Contact Lenses

Author
Discussion

audi321

Original Poster:

5,183 posts

213 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
quotequote all
Hi all. I'm a bit of a girl when it comes to my eyes (crying if anything goes near them!) and I've worn glasses for around 5 years for distance (not a strong prescription -1.25)

I've thought about contact lenses, but the thought of getting them in and out makes my eyes water, and then someone said you can get ones you can sleep in and you only have to take them out and in once a month???

Is this right? And if so, are there any major drawbacks?

Thanks in advance guys.

LordGrover

33,538 posts

212 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
quotequote all
I wasn't ken on the idea at first - within a week it's fine. Man up and get daily disposables. Most suppliers will give you a two or four week trial.

telford_mike

1,219 posts

185 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
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You need to learn to be 100% confident putting your lenses in and removing them, regardless of whether you use daily or extended wear lenses. The little buggers seem to choose the most awkward moments to fall out / dry out or generally become uncomfortable.

It doesn't take long to learn and you'll never regret it. Contact lenses are the dogs wotsits.

Davey S2

13,092 posts

254 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
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Just don't get pi££ed then wake up in the middle of the night convinced that you still have your lenses in and try to take them out only to eventually realise that you're trying to pull off your cornea.

Smarts a bit.

jfrf

406 posts

254 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
quotequote all
its all about pratice. After a while it takes seconds with no discomfort.
Personally I wouldn't bother with the sleep in ones.
Feels nice to take out at the end of day,

RDMcG

19,139 posts

207 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
quotequote all
Have been wearing them for 35 years, (not the same pair). Like many people I found it cry difficult first time to put my finger on the contact in my eye, but the optometrist usually does it first time, so you just have to take them out that night. I would advise that you take them out nightly, much cleaner and less susceptible to infection. dispose of them regularly.

adamInca

207 posts

143 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
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It depends on your eyes as to whether you can wear single use ones or monthlies or overnight ones. Each let different amounts of oxygen through and so it's best to try some out and go back to the opticians to see how they are working (health-wise rather than vision). I wear monthlies as other ones caused problems with my eyes.

russ turner

239 posts

208 months

Sunday 30th November 2014
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sympathise with your predicament but you soon get used to putting them in and taking them out Daily disposables every time. Been using this type for 10 years and now on bifocal dailies as I'm getting on, wouldn't have it any other way



LeoSayer

7,303 posts

244 months

Sunday 30th November 2014
quotequote all
You haven't really got a lot to lose by giving them a try.

Most opticians will give you a free strip of 5 for each eye to try out before you commit.


andy-xr

13,204 posts

204 months

Tuesday 2nd December 2014
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I switched maybe 10 years ago now, had the same fear, really didnt like the thought or action of anything close to my eye, let alone being pressed on it.

After a few goes it's actually fine, I still wont put contacts in unless I've washed my hands first, but taking them out's easy, just a small pinch and they're on the finger. There's so many advantages to having them, what did it for me was wearing glasses in winter, it rains, you need glasses wipers to get the rain off, and the steaming up when you walked from the cold outdoors into the warm pub.

The upsides were being able to choose sunglasses that didnt need to be prescription ones.

I know how you're feeling about it because I felt the same at first, and I'd feel the same now about having laser surgery, I dont want that done to my eyes incase it goes wrong, howeer many 99.99999999999999% case studies there are

Berz

406 posts

192 months

Tuesday 2nd December 2014
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I tried to switch to contacts as a replacement for glasses but found them uncomfortable after a few hours. Had a couple of different types and plenty of 'comfort drops' but still couldn't get used to wearing them for 8 hours in front of a computer at work. Now I get a pack of daily disposables and just them occasionally, such as when I'm out cycling, walking, pubbing, etc..

No problems at all getting them in.

Douche

23 posts

112 months

Monday 8th December 2014
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The problem with hydrogel contact lenses with regard to extended wear, was the relative lack of Oxygen permeability, and the bio incompatibility leading to protein build up, there were also concerns about the susceptibility of the material to stress corrosion, if the lenses were left in place on the eye for extended periods. Speaking as someone with several years in contact lens hydrogel R&D, the Oxygen permeability issue has been satisfactorily dealt with, the bio compatibility, is a bone of contention, and the stress corrosion (durability) issue has been addressed. But, if I was asked if I wanted extended wear contacts, I'd say no. Daily disposables are the only contacts I'd personally use.

Terminator X

15,041 posts

204 months

Monday 8th December 2014
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I wear dailies but keep them in for a week eek

TX.

Douche

23 posts

112 months

Monday 8th December 2014
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Terminator X said:
I wear dailies but keep them in for a week eek

TX.
If you don't suffer from corneal oedema, and the lenses aren't breaking up, I'd say you're getting lucky. All disposable soft lenses have to meet very tough quality standards (as with all medical devices) but the daily disposable soft lenses really aren't supposed to be used as extended wear lenses. The criteria and testing for extended wear lenses are quite a bit more stringent. But even the standards for dailys are fairly tough.

Terminator X

15,041 posts

204 months

Monday 8th December 2014
quotequote all
Douche said:
Terminator X said:
I wear dailies but keep them in for a week eek

TX.
If you don't suffer from corneal oedema, and the lenses aren't breaking up, I'd say you're getting lucky. All disposable soft lenses have to meet very tough quality standards (as with all medical devices) but the daily disposable soft lenses really aren't supposed to be used as extended wear lenses. The criteria and testing for extended wear lenses are quite a bit more stringent. But even the standards for dailys are fairly tough.
Surprised too but have been doing that for about 5 years with no problems so far.

TX.

steveT350C

6,728 posts

161 months

Monday 8th December 2014
quotequote all
Terminator X said:
Douche said:
Terminator X said:
I wear dailies but keep them in for a week eek

TX.
If you don't suffer from corneal oedema, and the lenses aren't breaking up, I'd say you're getting lucky. All disposable soft lenses have to meet very tough quality standards (as with all medical devices) but the daily disposable soft lenses really aren't supposed to be used as extended wear lenses. The criteria and testing for extended wear lenses are quite a bit more stringent. But even the standards for dailys are fairly tough.
Surprised too but have been doing that for about 5 years with no problems so far.

TX.
I assume you take them out and put them in a cleaning solution at night TX?

audi321

Original Poster:

5,183 posts

213 months

Monday 8th December 2014
quotequote all
Quick update. I went to get the trial fitting at my opticians today and it was a nightmare. The kind optometrist struggled to get them in my eyes but eventually did after about 10 goes. Then it was my turn..........not a hope. I just couldn't get 1 in, let alone 2. She was so patient with me, but I really don't think this is for me!

My prescription isn't much (-1.25) so I think I'll just leave it and wear my glasses, or go without and squint when I don't want to wear em!

Riskins

237 posts

125 months

Monday 8th December 2014
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I have worn them for 22 years without a single problem and literally couldn't be without them in favour of glasses.

Maybe take your time at home and relax as you try to out them in, the effort will be worth it.

andy-xr

13,204 posts

204 months

Monday 8th December 2014
quotequote all
it does get easier putting them in/taking the out. I found having them on my opposite forefinger to eye (ie right first finger for left eye) and having clean hands works best

NDA

21,565 posts

225 months

Monday 8th December 2014
quotequote all
Douche said:
The problem with hydrogel contact lenses with regard to extended wear, was the relative lack of Oxygen permeability, and the bio incompatibility leading to protein build up, there were also concerns about the susceptibility of the material to stress corrosion, if the lenses were left in place on the eye for extended periods. Speaking as someone with several years in contact lens hydrogel R&D, the Oxygen permeability issue has been satisfactorily dealt with, the bio compatibility, is a bone of contention, and the stress corrosion (durability) issue has been addressed. But, if I was asked if I wanted extended wear contacts, I'd say no. Daily disposables are the only contacts I'd personally use.
Very good advice.

I had to abandon extended wear lenses as my eyes were being damaged. Douche will know the technicals here, but some capillaries in my eyes were hunting for oxygen and starting to obscure my vision. Fortunately my eyes recovered.

To answer the OP, daily disposables are very easy to get in and out and extremely comfortable. But take the knowledgable advice above and don't sleep in them.