Contacts vs Glasses

[Ironhorse]

I've had glasses since grade 5, got contacts in grade 11, and have been wearing contacts for 20 years. I much prefer the contacts for the peripheral vision and the sunglasses reasons. I also think I look better without glasses (subjective, I'm sure). The contacts don't fog up in the winter, and they don't get splashed on when it rains. Going to the beach / pool / waterslides is also much more fun, although I usually don some swimming goggles if I'm expecting to go under water.

I would consider laser surgery if it wasn't for the worries I have about long lasting effects; would I become totally blind when I'm 65?

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

Last time though I got Oasis contacts and switched cleaning systems after I described my frustrations to my eye doctor. I now use something called Clear Car which is a solution that reacts with a hunk of metal in the case. Your contacts are clean by the morning and no rubbing or scrubbing is necessary.

I've got the same system now, along with newer contacts that breathe a lot more. Certainly very easy to use, and does a very good job cleaning the contacts. Costco sells a 2 month supply of solution for $17. Very important: Don't accidently use the cleaning solution as a rinsing and put-contact-in-the-eye solution!

I used to keep my contacts in for 14-16 hours a day, and was getting some light cornea damage; my doctor switched me to these new ones, and I wear them for about 10-12 hours a day. I will sometimes give my eyes a break on weekends, or if I'm staring at the computer the entire day.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

I have a messed up condition in both my eyes that forces me the wear hard contact lenses. They are the worst thing EVER!!!.....They hurt, they go dry fast, they're expensive, they're a bitch to maitain, the bottles of drops/cleaner/solution are expensive and don't last long.

Having said all that, I used to wear soft lenses and I absolutely loved them. never had a problem.

[CaramonLS]

I tried the whole contact thing, it wasn't for me.

Everytime you blinked, they went a little bit out of focus, and moved around on your eye a little bit, causing you to blink again.

I found them to be really annoying and a friggen bitch to put in your eyes too.

I plan on getting Lasiks sometime this summer.

[kermitology]

I usually wear contacts. I've had them for about 8 years now and I think it's wonderful. Not too much of a hassle to put them in, the only thing that sucks is when you travel like I do. I usually can't pack my contacts or solution in my carry-on because of the stupid liquids ban. I always have the huge bottles of solution.

I do wear my glasses a lot though, usually on weekends if I'm not going out. It's easier to just wear glasses.

[Superfraggle]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

I would consider laser surgery if it wasn't for the worries I have about long lasting effects; would I become totally blind when I'm 65?

No, no you wouldn't. You should give one of the places that does it a call so they can give you the REAL effects/risks.



As for types of contacts/solutions, I use FreshLook toric (for astigmatism) contacts, and haven't had a problem. They're supposed to be good for two weeks, but I tend to wear them for a month or more without problems.

For solution, I've always used ReNu and think it's great...admittedly I don't have anything to compare it to.

[Knut]

As an eye doctor i have heard alot of stuff i dont like to hear on here...

Namely... overwearing the CL's. if it says 2 weeks... dont wear them for more than 2 weeks. It is not the companies that set the guidlines in order to sell you more. It is the FDA and the canadian equivalent that sets the standards.

by wearing the lenses more than the wear-time you increase your risk of eye infections. Also... as your tears natural oils build up on the lens they block the passage of Oxygen, even in the new materials. Essentially starving your eyes of Oxygen.

If you have one of the new high oxygen materials (Oasys, Advance, O2 Optix, Focus N and D or Purevision) you should be using Clearcare or Optifree Express. Renu and Complete seem to cross react with the lens material.

For the older materials (Acuvue 2, Freshlook, biomedics etc) any solution works well.

You should however switch to one of the higher oxygen materials if you can. They are healthier for the eye and good for anyone that wears their lenses more than 12hrs a day.

[Superfraggle]

Originally Posted by Hesla

As an eye doctor i have heard alot of stuff i dont like to hear on here...

Namely... overwearing the CL's. if it says 2 weeks... dont wear them for more than 2 weeks. It is not the companies that set the guidlines in order to sell you more. It is the FDA and the canadian equivalent that sets the standards.

by wearing the lenses more than the wear-time you increase your risk of eye infections. Also... as your tears natural oils build up on the lens they block the passage of Oxygen, even in the new materials. Essentially starving your eyes of Oxygen.

If you have one of the new high oxygen materials (Oasys, Advance, O2 Optix, Focus N and D or Purevision) you should be using Clearcare or Optifree Express. Renu and Complete seem to cross react with the lens material.

For the older materials (Acuvue 2, Freshlook, biomedics etc) any solution works well.

You should however switch to one of the higher oxygen materials if you can. They are healthier for the eye and good for anyone that wears their lenses more than 12hrs a day.

...I wasn't trying to promote it, if that helps. Just something I happen to do. I should probably stop. I figured it was more about wear on the contacts than anything else. Like when I finally had to change my "permanent" lenses because they were wearing out.

[FurnaceFace]

Didn't read all the posts in detail but I've worn contacts for over 20 years. I have had B&L PureVision lenses for the past three or so years. They are extended wear lenses where I can leave them in overnight, and take them out every week or so to give my eyes a rest. They are excellent lenses for me, and are a great alternative to lasik.

I do know a few people who have tried contacts and just can't get used to contacts so they aren't for everyone but I find them vastly superior to glasses...but that should be obvious since I've worn them forever.

[rockstar]

I've had contacts for about one month, and I'll never go back. It's just so much easier.

I think the adjustment time varies from person to person. After about 2 days, I didn't notice them at all when they were in, and I was already getting them in and out of my eyes (relatively) easily.

Now, they feel very natural, only take about 20-30 seconds total to put in (same amount of time to take out). Great because of the sunglasses issue. And not getting any little specs on them every time you yawn.

I still wear glasses before I shower in the morning (which can be all day on a weekend) and before bed if I'm watching TV or something. But I'll never go back to wearing them regularly.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by fotze

I wore them longer after seeing this class action lawsuit that was settled when the company said they were in fact the same thing...

http://consumerlawpage.com/article/lenses.shtml
A court-approved settlement of a consumer class action settlement against Bausch & Lomb was announced on August 1, 1996.

Final approval of the proposed settlement is scheduled for hearing on Nov. 26 in Birmingham, Alabama to determine if it is fair to consumers. The fairness hearing will be two years after the court certified a national RICO class on behalf of all purchasers of Bausch & Lomb's Optima and Medalist contact lenses in November, 1994. See the Notice of Class Action Settlement for full details.

Under the settlement Bausch & Lomb will pay up to $68 million in cash and products to 1.5 million buyers of the company's disposable lenses. Many wearers will receive from $25 to $50 in cash and $25 to $50 in coupons under the settlement as a result of a class-action filed in May 1994 which alleged that the company sold the same product under different brand names at widely varying prices and engaged in a fraudulent marketing scheme in order to gain market share in the disposal lens market. The result was that some consumers paid much more because they believed they were getting different lenses.

Bausch and Lomb is a very sketchy company. The make only a few types of lenses.

Like i said before..... it is the FDA that approves the material and wear time... not the company.

[Flames09]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

I tried the whole contact thing, it wasn't for me.

Everytime you blinked, they went a little bit out of focus, and moved around on your eye a little bit, causing you to blink again.

I found them to be really annoying and a friggen bitch to put in your eyes too.

I plan on getting Lasiks sometime this summer.

That happened to me twice, the first time the fit wasn't right so I had to re-order, and the second time they were Freshlooks which do that too you. Dont let that discourage you from Contacts, there are contacts out there that you can't feel, talk to your optometrist and if they do that again go in and wear them and they'll check it out to see what the problem is.

[skins]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

I buy those 'spensive monthly contacts (now with support for astigmatism! yay!) but I tend to leave them in about 4-6 times longer than you should.

I usually do this too (wear 1 month disposable for a couple months), but might be re-thinking the scheme after what Hesla said. Thanks for the advice Hesla.

someone said something about getting lasiks 10 years down the road. wouldn't it be better to do it now, and save yourself a decade of buying and fussing with CL's and Glasses?

Just a thought.

[Knut]

BTW... Lasik is a good safe option..

If you stick to places like The Gimbel eye center or the Demong Eye Center. Avoid the Discount ones like Lasik MD. There is rarely a problem with the first two i mentioned.

Oh... and you would be looking at anywhere from 2700 to 3500 for both eyes.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Hesla

BTW... Lasik is a good safe option..

If you stick to places like The Gimbel eye center or the Demong Eye Center. Avoid the Discount ones like Lasik MD. There is rarely a problem with the first two i mentioned.

Oh... and you would be looking at anywhere from 2700 to 3500 for both eyes.

Thats not infrequently enough for my liking, I'd prefer to see never! But I think now that I'm over the ripe old age of 30 that I may look at laser to correct my vision. I know two people who had it done years ago and both of them said it was great. I'll spend that much at the dentist this year although that is insured, but I'd rather be able to see than have super nice teeth.

I used to wear contact lenses for like 17 hours a day every single day as I didn't own a pair of glasses. I also work looking at a computer screen all day and eventually it did cause me some issues. Now the most I'll wear contacts in a day is like 12 hours and that might be once a week. I also started paying attention to the maximums on lenses and putting in the new ones when I should even though I wear them less. In fact in terms of time in eyes now when I switch them up I'll bet it's like 25% of what it used to be. But my eyes do feel much better now.

[Knut]

Good post Syl.....

A few things to think about during your decision....

With Lasik Surgery remember that you will still need reading glasses in the future (early40s)... Lasik/PRK can only correct the distance vision.

Once again... go to the best.... Gimbel and Demong get the best of hte best surgeons and have the best care. They will not do the surgery if you are not a candidate for any reason.

In regards to Contacts. The new materials make it so that wearing them like 16hrs a day, 7 days a week is ok as long as you replace your lenses on the recommended schedule. The higher oxygen materials lose their oxygen benefits as they "gum up" and as they wear and tear. Also, think about what CL's provide... a warm/moist area right against the eye.... bacteria like warm/moist areas.. therefore it stands to reason that by overwearing lenses you are increasing your chance of eye infection, as you are increasing the chance of exposure to CL's.

[worth]

This article says 10% failure rate for Lasik. Maybe thats for the cheaper shops you're talking about:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...04/ixhome.html

And then there's these people:

http://visionsurgeryrehab.evecommuni...m/f/6541031211


I know you never said that this tuff doens't happen, but Lasik isn't a 100% sure thing.


I wear both glasses and contacts, but I have heard of rehabilitation that doesn't require surgery, rather it entails exercises for your eyes, as though you were "working out" your eyes. Maybe hard to imagine, but if you can rehabilitate your arm after breaking it, why not your eyes? I suppose finding the cause of why we have poor vision is an important part of this. Glasses and contacts only offer a quick fix for the problem. They don't address the causes of the problem. Perhaps if we looked at preventative measures and understood why this happens, there would be less cases of it.

And I am by no means a doctor, so I may be way off base on this.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by worth

This article says 10% failure rate for Lasik. Maybe thats for the cheaper shops you're talking about:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...04/ixhome.html

And then there's these people:

http://visionsurgeryrehab.evecommuni...m/f/6541031211


I know you never said that this tuff doens't happen, but Lasik isn't a 100% sure thing.


I wear both glasses and contacts, but I have heard of rehabilitation that doesn't require surgery, rather it entails exercises for your eyes, as though you were "working out" your eyes. Maybe hard to imagine, but if you can rehabilitate your arm after breaking it, why not your eyes? I suppose finding the cause of why we have poor vision is an important part of this. Glasses and contacts only offer a quick fix for the problem. They don't address the causes of the problem. Perhaps if we looked at preventative measures and understood why this happens, there would be less cases of it.

And I am by no means a doctor, so I may be way off base on this.

Nearsightedness and Farsightedness are mainly hereditary. What determines it is during development. You can do some things before the age of 12 or so to try and slow the progression of an eye problem, but after that point things are pretty much set in stone.

What happens with the exercises is that you are trained to focus through the blur.... that is done by your physiological lens. That physiological lens hardens over time and the muscles that control it can no longer change its shape, ie.focus. By your early 40's you only have about 15% of your focusing ability as you had when you were a newborn, hence you need reading glasses to allow you to focus in close. Therefore, the exercises would only theoretically work until you are about 40...

That leaves you with one option. Changing the shape of the Cornea... ie. Laser corrective surgery.

People in Africa generally are not nearsighted. Whereas people in Asia are like 65% nearsighted. Partially Genetic... partially to do with amount of reading done at a young age. More near work = more nearsightedness. However, it is not like you can eliminated near work.

[tete]

Count me in as one of those people who in their late teens/early 20's wore my contacts longer than the recommended time - slept in them when I wasn't supposed to, wore them for longer than 5 days, etc etc. Now I find I can't wear them for very long without feeling irritation. I actually can't remember the last time I put in contacts - I even wore glasses at my wedding. I'm tempted by laser surgery, but just can't get over the risks and that I'll be back in glasses (though with a much less prescription) in 10 years anyways.

I remember as a 16 year old spending HOURS trying to get the contacts in and out, but after a few weeks it was second nature. So don't let that dissuade you, you do get used to the insertion quite quickly.

[gallione11]

I got contacts when I was 14, loved 'em even if I was lazy sometimes and didn't take them out at night. Right after I turned 19, I got a pair of glasses just so I had a fall-back if I lost a lens or something of that sort. Found out the glasses improved my vision more than the contacts. I have severe astigmatism and I guess until recently, contacts didn't do a thing to help that. So I wore my glasses and got used to them.

Much easier than contacts, IMO. I often work early in the morning and I don't want to deal with putting contacts in at 4 or 5 am when I sometimes have trouble just keeping my eyes open. I've also found I have seasonal allergies that really irritate my eyes and with contacts in, it would feel worse. Also, I've been told glasses make me look older, so that's a plus for me. (I was once asked if I was 16 while wearing contacts when I was 21!) Even ponied up for a $350 pair of prescription sunglasses that I love, and keep in my car so I don't forget them. (Insurance covered most of that bill).

I don't think I will ever go back to contacts, unless I join an adult hockey league, which I am seriously considering.

[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!