contact lens discussion thread (merged)

petergavinblack

If monovision doesn't work then perhaps you can take some advice from elsewhere on this site, save say a £1 a day off some other bill and then invest it in multifocal contact lenses! One advantage is the lens does alot of the focussing work for you so may well be less tiring.

I don't know alot about ME but the one person I know who had it for about ten years recovered, or at least got back to something like her former self, after she changed her diet and eliminated both gluten and dairy.

Santiago1_2

Hello,

This is a very long thread and if my questions have already been answered elsewhere, please advise.

I would like to purchase daily contact lenses. I know very well what I need to purchase and have no need for aftercare or anything fancy. I am also only a casual user therefore I will need to purchase one box only (30 lenses) every year or so (i.e. I am not interested in vendors that sell multiple packs only or any other ongoing commitment (Direct Debit) etc.).

Could someone suggest a reliable online source of daily contact lenses? Can someone also explain what information I will need to provide (prescripotion info?)

Many thanks

EDIT. The more I look at this the more complicated the system in this country seems to be. While abroad, I would go to the opthalmologist, get a prescription and take this to an optician and get glasses or contact lenses. Do I understand correctly that in the UK one needs to get a presctiption that is specific to contact lenses even when the use of contact lenses is occasional?

nedmundo

Santiago1 wrote: »

EDIT. The more I look at this the more complicated the system in this country seems to be. While abroad, I would go to the opthalmologist, get a prescription and take this to an optician and get glasses or contact lenses. Do I understand correctly that in the UK one needs to get a presctiption that is specific to contact lenses even when the use of contact lenses is occasional?

Hi, yes you are correct - the same legal requirements apply, whether it is just for occasional use or everyday.

petergavinblack

Try eyebuddy.com as they sell 30 packs. Also when you register if you give them 5 friends email addresses you get another 5% and if they each register before you purchase you get another 10% and even more if down the line they buy something. They also do glasses, sunglasses, eyevitamins, solutions etc.

As regards the rest of your question contact lenses are a regulated medical device and as such are prescription only so you need to have an aftercare check up with your lenses in at least once a year as online sellers can only supply to a valid prescription. You need to be aware that the prescription includes the BRAND of lens as they all fit slightly differently and are capable (rarely) of different adverse reactions. Incidentally if the optician thinks you are a high risk patient because you don't take their advice (in the jargon you are non-compliant) then they will likely only issue a short dated prescription rather than the usual 12 months. You should be aware that the website will check with your optician unless you provide them with a copy of the original prescription by scan / email, fax or post. With such low usage you may be better to get your lenses from an optician as often the aftercare is free with purchase of lenses and you need to return at 3 months usually to check for long term affects before the prescription will be issued.

Santiago1_2

petergavinblack wrote: »

With such low usage you may be better to get your lenses from an optician as often the aftercare is free with purchase of lenses and you need to return at 3 months usually to check for long term affects before the prescription will be issued.

Can you please give me some indication of the following:

- How much will a typical contact lenses eye test cost (the initial consultation) and what does it involve? Will I need to visit the optician more than once?

- How much more expensive a 30-pack would be if bought through the opticians as compared to the typical online vendor?

- What exactly is involved in "aftercare" and how often it takes place (your comment suggests every 3 months?)?

- What sort of commitment will I need to enter into with the optician in order to have the sort of "free" aftercare that you mention above?

Thank you for your help.

nedmundo

You'll find it varies between different Opticians. Best thing to do is ask around local practices.

mollypuss

I've had my free sight test and contact lens check at Tesco last week. They were really good, even gave me a free new case and solution to use till my new lenses arrived. I ordered a £10 pair of glasses too. Went in today to pick up them up and they're fine and I collected 1 pair of contact lenses to see how I get on with a different brand and due back in next week for a check up before ordering a supply. The staff were lovely, not at all pushy, and I haven't parted with a penny yet (apart from the £10 glasses). I haven't got a copy of the prescription, but as far as I know you're new supplier can contact the old supplier to check the prescription and date issued.

System

For a new opticians/new lens type you cannot get a copy of your prescription until it's finalised by your optician. That is generally after a week/two weeks trial and the follow up.
After that you are generally on a 3 month recall and your prescription will only be valid for 3 months.
After your 3 month check you should then be issued with a prescription for a year (any less and it may be because you are sleeping in lenses or your prescription may change).

Dizzy_Ditzy

i have just started with lenses after 15 years of glasses- i went to tesco and they couldnt be better- i had my test, and am currently on the trial, i was meant to go back on tuesday but i wasnt well so have rearranged it. They couldnt be more helpful and gave me a copy of my prescription when i had the test and assessment.

I have not parted with a penny yet. Based on my own experience, I would recommend tesco opticians to anyone :-)

suki1964

ellie43 wrote: »

Thanks Peter, that's very helpful. :T Will persist with the mono vision for now, and see if some further tweaks to the prescription improve my near vision. I suspect that part of the problem maybe my illness (I have ME) and as a result my eyes tire very quickly so that with contact lenses my vision deteriorates within a couple of hours of putting the lenses in.

I will also ask about the multifocal lenses that you mention although I have been quoted about £22 a month for the ones I am trialling so £44 is a bit beyond my price range atm (could always win the lottery!).

Ive just been trialling mono vision as well and tbh although its not perfect - its good enough for day to day. I can drive and read the paper, go shopping and use the pc. HOWEVER my eyes tire very quickly if reading/using the pc for any length of time. So if I'm planning on reading a book - the glasses stay on. Or if I'm spending hours on the pc - the same.

Im loving them. I dont wear them all day every day because of the "restrictions" but the joy of being able to put my face on, pluck my eyebrows, go out without a pair of glasses tucked away to be able to read menus etc is enough for me.

Hopefully technology will improve further and I will get the perfect vision from lenses I want but untill then Im just happy not to be restricted to glasses forever and a day