short sighted.

Hopefully someone with a bit more knowledge will come along soon as I can understand how frustrating it is not having the option of wearing contacts!