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April 2009
Recently got back into wearing contacts.
Anyone researched the best place to buy online? I assume the product
is the same everywhere and it is all about price, no?
Thanks
Bryan
Hello!
Actually, if you start looking at these things very carefully, the
difference between places is pennies per box. The following advice
only applies if you have no vision insurance. 1) If you are in a
Vistakon product (Acuvue whatever) Costco is usually the cheapest.
2) If you are in anything else, then there is usually no
significant difference in price. AND, be very careful of hidden
costs like handling charges or shipping charges. Rebates that you
see on line are usually available no matter where you buy the
lenses from. Some rebates are only available from your doctor's
office. Contact lens companies sometimes give better rebates to
docs because they can't compete price wise with chain stores like
Costco or Wallmart. I've also heard horror stories about companies
that go belly up before they send out the contacts and after they
take your money, so make sure that you don't just go with the
cheapest on-line company--make sure they've been around a while
and will stick around a while.
Eye Doc
I use Coastal Contacts and am very happy with them. I don't know
how they compare to others, as I've never used anyone else.
They're reasonable in price and quick with delivery. You fill out
your prescription online and then fax them a current prescription
from your doctor.
Linda
We like DiscountCountactlenses.com. Good prices, nice customer
service.
Anon
Feb 2009
After 15 years and failing to meet criteria for surgical vision correction - I am thinking of ditching the glasses and going back to contact lenses. This time I would need bifocal lenses. I am interested in your experience with these. Have you been happy? Is your vision (both near and far) acute with these lenses? I have read about both gas permeable and soft lenses. Any recommendations and advice would be most appreciated!
Considering Contacts
I have used bifocal contacts (gas permeable) for at least 10 years
and they offer me much better vision than I can get with glasses,
so I wear them almost constantly. Got them through Kaiser so don't
know brand. I highly recommend them!
20/20
Nov 2008
Contact lenses irritate my eyes, but I really miss wearing
them--it's a challenge to play with my two active sons and
toddler who loves to take them off of my face. My dr. said I am
allergic to the lenses, and I am wondering if anyone can advise
me on brands that you have found to be especially gentle. I'm not
ready for LASIK yet and would love to avoid it completely. Thanks
for any ideas!
anon
I too was allergic to contact lenses. I would get little white
dots on the inside of my lids. So come to find out that it was
not the lense, but the solution they came in. The Dr.
suggested that instead of wearing 2 week lenses that I needed
to clean every night, I should use disposables and for wear
them for no more than 12 hours (+/-). So I use 1-day Acuvue
disposable lenses for most of the day - and wear my glasses in
the evenings to read or watch TV - and not a single allergy in
years.
AJ
You might just be allergic to the preservative in the saline
solution. Try plain saline (we get ours from Walmart - can't
find it anywhere else - it comes in a tall can - much cleaner
that way). Good luck!
Jean
I had something similar, but it really was that my body was
depositing protein (or some other substance) on the contacts,
and then I'd have an allergic reaction to the built-up
deposits. So I switched to daily wear disposable contacts. I
can wear a pair for two days (taking them out at night) before
throwing them away. Since my vision is really bad, I also have
to wear glasses on top of the contacts, but the glasses are a
lot thinner and cuter than they'd be without contacts.
-Yana
March 2007
Last year my (then) 10 year old daughter decided to try contacts
(many of her peers had switched from glasses to contacts). My
husband took her and the experience did not go well.....the
optometrist was not used to working with children, and although
he was kind and gentle, it was too much, too fast for my
daughter. Poor thing ended up passing out (she was fine with the
contact in her eye but when he asked her to take it out she
fainted!) and then when she came to she threw up everywhere.
Talk about traumatic for everyone.
Since then she has insisted that she will NEVER wear contacts,
that glasses are just fine. About a week ago she came to me and
said she thinks she is ready to try again. She plays soccer and
really wants to not wear glasses during games, and also she is 11
1/2 now and is a little more self conscious about her glasses.
SO, I really want it to go well this time. I would love
recommendations for a good, child friendly optometrist who can
fit contacts. Any other tips? I don't wear glasses (or
contacts) so am eager to hear from those who do or have children
who do. Thanks!
Karoline
I went to Rockridge Optometry when I was a little kid (and still go
today) They were patient and gentle at helping me learn to take the
contacts in and out.
The only problem is I got hard lenses and never wore them because I
never got used to them. I would only put them on for checkups and my
eyes were red and teary and my optometrist and parents never seemed to
notice. so if your child gets hard contacts (not sure if they even still
have them) beware of that problem!
happy soft contact wearer
My husband is an optometry student at the UC Berkeley Eye Center and he
said the optometry clinic often fits children with contacts. Try to set
up an appointment with Dr. John Corzine (available on Thurs.). Since
this is a teaching clinic, there is plenty of time spent with the
patients. If you want direct patient care (no students) request a
resident.
But even if a student starts the appointment, Dr. Corzine oversees
everything. He is very compassionate, knowledgeable, and patient.
UC Berkeley Eye Center 510-642-2020
Shelley
I've an excellent optometrist for you and your family - Dr. Susan Link,
located at 1613 Locust St., Walnut Creek (925) 932-4362 (within Dr. Carl
Hirsch's office). She loves kids and is enthusiastic, energetic,
patient, caring, fun and knowledgable.
She also works in a corneal surgery practice. I am also an optometrist
and I go to her for my exams!
By the way, I sympathize with your daughter as I had a lousy childhood
experience with an impatient ophthalmologist the first time i went to
get CLs for soccer.. Tell her to have patience and it'll work out!
Dr. Link takes many insurance plans including VSP.
Dan H
August 2006
Has anyone had any experience with contact lens for a young
child? We are considering contacts for our 6.5 year old daughter
would be interested in hearing about other people's experiences.
Advice on a particular optometrist with experience with contacts
for children would also be appreciated. Thanks!
-tired of broken glasses
I started wearing contact lenses when I was 8 years old. The theory
back then was that because gas permeable lenses hold the eye in a
particular shape, they might prevent a kid's vision from worsening
quickly. So basically my parents did it for my health.
I hated wearing contacts. Learning to put them in my eyes was
traumatizing, and led to nasty fights with whichever parent was
supervising the process. I kept losing them (you think broken glasses
are a pain, try looking for a contact lens on a soccer field once a
week!), which annoyed my parents and stressed me out. I eventually got
to the point where I would pretend to have them in and leave the house
blind, then put my glasses on when I got to school. Bottom line: even
if you're thinking disposable soft lenses, do not underestimate the
difficulties of contacts!
They are no fun for little kids!
If you want to talk about this more, feel free to get in touch via email
rlave
i got my contacts in 6th grade.
I think it takes a certain level of maturity to deal with getting them
in and out of your eyes, cleaning properly, etc. they are quite
delicate. good luck jss
Personally, I don't think such a young child has the emotional maturity
to wear contact lenses. Contacts take a lot of management, hygiene, and
thoughtfulness to care for properly.
And I certainly wouldn't be motivated to choose contacts as a way to
prevent loss! Quite the contrary: contacts are fragile, expensive, and
easily torn. It takes skill to manage contacts successfully and let's
not forget that eye-sight is involved here and mistakes could be very
costly. I began wearing contacts at 14 and think that was just about
right; too much to ask of someone younger unless the issues were more
compelling than loss reduction.
Glasses for now
I got contact lenses as a 10-year-old because my vision was
deteriorating rapidly and the optometrist felt that hard lenses would
slow it down. That turned out to be true, but I lost more contacts
between age 10 and age 14 than I have in the 20 years since.
Contacts are harder to take care of than glasses, so even though times
have changed and there are a lot more options in terms of disposable
lenses etc, contacts are still more complicated than glasses, no
question. If you're looking for something lower- hassle, contacts aren't
it. Jennifer M
There are some medical conditions that require babies to wear contacts,
so there is no such thing as too young from the doctor's perspective--I
can fit any aged person in contacts. But, contact lenses in children is
a tricky for other reasons, and I count on parents to help decide
whether it's a good idea for their child at whatever age based on the
following criteria: 1) parents have to feel that child is mentally
mature enough to handle them 2) child should be able to remove them from
their own eyes.
What if they are at school/daycare and there's some sort of
problem--dust under lens, or something sprays in eye? Then child needs
to take lens out themselves!
Then, as a bonus--if one of the parents wears contacts themselves, it's
much easier.
At 6.5 parents will be a large component in putting the lenses on, at
the very least.
The last criteria is that the prescription has to be OK for contacts.
For example, if the child has a high astigmatism, they will get the best
vision out of glasses.
Contacts would be bad, because a child that young can still become
amblyopic (lazy
eye) if they have a poor image constantly (contact lens not quite
sitting correctly).
The other consideration is that you have to be very diligent about
making sure the child is wearing the contacts. It's easy to see if
glasses are off--but contacts are easy to forget.
In general, I must say, when I consult with my patients, most feel that
their 6 or 7 year old is not ready for contacts based on my criteria.
But, I have fit quite a few as well. Parents usually judge girls as
ready sooner than boys. Those that I have fit, I generally recommend
one-day lenses if possible. The risk of contamination, etc. is far less.
But, they are also more expensive for a year's supply. Rigid lenses are
a very good option as well, but take some getting used to. Many parents
get concerned about this adaptation time, and don't want to consider
rigid lenses, but they provide great vision, are cheaper, and healthy.
You might also consider Flexon frames--less easy to destruct.
Optometrist
I don't know if an optometrist would even consider doing this, but as a
very long wearer of contacts (all kinds) and a parent, I would NOT do
this. Contacts carry all sorts of risks for corneal scratches and
infections if you don't know what you're doing. They can pop out
unexpectedly if you pull on your eye.
I can't imagine teaching someone this young to wear them and take care
the way you have to. Just my two cents. Leslie
I got contacts when I was a very near-sighted 7-year-old (23 years ago),
and have worn RGP or soft lenses ever since. I have never had problems
with eye health. Initially my parents helped me put them in, but I
quickly started doing it myself. The worst problem I had was when the
lens would get knocked out of place, and had to be shifted back, which
is a bit painful, and scary for a little kid (but not a concern with
soft lenses). Also, I was always getting things in my eye, which meant
stopping doing whatever I was doing until the thing cleared out by
itself, or removing the lens, cleaning it, and putting it back in. It's
definitely harder and more of an ongoing bother than glasses. But I also
remember how thrillingly clearly I could see everything on the drive
back from the optometrist's that first day with contacts. And as I
entered adolescence, I felt strongly that I looked more attractive
wearing lenses, and it made me feel more confident. So I would say that
it's probably wise to wait a few more years, and then go for it if your
kid is game. You will need to provide a lot of support, though, in
helping your child get comfortable with the lenses, ensuring that the
child is wearing and caring for the lenses correctly, and making sure
the child and caregivers/teachers are properly prepared to deal with
lens emergencies. Practically Blind
Nov 2004
My 13 1/2 year old son is, like both my husband and myself, fairly
nearsighted (i.e. sees fine close up but needs glasses for
distance). He’s a good-looking, athletic kid and glasses just don’t
fit with his self-image. It’s been a struggle to get him to wear them
when he needs them, especially in class, despite his teachers’ and
his parents’ best efforts. (I did the same thing as an adolescent
when my eyesight started to change, so I’m somewhat
sympathetic.) My concern is that while he’s been able to get by at
his small independent school, this won’t work at Berkeley High
where he will be starting in the fall and will definitely need to have
full use of all his faculties. He’s expressed an interest in contact
lenses; can I please hear from folks whose kids have tried contacts
(boys especially; he is I suspect fairly typical in that hygiene is not
a high priority); what age they got them, what were the issues, has
it been a success?
Sarah
Both of my sons began wearing soft contacts at early
ages-around 11 or so and are now 16 & 19 respectively. They
both are quite responsible and one is very festidious. As
they've gotten older, they actually have been a lot more
comfortable wearing glasses outside the house. However,
generally speaking they have always worn contacts to school
after a brief period of adjustment. Their parents also
wear contacts, but gas permeable.
Shelley
my 13 and 15 year old kids (boy 13, girl 15) are both nearsighted, and
they got soft contacts last spring. the optometrist had a contacts
"training" appointment, where they taught them about hygiene--washing
hands before putting them in, etc. they are very careful when putting
the contacts in, we have had no infections or any other problems. they
both managed their contacts while at sleepaway camp this summer, and do
fine on overnights. they both totally love having the contacts. plus,
they both remarked on the added bonus of having their peripheral vision
back!
www.quiltmamas.com
My 13 1/2 year old son just got contacts and really likes
them. He's worn glasses since 1st grade so is really happy
to be getting rid of them.
He just got them....the kind that are disposable...he wears
a pair per day. He's still learning how to put them in and
doesn't wear them all day yet, but he really likes them and
likes how he looks and feels without glasses.
We go to the CAL optometry clinic for our family eye exams
and glasses. (we're Kaiser members, but prefer CAl opt.
for eye exams).
Tell your son to go for it...enjoy the new look.
anon
My very athletic and active son needed corrective lenses when he was in
second grade. My husband and I are both myopic (I am off the charts) and we
have both worn contacts since we were teens. We soon discovered that the
glasses either didn't get worn or else he sat on them, stepped on them, lost
them, stuck them in his backpack and broke them.
We finally caved in and tried contacts when he was in fourth grade. I was
really worried about his ability to keep them clean and lubricated, but he was
really motivated and he did just fine, even at that age, with the process of
cleaning and storage. We switched to disposable lenses a few years ago and
have found them to be really easy and relatively cheap -- they last about
twice as long as advertised. I would definitely recommend contacts for a
teen, especially an athlete. My son plays lacrosse and I can't imagine how he
could wear a helmet with corrective goggles or glasses -- his peripheral
vision would be terrible.
mother of near-sighted athlete
To answer Sarah about the contact lenses for
kids/teens issue, my son needed correction for only
one eye beginning in early elementary school. The
opthamologist wanted him to wear a contact lens for
medical reasons. It took time and effort to learn how to
put it on, clean it, etc. but has been well worth it. Your
optometrist can do all the training, which takes the
burden off you. They can also emphasize the
importance of thorough cleaning and care of the lens.
He may also be able to use long term wear lenses,
which are less maintenance but can be more
expensive.
Ellie G
My daughter was the same: 13 1/2, good looking and
athletic, the glasses just kept getting smushed in the
backpack. She asked to try contacts and voila! What a
success. She took to them immediately (and proudly!), and
takes fairly good care of them. If he is expressing
interest, I think it's worth a try.
Lori
My son, now 22, started wearing glasses at 8. When he was
12 he begged for contact lenses and we told him he could
try them on a provisional basis, but if he got infections
due to hygiene, we would take them away. He always was a
good hands washer, and never had any problems at all.
Getting rid of his glasses made him a lot more self-
confident at a very difficult age.
Since he has allergies, I consulted his allergist who
recommended disposable contact lenses, to minimize
longterm buildup of allergens and bacteria. His lenses
are supposedly good for 3 weeks, but they usually only
last about 2 weeks. Daily disposables are now available,
but they are pretty expensive.
I say go for it. Your son will thank you.
Nancy
My very athletic and active son needed corrective lenses when he was in
second grade. My husband and I are both myopic (I am off the charts) and we
have both worn contacts since we were teens. We soon discovered that the
glasses either didn't get worn or else he sat on them, stepped on them, lost
them, stuck them in his backpack and broke them.
We finally caved in and tried contacts when he was in fourth grade. I was
really worried about his ability to keep them clean and lubricated, but he was
really motivated and he did just fine, even at that age, with the process of
cleaning and storage. We switched to disposable lenses a few years ago and
have found them to be really easy and relatively cheap -- they last about
twice as long as advertised. I would definitely recommend contacts for a
teen, especially an athlete. My son plays lacrosse and I can't imagine how he
could wear a helmet with corrective goggles or glasses -- his peripheral
vision would be terrible.
mother of near-sighted athlete
March 1999
My 13 yr old wears contacts and there hasn't been a problem with them
for 7 months. But recently, one got scratched when it fell so we had
to replace it. Soon after, the contact for the other eye was terribly
scratched. My son swears that it didn't fall (I believe him) yet it
was badly scratched. Because he has been so conscientious I paid to
replace the two contacts for a total of $300.00. He has astigmatism
so his contacts are VERY expensive. And now this morning when he went
to put one of his contacts in, he found it scratched. Again, it
wasn't due to the contact falling, but we are at a loss as to how his
contacts are getting scratched - I can't afford to replace this one.
He is going to pay for it himself out of his savings.
My question is to the contact wearers out there: what could be causing
the scratches, is there a step in the process of handling contacts
that one has to watch for that we are missing? Please help, with all
the sports he plays the contacts have been fantastic for him, but if
the scratches continue, he'd really have to go back to glasses because
of the cost.
Re. scratches on contacts:
As a long-time wearer of gas permeable hard lenses, I can offer
suggestions based only on this type of lens: Scratches can occur if
the lenses are stored in a dry lens case; they should always be stored
in conditioning fluid. Also, check to be sure your son is using the
cleaning fluid that is specifically recommended for his brand of
lenses, and that he washes his hands before handling them. Finally,
his optometrist may be able to "polish" the lenses if they get
scratched, rather than replace them. My optometrist has done that to
mine on occasion and it has improved the comfort.
I asked one of the contact lens doctors here at the Optometry Clinic
and he said, especially if your son is due for an exam, he could come
to the clinic at UC and bring his lenses and we could evaluate the
type of lenses he has and the care he is giving them and assess what
the problem might be. There may be a handling problem or a storage
problem or there may be another type of lens that would work better
for him.
Barbara Shayesteh,
Patient Services Analyst,
Optometry Clinic at Minor Hall
I know that contact lenses can get beat up if they're not cleaned
properly. Make sure he's using the daily cleaner, and soaking them,
taking the appropriate care. Good luck (been wearing contacts since
I was 15)
I suspect that the case may be the problem with the contact lenses
that keep being scratched. I wore contacts for many years without
scratching any of them (I'm extremely cautious in handling them); then
suddenly I had several scratched contacts in a row. I told the
optometrist that I suspected it was the case: I use the AOSept system,
and the first scratched contact occurred shortly after I began using a
new case. I had noticed that it was harder to remove the contacts
from the new case--as though they had kind of a tacky surface. I
asked the optometrist whether perhaps the case hadn't been "sanded" as
well in the factory as it should have been. (It felt smooth, but the
contacts were definitely harder to remove from it.) Because the case
felt smooth, the optometrist was sure this couldn't be the problem,
and just cautioned me to handle the lenses more carefully. After
spending lots of money replacing several lenses (I too have expensive,
astigmatic lenses), I bought a new case and--presto chango!--problem
solved. I have never scratched a lens in the ten years since I tossed
out that case.
Some possibilities for the scratches:
1. Could have been caused by his fingernails when he handles the
lens, like when he takes it out from the case. Make sure he has short
fingernails and that side of his finger does not touch the lens.
2. Could have been caused by the lens being caught by the lid of the
lens case when he closes it. Make sure the holder is big enough.
3. If there are grooves inside the lens case, make sure they are
smooth.
I hope this helps.
I wore contacts for a while, and currently have a pair that I only
wear for performing (3 or 4 times per year). I never had trouble with
scratches, but I did have trouble because one of them tore. I would
postulate that the scratching comes either in the process of taking
them out (he grabs them with his fingernail) or more likely, when he
is cleaning them. His hands must be scrupulously clean, and there
should be no rough spots on the fingers or palms. If his hands are
rough from the sports, perhaps he should "file" them with a pumice
stone, and moisturize them on a regular basis.
Have you considered either:
a) purchasing the lenses through the mail? There are several
services that can provide them via mail. With your son's difficult
prescription, this might not be possible, but if you haven't
investigated, it might be worth a try. These services undercut the
walk-in stores by as much as half.
b) purchasing through CostCo? some locations have eyecare
facilities. Might be worth a try.
c) using "disposable" lenses? Some are now available for
astigmatism. The advantages would be a smaller cost per lens (so
when one gets damaged, it's not as financially painful), and fewer
times to be cleaned, lessening the likelihood of damage in the
cleaning process.
You'd have to get your son refitted if he wants to try a new type
of contact, unfortunately. All are not the same! So far I have not
been able to wear disposables, though there have been changes even in
the past 4 years, so I may be ready to try again.
Good Luck!
Oct 2005
I've had rigid gas permeable contact lenses for about 18 years
now. For the past few years, I've had trouble with the RGP on and
off, not being able to wear them part of the time. I have been
repeatedly to the UC eye clinic where they have spent lots of
time trying to figure me out - they know part of it is a fit
issue. We discussed a switch to soft lenses about a year ago but
they weren't sure that soft lenses would work for me either. Now
I need to go back in but first thought I'd see if anyone out
there has switched from RGP to soft and were you happy with the
switch or did you go back to the RGP lenses? I really dislike
wearing glasses full time so am anxious to find a solution that
allows me to continue wearing lenses. Thanks!
Kristen
I switched from RGP to soft contacts after having worn RGPs for about 15
years. I was tired of the discomfort and the times when the RGP would
slip into the corner of my eye if I blinked the wrong way. Because of
astigmatism, I used toric soft lenses and had to put up with less clear
eyesight (impossible to completely correct strong astigmatism, even with
toric lenses).
I was living in a city where I didn't need to drive, so the worst that
would happen is I would squint to see the numbers of approaching buses.
After 10 years, I moved here, where you can't survive without a car. As
I drove around, squinting at street signs, I realized that I could no
longer manage with less-than-perfect eyesight. Reluctantly, I decided
to switch back to RGPs. During my eye appointment, they discovered that
my poor eyesight with soft toric contact lenses was due to keratoconus -
a condition where the cornea is uneven, causing astigmatism-like
symptoms. I now wear special RGPs designed to reshape the cornea. My
eyesight is crystal clear, which is wonderful for driving, but I wish I
could go back to soft contacts. They were SO much more comfortable!
cclocke
I used RGP lenses from age 7 to age 27, and then switched to soft for no
particular reason. I used the soft lenses for a year and a half and then
switched back to RGP. I loved my RGP lenses before I switched, and never
had any trouble with them, wearing them on average 12-16 hours a day.
The soft lenses always seemed like more of an object in my eye - I never
could forget I was wearing them, and my eyes were MUCH drier, requiring
use of daily rewetting drops. (With that said, my new RGP lenses aren't
as perfectly comfortable as I remember them being before - my eyes are
still a bit drier than before.) The optometrists I've spoken to say that
RGP lenses are healthier for your eyes, and they definitely FEEL
healthier to me.
ProRGP
I switched from hard (RGP) to soft lenses at the recommendation of an
optometrist a
few years ago. I had tried soft lenses before but couldn't see well
enough with
them, so went back to hard. After 2 years with soft lenses, still
unable to see as well as I could with hard lenses, I decided to switch
back. Alas, it was no longer possible to go back to hard lenses because
the shape of my eyeballs had changed so much without the hard lenses to
mold them. I had also switched from the aforementioned optometrist to
the UC Optometry School, which I have found to be a great place when you
need to experiment with different possibilities. They explained
everything to me, tried to find me the best possible lenses given my
particular vision parameters, gave me a pair of contacts for free once
when I needed them, and finally performed laser surgery when I decided I
could no longer stand the soft lenses. They also told me that hard
lenses are actually better for your eyes than soft ones, which was the
opposite of what the previous optometrist had suggested. I recommend
that you talk to your optometrist about different types of lenses before
you make the switch. I have, or had, pretty severe astigmatism, which
soft lenses simply cannot correct. I'm also old enough to need
trifocals at this point, and with only 2 eyes neither Lasik nor
monovision contacts can correct for everything. Good luck with your
decision.
Been there
I switched from RGP to soft years ago, when they finally started making
soft lenses that could correct for astigmatism. I would never go back
to RGP. The vision may not be quite as sharp but I don't even notice
any more, and the comfort level makes up for everything. You should
definitely give soft lenses a try if you're having troubles with the
rigid ones.
I started off with RGP and switched to disposable soft contacts after I
developed a recurring problem with corneal abrasions. I have to say, I
never liked the soft contacts as much, and as a result, I've gone back
to glasses (but that also speaks to laziness on my part). My vision was
better with RGP, and I never got good at putting the soft lenses in and
especially taking them out. On the other hand, soft lenses don't scratch
(although you have to clean them really well to avoid the growth of
harmful bacteria, which isn't as much a problem with RGP), and you don't
have to ''break them in'' and get your eyes used to them like with hard
lenses. Another plus is it's no big deal if you lose them, and it's nice
to have a fresh pair every couple of weeks (or whatever length of time
you have). I'd say that if you can make RGP work, it's better but if
it's causing problems, soft contacts take some getting used to but are
totally doable.
good luck!
I wore rigid gas permeables for 15+ years because of severe astigmatism
and myopia. However, I got tired of having them ''seize up'' on me when
a dust particle would get in my eye.
(You know, where you stop cold in your tracks while your eyes water and
you blink uncontrollably to make the pain stop). They also made my eyes
tired at night. I switched over to
(expensive!) attractive glasses and figured that was it.
Two years ago, my eye doctor got me to try soft lenses for people with
severe astigmatism and I was hooked within 5 minutes of wearing the
samples he had on hand. I now wear soft lenses everyday and I LOVE them.
Not once have they ''seized up''
on me because of a speck of dirt!!!! I've been told the prescription
isn't 20/20, but I've never been able to tell, even in the eye chart
tests.
I'm Converted!
I switched from rigid gas permeable lenses to soft, (weekly) disposable.
I never did go back to the gas perms after giving birth to my first
child. My eyes were too dry while I was nursing. Six months after I
gave up nursing, I found myself pregnant again, but I managed to try the
disposables during that six months and liked them. I wore them
throughout the second pregnancy. I don't see as well with the soft
lenses, but they are comfortable. Now that I'm back to nursing, I'm
back to wearing my glasses full time, but plan to keep wearing the soft
lenses once the dry eye problem goes away.
anonymous
I wore gas permeable lenses for years, but always had trouble with them,
including numerous incidences of scratched corneas from my eyes drying
out. I never went to soft lenses because I have an astigmatism and
thought they wouldn't correct my eyes well enough. However, after I had
my baby, I couldn't wear the lenese at all, and out of desperation, I
went in for soft lenses. First of all, it turned out that now soft
lenses can correct for mild astigmatism such as I have. Second, it took
trying a bunch of different brands, but eventually I used one that was
larger than the average size, and I have never looked back. I can't
believe I didn't switch years ago.
All my problems with lenses are in the past. I can wear these for 14
hours or more, I haven't had a single scratched cornea or any problems
at all beyond eye allergies that have nothing to do with the lenses. I
wear the kind that you discard every two weeks, and it still feels like
a miracle after 6 years. I HIGHLY recommend giving them a try-just make
sure you have the right brand that feels most comfortable (by the way,
there's almost no ''getting used to them'' time at all--they are fairly
comfortable the first day, and feel as if they aren't there by the the
third). Good luck, and happy seeing!
Susan
Dec 2004
I've worn hard contact lenses all my life--they're not
uncomfortable for me & the maintenance is easy. But they're
expensive & easy to lose so I'm thinking of switching to soft
lenses. I don't know anything about soft lenses--what are the
best kind to get? Can I get reliable ones from Costco or is it
better to go to a private eye doctor? How much do they cost?
Thanks much!
valerie
you first need to see your optometrist see find out if soft
lenses are even an option for you. switching from hard to
soft may not be that easy. plus there are thousands of brands
and modes of wear to choose from. take it from me, go to your
doctor to find your answers.
eye doc
One thing to be careful of: soft lenses may actually be MORE
uncomfortable for people accustomed to hard lenses. At the advice of
my optometrist, I switched -- and almost went crazy! They wouldn't stay
positioned in my eyes properly, I had to clean them many times a day,
and they itched -- after a week, I ordered a new pair of hard lenses and
have never gone back.
Just make sure they work for you before you throw away the hard
lenses.
Karen
I have only used soft contacts. I find them easy and the two
week Acu Vue seem to me a good balance financially and hassle-
wise between completely disposable and longer lasting. My
optometrist clued me in that if I clean them well I can wear
them for a month. But since they're only supposed to last two
weeks, I don't feel too badly when I lose one. That said, it's my understanding that different lenses are more
comfortable for different people, so it's worth trying a few. My recommendation is that you go to an optometrist and ask to
try a few. My optomestrist charges extra, maybe $10 for the
contact lense exam and prescription -- I think whether or not I
buy from her. I bought the AcuVue lenses at Costsco and they're fine. In the
past I've gotten them from 1-800-contacts which was fine too. The latter, and my optomestrist when I get them there, will
replace flawed contact lenses. I don't know about Costco as I
haven't had that issue with the lenses I got there. At the time
I got them I got a huge amount (like a 6 mo or year supply)
because that was part of the deal and I've had the same
prescription for awhile so I'm not worried it will change.
Good luck!
Dec 2003
I have worn Rigid Gas Permeable contact lens for over twenty
years and have never had this problem. I have had the same
Optometrist for the twenty years and he is completely baffled and
does not know what to suggest next. A short time ago, I lost my
left lens. I ordered a complete set. When I got the new set, as
soon as I put them in, both lens became foggy. No matter how
much I clean them or soak them. At first they thought the lens
were defective. Since then, I have gone through five or six sets
of lens. They all do the same thing. The lens become cloudy and
impossible to wear. My old right lens is still perfectly fine,
so it can't be something wrong with my eyes. Please help! Sarah
I have had similar experiences, but never in only one eye!
There are a number of very scary things that can cause an
increase in the protein deposits on the lenses, so an evaluation
by an opthamalogist may be a good idea, but in my case I found
that the problem was pretty much solved after I either (1) got a
new pair of lenses, or (2) stopped wearing the lenses for a few
days and then went back to them. (I wore disposables, which I
use for camping trips, swimming, etc., on a weekend trip and
when I returned, no more cloudy lenses. Totally accidental.)
Try wearing a different brand or type of lenses for a few days.
Can't hurt, might help.
Oh, and in recent years, I've had more problems with my lenses
when I've stopped taking the pill, and fewer after getting
pregnant. So I figured hormonal changes might be causing it
somehow. Anything like that going on for you?
Holly
Sept 2002
I'm wondering if anyone has any tips for getting soft contact
lenses into and out of the eyes. I've now
made five attempts with three different contact lens fitters and
still can't do it on my own. The last
one watched very carefully and couldn't figure out what I'm doing
wrong: I'm no longer afraid to
touch my eyeball (that was the initial problem) and seem to be
getting the lens in about the right place, but it
folds or just sticks to my finger instead of going into my eye.
The different people all had somewhat
different techniques, so I'm hoping someone out there has yet
another that might work for me. I've
never been known for great manual dexterity but I'm not a
hopeless klutz, either, although I'm
beginning to feel like one! Thanks.
All thumbs, apparently
if the contact lens sticks to your finger rather than your eye,
try drying your fingertip just before putting the lens on it,
and then putting a TINY drop of wetting solution in the contact
(or in your eye). the contact lens is hydrophilic (likes
water). once the lense makes contact with your eye, pull your
fingertip away while still holding the eyelids and release your
eyelids slowly. do not squeeze your eyelids shut. just gently
close them. most of all, practice, practice, practice. also
there are some contacts that are easier to handle than others.
you may need to be refit with a thicker lens.
contact -lens-free -since-LASIK
Soft contact lenses are hydrophilic (they like water), so the
most important thing is to make sure your eye is wetter than
your finger to try to entice the lens to move from your finger
to your eye. First, squeeze some lens-wetting solution or
saline into your eye. Next, get the lens out of its case with
one hand and shake any excess solution off of it. Then transfer
the lens to a dry finger before trying to insert it. It may
also help to put a little drop of solution onto the inside of
the lens just before inserting it (but not so much solution that
it spills over and wets your finger, or distorts the shape of
the lens).
Good luck!
June W.
When I put on my contacts I make sure they are very moist. I
start by placing the first contact on my right index finger, and
then I add 1-2 drops of the solution you clean with(like RENU or
Opti-free) or just plain saline. I then pull up my top eyelid
with my eyebrow or eyelashes with my left middle finger and then
I pull down the bottom eyelid with my right middle finger
balancing my contact. Then I slowly place the contact on my
eye. You can then pull your upper eyelid over your eye and move
your eye around until you feel it lay completely flat. Then you
move onto eye number two in exactly the same way.
Good Luck!
It sounds like your finger is too wet. If there's too much
moisture on the finger, I find that the contact will stick or
fold onto itself.
Anita
The contact lense will stick to the wettest surface. So if
your finger is too wet it will tend to want to stick to it,
instead of your eye. Since I take the lense out of the case with
my index finger and thumb (therefore wetting these fingers), I
use my ring finger or pinkie to place it on the eye. Also, make
sure you don't tap too hard. Good luck.
lourdes
Forgive me if this is a dumb question, but do you need to wear
soft lenses? Rigid ones take more getting used to at first, but
they're a lot easier to put in and take out.
Holly
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