contact lens discussion thread (merged)

loracan1

I know what you mean about daily being preferable.

I first started wearing lenses over 20 years ago, first hard lenses, then gas permeable and then the revelation of daily disposables - changed my life they did. Having said that - I still get a thrill when I put contacts in.

I have slight astigmatism in one eye so a couple of years ago, when a normal prescription wasn't effective enough I had to change to a toric for that eye. That meant I had to go for monthlys (bah!), costs about 14 or 15 a month.I look around for daily torics every now and then but never found any suitable.

condyk

Woby_Tide wrote:

thats why I suggested the monthlys in fairness, they have a greater product range and coverage of different prescriptions compared to dailies, I'm guessing the costs etc still aren't particularly viable for strong toric dailies. Got to say can't agree with the 'hassle' comment though, taking them out and then putting them in the all in one solution takes only marginally longer than taking them out and throwing them. certainly don't require the time like normal soft or hard lenses did to use the two stage solutions etc..

Ok ... I am only used to the 2 step approach as haven't worn lenses for quite a few years. Maybe that's a solution then ... to go for monthly lenses atvery best online price, but also to chuck them as soon as they start to get itchy. When I had monthly ones years ago direct from opticion (expensive) then they never lasted a month: too itchy, too quick! Had to replace them every 10 days or so. If I can get them cheap as possible then I can get rid without too much expense.

Liz19

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.

summerday

Hi,

I have worn glasses full-time for the past few years as my eyesight has gradually got worse. A month or so ago I went for a check up and my optician said I would be an ideal candidate for wearing contact lenses. I said I would go away and think about it, but I am squeamish and hate the thought of touching my eyes. Also I worry that I would get them in and then have a panic and not be able to get them out. Then I have heard people tell me that the lenses have got stuck on rare occasions and I really hate the thought of this happening.

However I love the thought of not having to wear my glasses, and wish I could get the confidence to overcome my fear and try wearing contacts. If anyone has been in a similar situation before and overcome it I would love to hear from you, or if anyone has any general advice I would also like to hear it. I also have no idea about different kinds of lenses and am interested to hear how people get on with them. I have a stigmatism in one eye.

Looking forward to hearing your replies,

Sarah

shelly

Hi Sarah.I personally don't wear contacts but my hubby does.I can't tell you about different kinds of lenses as everyones circumstances are different.For example...if you are going to wear them everday you might be ok with lenses you can throw away at the end of the day or use the ones that you wear a certain amount of times then throw them away.My hubby has the lenses that you wear once then throw away as he only uses them when out on his motorbike as his glasses were uncomfortable under his lid,for driving the car he wears his glasses.Also he wears them if we go out for an evening so he can see people at a distance.They aren't easy to remove when your drunk though....lol...I have to take them out for him which isn't too bad to do.The ones he uses its not advisable to fall asleep whilst wearing them...he did once and had sore eyes for a few hours afterwards.Overall hubby has had a good experience with lenses and is now thinking about laser treatment.As for different types of lenses I would advise asking your optician about ones that are best for you.

HTH

rchddap1

I wear contacts and have no problem. WHen you first start it can be a bit difficult to get them out....took me 30 mins the first time. However, I found they very easy to get use to. Most people I talk to are squeamish about touching their eyes, but now I think nothing of it. Everyso often I'll get something in one eye and will need to whip out one of my contacts. I try to do it discretely, but if people notice I get a "ewwwww" type response.

I can assure you that it doesn't hurt and I have found that they are very easy to use. However, if you do go out and get plastered I would advise the use of glasses as you shouldn't fall asleep when wearing contacts.

Don't worry about the different types of contacts as your optician will advise the best ones for you. If you ask them they may even be able to give you a pair, or a few weeks worth so that you can try them out. But it does depend on what is best for your eyes.

Personally I've been wearing them for over 11 years and I wouldn't do without them. I know it seems scary, but honestly there is nothing wrong with touching your eyes and it doesn't hurt is any way when you do so.

elmer

Hi Sarah,
I have worn contacts for 20 years now, and they are indispensible, these days you can get reasonably cheap daily disposables, try not to be too sqeamish, you will soon get used to taking them in and out, they feel a little strange at first, but for me the amazing ability to see things was the main factor. I have never lost one in my eyes, although they can move around sometimes if you rub them hard.

Many opticians these days will let you have a trial go,why dont you have a word with them and try them out. I promise you the experience is nowhere near as bad as you think it might be, opticians are used to dealing with people who dont want to put things in their eyes.

Go on give it a go, I couldnt be without mine

Elmer ( also a Sarah T)

dellboy102

I am really short sighted however hate wearing my glasses hence only wear them when I drive, eyesight problems is starting to effect work now a lot so I am now looking into contact lenses, however I need some advice from people who wear em!.

They sound unconfortable... also i'm worried about them getting "lost" in my eyes! (probably way off here).

however I still want to try them, I went on the specsavers website and it looks like the monthly disposables are the best value ones for me, however there are so many of em http://www.specsaversdirect.com/cgi-bin/wspd_cgi.sh/ctrydelv.w?UckUcZllaaIpkkac=&POlfigXkjkjkWbdq=&SblzdbFStskKccak=&bjChcdFkUYaquHii=co.uk&pfjdXXRkcxxcakLa=&dfkfadaEjbfidjhi=&eyElKdweVSzdhipl=&cdiHkiickangpkca=&baibklficlDdHnnZ=&etqjdAiifjSdWkdl=co.uk&GlhqkgkkbdbEinAR=&bcdikbndQjdEUaka=&bbZjjDkafpjfkjkH=
its really hard making the right choice.

Also if I buy monthly ones do I have to clean them every day in special solution or somesthing?.

Also if anyone can advice of anywhere else I can get good value but high quality lens that would also be appreciated!, I couldnt think of anyone but specsavers at the moment.

Any help much appreciated

minap

I have recently been to specsavers and they offer continous wear contacts for £15.50 a month this fee in cludes solutions eye test and a free consulation. All being well I'm on the trail, but I went back after trailing some contacts and said I wasn;t too happy about not being able to clean my lens as and when needed they offered me daily disposibles, but these dry out my eyes... anyway I'm still trying out the ones that they gave me first and are going to see them again but it seems that this will be a chargeable consulation so nothing is free after all. in desperation I'm going to irisonline where the contacts are much cheaper and they arrive ontime.
Hope this helps

trace-j

I'm on soft daily disposables from Vision Express and pay around £25 each month and get them supplied every 3mths. Have been wearing lenses everyday (pretty much) for 8yrs now.

I started with monthly disposable soft contact lenses with Specsavers and had no problems with them. Only reason I changed was when I moved there wasn't a local Specsavers to pick lenses up from.

You will have to go for a consultation (probably at a fee and will involve and up to date eye test) to see if you're eyes will be suitable, but the trial lenses will be free. There are different types of lenses available and the right pair will depend on how many hours you want to wear them.

With the monthly ones you get 3 pairs of lenses (for 3 months), 3 bottles of all in one solution and a case. At the end of each day you clean both sides of the lens and leave to store in the case overnight with some fresh solution. Next day rinse lenses with solution and wear. Case needs to be cleaned daily, rinse with boiling water or solution. Thats it! At the end of the month dispose of the lenses and start again.

They are weird at first, but they don't get lost in your eyes. You can't sleep with them in. It's also worth pointing out you never actually touch your eye when putting them in and removing them. The optician will also show you how to put them in correctly. The lenses have a visability handling tint so you can see them when in your eye and in the solution.

Soft lenses have a high water content, so it's the moisture that keeps it attached to your eye and make them comfortable to wear.

If for some reason you end up with lenses, e.g. gas permeable (no idea what these do) they last longer than 1 month and you will have to use other cleaning products to remove other deposits- again the optician will advise.

Check whats included with the package, with mine I get a free eye test every year and a discount for glasses. I would still recommend you have an upto date pair of glasses, useful if anything for when you get out of bed in the morning and try and stumble to the bathroom!!

minap: The daily disposables from Vision Express are Focus Dailies. This is my first batch of the new improved ones and they don't dry out as much as the old ones. At the moment very impressed. Otherwise invest in some eye drops for contact lenses, particularly for Summer months.