contact lens discussion thread (merged)

Penny_Watcher

I've just started wearing contacts again after a break of a year or so. Putting the darn things in can be a problem if my fingers are too dry and also if they are too wet.

So a clean damp finger is needed. I put the lens onto my index finger, pull my lower eyelid down with my ring finger, put my head back and look up and then pop the lens onto my eyeball. A couple of blinks centres the lens on my eyeball. Repeat with eye no. 2

Taking them out I just reverse everything - pull lower eyelid down with my ring finger, look up and GENTLY touch my eyeball with thumb and index finger, [STRIKE]pinching [/STRIKE] sweeping them together to gather up the lens.

Although I have a mild astigmatism I don't need toric lenses so I don't know about putting lenses in 'the right way up'.

kate86_2

Liz19 wrote: »

I have been wearing toric lenses from Spec Savers since January and I think they are great. I have the monthly lenses that you can sleep in and its fantastic being able to see the alarm clock in the morning:) They cost £25 a month.

Hey, what brand torics do you wear as i wear some at the minute but they are not ones that you can sleep in which i would like,

kate86_2

Does anybody know if you can get all day and all night toric lenses, only have slight astigmatism but normal prescription is quite high?? Would just like some that are more comfortable than those i am wearing at the minute

wishiwasarichgirl

kate86 wrote: »

Does anybody know if you can get all day and all night toric lenses, only have slight astigmatism but normal prescription is quite high?? Would just like some that are more comfortable than those i am wearing at the minute

You can get Purevision Torics, made by Bausch&Lomb, they are licenced for 1 month continuous wear, spherical power range from +6 to -9, cyl powers -0.75, -1.25, -1.75 and -2.25, so should cover the majority of prescriptions. Ask around for a free trial.

Moomin

I need to get a contact lens prescription as my eyesight has changed slighty and I have just recently changed my glasses (online of course!)

Can anyone recommend an opticians (london if poss) where I won't get hassle for just asking for the prescription? I want to buy the contacts I've been wearing for the last 3 years, online.

From what I've read on this thread, looks like D&A aren't very accomodating (I did in fact buy from them 3 years ago and got hassle just trying to cancel my order - I have been to them on and off since I was diagnosed as short-sighted 19 years ago and I've never had a pleasant experience with them!). I got my eyes tested for glasses prescription in Specsavers - and I got hassle in there on the frames, despite me telling the saleswoman that a) I was buying my frames elsewhere b) that I didn't like any of the 50+ pairs of frames she was making me try on and c) I had to go and meet a 'friend' in town. So I don't want to go back to them and get pushed into purchasing their branded contacts.

wishiwasarichgirl

Moomin, no specific recommendations but most places will be fine as long as you explain what it is you want.
Make sure you bring everything they ask to the appointment though, you will need your copy of your last sight test prescription, and complete details of the contact lenses you are wearing (bring packaging + any receipts/invoices from your last delivery just to be sure).
Ask beforehand how much they charge for an aftercare (check-up) if you don't purchase lenses from them. Most places will probably offer you a discount/free check-up if you purchase lenses from them but you are within your rights just to say no thanks.

IamBroke

Hi Guys

I dont have time to read through all of these posts but needed some advise. I ordered lenses from a company called contactforlenses on the internet, however I have received them and all is fine but they did not ask for my opticians details so they could check my prescription.

In the past I have always ordered from Tesco/Asda who have to check the details.
As this company sent the lenses from abroad does that mean they can just send any out and they do not have to check the prescription or the fact that you have uses the lenses before?

Thanks for anyones help!

Busybody

I am just starting to wear lenses again after a break of 30 years! I had a go with one eye for reading and the other for distance. But as I am only going to wear them for 'social' use.ie.. when I want to look more glam.(don't laugh) I decided to just have the distance one in my right eye.
The optician said it would be a waste of money to go on direct debit as I would'nt need 30 pairs a month, I presume I will get pairs of the same lens and only use one! So I am paying as I go!!;)

posheyes

IamBroke wrote: »

Hi Guys

I dont have time to read through all of these posts but needed some advise. I ordered lenses from a company called contactforlenses on the internet, however I have received them and all is fine but they did not ask for my opticians details so they could check my prescription.

In the past I have always ordered from Tesco/Asda who have to check the details.
As this company sent the lenses from abroad does that mean they can just send any out and they do not have to check the prescription or the fact that you have uses the lenses before?

Thanks for anyones help!

You raise a v. good point.

The law in the UK (Opticians Act) states that anyone supplying contact lenses must either have the original prescription or verify the prescription details with the prescribing optician. The basis of the law is to protect the eye health of contact lens wearers.

However, how can UK law be enforced on those overseas companies supplying contact lens wearers in the UK?

My recommendation is to purchase only from UK registered companies, as then you are covered by the UK legal system including the Opticians Act and consumer protection legislation (trading standards et al).

Recent changes to the Companies Act require that all UK Limited companies include their Company Registration Number, Registered Office Address, and VAT number clearly on their websites such that this information can be accessed from any page within the website. This should help anyone to identify bone-fide UK registered companies, as a .co.uk domain name is not a good indicator.

IamBroke

posheyes wrote: »

You raise a v. good point.

The law in the UK (Opticians Act) states that anyone supplying contact lenses must either have the original prescription or verify the prescription details with the prescribing optician. The basis of the law is to protect the eye health of contact lens wearers.

However, how can UK law be enforced on those overseas companies supplying contact lens wearers in the UK?

My recommendation is to purchase only from UK registered companies, as then you are covered by the UK legal system including the Opticians Act and consumer protection legislation (trading standards et al).

Recent changes to the Companies Act require that all UK Limited companies include their Company Registration Number, Registered Office Address, and VAT number clearly on their websites such that this information can be accessed from any page within the website. This should help anyone to identify bone-fide UK registered companies, as a .co.uk domain name is not a good indicator.

Thank you posheyes! That was really helpful. I actually did not realise that this was the case and the companys address says Jersey which I presumed to be part of the UK I guess I should have researched it more.
As now I can see that although Jersey is defended by the UK it isnt actually part of the UK.

But when the lenses were dispatched they came from Singapore which is why I was confused. So basically, just to clarify people can then order ANY type of lenses from companies abroad even if you do not have a valid prescription for them? That does seem a bit dodgy.

Thanks again :beer: