Keep your eyes healthy! My story of how contacts are making me blind.

[Caloi]

I just got done at the eye doctor. A few years ago little blood vessels were noticed during a routine eye exam. These form on the outer portions of the eye where the white and the colored part meet. Contacts are apparently thicker around the edges and allow very little or no oxygen through. Your eye goes into defense mode and sends in the blood vessels to feed oxygen to the cornea.

Well, today, after looking at my eyes the doctor's first words were, "You're two millimeters away from a corneal transplant. If the vessels make that 2mm to your pupil you'll have a blind spot.

That's not what I wanted to hear, as you could imagine. I explained that wearing glasses is NOT conducive to my lifestyle; playing tennis, fly fishing, snow boarding and being outside as much as possible, etc. He ordered a sample pair of very breathable contacts for my activities but said that if i abuse the system I will be scheduling the corneal transplant before too long.

He gave me an anti-inflammatory eye drop to use for 10 days and said there is a good chance the blood vessels will stop growing and basically die. This means I would be approved for contact use again with the new breathable lenses. My old lenses rate a 32 the new contact 120...not sure what it means other than the higher the number the better they are.

He will check my eyes in 10 days and said if everything is looking better he wants me to wear glasses for a couple more months until he is sure the vessels are done growing. Then and only then will he consider giving me a prescription for contacts again.

It's not the end of the world, but to see how far these vessels have grown in 3 years scares the hell out of me. I DO NOT want a blind spot nor a corneal transplant. I ordered some new glasses and will wear them 99% of the time. I will wear the new sample contacts for tennis and snow boarding.

Also, (I figured it'll come up) I got denied for LASIK due to this a couple years ago but am a candidate for the lens implant surgery. At $5k/eye it's not an option at the moment.

 

[Rickson]

Just wear the glasses. I wear glasses too, but almost never when I'm playing tennis.

 

[Topaz]

Caloi, what kind of contacts did you have? Did you wear them continuously, or take them out every night?

Very scary, and while I know wearing glasses might suck, it is worth it in the end. Plenty of athletes wear glasses...a lot of them use some kind of sport band, maybe your doctor can help you find something like that? And be happy that you discovered it *now*, rather than *later*. Good luck, and please update us.

 

[Caloi]

Just wear the glasses. I wear glasses too, but almost never when I'm playing tennis.

I will wear them for daily activities consisting mostly of sitting in front of a computer screen, but I'm not happy about it. I need to get some prescription sunglasses though. The sun KILLS my eyes.

Caloi, what kind of contacts did you have? Did you wear them continuously, or take them out every night?

Very scary, and while I know wearing glasses might suck, it is worth it in the end. Plenty of athletes wear glasses...a lot of them use some kind of sport band, maybe your doctor can help you find something like that? And be happy that you discovered it *now*, rather than *later*. Good luck, and please update us.

I've worn soft lenses from the beginning. I've never slept in them (not counting a quick nap) since it drove my eyes nuts. I can think of maybe 3 times that I slept in them more than an hour. I've also worn contacts since I was 13 and now at 36 seems my eyes have revolted aginst me. However, I do wear them from when I wake up to when I go to bed. I've learned a lot about my eyes adn their needs lately.

The doctor is ordering a sample pair of contacts for tennis, snowboarding and anything else that I may need to wear them for since I'm very blind without anything on. I'm 20/1200 in one eye and 20/1500 in the other. These new lenses are much more breathable than what I was in and shouldn't harm my eyes as long as I take them out as soon as I'm done.

I absolutely have to find some sun protection though. When my new glasses come in I'll be looking for something to shade them.

Bottom line, 10 days with the anti-inflammatory drops and NO CONTACTS. He'll evaluate where we are in 10 days and if things are looking better I can stop the drops and continue to wear the glasses for a couple months. If I follow the rules I can then get a prescription but will still have to limit my useage.

These drops apparently drain into your sinusus and drip down the back of the throat and taste like what I imagine bleach to taste like...burning and very acidic.

I'll post up after my next appointment to see how things are looking.

 

[GPB]

Good luck with all that.

 

[eagle]

Wow! This is scary indeed.

My son just started wearing contacts and I surely don't want him to experience the same problem.

Caloi, did your doctor say this is a common problem?

Is there anything one can do to prevent this from happening?

r,
eagle

 

[Caloi]

Wow! This is scary indeed.

My son just started wearing contacts and I surely don't want him to experience the same problem.

Caloi, did your doctor say this is a common problem?

Is there anything one can do to prevent this from happening?

r,
eagle

It's fairly common for soft lens wearers to get the blood vessels but they usually aren't nearly this bad. For whatever reason my eyes were starved of oxygen and sent in the blood vessels to feed oxygen. They literally grow from the white toward the pupil and look just like a tree growing (branching out). I know people that have worn contacts for as long as I have and even longer and many said that it was mentioned during their exam and that it was nothing to sorry about for the time being. Some have never had a problem, probably because they took them out at night(evenings) or weekends to give their eyes a rest. My biggest problem was that I became a very self concious kid when I got glasses (2nd grade). I HATED them. On my 13th birthday my dad surprised me by taking me to the eye doctor and getting fitted for contacts. It was the best day of my life...at the time. I wore them for all but the 8 hours or so while sleeping.

The contacts are thicker around the edges and don't allow as much oxygen through, starving your eyes. Long ago 'breathable' contacts were not an option, plus I have an astigmatism in both eyes, making my contacts even thicker with the weights.

Today's technology has come a long way with contacts that are very breathable. Hard lenses are still a great option if you can adjust. I never could...

The anology he used for these was like a glacier moving down a mountain. You may be able to stop it but you'll never reverse it. The best i can hope for is for the vessels to stop growing and the inflamation to go down...a LOT.

I don't want to have a blind spot and certainly won't risk my eye sight. I'll do what the doctor says and if I can get a prescription in a few months and wear contacts for activities, great. If the eye drops don't bring down the inflammation then I'm stuck with glasses until I can get the lens implant.

My dad actually felt so bad this weekend after I told him my story he offered to 'help out' with the implants. I told him not to sorry about it for now and that i didn't blame him at all. He was blaming himself but who could have known. It was never brought up 4 years ago...3 years ago it was noticed and now it's in emergency action mode. Certainly not his fault!

Dang, sorry for the long reply...:shock:

 

[Topaz]

Caloi, thanks for the update and the details. You sound very much like me, though I do try to spend some time out of my contacts in the evenings (even though my glasses are old and don't help me much anymore!).

Do you know the brand of your new contacts?

Please keep us updated.

 

[Caloi]

Caloi, thanks for the update and the details. You sound very much like me, though I do try to spend some time out of my contacts in the evenings (even though my glasses are old and don't help me much anymore!).

Do you know the brand of your new contacts?

Please keep us updated.

Thanks for the interest. I don't know what the new contacts will be yet. I go in this Friday for a follow up to see what the drops are doing and to hopefully pick up the new lenses. If they didn't make it in then I'll get them the next week when my glasses come in. I'll be sure to find out what kind they are.

I mentioned in my first post the numbers of my old lenses being a 32 and the new lenses being a 120. I have no idea what they mean yet but will research it. He said the higher the number the better for your eyes. I'll google around today.

 

[eagle]

Thanks Caloi. Good luck and please keep us apprised of your condition.

r,
eagle

 

[scotus]

I have been wearing contact lenses for over 30 years, and the only times I developed eye problems due to contact lenses was:

When I tried to save money on contact lenses by wearing them much longer than they were designed for.

For example, I used to wear Acuvues that were designed to be worn for 2 weeks and then thrown away. But when I was a starving student, I tried to get the most mileage out of them by using them for 2 months.

You can do this for a while until the protein deposits on the lenses (no matter how many times you clean it with soap and enzymes) will start causing problems -- most commonly, allergic reactions (bumps) on the flip side of your eye lids, followed by a swelling in the cornea.

These days I wear 1-day disposable Acuvues. I wear them for one day and then throw them away -- okay, okay, I must confess I still use them for a few days before throwing them away. They are very comfortable, and I enjoy the feeling of brand-new lenses every few days.

Anyway, sleeping with contact lenses on is a big no-no. Also, if you feel any sort of change in vision or discomfort in your eyes, you should see your eye doctor before the problem gets serious.

 

[Caloi]

I have been wearing contact lenses for over 30 years, and the only times I developed eye problems due to contact lenses was:

When I tried to save money on contact lenses by wearing them much longer than they were designed for.

For example, I used to wear Acuvues that were designed to be worn for 2 weeks and then thrown away. But when I was a starving student, I tried to get the most mileage out of them by using them for 2 months.

You can do this for a while until the protein deposits on the lenses (no matter how many times you clean it with soap and enzymes) will start causing problems -- most commonly, allergic reactions (bumps) on the flip side of your eye lids, followed by a swelling in the cornea.

These days I wear 1-day disposable Acuvues. I wear them for one day and then throw them away -- okay, okay, I must confess I still use them for a few days before throwing them away. They are very comfortable, and I enjoy the feeling of brand-new lenses every few days.

Anyway, sleeping with contact lenses on is a big no-no. Also, if you feel any sort of change in vision or discomfort in your eyes, you should see your eye doctor before the problem gets serious.

I wore/wear my monthly contacts for about 45 days and threw them away. This was okayed by my eye doc. I never once felt anything 'wrong' with my eye and i can't see the vessels in there growing like Jack's Beanstalk. However they are very visible on the doctor's machine. He made a video and took still shots of my eyes. It's how we are going to track my progress.

I came into contacts long before the disposable's were an option. The lenses i used to wear were good for a year. I had to do the protein tablets, etc. I was estatic when disposable's came out but that's about when my astigmatism came on and I had to wait for disposable Toric lenses...ugh!

I'll see if the doctor can save an image and email it to me this Friday. Anyone want to see it?! :twisted:

 

[Il Mostro]

I wear extended use Acuvue 2's. I have worn these (and similar predecessors) for many years as daily wear lenses. My opthamoligist maintains that this is the healthiest way to wear them.

Beware of extended wear lenses that are left in too long and develop protein build up. Bacteria loves to feast on the protein and, when it is gone, start chowing down on your eye. He says this is not all that uncommon. He showed me pics of another patient's eye with this condition -- he told her to stop wearing her contacts for a couple of weeks; she didn't -- *so disgustingly gross*. Eyes that look like undercooked hamburger. Scary stuff.

I keep an extra pair of lenses and solution in my tennis bag. Anything feels funny, I replaces the lenses.

 

[TheShaun]

i just came from my eye doctor today. he said my eyes were looking great and that i should keep doing whatever it is i do. i asked him about the breathable lenses, as i've been using the same brand and model for over 10 years. he told me that the breathable ones are made of silicone and he was never big on promoting them when the came out, and he's glad that he didn't. as now some people are having issues with them. apparently the silicone ones sit on your eye much tighter and this has caused infections for some people. end story, he told me if it aint broke, don't fix it.

btw, i wear basic acuvue lenses. two weeks then replace, but i always wear them for much longer, up to two months!

 

[eagle]

For folks wearing contacts, do you do anything to the lenses once you take them off?

Do you rub them clean with the cleaning solution each and every time after taking them off?

How about the before putting them on in the morning?

I just want to make sure my son's eyes aren't unnecessarily put at risk by missing a part of the process he needs to religiously follow. He uses the 2 wk disposable Acuvue soft lenses BTW and he just started wearing contacts last month.

Thanks.

r,
eagle

 

[TheShaun]

For folks wearing contacts, do you do anything to the lenses once you take them off?

Do you rub them clean with the cleaning solution each and every time after taking them off?

How about the before putting them on in the morning?

I just want to make sure my son's eyes aren't unnecessarily put at risk by missing a part of the process he needs to religiously follow. He uses the 2 wk disposable Acuvue soft lenses BTW and he just started wearing contacts last month.

Thanks.

r,
eagle

i give mine a little rub in the morning with some solution. not too vigorous or they might tear. i have torn a few over the years. sounds like he may be using the same ones i do. effervescent tablets are not necessary for disposables.

 

[Caloi]

Consider me the exception and not the rule here... I seriously wouldn't worry about your son's eyes. I'm sure my infliction was just a case of bad luck. I didn't mean to freak you out, just sharing my story. As long as your son goes to his appointments the doctors should take care of him.

I give mine a quick rubbing at night when I take them out. I let them soak in the combo saline (daily cleaner, sterilizer, soak) and then let them sit over night in clean saline. I rinse them in the morning and put them in.


I'm glad mine was caught before a blind spot actually occured. My eyes may be salvaged and I hope I'll be able to wear my contacts for tennis and other activities in the near future. I credit the doctors for telling me straight up that I need to wear glasses or else bad things will happen. He may have saved my sight in that eye!

 

[Il Mostro]

i just came from my eye doctor today. he said my eyes were looking great and that i should keep doing whatever it is i do. i asked him about the breathable lenses, as i've been using the same brand and model for over 10 years. he told me that the breathable ones are made of silicone and he was never big on promoting them when the came out, and he's glad that he didn't. as now some people are having issues with them. apparently the silicone ones sit on your eye much tighter and this has caused infections for some people. end story, he told me if it aint broke, don't fix it.

btw, i wear basic acuvue lenses. two weeks then replace, but i always wear them for much longer, up to two months!

Severe allergic reaction in people going from Acuvue 2's to the newer Acuvue Oasis has been a common problem, too.

 

[Topaz]

Severe allergic reaction in people going from Acuvue 2's to the newer Acuvue Oasis has been a common problem, too.

I switched to the Oasis over a year ago, and they were a godsend for me. They are only supposed to be worn two weeks though, and I do keep them in longer though I take them out every night.

 

[eagle]

Thanks Caloi. We do go to our eye doctor at least once a year, so hopefully any problems would be detected early enough. I'm hoping no problems ever of course.

I do hope your condition improve.

Thanks,
eagle

 

[scotus]

I wear extended use Acuvue 2's. I have worn these (and similar predecessors) for many years as daily wear lenses. My opthamoligist maintains that this is the healthiest way to wear them.

Beware of extended wear lenses that are left in too long and develop protein build up. Bacteria loves to feast on the protein and, when it is gone, start chowing down on your eye. He says this is not all that uncommon. He showed me pics of another patient's eye with this condition -- he told her to stop wearing her contacts for a couple of weeks; she didn't -- *so disgustingly gross*. Eyes that look like undercooked hamburger. Scary stuff.

I keep an extra pair of lenses and solution in my tennis bag. Anything feels funny, I replaces the lenses.

I could never get used to those Acuvue 2s. They just don't sit well on my eyes.

I used to wear the original Acuvue and Surevue until they discontinued Surevue and stopped making the Acuvue for my prescription.

Acuvue Advance and Acuvue Oasys were better, but I found the right fit with Acuvue 1 Day Moist.

This may sound like an ad, but the next time you go see your eye doctor, you should ask for a sample. Very comfortable, and economical too.

 

[scotus]

I came into contacts long before the disposable's were an option. The lenses i used to wear were good for a year. I had to do the protein tablets, etc. I was estatic when disposable's came out but that's about when my astigmatism came on and I had to wait for disposable Toric lenses...ugh!

Look into Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism. They make these for up to -9.00 or -9.50 if you are near-sighted.

Also, if your astigmastism is not significant, you can just try regular lenses.

Several of my eye doctors have tried to fit me with toric lenses. But I never got any improvement in vision with them. The doctors concluded that it was because my astigmatism was not severe enough.

After a while of wearing regular contacts, I don't even notice having problems with astigmastism. I guess if the problem isn't too severe, you can get used to it.

 

[Il Mostro]

I could never get used to those Acuvue 2s. They just don't sit well on my eyes.

I used to wear the original Acuvue and Surevue until they discontinued Surevue and stopped making the Acuvue for my prescription.

Acuvue Advance and Acuvue Oasys were better, but I found the right fit with Acuvue 1 Day Moist.

This may sound like an ad, but the next time you go see your eye doctor, you should ask for a sample. Very comfortable, and economical too.

Man, those Acuvue 1 Day Moist are the most comfortable lenses I have ever tried -- contact lens heaven, putting on a fresh pair each day.

I use two separate prescriptions, though. Mono-vision for all around wear (one lens for distance; one for close up). Weird, but it works for me. I also use my regular near-sighted prescription for sports.

Actually using the 1 Day's strictly per the instruction added up in a hurry. Are you wearing and disposing daily? These are fantastic feeling lenses

 

[scotus]

Man, those Acuvue 1 Day Moist are the most comfortable lenses I have ever tried -- contact lens heaven, putting on a fresh pair each day.

I use two separate prescriptions, though. Mono-vision for all around wear (one lens for distance; one for close up). Weird, but it works for me. I also use my regular near-sighted prescription for sports.

Actually using the 1 Day's strictly per the instruction added up in a hurry. Are you wearing and disposing daily? These are fantastic feeling lenses

I wear them for about 3-4 days on average. And since I buy them in bulk from the cheapest source on the internet, it has been working out great for me.

Besides comfort and safety, another reason that got me to change to the 1-Day disposables was the occasional defects I came across with the Acuvue 2's and the Acuvue Advance. Some of them come with a slightly rough or torn edges that irritate my eyes, and I am forced to discard them right away. What a waste of money for a lens that is supposed to last 2 weeks!

My doctor explained that such defects are more common in lenses for high prescription (Mine is -10.00). I haven't found such defects among the 1 Day Acuvue Moist. But if I ever do, I will simply toss it. It's so cheap!

Anyway, I am loving these lenses. In fact, I love them so much I will toss them out tonight before going to bed.

 

[Il Mostro]

I wear them for about 3-4 days on average. And since I buy them in bulk from the cheapest source on the internet, it has been working out great for me.

Besides comfort and safety, another reason that got me to change to the 1-Day disposables was the occasional defects I came across with the Acuvue 2's and the Acuvue Advance. Some of them come with a slightly rough or torn edges that irritate my eyes, and I am forced to discard them right away. What a waste of money for a lens that is supposed to last 2 weeks!

My doctor explained that such defects are more common in lenses for high prescription (Mine is -10.00). I haven't found such defects among the 1 Day Acuvue Moist. But if I ever do, I will simply toss it. It's so cheap!

Anyway, I am loving these lenses. In fact, I love them so much I will toss them out tonight before going to bed.

The math didn't work for me since I was basing it on tossing them every day x two prescriptions. I'm going to get some samples and try them at 4 day intervals. Yeah, the tolerances on spun lenses are nothing like the old lathe-cut daily wears. Thanks for the info.

 

[snvplayer]

I wish you the best..

I would also like to share my story.
I started wearing RGP lens since I was 17 ( I am 28 now).
I wore them pretty much every day for 6~7 years until my eyes got really dry and couldn't wear them for more than 2 hrs.

Wearing RGP has caused a eye-lid-drooping syndrome. Basecially, the eye lid muscle has weakened with hard lens in the eyes. As a result, I have got droopy eyes, and look tired pretty easily.

I guess it can be repaired surgically, but I don't know if this is necessary for me, and it could also change cosmetics of my face negatively..haha

Now I just wear daily disposable (toric lens) whenever I play tennis or do rigorous activities. My eye sights are also bad and I have astigamtism on top of it. And, my eye sights are very lop-sided. The optometrist said that I was once in 4 months case...I have thought about lasik, but I am too scared and just reasonably content with glasses. I just hope that my eyes don't deteriorate too much as I get old.

 

[Caloi]

I wish you the best..

I would also like to share my story.
I started wearing RGP lens since I was 17 ( I am 28 now).
I wore them pretty much every day for 6~7 years until my eyes got really dry and couldn't wear them for more than 2 hrs.

Wearing RGP has caused a eye-lid-drooping syndrome. Basecially, the eye lid muscle has weakened with hard lens in the eyes. As a result, I have got droopy eyes, and look tired pretty easily.

I guess it can be repaired surgically, but I don't know if this is necessary for me, and it could also change cosmetics of my face negatively..haha

Now I just wear daily disposable (toric lens) whenever I play tennis or do rigorous activities. My eye sights are also bad and I have astigamtism on top of it. And, my eye sights are very lop-sided. The optometrist said that I was once in 4 months case...I have thought about lasik, but I am too scared and just reasonably content with glasses. I just hope that my eyes don't deteriorate too much as I get old.

:evil: I'm not old dammit! Just kidding. The only good news coming out of my visit last week was that my prescription barely changed. Usually i move a lot but this time i was 20/20 with my contacts in. He's trying to get me to 20/15 with new glasses and the new-albeit-limited-use sample contacts.

 

[snvplayer]

:evil: I'm not old dammit! Just kidding. The only good news coming out of my visit last week was that my prescription barely changed. Usually i move a lot but this time i was 20/20 with my contacts in. He's trying to get me to 20/15 with new glasses and the new-albeit-limited-use sample contacts.

I wasn't implying you were old, lol.
I was just saying when I become 50 or 60 years old.

It's so frustrating for me. Astigamtism and disparity in eye sights make it nearly impossible to get my vision above 1.0s even with glasses or contacts. And, I still have to lean foward like a turtle looking for preys when working on a computer.

Also, a lot of times, I can't read the street signs unless I get very close..

 

[fantom]

I'm 32 now and have been wearing contacts since I was 11 or 12. I had this problem creep up about two years ago. The doc changed my lenses to O2 Optix by Ciba Vision. I wore Acuvue and then Acuvue 2 before that.

I went back to him last December and he said that the capillaries have actually receded a bit.

I hope yours do the same. I also hope that mine never come back!

 

[origmarm]

Caloi I don't know if this is an option for you but I wear both glasses and contacts (not at the same time ). I wear the glasses in the office during the day and the contacts weekends and evenings if playing sport/out. My eyes are still very healthy after a long time doing this.

I find I can't wear the contacts in the office due to the dryness from the air system. I'm sure this is a contributory factor to many problems people have without realising it.

I know in the UK lenses are routinely recommend for no longer than 8-10hrs wear at a time whatever the lens. This is not the case in the US as I understand it and when discussing this with several opticians over the years I'm surprised that it's not given the side effects.

As an aside to the people that wear the lenses for longer than they are meant to i.e. months as opposed to weeks, is this not dangerous? I'm surprised as I've always been very careful with this as after all it is my eyes but perhaps I'm being paranoid?

 

[eagle]

I just looked at my son's contact lens box. It says Accuvue Oasis with Hydraclear something or other.

He loves them and no complaints. I hope it stays that way and that he doesn't develop any negative reactions to them.

r,
eagle

 

[scotus]

I know in the UK lenses are routinely recommend for no longer than 8-10hrs wear at a time whatever the lens. This is not the case in the US as I understand it and when discussing this with several opticians over the years I'm surprised that it's not given the side effects.

All the eye doctors I have consulted (in the US) have told me to limit the lens use to no more than those hours a day.

As an aside to the people that wear the lenses for longer than they are meant to i.e. months as opposed to weeks, is this not dangerous? I'm surprised as I've always been very careful with this as after all it is my eyes but perhaps I'm being paranoid?

Yes, it is dangerous. See one of my posts above.

But protein buildup on the lenses takes time. So while wearing 2-week lenses for 2 months is definitely dangerous (and you will undoubtedly develop eye problems in a year or two of doing this), I don't think it is dangerous at all to use a 1-day disposable for 4 days, especially with daily cleaning and soaking of those lenses in multi-purpose cleaning saline solution.

 

[origmarm]

All the eye doctors I have consulted (in the US) have told me to limit the lens use to no more than those hours a day

Ah ok, strange because they didn't when I was last there for an eye exam. That said I did my last US one in 2000ish I think . It's a good thing they do now.

I know many people who routinely ignore this though i.e. put them in in the morning (say 7am) and take them out at bedtime (say 11pm), that's 16hrs, almost double!

Do they make you go once a year back to the optician now also? Over here they won't supply you with lenses if you don't anymore. That's recent though (couple of years).

Yes, it is dangerous. See one of my posts above.

But protein buildup on the lenses takes time. So while wearing 2-week lenses for 2 months is definitely dangerous (and you will undoubtedly develop eye problems in a year or two of doing this), I don't think it is dangerous at all to use a 1-day disposable for 4 days, especially with daily cleaning and soaking of those lenses in multi-purpose cleaning saline solution.

Ok I see, it's about the protein buildup rather than anything else. I assumed it had something to do with the integrity of the lens but clearly not. Thanks for the info

Cheers, Orig

 

[eagle]

My son was specifically instructed to only wear them from morning until after school (approx 8 hrs). So, he really just wears them during school. He reverts to his glasses the rest of the day.

r,
eagle

 

[Caloi]

I know many people who routinely ignore this though i.e. put them in in the morning (say 7am) and take them out at bedtime (say 11pm), that's 16hrs, almost double!


Cheers, Orig

Guilty as charged! I'd maybe have them out for 1/2 hour at night watching the news or reading. I'll be changing that pattern if I ever get approved for contacts again!

My son was specifically instructed to only wear them from morning until after school (approx 8 hrs). So, he really just wears them during school. He reverts to his glasses the rest of the day.

r,
eagle

It's hard to enforce. Pretty soon there will be an after shcool soccer game, or football, or surfing(sorry for stereotyping but I see HI and just assumed), and he'll want to have his contacts in for that. That's how I began over using mine. Maybe I should have just worn glasses during the day and worn contacts for sports. Hind sight is 20/20!

 

[Topaz]

Guilty as charged! I'd maybe have them out for 1/2 hour at night watching the news or reading. I'll be changing that pattern if I ever get approved for contacts again!

Me, too...sometimes I don't take them until right before I go to bed. Part of the reason is that my insurance (in the past) has only covered either contact or glasses, so my glasses have fallen way behind, and the prescription is so old I can't really see well even with them on. *sigh* I guess it is time to get new glasses *and* new contacts, and just suck it up and charge it.

 

[origmarm]

^^ I admit it's hard to stick too, this is why I wear the glasses at work where I'm not running around etc...and so it's easier. I tend to put the contacts in as I leave work or at the weekend I take them out as soon as I get home in the evenings.

It's all about trying to find a compromise. I'm just happy I have them for sport now.

 

[Caloi]

Me, too...sometimes I don't take them until right before I go to bed. Part of the reason is that my insurance (in the past) has only covered either contact or glasses, so my glasses have fallen way behind, and the prescription is so old I can't really see well even with them on. *sigh* I guess it is time to get new glasses *and* new contacts, and just suck it up and charge it.

I don't condone charging anything that isn't an emergency, but that's me. I'd cut out something else and save the money...(not to get all fiscally responsible on you)

Our insurance is a joke as well. I just used it for my glasses and still had to pay $250 out of pocket since it was officially a contact lens exam($100) and got the ultra thin lenses($64) and anti-glare coating($56) and the co-pays($30). If all works out I will get my prescription for contacts and order them online.

I changed my appointment to Monday at 5:30. I'll report back with the results...gulp!

 

[eagle]

sorry for stereotyping but I see HI and just assumed

No worries Caloi.

He does surf but plays more tennis and other outdoor activities. Right now, he faithfully sticks to his routine right after school, so I think he's good for a while.

r,
eagle

 

[scotus]

Ah ok, strange because they didn't when I was last there for an eye exam. That said I did my last US one in 2000ish I think . It's a good thing they do now.

I know many people who routinely ignore this though i.e. put them in in the morning (say 7am) and take them out at bedtime (say 11pm), that's 16hrs, almost double!

Do they make you go once a year back to the optician now also? Over here they won't supply you with lenses if you don't anymore. That's recent though (couple of years).

I don't think this is the kind of information that eye doctors make efforts to make sure that you know. But they will tell you this if you see them for an eye problem caused by contact lenses.

In the US, prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses expire a year from the date of the exam, so if you want to purchase more, yes, you have to see your optometrist at least (I don't think there are any rules about opticians). But strangely enough, most insurances cover your eye exams and a portion of your cost for glasses only every other year, so that might make people think twice about going to the eye doctor every year.

Ok I see, it's about the protein buildup rather than anything else. I assumed it had something to do with the integrity of the lens but clearly not. Thanks for the info

Cheers, Orig

The integrity of the lenses certainly counts. But in the case of Acuvue 1-Day Moist, they are not the flimsy type of lenses that would disintegrate after a couple of days of use.

In fact, a friend of mine wears each pair for 2 months (of course, in spite of my repeated warnings).

So these lenses are very well made and do not tear easily.

But another thing that we should consider is the lense's ability to allow oxygen transfer. It should definitely decrease with protein buildup, but I am inclined to think that it would also decrease with each use even if you soak the lenses in enzymes for protein removal.

 

[Caloi]

Quick thought, or as my good buddy always says, "Random neuron firing"...

I figured out why my eyes are so light sensitive! The doc explained to me that with the vessels surrounding my iris, water will fill in behind the swelling and acts like a prism. It basically intensifies the light entering your eye!

The first day i had my glasses after stopping use of contacts I could barely see from squinting so much. I was in desperate search of some clip-on sunglasses, however my frames were too narrow for anything at Walgreens. So I've been using some old Oakleys as a wrap around.

Anyway, the drops I've been using, the anti-inflammatory drops, have apparently done their job because I didn't squint or need sunglasses at all this morning and it was quite bright out. I've noticed my eyes were feeling better about Tuesday or so this week.

Anyway, something to think about if you become very light sensitive. I certainly never put the two together.

Caloi

 

[AJD Tennis]

I just took out my contact lenses after reading your post don't know if I want to wear them again. I use Focus Dailies they hurt my eyes and feel dry but I don't have a choice as I can't wear glasses for playing tennis as they they distort my vision. When I wear glasses I can't judge the speed of the ball and quite often will just miss the ball completely!

 

[Caloi]

I just took out my contact lenses after reading your post don't know if I want to wear them again. I use Focus Dailies they hurt my eyes and feel dry but I don't have a choice as I can't wear glasses for playing tennis as they they distort my vision. When I wear glasses I can't judge the speed of the ball and quite often will just miss the ball completely!

If you've been to the eye doctor in the last year they will certainly let you know if you have anythign to worry about. I didn't want my post to be a deterent, just a heads up. Your eye doctor will be able to tell you if you have anythign to worry about. I LOVE contacts and am crossing my fingers, legs and eyes hoping I can get back into them again, SAFELY.

 

[scotus]

I just took out my contact lenses after reading your post don't know if I want to wear them again. I use Focus Dailies they hurt my eyes and feel dry but I don't have a choice as I can't wear glasses for playing tennis as they they distort my vision. When I wear glasses I can't judge the speed of the ball and quite often will just miss the ball completely!

Try other lenses. When you pay for contact lens fitting, you are paying to try a bunch of different samples.

 

[Caloi]

Okay, went to the eye doctor yesterday. I haven't put contacts in since my last exam roughly 11 days ago. He did a quick check and said my eyes were looking ~better~. I'm taking that as good news, since he gave me my sample contacts, let me try them on, (20/15) with them on, then told me to only wear them for tennis or other sports but only for a couple hours at a time. Then, he said we could move up my next appointment to ONE month instead of "two to three" as he'd said before. I'm psyched!

As long as I do what he says, and my eyes continue to heal I should have a prescription in a month!

I like my new glasses much better than my old ones but I don't see as clearly. He said my cornea is healing itself (changing) and if I needed to he could send my glasses back in to the lab after the month has gone by. I could make out 4 letters on the 20/20 line but really noticed it last night trying to watch TV. It was more fuzzy than my old glasses.

Anyway, thanks for following the saga. Hopefully it all ends well in a month!

 

[eagle]

Sounds promising indeed.

Please keep us apprised.

r,
eagle

 

[mozzer]

http://oakley.com/pd/2044
Problem solved (if you can find somewhere that still sells them ;D)

 

[origmarm]

http://oakley.com/pd/2044
Problem solved (if you can find somewhere that still sells them ;D)

What's special about these as opposed to any other sunglasses?

 

[brosamj]

I have been lucky. I have worn soft contacts now for almost 25 years and my eyes have been great with no problems. But that is truly scary about the vessels. Good luck.

 

[albino smurf]

What's special about these as opposed to any other sunglasses?

They are crazy looking? Plug a bluetooth in your ear and go full on borg with those.