Switching From Glasses To Contact Lenses

[METALMICKY]

I find that a combination of glasses and contacts works best for me. Regardless of how the lenses technology has come on wearing them too much is not good for your eyes. For general day to day and leisure I wear glasses and I just use Daily Disposable lenses for sport, social occasions or just when glasses could be a pain.

Unfortunately, in recent years I've needed varifocals and this is where it's got complicated and bloody expensive. A lot of people who don't get on with varifocal glasses is because they have skimped on the lenses quality. You should always pay top money and you will adapt quickly. As for varifocal contacts its really tricky as there three types of lenses correction technique.

Have always steered clear of laser surgery on the basis that I've not known anyone who was 100% satisfied with the end result. All of them needed further adjustments and/or have problems with halo effects from lights when driving at night. And these included people who paid top dollar. It's also important to note that they never guarantee 20/20 vision and even if achieved how long that will last and invariably the majority of people with age require glasses for reading.

 

[dazzer6666]

I paid £3k for both eyes, and that was the more expensive and 'thorough' option.

In terms of recovery time, it felt like someone had thrown sand in my eyes for about 4 hours afterwards (on a friend's recommendation, I got the latest appointment in the day so I could go home and sleep afterwards). I was driving the next day as soon as I'd have my 24 hour post-op checkup. I can honestly say other than that 4 hour period, there was minimal discomfort. They give you quite a lot of drops to put in a few times a day for about a week, and they give you some goggles to sleep in to prevent you rubbing your eyes whilst they are healing.

Pretty much identical to me. The incredible thing is, even immediately after the op, although everything is a bit foggy, your eyesight is obviously corrected (could read posters on the wall in the post-op waiting room). The op itself is no more than mild discomfort for a few minutes - you're awake throughout and each eye takes about 15-20 seconds in total. Never had any side effects at all and the freedom from glasses and lenses is fabulous (although I use reading glasses now - would have happened anyway). 8-10 years on my long distance vision is still perfect.

The surgeon that did mine told me I was his 13,000+ patient.

 

[markw]

Maybe the technology has moved on or maybe your minces are different to mine
I ended up at Moorfields Eye Hospital (caught the bus there from Holloway Road), they said I had scratched corneas or something.

They have moved on, absolutely brilliant. This is what I use...
http://coopervision.com/contact-lenses/biofinity-contacts

 

[Brian Fantana]

I find that a combination of glasses and contacts works best for me. Regardless of how the lenses technology has come on wearing them too much is not good for your eyes. For general day to day and leisure I wear glasses and I just use Daily Disposable lenses for sport, social occasions or just when glasses could be a pain.

Unfortunately, in recent years I've needed varifocals and this is where it's got complicated and bloody expensive. A lot of people who don't get on with varifocal glasses is because they have skimped on the lenses quality. You should always pay top money and you will adapt quickly. As for varifocal contacts its really tricky as there three types of lenses correction technique.

Have always steered clear of laser surgery on the basis that I've not known anyone who was 100% satisfied with the end result. All of them needed further adjustments and/or have problems with halo effects from lights when driving at night. And these included people who paid top dollar. It's also important to note that they never guarantee 20/20 vision and even if achieved how long that will last and invariably the majority of people with age require glasses for reading.

Optical Express guaranteed me at least 20/20 vision or my money back. When I was quoted by London Vision Clinic, I was offered similar.

 

[wellquickwoody]

Basically I've worn glasses for about 30 years at this point, but have decided that I now want a change and to give contact lenses a go.

I've spoken to my optician and confirmed that suitable lenses are available for me (I'm seriously astigmatic), and they've said that they'll go through everything with me in terms of how to put them in and taken them out, and generally how to get use to living with them, they've even set me up with a free trial period so I can try them before I make a commitment.

Is there anyone else out there in NSC-land who has made the transition after such a long period, and if so are there any tips or bits of advice you can pass on? I know it's a fairly individual thing in terms of whether you like them/can tolerate them or not, but anything would help.

PS: I know it's not exactly the most thrilling thread in NSC history but at least it's better than yet another crap transfer rumour, right?

Dear Frutos,

I have done exactly the same thing in the last 12 months, with a severe astigmatism in one eye, and a need for varifocal lenses for reading etc.. I also suffer from a condition where my eyes are drier than most leading to them being more senistive and an inclination by me to rub them. Overall not a good formula.

I tried monthly/fortnightly lenses and latterly tried dailys too. I firstly tried single vision lenses for astigmatism and tried using reading glasses for close up stuff, OK but not great. I then insisted on trying varifocal lenses for astigmatism against the senior opticians advice, oh dear! Whilst the need for reading glasses should theoretically be eliminated, the reality is that the lens would not seat properly in my worst eye and therefore would 'spin' slowly leaving me with my brain permanently trying to adjust to suit. Driving was a nightmare!

In the end I have finally decided on daily single vision lenses for astigmatism. They are thinner, more comfortable and I am more than happy to use these alone when close up vision is not paramount, they are also fine for driving. When I need to be able to read or operate a PC I use a pair of readers, which although not perfect are OK. The reality is that I tend to use my old glasses for work and then use contacts in my leisure time. Specialised lenses are not as cheap as off the shelf prescriptions and cost me around £35 for a normal one months supply, but due to my low use these will normally last me around 3 months so not too bad.

Happy to answer any other queries good luck.

 

[Notters]

Did it 12 years ago never looked back. I have focus dailies.

 

[Hampster Gull]

Dont do it

 

[Bry Nylon]

Did it 12 years ago never looked back.

Do they make your neck stiff?

 

[wellquickwoody]

Do they make your neck stiff?

 

[timbha]

Do they make your neck stiff?

my glasses do!! I'm long sighted so have to do that Kenneth Williams pose of "chin on chest and peering over glasses" when trying to watch TV with my reading glasses on. Gives me neck ache.

 

[Dan Aitch]

Daily disposables. Do iiiiiiiiiiiiiiittt!!!

 

[Bry Nylon]

my glasses do!! I'm long sighted so have to do that Kenneth Williams pose of "chin on chest and peering over glasses" when trying to watch TV with my reading glasses on. Gives me neck ache.

Ooooooohhhhhhhhhhh - MATRON! :safeway:

 

[Not Andy Naylor]

One of the best things I ever did. Never regretted it.

 

[Frutos]

I'm currently trialling lenses (weekly ones) and loving them so far, thanks for all the advice.

 

[CorgiRegisteredFriend]

When you reach my age- 50- it's a case of switching from standard contacts lenses to varifocal. Now that does take some adjusting to!

 

[BlockDpete]

Been on daily disposables for several years now, without any problems. Lovely to have all my peripheral vision.

I generally wear them at the weekend, as they do get uncomfortable at work, where I'm indoors in a air coniditioned office.

They are great for running and cycling. Especially in the rain, as my glasses will mist up.

 

[Rod Marsh]

I've been wearing contact lenses for 25 years up to 18 hours a day and have never had any issues with them. I use a relatively new daily disposable lens that is perforated to allow air to the eye. Technology/design has changed so much over that time. Give it a go I say.