Contacts vs Glasses

[Knut]

Originally Posted by tripin_billie

I've been rocking the contacts for about 8 years now, and sometimes they are a pain, but they are in general great. I switched about 2, maybe a little more than 2, years ago to Focus Night and Day. What can I say, I'm lazy, I hate taking my contacts out everynight.

They are like a godsend for me.

My biggest complaint about contacts though is that I have allergies to cats and dogs, and when I'm around them, my contacts will begin to stick to my eyelids when I blink, and then follow the lid up when I open my eyes. It is a really unpleasant experience, and you feel the contact a lot, and your vision goes wonky. In these scenarios, I switch to glasses.

Hey, thanks Hesla for posting that info about which solution I should use with the Night and Days. I have been using one of your non recommended solutions, crap!

If you have allergy problems... you should get a prescription for Zaditor or Patanol... two anti-allergies...., you can throw a drop in when you get up in the morning (about 20 minutes before you throw in your lenses) when you know you will be in a place with cats and dogs... that should alleviate any potential allergies for about 10 hrs afterwards.

[Bobblehead]

I got contacts 10 years ago. I used to wear them a lot more regularly, but then they stopped making the type I used, and the newer types are supposed to be better but I find they feel a bit gritty and drier than the old type (and this is the 3rd type I've tried since). I'm wondering if it isn't just that I need to use them more regularly and let my eyes get accustomed to contacts again. Generally I only use them now when I am going to do some sports, or spending time outside. Probably 3 times a week for 4-8 hours.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by fotze

Can those be used without contacts. Allergies are kicking my arse this year. I'm having fantasies of scratching my eyes with a wire brush.

This has become an Ask an Optometrist thread,... which is good.... it is my job

---> Yes the drops are actually better to use without lenses as the preservatives in the drops can actually build up in contacts over time and cause some irritation (hence the 20 minutes before CL insertion).

Go to the Optometrist and explain your problem and they will most likely prescribe one of Zaditor or PAtanol... the best part about those two is that if you put them in once a day the few weeks leading up allergy season they can actually build up an immunity to ocular allergies and prevent you from having to put them in more than once.

-------------------------------

I got contacts 10 years ago. I used to wear them a lot more regularly, but then they stopped making the type I used, and the newer types are supposed to be better but I find they feel a bit gritty and drier than the old type (and this is the 3rd type I've tried since). I'm wondering if it isn't just that I need to use them more regularly and let my eyes get accustomed to contacts again. Generally I only use them now when I am going to do some sports, or spending time outside. Probably 3 times a week for 4-8 hours.

The Newer types are not for everyone..... they contain Silicone and in some people Silicone is an allergan. You could also try switching solutions to Optifree or Clearcare... as it could be the solution preservative interacting with the lens material.

Finally.. there are still some older materials out there.... i recommend Biomedics 55 or Proclear for the old materials as they seem to have good comfort... just make sure that you are not wearing them more than about 12 to 14 hrs a day.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by Hesla

This has become an Ask an Optometrist thread,... which is good.... it is my job

The Newer types are not for everyone..... they contain Silicone and in some people Silicone is an allergan. You could also try switching solutions to Optifree or Clearcare... as it could be the solution preservative interacting with the lens material.

Finally.. there are still some older materials out there.... i recommend Biomedics 55 or Proclear for the old materials as they seem to have good comfort... just make sure that you are not wearing them more than about 12 to 14 hrs a day.

I really appreciate all the advice you give in all these threads. I'll still go to my optometrist (no offense, but he is the one who has checked my eyes for years) but your advice really helps to know what is going on, be it questions that we forget to ask the optometrist, why some of the rules exist, or what questions we should be thinking about.

I also have an astigmatism, so was told if the lenses I use aren't comfortable than the next step would be much more costly. The ones I have are fine when first put in, but do feel scratchy later in the day. I will try changing solutions and see how that helps out.


Once again, thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by fotze

Another question, I just had my eyes checked but didn't bring it up, do I have to pay another 100 bucks to be able to tell the doc that?

Nope... will charge you a single exam... likely like 20 to 30 bucks. You could also go to a walk in clinic and it will be free... but most likely you will get some 2nd rate crap drop that has been out for 20 yrs.

If worse comes to worse.... call my clinic 278-7622 and book yourself in for the end of the day with me (Dr. Aaron Hesla) and i will give a CP discount... ie... just write you out a prescription. I am located at Southcentre.