Who wears contact lenses?

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FactualFrank
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Who wears contact lenses?

Post by FactualFrank » Sat May 18, 2019 12:18 pm

I currently wear glasses for watching TV and driving, however I'm considering getting some contact lenses for when I'm out and about.

The last time I looked into this, I read that you can get daily-disposable lenses where you wear them once, then chuck them in the bin at night, and ones where you clean them and wear again and again. I've read the daily-disposable are better for your eyes, due to the protein, calcium etc from your tear ducts that can build up on the lense, with ones that aren't replaced daily, and can cause infections.

Thoughts from those who wear them? Are they straightforward to put?

tarkys_ears
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by tarkys_ears » Sat May 18, 2019 12:21 pm

Glasses are trendy these days!

People who don't need them wear them!

Tell me you don't wanna look as cool as Ox!

Image

FactualFrank
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by FactualFrank » Sat May 18, 2019 12:23 pm

How long have you been wearing your contact lenses tarkys_ears?

Dyched
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by Dyched » Sat May 18, 2019 12:31 pm

That photos given me an idea.

A wearable tent. Wear it where you want and pitch it where you want. Valuables won’t be stolen either.

I’m gonna make a killing this festivals season!! Who wants in??

As for contact lenses no. But if you do. Buy a wearable tent. You can keep extras in the pockets and no comtact lense thief will steal them whilst your out for the day.
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ALP
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by ALP » Sat May 18, 2019 12:32 pm

Like you Ffrank, I wear glasses for driving and distance, so I thought I'd try some daily lenses. I had no problem at all wearing them, until I needed to read the screen on my computer, the paper or doing anything close up. I ended up having to put glasses on to do anything close, I even struggled to read emails on my phone without glasses on. I gave up as it was getting onerous, however if my sight changes and I could wear them all the time, yes I would. Give em a try, not a lot to lose, and mine were delivered to my door monthly via Specsavers.
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FactualFrank
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by FactualFrank » Sat May 18, 2019 12:35 pm

ALP wrote:Like you Ffrank, I wear glasses for driving and distance, so I thought I'd try some daily lenses. I had no problem at all wearing them, until I needed to read the screen on my computer, the paper or doing anything close up. I ended up having to put glasses on to do anything close, I even struggled to read emails on my phone without glasses on. I gave up as it was getting onerous, however if my sight changes and I could wear them all the time, yes I would. Give em a try, not a lot to lose, and mine were delivered to my door monthly via Specsavers.
Yeah, I think if I did have some, I'd need to be taking them out when I'm working on the computer, which is most days. I'd perhaps just use them if I was going out in the evening, or was out for the day and didn't expect to be using the computer. For that reason, I wonder if they do a 'pay-as-you-go' type thing, where I just get more when I run out.

I might get some glasses just for computer use, have you tried them?

Funkydrummer
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by Funkydrummer » Sat May 18, 2019 12:43 pm

Those who can't see too well !
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Longsidelenny
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by Longsidelenny » Sat May 18, 2019 1:11 pm

Me when I can find um
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Eloise Laws
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by Eloise Laws » Sat May 18, 2019 1:30 pm

I wear contacts when I go out weekends and such. Wear variofocal specs at work. Contacts are great when it's raining, no wet lenses or steam up going from cold to warm places (outside to inside) Specsavers do a good free 5 day trial to see if you'd get a long with them. Daily disposables are great if you don't want to mess about storing, cleaning etc. I always wondered if I'd like them, and when I did wished I'd got them sooner! Go have a try....
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gtclaret
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by gtclaret » Sat May 18, 2019 2:12 pm

Hi I am an Optician, you can have Daily Disposables if your prescription is OK for them. For those old enough to need help with closer vision, multifocal contact lenses are available, but they do take a little getting used to, and the Optician may need to do a couple if adjustments, so be patient.
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by evensteadiereddie » Sat May 18, 2019 2:15 pm

I've had no problem with the daily disposable ones, ideal for running, cycling and so on. The ones I've started using recently are Easyvision Serima Spheres from Specsavers and are brilliant - very comfortable, clear as a bell and very good at retaining water/moisture which is excellent especially ifyou tend to suffer from dry eyes.
A couple of years ago, I got an eye ulcer due to an infection. No lasting damage, thank God, but the eye specialist more or less ordered me there and then to ditch the reusable ones and use dailies. He even kept my infected cleaning bottle and stuff to use as possible evidence for a paper he was writing. :?
Go for it, you won't believe the change. If you do find your eyes drying up occasionally, Hylo Forte drops (can be used with lenses in ) are fabulous and readily available on prescription or t' eBay...

gtclaret
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by gtclaret » Sat May 18, 2019 2:17 pm

Serema lenses are good but technology has advanced, I doubt a new wearer would be supplied with those now

evensteadiereddie
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by evensteadiereddie » Sat May 18, 2019 2:24 pm

Really ? That's interesting, I thought they were still relatively recent and advanced - what do the latest ones have to offer ?

HB Claret
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by HB Claret » Sat May 18, 2019 2:34 pm

I have worn hard contacts for 35 years with no problems. Usually they are replaced every two or three years but I do look after them.

evensteadiereddie
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by evensteadiereddie » Sat May 18, 2019 2:37 pm

I tried hard lenses to begin with - not a hope ! :lol:

FactualFrank
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by FactualFrank » Sat May 18, 2019 2:39 pm

gtclaret wrote:Hi I am an Optician, you can have Daily Disposables if your prescription is OK for them. For those old enough to need help with closer vision, multifocal contact lenses are available, but they do take a little getting used to, and the Optician may need to do a couple if adjustments, so be patient.
gt, I'm also after glasses only for when I use the computer. When I read the computer screen, I sometimes find it hard to focus, and also, my eyes can sometimes feel tired and strained. When I wear my glasses that I use for tv/driving, for the computer, it (unsurprisingly, no doubt) just doesn't feel like the correct prescription.

I want to wear glasses where my eyes feel relaxed and not straining to keep focus.

Any advice regarding that? For instance, I've been told anti-glare can be added. The quote I have at the moment is £79 for two pairs + £10 for eye exam.

gtclaret
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by gtclaret » Sat May 18, 2019 3:00 pm

The quote seems reasonable, your prescription can be modified for the intermediate vision(computer use) anti glare would help also make sure your eyes are not dry. You may need lubricant. Hycosan Extra is a very good one, just one application a day. It costs around £11 but lasts 6 months
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gtclaret
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by gtclaret » Sat May 18, 2019 3:02 pm

HB Claret wrote:I have worn hard contacts for 35 years with no problems. Usually they are replaced every two or three years but I do look after them.
When I started working In1979 we only did hard lenses, they are now Gas permeable and rarely supplied

Bfc
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by Bfc » Sat May 18, 2019 3:30 pm

I wanted a change from glasses and after tests on my eyes with my optician, I spent around £150 buying contact lenses. The problem I had, was trying to put them onto my eyes on my own. I couldn't do it.
As soon as I went anywhere near my eyes with finger, my eyelids shut every time and more often than not, the lenses ended up on floor. Without using one pair I had to give up and go back to glasses. The boxes of lenses are stuck in drawer and I'm a few quid worse off.

gtclaret
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by gtclaret » Sat May 18, 2019 3:30 pm

evensteadiereddie wrote:Really ? That's interesting, I thought they were still relatively recent and advanced - what do the latest ones have to offer ?
At least 6 years maybe more, the more modern lenses are Myday(,specsavers call them Linarial) ACUVUE Oasys 1 day, and Total 1 daily. If you are happy with your lenses and they are not harming you, there's no need for you to change
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Right_winger
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by Right_winger » Sat May 18, 2019 3:33 pm

Continuous wear lenses are where it’s at. Pop them in and forget about them until 28 days later then change. Easy peasy. Get your prescription the. Buy them online at places like contactlense.co.uk or contactlenseexpress.co.uk. About £35 for 3 months

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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by FactualFrank » Sat May 18, 2019 3:38 pm

Right_winger wrote:Continuous wear lenses are where it’s at. Pop them in and forget about them until 28 days later then change. Easy peasy. Get your prescription the. Buy them online at places like contactlense.co.uk or contactlenseexpress.co.uk. About £35 for 3 months
Not sure how that would work with different ranges such as reading up close, to computer use to driving.

Fretters
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by Fretters » Sat May 18, 2019 3:57 pm

I had mine lasered in January 2007 and my eye sight is still perfect. If you can afford it,* I can't recommend it enough.

*£100 a month for 3 years, interest free with Ultralaze. It paid for itself a few years ago with what I've saved on glasses and contacts.

gtclaret
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by gtclaret » Sat May 18, 2019 4:07 pm

Bfc wrote:I wanted a change from glasses and after tests on my eyes with my optician, I spent around £150 buying contact lenses. The problem I had, was trying to put them onto my eyes on my own. I couldn't do it.
As soon as I went anywhere near my eyes with finger, my eyelids shut every time and more often than not, the lenses ended up on floor. Without using one pair I had to give up and go back to glasses. The boxes of lenses are stuck in drawer and I'm a few quid worse off.
If you want to try again, look at the boxes and tell me what brand of lenses you had, I may have a few suggestions for you

gtclaret
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by gtclaret » Sat May 18, 2019 4:11 pm

FactualFrank wrote:Not sure how that would work with different ranges such as reading up close, to computer use to driving.
Multifocal continous wear are available. The advice is to remove them once a week. Be careful though, the infection risk is much higher with wearing lenses overnight, it's not something I encourage

bfcjg
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by bfcjg » Sat May 18, 2019 6:24 pm

Quite a few refs this season should have. :shock:
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Claretmatt4
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by Claretmatt4 » Sat May 18, 2019 6:46 pm

I have worn lenses for a few years. My best advice is get the no obligation test and fitting from one of the high Street places (usually free with an eye test) then you can purchase them for cheaper on visiondirect.com. You just need your prescription.

Its awkward at first but we'll worth it, especially if like me you don't suit glasses (because of your pea head!)

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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by Bfc » Sat May 18, 2019 7:42 pm

gtclaret, I'm basking in the sun in Paphos for another week, but will check them out when I get home.

gtclaret
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by gtclaret » Sat May 18, 2019 8:21 pm

Go on then make me jealous. I'm in not so sunny Farnborough Hampshire, stuck in a sight test room today and tomorrow

gtclaret
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by gtclaret » Sat May 18, 2019 8:25 pm

Claretmatt4 wrote:I have worn lenses for a few years. My best advice is get the no obligation test and fitting from one of the high Street places (usually free with an eye test) then you can purchase them for cheaper on visiondirect.com. You just need your prescription.

Its awkward at first but we'll worth it, especially if like me you don't suit glasses (because of your pea head!)
The problem with that is if something goes wrong, the aftercare required is not free, the high street chains offer a package which includes sight tests and cheaper specs, as well as all the contact Lens aftercare, that maybe a safer bet, but of course, it's upto you

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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by IanMcL » Sat May 18, 2019 9:18 pm

Referees wear contact lenses, but inside out!

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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by South West Claret. » Sat May 18, 2019 9:44 pm

Leighton James does if that’s any help ;)

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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by Pearcey » Sat May 18, 2019 10:00 pm

I tried them and didn’t get on with them. I needed toric lenses for astigmatisms so if they moved slightly they became ineffective. It’s a shame as I liked not wearing specs.

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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by gtclaret » Sat May 18, 2019 11:46 pm

If you want them, try a different brand, a thinner version such as ACUVUE 1 day moist, might be more effective

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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by Moorite » Sun May 19, 2019 3:35 pm

I've been wearing contact lenses for over 10 years now and I have been with Specsavers for all that time. I pay £15 a month for 3 months supply with all my checks free. I am allowed to sleep in my lens so I have them in all week, take them out on a Sunday and then pop them back in on a Monday.

Claretmatt4
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by Claretmatt4 » Sun May 19, 2019 3:57 pm

gtclaret wrote:The problem with that is if something goes wrong, the aftercare required is not free, the high street chains offer a package which includes sight tests and cheaper specs, as well as all the contact Lens aftercare, that maybe a safer bet, but of course, it's upto you
Fair comment but it's a risk Ill take. Halves how much I'd pay but yes these is no aftercare at all.

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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by SalisburyClaret » Sun May 19, 2019 4:35 pm

I’ve worn 2 weekly disposable for years - one lens is for close up, the other for distance (your brain combines the two). So no problem with needing to change for computers and driving

boatshed bill
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by boatshed bill » Sun May 19, 2019 9:04 pm

Boxers who don't want their glasses broken?

gtclaret
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by gtclaret » Mon May 20, 2019 3:54 pm

SalisburyClaret wrote:I’ve worn 2 weekly disposable for years - one lens is for close up, the other for distance (your brain combines the two). So no problem with needing to change for computers and driving
This is called mono vision, and you are correct, the brain works it out, as it does with multifocal. It comes down to what you are happy with, some people cannot tolerate mono vision and the same with multifocal. I always tell my patients that they don't really have a choice, it's all about what they can tolerate. I do have some concerns with overnight wear though, so those who are doing this, make sure you have regular checks and try to remove them once a week, never sleep with lenses if they feel uncomfortable

aggi
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by aggi » Mon May 20, 2019 4:41 pm

I've worn contacts lens for 20 years+ and daily disposables for at least the past 10 years. Compared to the annual ones I started with where you had to clean them every night the disposable ones are really convenient

I'm fairly short-sighted, -6 or so, but I'm fine for both distance and close-up with my contacts. You get used to putting them in, it may be a bit awkward at first but it's much easier putting the newer type in.

You should be able to buy a month's supply for £20 or so in order to give it a decent try. They last for years unopened so you can just use them as and when you want.

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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by Sarum » Mon May 20, 2019 7:30 pm

A cautionary tale: (this may be a very rare occurrence, but this is the gist of it)

I'd been using reading and driving specs for a few years. Then when I then found myself in a new environment where specs were a bit of a nuisance I gave contact lenses a go instead. I'm not great with any activities that need good dexterity; I found them tricky to handle. Worse still (don't laugh) without my reading specs on I couldn't properly see what I was doing when I tried to put them in in front of the bathroom mirror. It was very fiddly, hit and miss. My eyes were getting sore by fumbling around and so the optician suggested that it would be more convenient and more comfortable to use a lens that would stay in for several days at time. Sounded good...

But I found the same problem, plus my eyes became sensitive to their presence after a day or two; so much so that I was grateful to take them out and leave them out for as long as possible. In the end it just seemed better all round to just stick with specs. I then forgot all about them.....

Around a year later I found myself working with a young lady who I hadn't seen for a while. She looked quite different, with her hairstyle changed to almost cover one eye. When I enquired where she'd been for the last few months she explained: she had been wearing contact lenses for several days at a time for a number of months without problem. One day she developed soreness, which was soon found to be the symptom of an infection. This infection was then incorrectly diagnosed and treated insufficiently resulting in an emergency hospital admission. The eye specialist advised that the infection had initially been caused by the type of lens she'd been using, but it had worsened considerably by not being treated correctly and there was now a grave risk of the infection spreading to her brain, placing her life in danger. Therefore the eye had to be removed.

The changed hairstyle was simply to conceal the presence of a temporary false eye, in place whilst a more permanent one was constructed. If she was reading this thread I am certain that she would advise against using the type of "sleep in" lens I had unsuccessfully tried.

gtclaret
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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by gtclaret » Tue May 21, 2019 12:07 pm

Hence my warnings about wearing contact lenses overnight. The problem described is very rare, but serious infection is not

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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by Lancasterclaret » Tue May 21, 2019 1:00 pm

I've been wearing them for about 15 years.

I get monthly ones, but I suspect the daily ones are better.

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Re: Who wears contact lenses?

Post by quoonbeatz » Tue May 21, 2019 1:10 pm

i've worn lenses for about 25 years and use them mainly for playing footy and going out. also if its bright outside as i haven't got prescription sunnies.

i've had dailies then went to monthlies as its cheaper and then went back to dailies for convenience. the only problem i have is that i've got astigmatism so i need toric lenses and my prescription is now at the limit for dailies.

that means my vision is slightly worse then with my glasses (which is generally the case anyway) and if i need a stronger prescription, i'll probably need to go back to monthlies if the difference is too great.

the only thing with dailies is that if you don't use them a lot you can end up with a huge supply (good for when you go on hols and use them a lot) but you can usually stagger deliveries until you catch up again.

wouldn't worry at all about getting them in and out of your eye - you get used to it really quickly. its good to have the choice between them and gigs.

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