contact lens discussion thread (merged)

Kt8

EllaKeat wrote: »

Went for my very first contact lens fitting and lesson today. The optician popped them in and they were brill - can't remember the right term, maybe monovision? My right eye is for reading, left eye for distance. Was warned it might take time to adjust, nope - it was immediate, overjoyed:T:T
Then came the lesson. I just cannot do it.... Not bothered about touching my eyes, but 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:)

i fainted lots when i was 1st staring 10 years ago. they wanted me to pinch the lense off my eyeball which i wasnt having. i drag it to the white and it kinda pops off

petergavinblack

Kt8 wrote: »

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.

It is highly unusual for daily lenses to give discomfort after such a short wearing time - they are designed for 12 - 16 hours - you should have a check up, ideally at the time of day where they start to get their most uncomfortable so the eyecare professional can assess your eyes with the lenses in situ. Below may help too:

Firstly are you using new lenses every day? If not you are probably infecting your eyes. Secondly Ciba )and others) do some newer lenses with added lubricants, which although dearer may solve your problem - the lenses you have are 14 year old technology - you wouldn't put up with 14 year old technology in your PC, your phone or your TV, why do it for your eyes? So, thirdly ask for a free trial of Silicone Hydrogel daily lenses - they let 3 times more oxygen to the eye so are better for sensitive eyes where wearing time is currently compromised - there only a couple - Sauflon Clariti is the cheapest (and often sold as private label) and 1-Day Acuvue TruEye (never sold as private label). Both lenses are a vast improvement for the majority of people.

petergavinblack

Steve888 wrote: »

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?

I'm afraid it is correct. You can't get a prescription from a free trial - you must purchase lenses and then attend for a follow up appointment to check your eyes are not reacting adversely to the lenses (Like Kt8's are!). It is normal therefore for prescriptions to only be issued at 3 months from initial fitting and only after a review appointment - although this is usually free with an order for lenses. If you haven't purchased for a while and want the prescription following a check up opticians are within their rights to charge, especially if the check up is free - they have to pay the rent, wages etc somehow! Depending on your lenses and the signs and symptoms the optician records you should have a check up every 3 to 12 months. You should check the price of these and factor this in to the total price of lenses when buying online because ultimately you need an optician to keep issuing you a prescription to keep getting lenses. The brand forms part of the prescription too - you should not change brand without seeing an optician, purchasing an initial supply and having a new prescription issued - online sellers that encourage brand switching are acting irresponsibly and out side of the law - you will have no come back if you develop a problem.

Steve888_2

petergavinblack wrote: »

I'm afraid it is correct. You can't get a prescription from a free trial - you must purchase lenses and then attend for a follow up appointment to check your eyes are not reacting adversely to the lenses (Like Kt8's are!). It is normal therefore for prescriptions to only be issued at 3 months from initial fitting and only after a review appointment - although this is usually free with an order for lenses. If you haven't purchased for a while and want the prescription following a check up opticians are within their rights to charge, especially if the check up is free - they have to pay the rent, wages etc somehow! Depending on your lenses and the signs and symptoms the optician records you should have a check up every 3 to 12 months. You should check the price of these and factor this in to the total price of lenses when buying online because ultimately you need an optician to keep issuing you a prescription to keep getting lenses. The brand forms part of the prescription too - you should not change brand without seeing an optician, purchasing an initial supply and having a new prescription issued - online sellers that encourage brand switching are acting irresponsibly and out side of the law - you will have no come back if you develop a problem.

Thanks for that. I did cancel my direct debit with Vision Express a few months ago because I had accumulated two months worth of daily contacts that I wanted to use up first before continuing.

In the meantime, I have shopped around and have booked a check-up with Asda opticians. They currently have an offer on for normal eye and contact check-up for £15. Also, their contact lens are a lot cheaper and parking is free (I have to drive and park in the city centre if I need to go to Vision Express).

Quentin

Steve888 wrote: »

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?

Isn't the prescription on the side of each of your boxes?

surfsister

Steve888 wrote: »

Thanks for that. I did cancel my direct debit with Vision Express a few months ago because I had accumulated two months worth of daily contacts that I wanted to use up first before continuing.

In the meantime, I have shopped around and have booked a check-up with Asda opticians. They currently have an offer on for normal eye and contact check-up for £15. Also, their contact lens are a lot cheaper and parking is free (I have to drive and park in the city centre if I need to go to Vision Express).

sounds good any idea how much asda charges?

we're with D and A and expensive and useles now Boots run their contacts service.

Steve888_2

If you look at the prices of ordering online, Asda contacts are a lot cheaper than Vision Express.

The reason I decided to get my prescription before ordering my contacts was because some places don't let you buy them without a copy of the prescription. If they did, then things would be a lot easier.

Kt8

petergavinblack wrote: »

It is highly unusual for daily lenses to give discomfort after such a short wearing time - they are designed for 12 - 16 hours - you should have a check up, ideally at the time of day where they start to get their most uncomfortable so the eyecare professional can assess your eyes with the lenses in situ. Below may help too:

Firstly are you using new lenses every day? If not you are probably infecting your eyes. Secondly Ciba )and others) do some newer lenses with added lubricants, which although dearer may solve your problem - the lenses you have are 14 year old technology - you wouldn't put up with 14 year old technology in your PC, your phone or your TV, why do it for your eyes? So, thirdly ask for a free trial of Silicone Hydrogel daily lenses - they let 3 times more oxygen to the eye so are better for sensitive eyes where wearing time is currently compromised - there only a couple - Sauflon Clariti is the cheapest (and often sold as private label) and 1-Day Acuvue TruEye (never sold as private label). Both lenses are a vast improvement for the majority of people.

my mistake i have opsys, not ciba.
anyone used opsys before? Are they good? maybe this is what doesnt agree with my eyes.

i am due an eye test and chat about my lenses at the weekend to see what i can do

ebaybaby

My 14 year old daughter wears contacts for school, glasses on a weekend.
She has J & J Acuvue Advance and Im on a monthly DD scheme with Vision Express.
For £22 per month we get:

Annual eye test
Aftercare service
Supply of contact lenses and solutions
Replacement Contact Lenses

Im just wondering if this is a good deal or should I be looking around?

Quentin

Steve888 wrote: »

The reason I decided to get my prescription before ordering my contacts was because some places don't let you buy them without a copy of the prescription. If they did, then things would be a lot easier.

Get lenses and lensway are 2 I know that don't insist on a copy of your prescription (and both give cashback via the cashback sites)