contact lens discussion thread (merged)

OrangeProse

I have a potentially naive question...

At the moment, I'm wearing a pair of rigid gas permeable contact lenses (I have no idea what brand they are) which I've had for the past ten or eleven years*. Now, I'm aware that my eyesight has changed since my last eye test (which was about five years ago, slapped wrist for me) and I reckon I'll need new ones.

Looking at the content of the discussions on this site, as well as what's offered by the major optician chains (and I know these are not the only places where I can have my eyes tested or buy lenses; it was more a starter for ten research-wise), no-one seems to sell rigid gas permeable lenses any more. Is this the case? Has the technology become obsolete? Or do the big chains simply sell dailies and monthlies because they're more profitable?

I'm one of those people for whom RGPs work well, so ideally I'd prefer to keep using them. When I last bought a pair of lenses, daily disposables were around but they were very expensive, very large, didn't 'breathe' and had a reputation for offering slightly less pin-sharp vision quality than RGPs. Is this still the case, or am I unlikely to notice the difference if I switch to dailies from RGP?

Sorry for all the questions! Thanks in advance for anyone's thoughts or perspectives on this.

*Every time I mention this I get shrieks of horror and raised eyebrows - when I bought them I was told that they'd last for years if I took care of them, which I did. As I understand it the advice standard has now changed, so I will be looking to change them a bit more frequently in future!

nedmundo

I would guess that the chains concentrate on Soft lenses because they're generally easier to fit/manage and that's where most of the market is. Best thing to do is ask them or some independents directly. If you can contact the practice where you got your lenses from previously and get a copy of the specification you are wearing, that would simplify things enormously. Otherwise, they may need to refit you from scratch.

thesim

Slightly ot, but do any of you have veins growing across your eye? I went to opticians recently and apparently because I wear my lenses so much its causing little red veins to grow across my eyes.

I have the 2 weekly lens, take them out each night, you are supposed to wear them 12 hours max but I wear them (up until recently) around 14-16 hours a day. Now I've cut down to 12 hours per day.

nedmundo

I'm afraid it's quite common - particularly with convention material contact lenses. It used to be more clinically acceptable, but these days with high oxygen lenses it can be avoided.

AndyBa_2

I’m looking for a professional view if possible, as I find that most dispensing opticians I’ve visited locally have unfortunatly given conflicting advice! I’m one with “a little knowledge being a dangerous thing”!!

I was first introduced to Hoya lenses when I sourced a pair in Cyprus many years ago. They are Hoya Wide. They have been excellent, so I wanted similar.........But.

I’m still trying to get a satisfactory pair with my new prescription (nothing special) in the UK!

With the help of the Hoya website and the Dispensing Optician I selected the PNX 1.53 lens as it offered 100% UV protection. My first pair arrived, buy were not as good as my originals. Both the PD and prescription were wrong. In addition they were marked SPX which I now know is Summit CD not Hoya wide.

PD was checked and found to be 64, so another pair with a changed lens prescription arrived. These were marked CDX but the same frames, so not sure why.

Still not happy! I found out what the Hoya lens markings are and I measured the PD as 66 on these glasses.

Went back, and had my PD checked again this time on a machine. This time they measured 62! (Same eyes and same head).

Another new pair. This latest pair has one CDX lens, and one SPX lens. Still not happy with them. The PD of these I measure as 66!

Will be going back again!

So my initial question...Is it acceptable to have one CDX and one SPX lens in the same frame?

Is there a way to confirm that the lenses are the PNX with 100% UV protection?

I still have been given Summit CD when I was expecting Hoya wide too!

Thanks in anticipation, from a very frustrated wearer of spectacles.

nedmundo

Summit & Summit CD are better designs than wide, but I wouldn't think it is acceptable to have 2 different designs. I believe wide has been discontinued.

AndyBa_2

nedmundo wrote: »

Summit & Summit CD are better designs than wide,

Agreed, but I suspect what is now happening is that the better performance of the Summit is being used to compensate / mask the poor quality of the prescription / PD / supplied product.

nedmundo wrote: »

but I wouldn't think it is acceptable to have 2 different designs.

Me too but I need to be clear before I go back and do battle. As far as I can see CDX has a recommended min height of 14mm, and SPX is 18mm. Not sure however where this dimension is measured. Is it the total lens height?

Is anything else different?

nedmundo wrote: »

I believe wide has been discontinued.

Wide is still detailed on the Hoya website.

Cheers, and I like your signature!

emily_jackson

Hi, i'd really like to contact lenses but am on a limited budget (income support). Can you get them if you're on this? Which high street opticians are best?

03022242

i normally buy my contact lense solution from heyelight, but im wondering whether there is a cheaper option anywhere on the internet?

am looking for either opti free or renu (no rub/rinse)

System

Renu has been pulled (at least for the moment).