Contact lenses for first timer
Discussion
Any tips or advice for someone trying contact lenses for the first tine?
I have an appointment booked with a local independent family optometrist to discuss trying contact lenses and getting an eye test. Apparently I have astigmatism and presbyopia.
For everyday walking about I tend not to wear glasses but I wear varifocal glasses for driving and reading, and for computer work I have dedicated glasses. But I've noticed my eyesight degrade over the last 6 months and as I don't really like wearing glasses I fancy trying daily disposable contact lenses.
Not sure how I'll get on putting them in & taking out, or getting into the habit of doing so.
I have an appointment booked with a local independent family optometrist to discuss trying contact lenses and getting an eye test. Apparently I have astigmatism and presbyopia.
For everyday walking about I tend not to wear glasses but I wear varifocal glasses for driving and reading, and for computer work I have dedicated glasses. But I've noticed my eyesight degrade over the last 6 months and as I don't really like wearing glasses I fancy trying daily disposable contact lenses.
Not sure how I'll get on putting them in & taking out, or getting into the habit of doing so.
I hated my stupid sausage fingers when I first tried lenses
The best tip I had was to put the lense from the packet onto the back of your hand first, then when ready scoop it with your finger and press it onto your eye
Second best tip is try to have dry fingers to hold your eye lids wide open, if they are wet they will slip
It will be really annoying but you do get there
The best tip I had was to put the lense from the packet onto the back of your hand first, then when ready scoop it with your finger and press it onto your eye
Second best tip is try to have dry fingers to hold your eye lids wide open, if they are wet they will slip
It will be really annoying but you do get there
I made the move from glasses to daily disposables about 15 years ago and haven't looked back. It takes 3 or 4 days to get used to putting them in and taking them out. Optician should show you how to do it but I scoop it up with the little finger of one hand, place it between thumb and forefinger on other hand and then put on tip of the first hand forefinger then into my eye holding it open with the other hand. You need to check they're the right way out but that's obvious when you look at them side on.
I have a slight astigmatism in one eye. I tried toric lenses but didn't get on with them (they kept rotating) so the optician simply gave me a 1/4 stronger lens but I think that stopped when the optician changed.
I also tried varifocal lenses. No idea how the hell they're supposed to work as the lens moves with your eye but they were the absolute worst, everything was out of focus and I felt dangerous driving in them even though I could still pass the number plate test. I've resigned myself to wearing reading glasses for close up stuff.
I have a slight astigmatism in one eye. I tried toric lenses but didn't get on with them (they kept rotating) so the optician simply gave me a 1/4 stronger lens but I think that stopped when the optician changed.
I also tried varifocal lenses. No idea how the hell they're supposed to work as the lens moves with your eye but they were the absolute worst, everything was out of focus and I felt dangerous driving in them even though I could still pass the number plate test. I've resigned myself to wearing reading glasses for close up stuff.
Can't over exaggerate how squeamish I felt about putting contact lenses in at first and how difficult I found it. Even now, a few years later, I can still get a bit squeamish about it however, actually putting them in and taking them out isn't an issue. I still need a mirror for getting them in but can actually remove them without much hassle. I did have to stick with it for a couple of months tho.
Stick with it as I found them life changing. No more peering through a letterbox.
I struggled putting them in and out until someone gave me this tip.
Put the lens onto the white of your eye and then slide it over the actual iris bit. Reverse to take them out. Like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QnszmgMYSk
I found it so much easier to touch the white rather than apply the lens directly onto my iris which seemed to be the method the optician was suggesting.
The absolute golden rule with contacts is cleanliness when handling them and never ever ever getting water into your eye (including going swimming with them or showering). Can lead to horrendous things.
I struggled putting them in and out until someone gave me this tip.
Put the lens onto the white of your eye and then slide it over the actual iris bit. Reverse to take them out. Like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QnszmgMYSk
I found it so much easier to touch the white rather than apply the lens directly onto my iris which seemed to be the method the optician was suggesting.
The absolute golden rule with contacts is cleanliness when handling them and never ever ever getting water into your eye (including going swimming with them or showering). Can lead to horrendous things.
I use daily’s, 99% of the time they’re very good. Occasionally I feel the odd lip on them where I think they must be ones from the last cutting run on that batch and whatever cuts them is due for renewal?
Cleanliness is key, one tiny bit of dust or similar on application will feel awful. It’ll take a while to settle with them but most of the time I forget they’re there. Top tip from me, always always carry spares, I have them in all the cars, coat pockets etc as once they start to dry a little theres nothing to do but replace it. Oh and dry your hands with lint free paper or whatever as the lint like to get behind the lens.
I use Hylo forte overnight treatment drops once they’re out just to keep things fresh.
I’ve pointed out mainly the crap bits, but they’re very good !
Cleanliness is key, one tiny bit of dust or similar on application will feel awful. It’ll take a while to settle with them but most of the time I forget they’re there. Top tip from me, always always carry spares, I have them in all the cars, coat pockets etc as once they start to dry a little theres nothing to do but replace it. Oh and dry your hands with lint free paper or whatever as the lint like to get behind the lens.
I use Hylo forte overnight treatment drops once they’re out just to keep things fresh.
I’ve pointed out mainly the crap bits, but they’re very good !
Been wearing daily disposables for 15 years (prior to that I used monthlies). I find if you use your middle figure to get the lens in it is easier to apply "plum" into the eye (the slight angle from the index finger can cause the lense to not sit flush). Routine is put lens on my middle finger - use other fingers to open the eye wide - put lens in and roll eyes before blinking.
Used to wear contacts, they were fine but couldn’t be bothered with the faff of cleaning them, at the time due to my prescription I couldn’t get daily lenses. May be different now as technology moves on.
Main thing I used to find was to stay hydrated, if your eyes start drying out the lenses get uncomfortable.
Main thing I used to find was to stay hydrated, if your eyes start drying out the lenses get uncomfortable.
Most helpful thing I found was that a mate who used dailies gave me 10 of them, so I could practice getting them in and out before the final appointment where they want you to prove you can manage it.
I'd also say, now I'm in mid-40s, the presbyopia that develops as you get older makes the contacts less appealing since I now struggle to read my phone with them in.
I'd also say, now I'm in mid-40s, the presbyopia that develops as you get older makes the contacts less appealing since I now struggle to read my phone with them in.
I’ve been wearing lenses for over 35 years with no real issues. Much easier now in the disposable age - I’m on monthly varifocals, and wear them from 8am to 11pm every day. Very clever how they work.
In and out is easy enough once you have the knack, just need to be careful not to get things in your eyes, or rub them too hard. Best not to swim in them, and be careful if you happen to shower with them in. There is a risk of infection, and of course they might fall out…
In and out is easy enough once you have the knack, just need to be careful not to get things in your eyes, or rub them too hard. Best not to swim in them, and be careful if you happen to shower with them in. There is a risk of infection, and of course they might fall out…
Been wearing contacts since I was 18 in 1985. I`m my opticians longest standing lens wearer.
Can practically scratch the back of my eyeballs without flinching.
Started off with lenses that were supposed to last a year but never did.
Have been on monthlies for years.
Best advice I had on putting them in is to pull down your lower lid, pop the lens in from the tip of a finger whilst looking straight at it, slowly close your eye and gently massage your eyelid to seat the lens.
Can practically scratch the back of my eyeballs without flinching.
Started off with lenses that were supposed to last a year but never did.
Have been on monthlies for years.
Best advice I had on putting them in is to pull down your lower lid, pop the lens in from the tip of a finger whilst looking straight at it, slowly close your eye and gently massage your eyelid to seat the lens.
You will struggle when you first start wearing them (I predict). I kid you not the first time I tried putting a set in it took me 45mins to get two in at the opticians, but never struggled to remove them.
Been wearing them for 10 years plus now, shifted to vari focal contact lenses about 2 years ago. Takes me longer to get them out the box and on the end of my finger now than to actually put them in.
I HAD to work it out because I wear full face fire fighting masks as part of my job and I would have lost my job if I couldn’t wear contacts so I had to preserve.
As for wearing them, they transformed my life and often I forget I have them in. I wear them for 18hrs a day whilst flying.
The shift to vari focal contacts was a bit of a pain as I got halo around bright lights but a shift to a different brand solved that.
Been wearing them for 10 years plus now, shifted to vari focal contact lenses about 2 years ago. Takes me longer to get them out the box and on the end of my finger now than to actually put them in.
I HAD to work it out because I wear full face fire fighting masks as part of my job and I would have lost my job if I couldn’t wear contacts so I had to preserve.
As for wearing them, they transformed my life and often I forget I have them in. I wear them for 18hrs a day whilst flying.
The shift to vari focal contacts was a bit of a pain as I got halo around bright lights but a shift to a different brand solved that.
Oh Lordy. One of my first proper jobs, was working for a very well known, huge international contact lens manufacturer. I started in lens production, and got bumped all the way up to R&D, by the time I left. My simple answer is just don’t. Spectacles are so much better all round. Don’t risk your corneas for vanity. The tech of C.Ls has improved massively, since the days of gas permeable rigids, but in my opinion, even the best softs, are super risky, unless you follow the rigmarole / routines, regarding cleaning / maintainance / replacement. I’ve still got serious horror stories etched in my brain, regarding corneal odeama, protein build up, displacements requiring surgical intervention ( when people got pissed and left their lenses in ). The tech is pretty good now, but you do still need discipline, and routine to make them work. I don’t mean to scare you, but I wouldn’t use them ( even daily disposable softs ) if you paid me.
MB140 said:
You will struggle when you first start wearing them (I predict). I kid you not the first time I tried putting a set in it took me 45mins to get two in at the opticians, but never struggled to remove them.
Been wearing them for 10 years plus now, shifted to vari focal contact lenses about 2 years ago. Takes me longer to get them out the box and on the end of my finger now than to actually put them in.
I HAD to work it out because I wear full face fire fighting masks as part of my job and I would have lost my job if I couldn’t wear contacts so I had to preserve.
As for wearing them, they transformed my life and often I forget I have them in. I wear them for 18hrs a day whilst flying.
The shift to vari focal contacts was a bit of a pain as I got halo around bright lights but a shift to a different brand solved that.
The vari and multifocal project, was my last project in the industry. It was a nightmare, because I had to somehow get a standard physics package to work, on varying human eyeball technology. Torics ( for correction of astigmatism ) was a breeze in comparison. Sphere cast on the front surface, cylinder on the back surface, set at the requisite angles by the mold setters. As long as the male and female polyprop tools were made to spec, everyone was happy. There were some lathed lenses too, but they were ( and still are I believe ) a bit niche.Been wearing them for 10 years plus now, shifted to vari focal contact lenses about 2 years ago. Takes me longer to get them out the box and on the end of my finger now than to actually put them in.
I HAD to work it out because I wear full face fire fighting masks as part of my job and I would have lost my job if I couldn’t wear contacts so I had to preserve.
As for wearing them, they transformed my life and often I forget I have them in. I wear them for 18hrs a day whilst flying.
The shift to vari focal contacts was a bit of a pain as I got halo around bright lights but a shift to a different brand solved that.
Been on contacts for just over a year. One standard in one eye and one varifocal in the other, soft hydro dailies so more expensive but love them to bits. So much easier than glasses and can wear proper sunglasses in the summer.
There is always some compromise at close and/or long range compared to glasses although it took me a few months to get the balance right. Do not be afraid to go back and change them if they are not suiting you. Mine are now set up closer but the really long range I do not miss even when driving.
There is always some compromise at close and/or long range compared to glasses although it took me a few months to get the balance right. Do not be afraid to go back and change them if they are not suiting you. Mine are now set up closer but the really long range I do not miss even when driving.
Vanden Saab said:
Been on contacts for just over a year. One standard in one eye and one varifocal in the other, soft hydro dailies so more expensive but love them to bits. So much easier than glasses and can wear proper sunglasses in the summer.
There is always some compromise at close and/or long range compared to glasses although it took me a few months to get the balance right. Do not be afraid to go back and change them if they are not suiting you. Mine are now set up closer but the really long range I do not miss even when driving.
I heard that a lot. I was chief in charge of developing a more bio compatible material for a while. To cut a long and boring story short. The material had to mimic a biological substance produced by the body ( Mucin ). The closer we got, the better the results were, regarding natural rejection, which lead to proteination issues. I had to balance oxygen permeability potential ( for extended wearability) against bio compatibility, and unit costs. I believe I did get close ( enough ) to the ‘holy grail’. There is always some compromise at close and/or long range compared to glasses although it took me a few months to get the balance right. Do not be afraid to go back and change them if they are not suiting you. Mine are now set up closer but the really long range I do not miss even when driving.
Vanden Saab said:
Do not be afraid to go back and change them if they are not suiting you. Mine are now set up closer but the really long range I do not miss even when driving.
A lad at work who wears them has suggested taking out a subscription with the optician for a few months in case I need any help or to change them etc, then perhaps start buying them cheaper elsewhere if desired. I guess it depends on whether I want any kind of relationship with the opticians should I need their help one day?The Gauge said:
A lad at work who wears them has suggested taking out a subscription with the optician for a few months in case I need any help or to change them etc, then perhaps start buying them cheaper elsewhere if desired. I guess it depends on whether I want any kind of relationship with the opticians should I need their help one day?
Sometimes the packages work out well, you'll pay a bit more than online but often they'll cover the cost of appointments - (including extra appointments for eye examinations if you have any problems with your eyes or vision before you're due your routine sight test). Well worth the peace of mind if anything goes wrong.Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff