contact lens discussion thread (merged)

suki1964

sh1305 wrote: »

Couple questions from a long-term glasses (18 years+) wearer:

- There appears to be many types of contact lenses. How do know exactly what's best for me?
- Can I wear them all the time, or would I need to wear gasses sometimes too? (can't see much without them)
- I seem to remember being told that a prescription for glasses is different to the one for contact lenses. Is this true?

Any other adice would be appreicated, thanks.

As nedmundo has answered - only your optician can answer these questions as everything depends on your own particular script and your lifestyle and on how well you personally adjust to wearing them.

Trials are for that reason - to find the best fit for you

Right now Im wearing monthly disposable torics. They can be worn all day in the best case scenario but in my case I find 6 to 8 hours enough

You will always need glasses still. There will always be times when you cant wear contacts

petergavinblack

EllaKeat wrote: »

... had problems getting them out, managed eventually, but just could not get them back in, even once:( My left eye is particularly bad, as soon as I touch it waters uncontrollably. Had to give up when my eyes were all sore and bloodshot, and I am due to go back for another try next Saturday.
Just wondered if everyone mamges it eventually, or might I have to give up?

Would appreciate any advice:)

Everyone does eventually manage it - once you get a method that works for you then it comes easy with practice. Many people don't hold the eyelid up enough because they are not holding it near the edge - hold lashes if you can. Also if you look up at the last minute this will open your eye further to make a wider aperture - it also has the added benefit of putting the lens on the white of the eye which is less sensitive so you are less likely to blink uncontrollably. Don't worry though the lens will centre itself correctly just by gently closing your eye. Another tip is to open your mouth (!) as this relaxes the muscles around your eyes too and makes it easier to open them wide.

As regards removing the lens it is best to look up then gently drag the lens down on to the white of the eye before gently pinching it off - again because this is less sensitive you're less likely to blink at the wrong moment and it also opens your eye wider.

Stick with it - contact lenses really are fantastic once you are used to them. If you really do continue to struggle after a few months then ask about sleep in lenses that you wear for a month - at least then you don't have the fuss of applying the lenses every day.

EllaKeat

Thank you for that advice:)
I think I may have made a mistake with the optician too:( I always went to specsavers, but could not get an appointment with them quickly enough - there was a 5 week wait and , being me and wanting everything NOW, I went to Tesco optician. For the 'lesson', I was just sitting in the waiting area to do it, with a make up mirror on the desk below me, so i was looking down all the time. I did think it would be easier to be looking directly ahead.....
I have no experience of this at all, just accepted that what they were telling me was correct, but I am now wondering if I should go to another optician.

Anyway, thank you for your help, wish someone like you could teach me:D

suki1964

EllaKeat wrote: »

Thank you for that advice:)
I think I may have made a mistake with the optician too:( I always went to specsavers, but could not get an appointment with them quickly enough - there was a 5 week wait and , being me and wanting everything NOW, I went to Tesco optician. For the 'lesson', I was just sitting in the waiting area to do it, with a make up mirror on the desk below me, so i was looking down all the time. I did think it would be easier to be looking directly ahead.....
I have no experience of this at all, just accepted that what they were telling me was correct, but I am now wondering if I should go to another optician.

Anyway, thank you for your help, wish someone like you could teach me:D

I thought I would never get the hang of it - and the lass at specsavers wouldn't sign me off as being proficient for ages. I finally managed enough for her but those first few times at home were a NIGHTMARE, even more so if tired.

Now two months down the line I can remove them easier without a mirror. I still sometimes make a bodge putting them in but the removing is so much easier now I have cut my thumb and first finger nail short, look straight ahead and slide the contact over to the outside corner and just pinch off. I rarely even feel that Im pinching.

Keep practising, dont be too tired or too eye tired and it will come to you

stphnstevey

I tried the Daysoft ones and have to say I seem to be able to wear them longer than the Cibavision ones I previously had.

I had problems getting a contact lense prescription out of the Tesco optician, so used the glasses prescripton (as DaySoft only need the power and don't seem to check you have had a recent contact lens prescription). They work ok, although reading the computer is a little harder.

pmduk

EllaKeat wrote: »

Just wondered if everyone mamges it eventually, or might I have to give up?

It took me a couple of teaching lessons, the second time went smoothly. Now I don't think twice about it.

I have learned that if I am in a hurry I can expect a hiccup, so always leave time to do them slowly!

Bella_b

I ordered from Contactforlenses.com ages ago, and had forgotten about them. However, I recently received an email from them with a discount code of 10% off. It seems not to be customer specific but brand specific. I think they are very cheap if you wear monthly lenses. I wear Air Optix by Ciba Vision and they have them six month's supply for 35.99 plus 10% discount until October 15th.
O2OPTIX10FF is the code.

Just thought this might be useful to some people who wear Air Optix. (They call it O2 Optix on this site but it's just the old name for it, with old packaging design, same lenses! Hope it helps!

Bella

daisycha

Bella_b wrote: »

I ordered from Contactforlenses.com ages ago, and had forgotten about them. However, I recently received an email from them with a discount code of 10% off. It seems not to be customer specific but brand specific. I think they are very cheap if you wear monthly lenses. I wear Air Optix by Ciba Vision and they have them six month's supply for 35.99 plus 10% discount until October 15th.
O2OPTIX10FF is the code.

Just thought this might be useful to some people who wear Air Optix. (They call it O2 Optix on this site but it's just the old name for it, with old packaging design, same lenses! Hope it helps!

Bella

Your code did not work for me.

Steve888_2

Hi all. I'm looking into ordered my contact lens online to save money. I popped into Vision Express yesterday to get my current contact lens prescription. The woman there said it would cost me £35 to get a copy of this! Has anyone else heard of this?

Kt8

i have ciba from specsavers daily ones.

they kill me by mid afternoon my eyes feel strange and very dry, anyone else have this? just not comfy.