Contact lenses

kaptainmarc

kaptainmarc

kaptainmarc

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Want to get my first set of contact lenses as my glasses are starting to drive me mad whilst at the gym / nights out / days out etc.

wheres best to go? are there better brands than others?

are they cheaper online or shall i just go to my local big brand opticians?

any and all information is great as I've never looked into contact lenses before.
 
Specsavers require that you get a separate prescription for lenses as they can differ. Generally they're cheaper on line.

I can't remember now but there are definitely types which are softer on your eyes. I found the ones I used to get from Specsavers to not be particularly comfortable but that may be because my ears are as moist as they should be.

Would you use dailes or the ones which you keep for a while?
 
Cleisthenes said:
Specsavers require that you get a separate prescription for lenses as they can differ. Generally they're cheaper on line.

I can't remember now but there are definitely types which are softer on your eyes. I found the ones I used to get from Specsavers to not be particularly comfortable but that may be because my ears are as moist as they should be.

Would you use dailes or the ones which you keep for a while?
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I have to wear safety glasses all day at work anyway which are prescirption but Then I go out 4-5 times a week in the evening where I don't want glasses i.e gym/hiking/out on the **** so unsure which i would be better going for
 
First you need to have an up to date eye examination/glasses prescription. Then you'd book in for a contact lens fit where they'd check your eyes and prescription are suitable for contacts, and advise on the best lenses based on your requirements. You'd then need to learn how to insert and remove them and be given a trial set.

Generally dailies are better in terms of safety because of the ease of hygiene with them - no cleaning and storage. But of course they cost more. Independent opticians will offer a broader range of options (generally)...online will probably be slightly cheaper, but with contacts and the need for regular checkups (more frequent than sight tests to maintain a prescription for contact lenses) I'd really recommend that you maintain a good relationship with a high street opticians.

In terms of which lenses to go for...generally I'd say Johnson and Johnson are a good choice. Generally they have a great product although it costs a little more than their competitors. For occasional wear the 1 Day Moist range is a good option. If you're wearing more and want to keep costs down their 2 weekly Oasys is also good (although obviously requires solutions and a good cleaning regimen.)

What sort of glasses prescription do you have?
 
Get your first set at a proper optician, they will be over priced but they will get you used to them. Then go to www.daysoft.com then try out their lenses - they have a brand checker which matches up the brand you have been using to their most suited lense. They are about 60% cheaper than places like boots etc. I pay about £32 for a 3 month supply.
 
I'd really recommend against Daysoft lenses. They're really not a good quality lens and they obscure information about certain incredibly important parameters such as the materials oxygen transmissability through lens thickness. Definitely go for a better lens that is available in a regular opticians.
 
The last lenses I ordered (Air Optix for Astigmatism) were from https://lenssaver.co.uk who are far cheaper. They arrived in a few days I seem to remember..

When I first had lenses they gave me a month or two of trial lenses for free though, because they wanted to make sure they suited my eyes and didn't need adjusting etc. Once they finally sign off what's best for you just take what they recommend and buy them online in bulk.

Dailies are far less hassle than monthlies, if you only wear them a handful of times a week it'll probably work out cheaper too.
 
Depending on your prescription level, you may not be able to have soft lenses - mine is pretty high, and I have to wear RGP lenses; this is due to the fact that the softer lenses can move around on my eye and can put my vision out of focus :(

First time I wore them though, was when the hospital issued a set to me - and my eyes went into waterfall mode!!! For about 10 minutes, until my eyes adjusted, they just watered and watered - I guess a natural reaction to trying to flush these foreign objects out of my eyes. Once settled down, it was brilliant!

I haven't worn contacts for a good 4 years or so now, but would love to go back to them at some point - ideally soft ones for comfort, but I can put up with the discomfort of the hard lenses; being able to just chuck on a pair of non-prescription sunnys is ace, amongst other benefits.
 
I'd go against x-st's advice on sticking to the highstreet. I'd go into Specsavers or similar for an eyetest, lense fit check and fitting trial and straight after order some online from visiondirect.co.uk or another trusted site, based on the customer reviews. I've had multiple different brands and to be honest, I just buy the cheapest ones with excellent reviews and I've had no problem with any of them even after 5 years of ~15hours a day, 7 days a week.
 
Luke_Bowman said:
I'd go against x-st's advice on sticking to the highstreet.
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The logic behind that advice is the potential risk of complications with wearing a lens on your eye - a corneal ulcer can be potentially blinding, and the growth of vessels into your cornea due to lack of oxygen is permanent and undetectable by the wearer until it's too late. The savings are not huge (especially compared to buying glasses online) and having someone monitor your lens wear is a sensible option when it comes to looking after your eyes. You only get one set.
 
x-st said:
The logic behind that advice is the potential risk of complications with wearing a lens on your eye.
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You're wearing a lens on your eye either way? I'm sure that all manufacturers have to go through the same stringent regulations, just like buying anything else online from a reputable retailer?
 
Luke_Bowman said:
You're wearing a lens on your eye either way? I'm sure that all manufacturers have to go through the same stringent regulations, just like buying anything else online from a reputable retailer?
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It's not down to just lens specifications though....

It's not unusual for different people to have different reactions with the various lenses. Everyone's eyes are different and are used in different circumstances. Plus the wear time between individuals can vary and the impact that the amount of time oxygen is impeded from reaching the cornea can have different effects upon different people. Plus there's the long term mechanical effect of drying, or the edges of the lens bumping against bits of your eye. I'm not saying that buying online is not going to be a good way of purchasing lenses, but I am saying that doing it that way doesn't ensure you have a regular check up with a practitioner, which is highly advisable to ensure your eyes don't suffer. Most practices would prefer you buy from them but they'll also do aftercares for people who buy elsewhere.

Just don't buy Daysoft....
 
Not to put the OP off but I have never got on with contact lenses. I suppose they are useful for sport and concerts etc but putting them on and getting them off is like watching a Saw film - argh!! Plus there is no added bonus of looking cleverer than you are (being a bonus of glasses which I fully exploit).
 
As others have said I'd get your first batch from specsavers as you need an up to date prescription anyway which you should be able to get from them for free if you wait for offers. Then just get a month of lenses with them, and if they work well, go to contactlenses.co.uk and save yourself a load of money.
 
Dont be put off by the first time stress of putting them in and taking them out, it really is all down to your brain and eye not wanting anything to touch it.
It takes me a second to put a lens in and take one out, well assuming i aint pished and managed to flip it round the wrong way or something !

First time with me i was taking an hour to get them in, was going to forget it but its all about just training your self into putting them in - eventually your eye doesnt give a toss.
 
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