Learning to tolerate contact lenses?

DRZ

DRZ

DRZ

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I'm beginning to think that I'd prefer to wear contacts some of the time rather than my glasses. Mainly because I have a pair of prescription sunglasses but I would prefer to be able to choose to wear a different style from time to time and most if not all of the kinds of sunglasses I like cannot be found in prescription form.

I am also thinking about getting a motorbike again and wearing glasses is a pain in the arse under a helmet!

Problem is, the last time I tried (when I was 17/18, so 7ish years ago) I found that at first there was a slight stinging which developed into me trying desperately to claw my eyes out to stop the agony. My eyes didn't feel "normal" again for a few days after that. Really horrible feeling.

Which are the very best contacts that I should go and try? I'm willing to give them a go once more if the technology has improved any?

P.S. I don't think Laser surgery is right for me at the moment either.
 
Only thing you can really do is pop along to the optician and get a trial on the go, if one kind doesn't feel comfortable they can give you another.
 
If your eyes don't adapt to contact lenses and you get bacterial infections when you use them then there's really nothing you can do. Like Morgoth said... give a trial a go it's the only way to know for sure.
 
Do most/all highstreet opticians stock the same brands then? I cba wasting my time and their time trawling through brand after brand. I want to start with the *best* (cost not a factor) and work from there...
 
A good optometrist will not allow you to leave with sub-par lenses. Contact lenses have evolved hugely in the last 5 years so don't let that worry you. Go to a decent place and have your eyes examined properly.
 
DRZ said:
Do most/all highstreet opticians stock the same brands then? I cba wasting my time and their time trawling through brand after brand. I want to start with the *best* (cost not a factor) and work from there...
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No, they don't. Well, yes, the highstreet opticians might but the independents do not is what I mean. An independent optometrist will almost certainly be able to get you non-list contacts which are far superior but they will not be the cheapest; cheap is what the highstreet aims for and whilst there is nothing wrong with this, it is not always the best solution.
 
DRZ said:
I'm beginning to think that I'd prefer to wear contacts some of the time rather than my glasses. Mainly because I have a pair of prescription sunglasses but I would prefer to be able to choose to wear a different style from time to time and most if not all of the kinds of sunglasses I like cannot be found in prescription form.

I am also thinking about getting a motorbike again and wearing glasses is a pain in the arse under a helmet!

Problem is, the last time I tried (when I was 17/18, so 7ish years ago) I found that at first there was a slight stinging which developed into me trying desperately to claw my eyes out to stop the agony. My eyes didn't feel "normal" again for a few days after that. Really horrible feeling.

Which are the very best contacts that I should go and try? I'm willing to give them a go once more if the technology has improved any?

P.S. I don't think Laser surgery is right for me at the moment either.
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Where they the hard lenes? I found i couldn't wear them at all, so went with the softer daily ones and they were fine.
 
I started wearing Acuvue Oasys lenses about 3 years ago after getting tired of wearing glasses. You wear a set for two weeks, taking them out every night, then replace them. They are excellent. Very soft and once they are in, I cannot feel them at all, I don't even notice they are in apart from the fact I can see perfectly.

I wear mine all day, a good 16 hours a day usually, no problems. I've even slept in them (despite advice otherwise) and have woken up to wear them the following day with no ill effects.
 
The absolute best contact lenses are the acuvue hydraclear oasys, or so i have been told by 5 different opticians from different companies inc a family friend. I tried different ones at the beginning and nearly gave up with contacts before trying these, and other than when i got hayfever, i have absolutely 0 problems with them! As you know really :)
 
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Conscript said:
I've even slept in them (despite advice otherwise) and have woken up to wear them the following day with no ill effects.
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They say on the packet take out nightly and they last 2 weeks or wear 100% of the time and they last 1 week, so you can safely sleep in them and I have done many times :)
 
DRZ said:
P.S. I don't think Laser surgery is right for me at the moment either.
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Why not?

I've had it done as have loads of other people I know, not one of them has regretted it.
In regards to cost, places do interest free credit so the cost is easier to manage.
 
gort said:
Why not?

I've had it done as have loads of other people I know, not one of them has regretted it.
In regards to cost, places do interest free credit so the cost is easier to manage.
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I don't want to do it now only for my eyes to change too much and have to do it again later. My eyes are still changing slowly/slightly so I want to wait as long as possible really.
 
I wear specsavers daily disposables which are fine. I've also had their 30 day lenses which are a pain to store everyday. Also tried the 30 day and night lenses which were pretty good but a pain if you wanted to go swimming or something as they never felt quite right putting back in again.

Must have been wearing lenses now for 10 years, will probably get my eye's lasered at some point in the future.
 
Another J&J Acuvue wearer here.

Whatever brand/type of lens you decide upon, please follow the advice your optometrist gives you. Don't take the lens cleaning/sterilisation/changing routine for granted!
My wife works in QA for a big US contact lens manufacturer here in the UK and had to sit through a "stomach-churningly gruesome" presentation on the after effects of sustained complacent lens & eye care!

P.S. I've been wearing lenses for nearly 20 years, so I hope I haven't put you off!:D
 
I wear J&J Acuvue, not the cheapest but very good. If you have your visor up when your on your bike I'd be slightly careful as I do a lot of cycling and even soft lenses can get blown out of your eye.
 
I've had the 30 day lenses, the cheapy Specsavers ones and to be honest my eyes are so dry after 9hrs that I can't wait to take them out.

You can get your prescription and buy them online, but I prefer to wear glasses in work (result of working in a hot environment with furnaces etc), so never bothered pursuing alternatives, but there's some good deals to be had.

Have a look here: http://www.getlenses.co.uk/?source=webgains&siteid=11628 and here: http://www.postoptics.co.uk/
 
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OP, I was in your exact same situation recently and I also lost my perscription sunglasses.

I ride a motorbike and use screens all the time in my job.

I've always been skeptical about contacts as I don't like the concept of touching my eyeballs but I signed up earlier this year for a trial with Specsavers. mainly because I wanted them for when I went skiing.

They trialled them with me and I get on with them now, although at work I don't bother because I find looking at text is annoying. For bike riding, skiing and everything away from a computer screen they were great (coming from me, a true "non believer")! Go in and get yourself a trial and see for yourself!
 
Like everyone else, give them a trial and find some that work for you. I had to go through three different kinds of contacts before I found the right ones for my eyes.
 
rG-tom said:
They say on the packet take out nightly and they last 2 weeks or wear 100% of the time and they last 1 week, so you can safely sleep in them and I have done many times :)
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orly? didn't know that.

I have to admit, Ive used the same set for a month at a time sometimes, with no problem and just gave them a quick clean with saline as I put them in.
 
Air Optix, been on them for a long long time. Feel great to wear even for long days.

I would say get monthly ones, why sleep in lenses...... You are asleep and cannot see anything :p
 
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