contact lens discussion thread (merged)

suki1964

Hml898 wrote: »

Hi suki1964, thanks for your reply! I understand what you mean by the crisp vision. I used to use RGP but they hurt too much and I just couldn't carry on with them after 8 years. So I've been trialling some soft lenses and despite the comfort, I do get quite irritated when my vision suddenly blurrs when I'm trying to read or use the pc.

I just want to make sure that it won't damage my vision using lenses that blur this way because your eye would work harder to try to focus in on the text and I don't know if that would cause the eye some strain and ultimately make it worse.

Just get readers for the close work, that was what was recommended for me, only for me that would be 90% of the day which defeated the object of lenses

moneymouth77

I know this may be a bit radical, but what's wrong with regular glasses? Their cheaper in the long run, and you can get some really cool styles...

fothers365

Hello,

I currently have the Boots direct debit package for monthly contact lenses which includes free eye checks etc.

I have just realised how much money I could save by buying them online. How easy is it to get aftercare check ups if you are not tied to an optician and which ones offer this?

I have just had an eye test and contact lens check so am fine for the time being.

Just a bit nervous about biting the bullet with Boots and not sure how difficult it will be to cancel?

Any advice would be appreciated!

treliac

fothers365 wrote: »

Hello,

I currently have the Boots direct debit package for monthly contact lenses which includes free eye checks etc.

I have just realised how much money I could save by buying them online. How easy is it to get aftercare check ups if you are not tied to an optician and which ones offer this?

I have just had an eye test and contact lens check so am fine for the time being.

Just a bit nervous about biting the bullet with Boots and not sure how difficult it will be to cancel?

Any advice would be appreciated!

I use Specsavers now. The first branch I went to did not impress me at all. I felt they were just after my money with as little effort to find lenses that were right for me.

I then bought online for a while and made my own adjustments to my lenses, until I found what I was happiest with.

Am now with another Specsavers branch, through recommendation (they are all separately owned franchises anyway). I've been happy with the new branch, with the price and with the fact that I will get all my follow up checks in with the cost too. FWIW, I don't think I could beat all this for value, through online buying.

You can, though, terminate a monthly contract (see the terms & conditions just to be sure). I cancelled at my first Specsavers, after they sent me a second wrong order!!

Edit: Have you tried Tesco and Asda opticians for price value? Specsavers suit me as I use a brand of lenses that the other two don't stock.

moneymouth77

I've always found Specsavers a lot more useful, when I was still wearing contacts... They send out the monthly packs as well, which is really useful, a little more expensive but easier if your Specsavers is miles off. Never really had any bad experiences...

Arwen

Kimitatsu wrote: »

Personally having an 11 and a 9 year old who wear glasses, I would doubt very much that any 10 year old would be clean enough to run through the daily regime of ensuring they were spotless.

I do understand your issues but the chances of eye infections would be high and then he would still have to wear his glasses. I am not an optician but I thought the reason that you could not prescribe to under 18's was that they grow so quickly that the shape of the eye changes?

My personal view would be that he needs to be a bit older to understand the implications of just how much goes into it - after all he wont be able to wear contacts ALL of the time anyway, wont be able to swim in them and I think there are rules about contact sports too.

There are also some pretty funky glasses around at the moment, and they are being seen more as a fashion accessory nowadays.

Good luck with it whatever you decide, fashion concious 10 year old kids are a nightmare!!

There is no reason why a 10 year old shouldn't wear contacts.My 10 year old is wearing hers successfully. She doesnt wear them to school,but wears them socially and for sport. We have no problems. I still have trouble getting her to tidy her room,but she is anal about her contacts as she hates glasses so much.

Of course her eyes will change, but they will as an adult too,easily changed when you are on a monthly scheme.

mell242

I'm finally going to have to give in and get a new pair of glasses. I've been putting it off as the last pair cost me almost £400! I have -11 lenses in both eyes so need high index lenses and they are the costly part.
I can't make use of the online discounters unfortunately due to my prescription so that leaves me with the high street.
Just wondering do they differ in prices from optician to optician and has anyone had any recent experience of costs and maybe who to go to first? I used to go to a local opticians but have moved out of the area.
Any thoughts would be really appreciated as it is such a necessary expense that I don't really have the money for!

tattoed_bum

i dont know if this helps but tesco do high index lenses for £60 and they have frames from £15 , i also have high index lenses and ive never paid more than £70 for my lenses

mell242

wow..really?
My lenses have always been a couple of hundred pounds. My local tesco does have an opticians so might give them a go. Thanks
Have just seen this company online http://www.thinlenses.co.uk/
Anyone used them?

o2brich

mell242 wrote: »

wow..really?
My lenses have always been a couple of hundred pounds. My local tesco does have an opticians so might give them a go. Thanks
Have just seen this company online http://www.thinlenses.co.uk/
Anyone used them?

I am also very interested in this thread as my prescription is very high and I usually end up paying a small fortune. I also have to have varifocals and have always previously had high index glass lens rather than plastic as they were the thinner lens. However this time I have used a local optician and he advised against glass for health & safety reasons. He assured me that the thinnest plastic lens would not look much thicker than the glass lens and I must say I have been quite pleased with the results.

Do you know what make of lens you use? This time mine are Hoya and I have had no problems with them. I would recommend caution using an online supplier as I don't think all high index lens are as thin as maybe the more expensive ones and with a very high prescription I think this can really make a difference to the look of the glasses.

The other problem I also find is trying to find suitable frames which need to be small enough for the lens to look at thin as possible. I usually end up with about two frames to choose from if I'm lucky!