Ditching The Glasses For Contact Lens

[GoodHeart]

Having worn spectacles for the past decade, I've now grown tired of them and am interested in switching to contacts. Is it no big deal, or do i need to do some homework? I'm not sure if I can walk into any optical shop and order them, or would it be better to visit one of the optical hospitals in Bangkok.

Anyone wearing contacts that would like to advise me which type to choose and/or which to avoid would also be appreciated....

Been about a year since I last had an eye exam, but as i recall, the doc was very impressed with the health of my eyes at the time.

Best,

GH

[jingjingna]

I use soft daily disposable lenses called Acuvue manufactured by Johnson and Johnson and they're easy enough to get hold of here.

There are several different types of lenses available but your best bet would be to walk into an optician's and have an eye test done for contact lenses. The optician will be able to tell you which type of lense is most suitable for you. The type I wear are the most common type of lense and also the most comfortable as they are wafer thin, although they are not the cheapest type of daily disposable available.

[johnh101]

I have been wearing softlenss for 22 years and never had any major problems. One thing I would recommend is that you always carry a small bottle of "rewetting" eye drops as it takes your eyes quite a while to get used to them and you forget to blink therefore causing them to dry out quickly.

[pyros]

I use Acuvue also for many years now . Never had a problem but there are some things you have to be aware off . First , i would go to a specialist to see if you got enough eye fluids to wear contact lenses . Some people don't have enough and this can cause serious trouble . Second , in the beginning of wearing contact lenses you need a adaptive period . This means , first time take a lot of time because it hurts and because your eyes are not used to put something inside them . Can take a lot of time just to put 1 lens in , and then you have to go for the second one ... . This is very normal and almost everybody has this . It goes a lot better after a while , so don't worry about it . Then , you have them in , take them out after a couple off hours . And leave them out for about the same time . Then make the period longer of wearing and the priod not wearing them shorter . After about 2 to 4 weeks , you should be ok ok and you could wear them like they are used . For me that is 1 week i'll keep them inside ( sleeping included ) and then take them out for 1 night . Next morning i'll put a new pair inside and i'm ok for 1 week again .

[ukdog]

Pyros,

You say you leave yours in for a week, (including sleep time). whilst 101 says he changes daily.

Are these different lenses? Is there a recommended period? Does the amount of fine grite flying about cause you a problem?

101 says they are expensive, whats a ball-park figure per month?

Sorry for all the questions but the lady has been on at me about her changing to contacts so just trying to get the picture.

dog

[pyros]

Pyros,

You say you leave yours in for a week, (including sleep time). whilst 101 says he changes daily.

Are these different lenses? Is there a recommended period? Does the amount of fine grite flying about cause you a problem?

101 says they are expensive, whats a ball-park figure per month?

Sorry for all the questions but the lady has been on at me about her changing to contacts so just trying to get the picture.

dog

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes there are many different types . And possibly you cannot use them all . This is all depending on your eyes . The most important reason is fluids , but other things are there also ( like when you have a scar on the eye from previous accident ) . Most lenses are used on daybasis . This means , put them in when you wake up and put them out when you go to sleep . This technique many times requires cleaning the lens also ( no problem ) . You have throw away types also for 1 day , so without cleaning , just pick a fresh pair next day . These are most used by people who wair glasses , but sometimes wair contacts also . I think they are ok to start also , letting the eye adapt to the lens ... like stated in my post before . Then you got like my type , contacts which you can wair 1 week continuous without cleaning or taking out . After 1 week , you throw them away and the next morning , you open a fresh pack . This is the type for me , and i don't feel them at all for 99% of the time . Thied even lenses who i can keep in the eyes for 1 month continuous , but they didn't feel right and after 1 month i felt difficulties getting them out . I don't trust them in the long run ( in my case , everybody is different and you feel when it is not right for you ) . Then you con more special types like hard lenses and medium hard lenses and even lenses who correct your eyesight when you are sleeping and which you take out during daytime and don't even wair glasses . Now the costprice .... in Thailand it is way cheaper then back home . I pay for my type of lens ( Acuvue or sometimes i use Acuvue 2 when they don't have the normal type , not a big difference ) around 650 to 700 bath for 1 box of 6 lenses . So that is let's say for 3 weeks . It isn't very expensive , but it is more expensive like normal contact lens . On the other hand around 1000 bath a month , i have no problem with my lenses and many people i know never saw me without the contacts . This gives me , a next to perfect vision without any hassles or operation ( which is something i considered in the past ) . Oh yes , something you need to know : it are your eyes , so don't do crazy stuff with it . What i mean is , use contacts the way they are to be used and not different ( ex. wair them longer or when your eyes hurt keep wairing them , etc etc etc ) . I wair them in the airplane also , no problem for me , but i don't now about you . You have eyedrops for contact lenses which can be usefull for things like that .

I don't know if this is advertising , and it isn't my meaning to do so , but here is the website wair you can see tips and all types of Acuvues

www.acuvue.com

Edited August 9, 2005 by pyros