contact lens discussion thread (merged)

Unity

I have a pretty strong prescription +6.50 in one eye and +7.00 in the other. I've used Daysoft disposables for some years now and used to buy them from Postoptics.

Just recently I did a net search and came across the following site in Jersey: http://www.daysoftlenses.com/ I now pay £17.96 for two months supply, that's 128 lenses, 64 for each eye.

That's the cheapest I've come across and they don't require a prescription. You can order on-line and they arrive within a few days.

Hope this helps .

nedmundo

Supplying contacts without prescription is against the law - I wouldn't use a company that would do that purely out of principle - no matter how cheap they are! If you had a problem, you would have to seek redress from them, which may be difficult if they are based in Jersey!

Unity

nedmundo wrote: »

Supplying contacts without prescription is against the law - I wouldn't use a company that would do that purely out of principle - no matter how cheap they are! If you had a problem, you would have to seek redress from them, which may be difficult if they are based in Jersey!

As previously stated, I have used this make of lens for a number of years and at no point did I say that I didn't have a prescription. I have yearly contact lens checks and hold a current prescription .


The order form specifically asks if you have a current prescription but unlike the 'nanny state mentality' the onus is on the buyer to supply the information, rather than a physical document. This is a darn sight easier than having to obtain a copy from unscrupulous optical outlets who refuse - which is the problem people seem to be encountering here - hence my post!:rolleyes:

If you follow this link http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/health/Cheap-Contact-Lenses you'll see the company in Jersey also has a link via this site.

nedmundo

I wasn't accusing you personally. It's great that you have a prescription.

The law is there to stop people from unwittingly self prescribing themselves with contact lenses which may be completely unsuitable visually and/or may be causing potentially serious eye complications. On that website, just ticking a box is not going to stop people from causing their eyes serious damage!

You are obviously an experienced and conscientious wearer. Believe me, a great proportion are not - hence I get the privilege of picking the pieces from those for a job.

It may seem 'Nanny state' and a pain to jump through the hoops to obtain lenses, but really what people need to find is an Optician who is not unscrupulous and is happy to provide contact lens patients with their specification. It's the law and we really are not that hard to find. The difference is that we tend to cover our time by charging for it, so not supplying the lenses is less of a problem for us.

'Outlets', which offer free/cheap aftercare appointments or fittings have targets and budgets to work to, hence why they may be less happy to hand over a spec.

You can't have it both ways!

nedmundo

From your link:

Scepticism is important, especially when it's your eyes we're talking about. Yet, reputable discounters will only supply lenses if they've seen proof you've had an eye test within the last year.
When buying lenses from a discounter it's still important to get regular aftercare. Unlike those who buy lenses from opticians, you'll have to pay for it, yet the saving from the lenses substantially outweighs its cost.

&

Daysoft is a daily disposable contact lens manufacturer which sells directly to consumers, at very competitive prices. The company offers lenses equivalent to many of the main brands (excluding Toric versions) at a cost of £40 per three months. It also offers a 4-day lens trial, so you can try its lenses for free. This is worth considering, as they may save you a significant amount; over the course of a year, an Acuvue wearer buying at the best rate would save £1

They actually encourage self prescribing by dishing out free trial lenses. These neanderthal things have completely different fitting and material properties to all the other daily disposable lenses on the market, so whilst some may find them confortable, their thickness and lack of movement on the eye prevents the flow of fresh tears and oxygen underneath the lens, which could lead to a build up of toxins next to the cornea. That would be bad news then.

I'm not saying they're not safe, but I'm pointing out they are extremely different from the others and if a Company is happy to prescribe them as an equivalent to what someone is currently wearing and supply them without written specification, they (and potentially the wearer) are heading for a big fall!

wishing4amoneytree

Originally Posted by bekc
I've been with spec savers on their lens mail (delivered in the post) package for nearly 6 years. It currently costs me £10 per month on direct debit for monthly disposables (wear in the day put in the pot with solution at night) and this includes the lenses, the solution and contact lense checks every 6 months.I have been unable to beat this deal and price anywhere else

*Louise* wrote: »

I have the same package...but it only costs £8 per month

I have the same package and it costs me 13.00 a month!!!:mad: hows that work out!?

treliac

nedmundo wrote: »

I'm not saying they're not safe, but I'm pointing out they are extremely different from the others and if a Company is happy to prescribe them as an equivalent to what someone is currently wearing and supply them without written specification, they (and potentially the wearer) are heading for a big fall!

Note: Martin's article actually says that Daysoft wearers save "£130" per year over Acuvue wearer buying at the best price. He also suggests that the materials used by different manufacturers are essentially the same.

I am wearing Daysoft and find them comfortable and effective. I ordered them direct from the manufacturer in Scotland, having had to provide the name and address of the optician who had issued my CL prescription.

If they are not fully safe to wear how do they get a licence for sale?

I have previously used Specsavers and not been impressed for several reasons. One, they had to re-test my eyes, having got the prescription so far out.

Secondly, it's a myth that they select your lens brand to match your exact fitting specification. Specsavers were perfectly happy to let me try several different brands of monthly and daily disposable, all slightly different specification, until I found the one I liked. This is when I decided to do it better and cheaper and bought online after doing my own research.

nedmundo

treliac wrote: »

Note: Martin's article actually says that Daysoft wearers save "£130" per year over Acuvue wearer buying at the best price. He also suggests that the materials used by different manufacturers are essentially the same.

I am wearing Daysoft and find them comfortable and effective. I ordered them direct from the manufacturer in Scotland, having had to provide the name and address of the optician who had issued my CL prescription.

If they are not fully safe to wear how do they get a licence for sale?

I have previously used Specsavers and not been impressed for several reasons. One, they had to re-test my eyes, having got the prescription so far out.

Secondly, it's a myth that they select your lens brand to match your exact fitting specification. Specsavers were perfectly happy to let me try several different brands of monthly and daily disposable, all slightly different specification, until I found the one I liked. This is when I decided to do it better and cheaper and bought online after doing my own research.

They're essentially the same in that they're wet and they're plastic. After that the similarities end. There are different types of water containing plastic (hydrogels) and different manufacturing techniques and different designs. They can all mean a very different in-situ performance.

Like I've said several times, I'm not saying that Daysoft are unsafe to wear. Just that there are much better designs, materials and lenses on the market. The likelyhood of complications and patient dissatisfaction is naturally lower, the better the contact lens.

You're experience with Specsavers is probably a one off and shouldn't be used as justification for self prescribing. If you get away with it then you/they are lucky. I've picked up the problems from those that don't get away with it too many times to count.

treliac

nedmundo wrote: »

You're experience with Specsavers is probably a one off and shouldn't be used as justification for self prescribing. If you get away with it then you/they are lucky. I've picked up the problems from those that don't get away with it too many times to count.

I'm not self-prescribing, wouldn't dream of it. I'm using the same fitting specification that Specsavers have been happy to sell me. I just find my visual acuity better with Daysoft than with other lenses I've tried.

I also like New Day and use them too. They have very slightly different fitting parameters than many of the others and advertise this as a selling point to opticians, i.e. that wearers won't be able to match the spec elsewhere and will return business to the eye care professionals. My experience with Specsavers has shown this to be for the purpose of keeping the money coming in rather for any real benefit or risk of danger to the wearer.

It is clear that lenses have to be suitable, a proper fit for the wearer and that prospective users should have all the necessary checks, advice and should obtain a prescription. However, most popular lenses that are on the market are too close in specification to each other to make a difference to the wearer. Soft lenses are pliable and precision in fit, within reason, is not such an exact science.

The most problems that occur with CLs are caused by individuals who do not follow the proper wear schedules or hygiene procedures.

nedmundo

Wrong, Wrong & Wrong again!!!!!!!!!

Why then do most monthly and some daily disposables come in different base curves - to fit differently shaped corneas.

I can assure you that Daysoft do not remotely approach the same fitting spec as what Specsavers use. The same Base Curve and Total diameter does not mean the same fit!