Contact Lenses - Who wears them?

Gamefreak501 said:
This thread is very interesting and useful for me.

I'm going to go on a free 3-month trial at my opticians for some contact lenses this year. Partly because I look a lot better without glasses and my lenses are getting pretty thick.

I've been told that due to my prescription (I have 10% astigmatism, -4.75 in my right eye, and in my left -4.25 I believe) monthly lenses will be perfect match for my eyes, as I will be wearing them all the time; whereas daily disposables will be a 'best-fit' and won't be as sharp.

I'll look at some of the online retailers listed here so I can save some money there, and it will be an interesting experience, as I have been wearing glasses for 10 years or so now.

I'll just need to use some creams (if the cucumbers don't work) to get the bags under my eyes sorted /metrosexual as they will look much more apparent with contacts.

Thanks everyone.

Kind regards,

David
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You pretty much have the same prescription as me, except I'm -4.75 and -5.0. I was warned off dailies because I wear mine for longer than 10 hours a day.

Was a little skeptical at first thinking they just wanted le monies, but monthlies are much more comfortable over longer periods. From what I've experienced anyways.

I also wore glasses for 12 years before getting them as I couldnt get the damn things in my eyes, hopefully you won't have the same trouble I did to start with =]
 
yer_averagejoe said:
I too have keratoconus in both eyes which is why I asked. So far I've been fine and haven't needed to correct it. But I'm concious of my right eye getting worse. It's now at the point where I struggle to read with only my right eye open.

So I guess I might end up with a RGP in my right eye at some point. I was told by the optician that they are very uncomfortable, though. So I'm trying to hold off as long as I can, really. There is a new type of hybrid lense; have you tried those?
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Tbh my left eye was that bad I was put on RGP from the off lol, Im finding the bigger sized lens is less forgiving if i bugger it up putting it in etc. But in all honesty once it's in and settled (30mins normally) I quite often forget its even in.

It is more tricky to put in from a soft lens though.
 
I wore contacts daily for 17 years and as a result it has caused damage to my eyes (due to dryness etc). The damage is no longer an issue (just some very minor scaring to tear ducts) and my eyes are fine but I now limit myself to wearing them just once a week on average. Still tempted to get my eyes laser zapped.
 
sven256 said:
Not really that good value.

As http://www.getlenses.co.uk/air-optix-for-astigmatism.html

12 Months + 1 month free (12 + 1 Pairs) - £139.90 ideal if you prescription has not changed in a while.

Then the rest of the stuff is pocket change, so it will save you about £100 a year for doing next to nothing.
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The rest of the stuff really isnt pocket change.

Using their site:
Taking £139 as 13 months supply of lenses.
Cheapest Peroxide on their site is £74.80 for 12 months
I used Blink Individual Vials (1 pack a month) as they are individual and with no preservatives - £47.40
Works out at £261.20 Plus a free pair of lenses.

So for what I get for my £246 a year with my local optician, including as many consulations as I want, checkups etc etc, I'd still like to stick please :)
 
I wear contacts for 20+ years, I've been using monthly ones for 10+ years now. I usually use a pair for about 2 months, and buy them online. The reason I can wear them longer is that I'm very careful when manipulating them, cleaning them; with experience it's second nature.

I usually do a test every year (as it's free with work anyway) at Boots or other, and immediately request my complete prescription (make sure it IS complete, as they often try to 'forget' curvature values).

Of course they want to get you on their products, but it's just a racket, the "for your own good" is just "for our own profit"...

If you are hesitating about wearing contacts, don't really. It's a lifechanger. I wore glasses since I'm 4 or something, and contacts completely changed my life. I do /everything/ with contacts, even scuba diving.

If your think touching your eyes is difficult, don't; you'll get over it in no time, it's really just a habit to take, and soon you're wonder why you had a problem with it in the first place.

And if you have dry eyes, the best trick in the book is to yawn. Force yourself to yawn, it triggers tears and will lubricate the lens.

And, wash your hands. Be scrupulous about it before putting them on and removing them. Don't touch anything else between the time you washed your hands and you touch your eyes.

In well over 20 years, I had not a single issue with contacts, and believe me, I put myself into pretty unfriendly situations! I'm really a blocky bloke with rugbyman hands, so it's really not difficult.
 
I have been wearing contacts for the last 11-12 years. I used to wear monthly disposables but are now on the Acuvue fortnightly ones. I have tried the dailys but I cannot get used to them, why?!? They seem to feel a lot more harder in the eyes, I feel them scratching my eyes when I blink, is it true that the dailys are less durable and lesser quality compared to the more extended wear ones? I tried the Acuvue dailys for 1 day and my eyes were so dry it was uncomfortable... can anyone advise?
 
I think certain lenses work better with different eyes, the lamb and something ones I had were awful, they would never settle and felt scratchy when I blinked and moved. The lenses were not not seating properly, I use acuvue moist now and I don't even know I've got them in most the time.

Astigmatism in my right eye does sometimes need a few blinks to get rid of blurry ness if the lense turns.
 
Skillmister said:
Bump :D
Does anyone ever re-use daily lenses? I know they say you shouldn't but what are the reasons why? I don't mean multiple days wearing them for 8 hours I just feel like it's such a waste and quite costly to use a pair for an hour or 2 when i go to the gym/pub/whatever then throw them away.

Especially when it's £45 for 30 pairs as i have astigmatism so none of the online places have better deals.

Is there any truth to this article? (DM i know :/)
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On a Kung Fu trip to the Isle of Wight I took some daily disposables with me and one pair I wore for 3 days, slept in them too, but gave them a rinse/clean every morning :o

By the end of the 2nd day it was hurting a tad as they were drying out, nothing bad came of it, however I wouldn't recommend doing it tbh.
 
Skillmister said:
Bump :D
Does anyone ever re-use daily lenses? I know they say you shouldn't but what are the reasons why? I don't mean multiple days wearing them for 8 hours I just feel like it's such a waste and quite costly to use a pair for an hour or 2 when i go to the gym/pub/whatever then throw them away.

Especially when it's £45 for 30 pairs as i have astigmatism so none of the online places have better deals.

Is there any truth to this article? (DM i know :/)
Click to expand...

Everytime.

I reuse every pair of lenses for a second day. Typically in for 16hrs each day.... no problems so far.
 
I'm on the same plan with vision express and it does actually work out a lot cheaper for me than buying them online.

I have the "leave in" contact lenses, normally you keep them in for 2 weeks at a time and then change but due to my eyes being slightly dry they recommend I change them weekly. I pay the same £27 per month but they send me double the normal amount of lenses to cover this, I also get eye checks and replacements free. When I looked into the online discount sellers they were significantly more expensive I also need one special contact for my astigmatism.

Trust me mate, I spent a long time searching around for a cheaper option but I couldn't find anything anywhere near the price I'm paying now.
 
I pay £25/month for fortnightly lenses from Vision Express.

Quite expensive by the look of it, but all the after-care is paid for, discount on glasses and every few months they deliver me a new set of lenses, fluid and storage cases to my door.

Lenses I use are Acuvue Oasys. They are excellent, I put them in first thing in the morning and wear them all day, usually for 14+ hours. Never had any problems with irritation (Except for when there's something on the lense of course), dry eyes or discomfort. I can't even tell they are in, except for the fact that the world isn't a big blur :)
 
Been wearing lenses for years. I used to be ripped off by Specsavers, then by an "independent" optician who turned out not to be so independent.

Now I buy my lenses from http://gbp.getlenses.nl/ - You dont need a prescription, so gets around the usual you get from the opticians who try and tie you in to their own who refuse to verify your prescription to the online retailers if you havent been in to see them for a check in the last 6 months (which they charge £20 for).

I then go and have a sight test and lens check every 2 years which my employer pays for.

I wear Acuvue Oaysis lenses - By far the best I have used, and I have tired virtually all the different soft lenses.
 
Strong bump.

Trying to find some lenses online and it's annoying. None have the correct options for my cyl/axis and they aren't even much cheaper than from the opticians (maybe a couple of pounds when it's £40+ for a set of 30 lenses :() Boo astigmatism. This sucks!
 
Ive been wearing daily disposables for Astigmatism (toric) for a few years - just been told that i should go to Silicone Hydragel as they let more oxygen through to the eye

The dailys were no good for me (restricted prescription options on them and they sucked) but now trialing the fortnightly disposables and they're ace - specsavers bulk buy (6 or 12 month) has always been the cheapest option for me
 
Skillmister said:
Bump :D
Does anyone ever re-use daily lenses? I know they say you shouldn't but what are the reasons why? I don't mean multiple days wearing them for 8 hours I just feel like it's such a waste and quite costly to use a pair for an hour or 2 when i go to the gym/pub/whatever then throw them away.

Especially when it's £45 for 30 pairs as i have astigmatism so none of the online places have better deals.

Is there any truth to this article? (DM i know :/)
Click to expand...

Ire used mine sometimes, just put back in the pots to wear for a second day and put a glass onto to seal them.

Recently ive started coming to work in glasses and putting the lenses in once Im here. Less messing about leaving the house and much better when your eyes actually open properly.
 
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