PeterPan Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 I'm looking at getting dd fitted for contacts. Any opinions on daily, bi-weekly, or monthly? Any tips on where to buy, what not to do, etc.? She has astigmatism, so I don't know if that will affect what she gets... Hoping this doesn't cost an arm and a leg... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenneinCA Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 My daughter, almost 15, got contacts for the first time last Friday. She has an astigmatism and that does limit which contacts she gets. She has some sort of toric ones. The eye doc said that monthly ones were the most cost effective so that is what we are using for now. The contacts and training together were about $150 dollars for the first pair. I don't know about the costs per month, yet. She lost one into a pile of laundry yesterday so I will find out how much replacements are later this week. Oh, she found the lost one and it rehydrated so she sis still using it, but the eye doc is still ordering a back up set. This set was supposed to be just to make sure they worked for two weeks then reevaluate, but I am not sure we could wait that long without back ups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted October 21, 2013 Author Share Posted October 21, 2013 Interesting! So are monthly contacts hard to do? I assume you clean them or something? I totally hadn't thought about her losing them, mercy. That makes sense about back-ups. Have you looked into buying them privately? That's my next thing, to figure out how much this will actually cost for the monthly. Dd said what she wanted to try was something shorter duration for the first month (where our doc gives you as part of the trial/fitting cost) and then switch to longer after that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janie Grace Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 I use the two-week ones, but you can actually wear them 3-4 (my eye doctor told me this). I wear Acuvue for Astigmatism and I buy them from 1-800-contacts. They are also cheap at Sam's. I don't clean them, I just take them out at night and put them in multi-purpose solution. Rinse them with same solution in the morning, good to go. Very, very easy. Dd14 has the same kind (2-week); she has been in contacts for about two years. It took her just a few days to get the hang of it. Contacts have become so easy and comfortable! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted October 21, 2013 Author Share Posted October 21, 2013 Ok, that was helpful! I took your info (toric, etc.) and looked at things on 1800 contacts. Turns out there's a limited set of options there once you have astigmatism, so I'll be able to price compare easily and make a plan. With a little clicking, I figured out the biweekly vs. monthly vs. daily (ouch!) costs. So now it's pretty much a matter of seeing what brand and type the doc wants her in. I don't know how cleaning will go, but I'm not willing to pay the price of the dailies. So either she cleans or she goes back to glasses. She's just having fits with glasses because of the sensory. Ironically, she is fine with putting drops in her eyes, etc., which is what made the doc suggest contacts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted October 21, 2013 Author Share Posted October 21, 2013 I use the two-week ones, but you can actually wear them 3-4 (my eye doctor told me this). I wear Acuvue for Astigmatism and I buy them from 1-800-contacts. They are also cheap at Sam's. I don't clean them, I just take them out at night and put them in multi-purpose solution. Rinse them with same solution in the morning, good to go. Very, very easy. Dd14 has the same kind (2-week); she has been in contacts for about two years. It took her just a few days to get the hang of it. Contacts have become so easy and comfortable! Ok, dumb question. Can this multi-purpose solution burn your eyes? Can you mess it up? My dh had contacts when he was a teen, and I think he has stories about burning his eyes or something. But I think they may have been hard contacts... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted October 21, 2013 Author Share Posted October 21, 2013 Wow, if you can do the 2 week contacts for 3-4 weeks, this will be an affordable adventure! I'll definitely ask the doc about that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted October 21, 2013 Author Share Posted October 21, 2013 Ok, another dorky question. What happens if you get a cold? Can you give yourself pinkeye? You just wash first with anti-bacterial soap? Skip them that day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenneinCA Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 The monthly ones don't seem that hard to do. She puts them in her eyes in the morning and out at night. She stores them in a little case with contact lens solution. I have looked at buying them online, yesterday when the one lens was missing. We can get them after we get the perscription from the box at the eye doc. We just don't have that info yet because these were only supposed to be a test. If they weren't the right kind for her, she would get something different in two weeks. They seem expensive even online, but for the first time ever my daughter is concerned about looking attractive and styling her hair and stuff like that. I am willing to pay for the contacts if that is what it takes to make her feel pretty. The ones she has now are the ones we got as part of the training package. This monthly thing was the eye docs idea. I was thinking of daily ones. But the eye doc didn't reccomend them for my daughter because of the astigmatism. They are too expensive and she needs the astigmatism correction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted October 21, 2013 Author Share Posted October 21, 2013 Oh dear, the fitting is EVERY YEAR? Gasp. That's horrendous. What in the world?!?!?! Our place wants $200 for it!!! I don't mind that once, as presumably they need to measure your eyeball or something, but every year??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janie Grace Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Ok, dumb question. Can this multi-purpose solution burn your eyes? Can you mess it up? My dh had contacts when he was a teen, and I think he has stories about burning his eyes or something. But I think they may have been hard contacts... No, it's very gentle. It's like saline -- it goes right into your eye (and it also somehow cleans/sanitizes them... pretty cool). I don't know about giving yourself pink eye. I am VERY legalistic about washing my hands before I touch my contacts, so it's not something I've worried about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Depends on how bad the astigmatism is. Before I had LASIK, I was fine with a slightly higher prescription in the eye with the astigmatism, so I could wear any soft contacts. I always bought mine through Costco because they're much cheaper. I used the weekly and could keep wearing them for longer than a week. Usually almost 2 weeks before I was able to feel them when I blinked. I'd been in contacts since 13 though, so I wouldn't recommend going by feel for a newbie. Don't forget to keep the case clean too and replace it periodically. I got my exams at Costco too, but I didn't have any concerns of bigger issues and my eyes were stable. She'll need a pair of glasses to wear at night and in case of emergency. I rarely replaced my glasses, so it's not a big expense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted October 21, 2013 Author Share Posted October 21, 2013 Jenne-Yes, I do think there's some teenage girl thing going into this. :) Mainly it's sensory though. On 1800 contacts doing dailies for astigmatism is coming in around $600. Someone was just telling me they did this for their teen for the first year and regretted it. That's just way steeper than I'd want to pay. That $150-300 a year is much better, wowsers. That's comparable to her needing a pair or two of glasses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janie Grace Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Although I don't mind wearing them when I have itchy allergy eyes (it is no worse with them on or off when I have that problem). My eyesight is so bad that I need to have something to wear if I need to get up in the middle of the night or just to walk to the dresser to put my contacts back on. My dh and I have actually found that our allergy-eyes are better with contacts IN. Somehow the barrier protects them from the pollen or something. Yes, I have glasses, too. I'm blind as a bat, so I feel lost without them on my face as soon as I leave the bed. I also like to hang out with glasses on for bit in the morning before I put my contacts in. It's part of my start-the-day-slowly routine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Maybe the fitting every year is a regional thing? My dds had contacts from the time they were 9 or 10, and there was never a yearly fitting thing. They both had the 30 day lenses most of the time and that seemed to work well. Neither of them ever had any trouble, thankfully. Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted October 21, 2013 Author Share Posted October 21, 2013 Zoobie, I wondered how people knew when to replace. I didn't know you could feel a change. Ew! But whatever, it's what she wants. Clearly we're not the same, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted October 21, 2013 Author Share Posted October 21, 2013 Well I'll just ask on the fitting thing. I've never felt like our place was out to gouge us, but I've wondered how they make their profit with people buying their glasses and contacts online... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted October 21, 2013 Author Share Posted October 21, 2013 Well these have been awesome tips! Thanks for the info ladies! I'm feeling much more armed with what I need to talk about when we go in tomorrow. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted October 21, 2013 Author Share Posted October 21, 2013 Good tips RR! Yes, our place does something with trial lenses for a month, but you're right that if I buy a year's worth upfront and she pulls some stunt about them being too dry or too this or that and wanting a different kind, I'm going to be skunked. Might be better to go slowly till she's in the groove. With her, everything can seem fine and then BAM. I thought her glasses were fine, and then she took them off and wouldn't wear them anymore. She needs them and won't even put them on now! :crying: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samiam Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 You have to get a prescription every year. Contact retailers, even 1-800 Contacts and other online retailers require proof of prescription within one year. That does not vary based on region. My DS15 has been wearing contacts for over a year. The Dr recommended daily wear ones, ie wear once and throw away....because of hygiene purposes..he doesn't have to worry about cleaning/storing. A bit pricier, but worth it for us....cuz teenage boys aren't usually the most hygienic. We spend about $350 a year for contacts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted October 21, 2013 Author Share Posted October 21, 2013 I think that lower price that seems reasonable for the dailies is regular contacts. The toric are a lot more. But I guess we'll see what the doc says. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 I don't know of any place that you can contacts from if you don't have a new Rx every year. Pinkeye: if you get pink eye then you must throw away your contacts. Do not wear contacts until the infection clears. Then wear new ones. Don't think that you can disinfect your contacts and wear them again. You will reinfect your eye. Make sure she is diligent with cleaning contacts and not to sleep in them. I was horrid as teen and slept in my contacts all the time. I would go many days without taking them out and cleaning. My current eye doctor said he's amazed that I didn't cause lasting problems. So make sure she's responsible enough to cleanse daily or get her daily wear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeacherZee Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Ok, another dorky question. What happens if you get a cold? Can you give yourself pinkeye? You just wash first with anti-bacterial soap? Skip them that day? Definitely wash hands WELL before putting in or taking out (and make sure she rinses off all he soap :) ). I managed to get pinkeye in BOTH eyes one summer because I wasn't careful. It was MURDER My dh and I have actually found that our allergy-eyes are better with contacts IN. Somehow the barrier protects them from the pollen or something. Yes, I have glasses, too. I'm blind as a bat, so I feel lost without them on my face as soon as I leave the bed. I also like to hang out with glasses on for bit in the morning before I put my contacts in. It's part of my start-the-day-slowly routine. I also find that my allergies are better with contacts. And when my eyeballs feel like they are burning up from the allergies putting the contacts in cools them off. It is awesome :) I have dailies because for me that actually worked out cheaper but I am "only" near sighted. And I agree with Mom-ninja, unless you have the kind that you are supposed to sleep with, don't sleep with them, not even a nap, if nothing else getting them out again is like trying to get a plunger off your eyeball. yuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 I had contacts previously (I've since had LASIK). I have astigmatism in one eye, so I actually was able to do the cheap contacts in one eye and the pricier toric lenses in the other. As I recall, the difference between the throwaway lenses and the longer-lasting ones was the thickness of the lens. Longer lasting lenses were thicker, making them less prone to wear and tear. I would just wear my lenses until they tore or until there was visible protein build-up on them (more of a problem for me than the average person, apparently) and then switch them out. They typically lasted 2-3 times as long as advertised. Once I figured out what worked for me with the optometrist, I switched to ordering through 1800contacts. Much cheaper. Which I was grateful for because I was paying for the contacts myself on a teenage part time minimum wage job :) Probably a no-brainier for most reasonable folks, but if your daughter does have any issues, make an appt for follow up with the doc. I just kept my mouth shut and dealt with my contacts being painful because I didn't want to be told I couldn't wear them. Eventually coughed up the money and went to the doc and learned I was allergic/sensitive to the preservatives in the lens solution. Switched lens solutions and everything was fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethB Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 A relative got them when she was in Middle School...when she was 16, she left them in overnight on accident. (You get tired, forget, it is actually quite easy to do.). Anyway, she got an infection in that eye and even with immediate medical treatment, she is legally blind in that eye, there is a center area where she cannot see at all and the edges of her version in that eye is correctable to 20/60. They went to several specialists, she is legally blind in that eye forever. I was thinking about going back to contacts but will not now. Make sure she is super vigilant about taking them out every night, the consequences can be life changing in a bad way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamajag Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Ok, dumb question. Can this multi-purpose solution burn your eyes? Can you mess it up? My dh had contacts when he was a teen, and I think he has stories about burning his eyes or something. But I think they may have been hard contacts... If you mean burn as in damage, no. Some solutions are better for people with sensitive eyes. I wear contacts and have astigmatism as well as sensitive eyes and had to try a few different solutions until I found one that worked with my eyes. My doc told me I could use anything but the generics...he had seen more problems out of people who used those. It's seriously just trial and error. If she's not comfortable, try another solution and have some rewetting drops around. My fave is the Blink drops for contacts. My husband can use anything. He has eyes of steel. He's going through and using all of the solutions I tried before I found my eyes' soul mate. I think I tried them all, but I have very, very sensitive eyes. It was so worth it though to have contacts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 The glasses company we used for contacts accepts the price of all competitors. We find the cheapest offer online, print it out and they honor it. No fuss, no muss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stars Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Since I was 12, I've used disposable monthlies (near-sighted, no astigmatism). I can actually wear a pair for about six weeks, no problem. My thoughts, which largely echo those of the posters before me: 1) No sleeping in contacts overnight, ever. An optometrist once told me it increases the chance of eye infection by 60%. 2) Don't give up on contacts if you don't like the first brand you're given. Discuss what makes them uncomfortable with the optometrist and try something else. 3) Always carry a saline solution-filled lens case and back-up glasses! 4) Never, ever put contacts in your mouth to rewet them. Ew. 5) Put in contacts before putting on mascara, or you will get mascara on your contacts. Ask me how I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeacherZee Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Since I was 12, I've used disposable monthlies (near-sighted, no astigmatism). I can actually wear a pair for about six weeks, no problem. My thoughts, which largely echo those of the posters before me: 1) No sleeping in contacts overnight, ever. An optometrist once told me it increases the chance of eye infection by 60%. 2) Don't give up on contacts if you don't like the first brand you're given. Discuss what makes them uncomfortable with the optometrist and try something else. 3) Always carry a saline solution-filled lens case and back-up glasses! 4) Never, ever put contacts in your mouth to rewet them. Ew. 5) Put in contacts before putting on mascara, or you will get mascara on your contacts. Ask me how I know. Yes to all this. But the bolded made me laugh because I have, on more than one occasion, managed to poke myself in the eye with the mascara brush and having the contacts in saved my eyes :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 astigmatism will definitely affect her contact lens use. 1ds has a very slight astigmatism, too weak to use a toric lens. he can't stand contacts because just that little bit is too blurry for him. I hate contacts because toric lenses are thicker, and will absorb more moisture from the eye. I was constantly drenching it in rewetting drops. (only one eye has these problems, and the "normal" contact lens in the other eye didn't have these problems.) if it wasn't perfectly wet, it would stick to my eye instead of floating, and it would be "off" center so things were really blurry. it is easier to get the correction for astigmatism in glasses than in contacts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 4) Never, ever put contacts in your mouth to rewet them. Ew. we were at a water fountain park with some of dh friends. the wife was watching a girl do just that. her comment was she'd be in her dr's office the next day. (the friend is an ophthal.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Ok, dumb question. Can this multi-purpose solution burn your eyes? Can you mess it up? My dh had contacts when he was a teen, and I think he has stories about burning his eyes or something. But I think they may have been hard contacts... multi-purpose solution wont hurt you. there are other chemical solutions that require "rinsing" after the chemical clean. yes, that can really hurt if you accidently put it in before it's soaked in the rinse solution, and it will feel like a chemical burn. there are few contacts that use that process anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate in Arabia Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 I got contacts when I was a teen, I use rigid gas permeable ones. I think these aren't popular anymore (if they ever were), but I have been happy with using them over the past 30-odd years. They do take time for daily maintenance (cleaning/soaking), but I have only needed replacements a few times over the years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckymama Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 I have severe astigmatism in both eyes and have been wearing contacts for 31 years ( :eek: ) I began wearing the rigid gas-permeables like Kate, but then I switched to toric monthlies when my prescription became available. Oh happy day! I have never, ever had any problems with dryness, itching, burning, or any other symptoms. Even though I use a no-rub solution I do "rub" my contacts clean every night. My eye doctor suggested doing that as protein buildup can still occur with the no-rub solutions. Dd18 has been wearing biweekly contacts for five years. She had an one eye infection a few years ago due to an allergy with one of the solutions. Dd13 tried contacts briefly last year (just the fitting in the office---didn't like how she had to work to get the contact off her eye). She is making noises about trying again. We do have very good eye insurance so I don't have to be concerned about the cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted October 22, 2013 Author Share Posted October 22, 2013 Eventually coughed up the money and went to the doc and learned I was allergic/sensitive to the preservatives in the lens solution. Switched lens solutions and everything was fine. So what was in there that you were reacting to? I hadn't even thought about the solutions being a problem. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GSOchristie Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 I started wearing contacts when I was 13 and back then there was a different kind of solution that would burn your eye. Now the multi purpose ones are perfectly safe to rinse with in the morning. I also have a pretty bad astigmatism in my left eye (it triples my vision), but I haven't required toric lenses for years, though I did at the beginning. So it is a possibility that the astigmatism will allow you to buy regular lenses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyDay Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Dd got her first glasses last year at 16. This year she wants to try contacts. I've worn contacts since I was 16 so I have no problem with her trying them. I'm just not sure how comfortable she will be putting them in and taking them out. She has watched me and doesn't like the idea of "poking herself in the eye." My contacts are $75/box. Hopefully, hers will not be that $$. She will need a glasses prescription too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allearia Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 My almost 12 ds just got contacts. Because he is a bit younger, we decided to start with dailies, which I was so glad we did. A few times dropping them, and some being frustrated with the process, was a lot easier since we could throw them away and start again the next day. It has been about a month and he is a pro now, so I may see next time about switching to something a bit longer term, but so far getting the dailies has been a great choice. For the solution, the multi purpose solution they have out now should be fine but the first couple of types we tried stung his eyes. I can't remember the brand we settled on that seems the best, but that was another thing that was nice about the dailies. He needed to use it to rinse them when taking them in and out at first, but now that he can get them in on the first try he doesn't use it much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb_ Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 1. Take them out. Even if they say extended wear, take them out every night. Never, ever sleep in contacts. You may get away with it once or twice or even for a while, but it will always come back to bite you in the butt. 2. You may need to try different solutions until you find one that works well. Dd had good luck with Opti Free until it didn't work so well any longer. She is currently using Bausch and Lomb Biotrue and that seems to be working well for her eyes that are prone to infection. You can get it at costco: http://www.costco.com/Bausch-%2B-Lomb-Biotrue%E2%84%A2-Multi-Purpose-Solution,-32-Ounce.product.11590554.html 3. Ask for a tester pair before ordering. Some are more comfortable than others. Some are harder to put in and take out than others. Some are more breathable than others. If they are uncomfortable for any reason at all, don't assume it's just contacts in general. Explain the problem and ask for a different brand. My daughter struggled with a certain brand (can't recall) for the whole first year before she switched. At her yearly appt, she told the doctor that she was still having trouble getting the hang of getting them in and out without folding them over and destroying them. She said, "Oh, that brand is particularly flexible. We'll try one that's slightly more rigid." Problem solved. I didn't know, because I'd never worn them. 4. She should wash her hands every time she touches her contacts. Also, as Luckymama mentioned above, it's best if you rub the contacts a little, even with the no rub solution. 5. You can go longer than the stated time on the box, but when they begin to feel uncomfortable, they are breaking down and it's time to change them out. 6. I just saw that Stars already said some of the things I've said, but I'm going to leave it anyway :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCMom Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 My dd only has had 1 fitting when she first started wearing them. She does have to have an eye exam yearly to get the prescription renewed. Her doc only wants kids to wear the daily lenses, though. I went with this because of the huge number of her friends who have had eye infections due to poor hygiene/contact care. They probably cost more but there is no solution, etc. to be dealt with. Ymmv, of course! Now that she is older she could change but she really likes the dailies. hth, Georgia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homebody2k Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 My daughter uses dailies only - no fuss, no muss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 So what was in there that you were reacting to? I hadn't even thought about the solutions being a problem. :( I don't know specifically. I went in, described the yucky burning feeling in my eyes when I wore the contacts and told them it went away within 20 minutes of taking them out. They asked me a few questions to make sure I wasn't doing anything stupid like not washing my hands or spitting on the contacts or something. Then they popped in a trial pair of contacts that were stored in a preservative-free solution. They had me wear them for a couple hours, I had no problem with them, and we thereby figured out it seemed to be the preservatives in standard solutions. They gave me the name of a preservative-free solution, instructions on switching my contacts over to diligently get ALL the old solution off (they were the change-once-a-year kind back then) and I was good to go. It was apparently a pretty uncommon issue, so don't worry about it. The warning was more because if you add up all the pretty uncommon possibilities, then there starts to become a noticeable, though still small, chance of some issue. Just deal with it quickly with the optometrist. My real point was that most issues are easily resolved :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Ok, dumb question. Can this multi-purpose solution burn your eyes? Can you mess it up? My dh had contacts when he was a teen, and I think he has stories about burning his eyes or something. But I think they may have been hard contacts... I do what Janie Grace does. You cannot hurt yourself with the multi purpose solution. You can pour it in your eyes like saline. I wear the two week ones for months, not that I recommend that. I got my last batch of contacts with a rebate of $50. Shop around. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Reading these posts, it seems like contacts are really a 'try it for yourself' thing. I will say that any good eye doctor is going to give you a trial pair of whatever type you decide to try before placing a bigger order. Usually, you go in for the exam and go home with the trial pair, and then return in a week or two for a followup. You cannot order contacts anywhere without a current (within one year) prescription. My experience: *started with rigid gas permeable back in the dark ages, I had no idea these were still available, lol. most people find them far more uncomfortable than soft lenses, and I can still remember the agony of getting an eyelash underneath them (you will barely notice this with soft lenses). I know they used to be much more expensive, so a much bigger deal to lose one as opposed to losing a soft contact *sleeping in contacts - I don't recommend it, but I don't freak out about it, either. modern soft lenses are not going to dry out and get stuck the way older 'hard' or 'rigid' types will. I've worn contacts for over 30 years and have never had an infection or issue, and I promise you I have fallen asleep with the soft lenses many a time. I think the biggest factors are always washing your hands and giving your eyes a daily break (you should have glasses that you wear in the morning before putting contacts in, and in the evening before taking them out) *the solution for soft lenses will not hurt your eyes; if a certain solution seems to bother, simply switch and try another - - even the old style 'burning' was uncomfortable for sure, but didn't damage your eyes *you still need glasses, imo, b/c you should not have contacts in for all your waking hours, and b/c some days your eyes might be irritated or scratched *there's no worry about having a cold or being sick, just wash your hands as you should always do *I have a mild astigmatism and have always worn regular contacts, it just varies A relative got them when she was in Middle School...when she was 16, she left them in overnight on accident. (You get tired, forget, it is actually quite easy to do.). Anyway, she got an infection in that eye and even with immediate medical treatment, she is legally blind in that eye, there is a center area where she cannot see at all and the edges of her version in that eye is correctable to 20/60. They went to several specialists, she is legally blind in that eye forever. I was thinking about going back to contacts but will not now. Make sure she is super vigilant about taking them out every night, the consequences can be life changing in a bad way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 I'm allergic to the generic multipurpose solution, and my eye doctor says a lot of people are so it's worth the extra money for the name brand. Opti-Free and Bausch and Lomb are both good, but you should use the same brand with the same pair of contacts and I forget why, so you'll have to google it yourself and forgive me if that's ancient, outdated info. ;) I currently wear Air Optix for up to two months, but I've been wearing soft lenses of some kind or another since the old days when you had to plug in the electric heat disinfection unit and schlep around a gallon jug of distilled water to dissolve the weekly enzyme tablets in and I've fallen asleep in them PLENTY. I remember deliberately wearing non-extended wear lenses for days at a time because I thought it was preferable to the alternative of not having electricity to plug my sterilizer into or clean water to wash my hands with before handling my contacts. If your dd needs significant correction (-6.50 or more) please, PLEASE encourage her to keep a pair of glasses handy and wear them for a few hours a day so she doesn't have as much trouble as I'm having when she reaches bifocal age. I just paid $25 and change per box from lens dot com, but you need to order three boxes at a time to get that rate. My prescription just barely gets the extra $10 charge on 123cheapglasses dot com, so your dd's might be less. If her prescription stays stable and she doesn't have any other problems, you can stock up right before it expires to stretch out the doctor visits a bit longer. Oh, and coloured lenses are fun and not THAT expensive, so I think every girl kid deserves a pair at least once in her their life if he or she wants them. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethB Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 *sleeping in contacts - I don't recommend it, but I don't freak out about it, either. modern soft lenses are not going to dry out and get stuck the way older 'hard' or 'rigid' types will. I've worn contacts for over 30 years and have never had an infection or issue, and I promise you I have fallen asleep with the soft lenses many a time. I think the biggest factors are always washing your hands and giving your eyes a daily break (you should have glasses that you wear in the morning before putting contacts in, and in the evening before taking them out) She had modern soft contacts, it happened in the last 3 to 4 years, it happened her Junior year of High School and she is now a Sophomore or Junior in College. She had accidentally slept in them a few times before with no problems. It is not going to happen every time or to every person, but it is not a good practice considering the outcome and that there is a way to prevent it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 I use the two-week ones, but you can actually wear them 3-4 (my eye doctor told me this). I wear Acuvue for Astigmatism and I buy them from 1-800-contacts. They are also cheap at Sam's. I don't clean them, I just take them out at night and put them in multi-purpose solution. Rinse them with same solution in the morning, good to go. Very, very easy. Dd14 has the same kind (2-week); she has been in contacts for about two years. It took her just a few days to get the hang of it. Contacts have become so easy and comfortable! Ds18 has these - and we also get them from 1-800-contacts. We do have eyecare insurance, so they cost us about $100/year, rather than $200/year. This was very different from what the eye doctor quoted us, which would have been roughly $900/year with insurance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 She had modern soft contacts, it happened in the last 3 to 4 years, it happened her Junior year of High School and she is now a Sophomore or Junior in College. She had accidentally slept in them a few times before with no problems. It is not going to happen every time or to every person, but it is not a good practice considering the outcome and that there is a way to prevent it. Yep, I agree that it is not a good practice; that is why I said I do not recommend it. I even stressed the importance of owning glasses, b/c it is much healthier for the eyes to not have the contacts in for every waking hour. So I don't ever plan to fall asleep with contacts in, but the possibility is not something I would freak out about. Your cousin's story is sad, but it's not typical. I'm not doubting her story, just pointing out that long-term damage from sleeping one night with modern soft lenses is exceedingly rare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethB Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 These are the latest stats I could find, it also has good ideas for how to prevent your risk of eye infection: 36 million contact lens wearers, 25,000 infections per year. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/t/story?id=116961&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 A relative got them when she was in Middle School...when she was 16, she left them in overnight on accident. (You get tired, forget, it is actually quite easy to do.). Anyway, she got an infection in that eye and even with immediate medical treatment, she is legally blind in that eye, there is a center area where she cannot see at all and the edges of her version in that eye is correctable to 20/60. They went to several specialists, she is legally blind in that eye forever. I was thinking about going back to contacts but will not now. Make sure she is super vigilant about taking them out every night, the consequences can be life changing in a bad way. Ok, I'm glad to know this is a possibility, and I definitely agree, um, hygiene has to be supervised. On the other hand, when I read that story I kinda wonder if there was more going on the kid wasn't fessing up to, kwim? Like maybe she wore them a lot more than ONE NIGHT?? I don't know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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