Re-Using Them?

Ricardo · #1 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 01:02 PM

I realize that there are several kinds of contact lenses on the market intended for a single day's use, but I was wondering if in a pinch, anyone here has used them a second day, because they were traveling and forgot to pack extras, or something like that?

I wonder if it would be risky to try that?

paulette · #2 (**permalink**) 08-22-2009, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricardo

I realize that there are several kinds of contact lenses on the market intended for a single day's use, but I was wondering if in a pinch, anyone here has used them a second day, because they were traveling and forgot to pack extras, or something like that?

I wonder if it would be risky to try that?

nope ..i never missed to discard my disposable contact lens..its risky actually to re use them if its only disposable ..

savvyeyty · #3 (**permalink**) 08-22-2009, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricardo

I realize that there are several kinds of contact lenses on the market intended for a single day's use, but I was wondering if in a pinch, anyone here has used them a second day, because they were traveling and forgot to pack extras, or something like that?

I wonder if it would be risky to try that?

Yes. But some contact lens that are for one day only does not lose their quality in a day. But if ever they do, you'll suddenly feel dizzy since you wont notice that the lens you are wearing are starting to change.

paulette · #4 (**permalink**) 08-25-2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savvyeyty

Yes. But some contact lens that are for one day only does not lose their quality in a day. But if ever they do, you'll suddenly feel dizzy since you wont notice that the lens you are wearing are starting to change.

ohh i see..good to know that sav..thanks anyway..

babyblues · #5 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 11:50 AM

Yeah, one-day disposables are called that for a reason. They're made very thin and out of cheaper material, so they only last a day. Do a search on Lens 101 for the phrase "paper plates" for a very interesting and useful illustration.

takatenamano · #6 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricardo

I realize that there are several kinds of contact lenses on the market intended for a single day's use, but I was wondering if in a pinch, anyone here has used them a second day, because they were traveling and forgot to pack extras, or something like that?

I wonder if it would be risky to try that?

Yes that is risky. If ever that happens, you should go to your doctor immediately. Most of the people I know who had that kind of experience had their sights blurred so much when they woke up after sleeping with their lenses on their eyes.

takatenamano · #7 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savvyeyty

Yes. But some contact lens that are for one day only does not lose their quality in a day. But if ever they do, you'll suddenly feel dizzy since you wont notice that the lens you are wearing are starting to change.

I see. That's another good insight of what will happen. Glad you shared it here sav. Thanks.

takatenamano · #8 (**permalink**) 08-27-2009, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyblues

Yeah, one-day disposables are called that for a reason. They're made very thin and out of cheaper material, so they only last a day. Do a search on Lens 101 for the phrase "paper plates" for a very interesting and useful illustration.

Yeah. You know there are lenses that are not disposable and not just for one day use but their purpose is only available to those who have certain problems in their eye sight.

Garfield21 · #9 (**permalink**) 08-27-2009, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by takatenamano

Yeah. You know there are lenses that are not disposable and not just for one day use but their purpose is only available to those who have certain problems in their eye sight.

It's true that there are contact lenses that will last for weeks or even months, but you don't have to have "certain problems" to use them. They come in just about any prescription you may need.

savvyeyty · #10 (**permalink**) 08-28-2009, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garfield21

It's true that there are contact lenses that will last for weeks or even months, but you don't have to have "certain problems" to use them. They come in just about any prescription you may need.

There are contact lenses that are also used for eye designs right? You know?

savvyeyty · #11 (**permalink**) 08-28-2009, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by takatenamano

Yeah. You know there are lenses that are not disposable and not just for one day use but their purpose is only available to those who have certain problems in their eye sight.

I've seen some of those but I think its better to use disposable ones.

alyssa · #12 (**permalink**) 09-01-2009, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricardo

I realize that there are several kinds of contact lenses on the market intended for a single day's use, but I was wondering if in a pinch, anyone here has used them a second day, because they were traveling and forgot to pack extras, or something like that?

I wonder if it would be risky to try that?

i cant remember using it more than one day..

Curlupndye · #13 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savvyeyty

There are contact lenses that are also used for eye designs right? You know?

Do you mean novelty contact lenses that look like cat's eyes and spirals and stuff? Lens 101 has a whole section devoted to novelty contact lenses.

alyssa · #14 (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curlupndye

Do you mean novelty contact lenses that look like cat's eyes and spirals and stuff? Lens 101 has a whole section devoted to novelty contact lenses.

great..im not really familiar with this novelty contact lenses can you elaborate more? any links?

LeeRoberts · #15 (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alyssa

great..im not really familiar with this novelty contact lenses can you elaborate more? any links?

Curlupndye, if I may?

Novelty contact lenses are contacts that create some kind of special effect, like the spiral you see above. They've got all kinds. They have contacts that make your eyes look bloodshot, yellow, like cat's eyes with the vertical pupil, "knockout" which are little x's like you see in the cartoons, even contact lenses that make your eyes look totally black.
Lens 101 has a section all about these lenses. Here's the link: http://www.lens101.com/halloween-novelty-special-effects-contact-lenses.html

Thanks for asking, alyssa.

alyssa · #16 (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeRoberts

Curlupndye, if I may?

Novelty contact lenses are contacts that create some kind of special effect, like the spiral you see above. They've got all kinds. They have contacts that make your eyes look bloodshot, yellow, like cat's eyes with the vertical pupil, "knockout" which are little x's like you see in the cartoons, even contact lenses that make your eyes look totally black.
Lens 101 has a section all about these lenses. Here's the link: http://www.lens101.com/halloween-novelty-special-effects-contact-lenses.html

Thanks for asking, alyssa.

thanks for giving me the link..that give me the idea though on what really a novelty contact lenses were all about..

Eagleye · #17 (**permalink**) 09-04-2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by takatenamano

Yes that is risky. If ever that happens, you should go to your doctor immediately.

Ricardo started this thread by asking if it was okay to wear 1-Day Acuvue contacts for a second day "in a pinch" such as forgetting to pack extra contacts on an overnight trip. If that should happen, I really don't think you need to "go to your doctor immediately." You might just have to squint for a day until you can get home to your contacts. Just don't wear them for a second day.

This brings up another question. If you can't drive home without contact lenses because of your poor vision, can you call your doctor and have him or her fax a prescription to the local establishment, or even phone it in if you're in Mayberry or something?

alyssa · #18 (**permalink**) 09-04-2009, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagleye

Ricardo started this thread by asking if it was okay to wear 1-Day Acuvue contacts for a second day "in a pinch" such as forgetting to pack extra contacts on an overnight trip. If that should happen, I really don't think you need to "go to your doctor immediately." You might just have to squint for a day until you can get home to your contacts. Just don't wear them for a second day.

This brings up another question. If you can't drive home without contact lenses because of your poor vision, can you call your doctor and have him or her fax a prescription to the local establishment, or even phone it in if you're in Mayberry or something?

that is a very good suggestion Eagleye! or maybe hire a driver(costly of course) or leave your car..much safer i guess and cheap..

babyblues · #19 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by takatenamano

Yeah. You know there are lenses that are not disposable and not just for one day use but their purpose is only available to those who have certain problems in their eye sight.

Yeah? Are you saying that if you can only wear weekly or monthly contacts if you have "certain problems" with your eyesight? What problems are those?

Knotlob · #20 (**permalink**) 11-22-2009, 05:57 AM

I have worn Omniflex lenses by Coopervision for years and they are a extended wear nominal yearly lens. My prescription is bog standard and I have no special eye problems.

Opticians are regularly trying to move myself and others away from Extended Wear lenses to disposables of various kinds, so I have switched to monthly silicone hydrogel lenses because of their higher oxygen permeability.

I have no experience with Acuvue Lenses, though I have tried Bausch & Lomb daily disposable lenses - but I am not a regular user of Daily Disposables. They are made of Hilafilcon B, as are the Bausch & Lomb Monthly 59 lens. As it happens I have tried wearing the Bausch & Lomb daily disposable lens for more than one day and had no problems. I took them out at night and sterilised with hydrogen peroxide and then neutralise in the morning. I only did this, to test what the factor of safety was in my own personal case and of course you should dispose of the lens daily per the manufacturer's recommendations. But in my experience, I have been able to wear them longer than one day if circumstances require it.

knotlob

SandiStix · #21 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

I have worn Omniflex lenses by Coopervision for years and they are a extended wear nominal yearly lens. My prescription is bog standard and I have no special eye problems.

Opticians are regularly trying to move myself and others away from Extended Wear lenses to disposables of various kinds, so I have switched to monthly silicone hydrogel lenses because of their higher oxygen permeability.

I have no experience with Acuvue Lenses, though I have tried Bausch & Lomb daily disposable lenses - but I am not a regular user of Daily Disposables. They are made of Hilafilcon B, as are the Bausch & Lomb Monthly 59 lens. As it happens I have tried wearing the Bausch & Lomb daily disposable lens for more than one day and had no problems. I took them out at night and sterilised with hydrogen peroxide and then neutralise in the morning. I only did this, to test what the factor of safety was in my own personal case and of course you should dispose of the lens daily per the manufacturer's recommendations. But in my experience, I have been able to wear them longer than one day if circumstances require it.

knotlob

Okay, let me tell you a story. Once upon a time I was visiting a lighthouse with some friends. We were up on a narrow walkway the surrounded the lighthouse by the lighted part. (It was daytime so we weren't blinded.) Anyway, my 275 pound friend starts jumping up and down on the walkway. "What are you doing?" I asked in horror.
"I'm testing this to see if it's stable," he explained.
"WHAT IF IT'S NOT?" I asked.

When you "tested what the factor of safety was" in wearing daily contacts for more than a day, did you consider the possibility that it was not safe?

Lens 101 members, please. If you wear daily disposable contacts like 1-Day Acuvue, please don't wear them more than 24 hours. If you don't want to change your contacts that often, there are weekly and monthly contacts available. glasses are also an option if you don't like throwing away contact lenses or if you think extended wear contacts are too expensive.

SandiStix · #22 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

I have worn Omniflex lenses by Coopervision for years and they are a extended wear nominal yearly lens. My prescription is bog standard and I have no special eye problems.

knotlob

I have to day that even though I read quite a lot, I've never heard the expression "bog standard." Is that British?

Knotlob · #23 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SandiStix

I have to day that even though I read quite a lot, I've never heard the expression "bog standard." Is that British?

Yes, sorry, it is a UK/Irish expression. This forum is heavily biased towards our N American cousins, so I need to explain my 'terminology' in advance.

'Bog standard' - means absolutely standard, average, regular, etc. etc.

In reply to your previous reply & question re Factor of Safety. Yes, I considered the downsides. If the lenses began to irritate in anyway, I would have taken them out. However, Bausch & Lomb use the same lens material for their Monthly disposable lenses. I haven't detected any deterioration in my vision with a fresh daily lens over the day so I can be reasonably sure that the lens was not significantly changed over the day. The monthly Bausch & Lomb obviously are designed to last 28 days or so. It is not as if I was going to the moon for several weeks without a spare pair of lenses for each day.

I also test other things for Factor of Safety. If I do it in rock climbing then the test will be just off the ground so that if it does fail, then I don't fall far. Similarly, it is good practice to to check things that are mechanically joined with glue - wood, etc. or welding joints, etc. to see how good they are, etc. but obviously in a safe situation. Similarly, when I get into my car in the morning when it's cold and icy and I'm not sure how slippery the road is, then at slow speed and in a safe location I would deliberately brake to see how the car responds to the road conditions.

I have many many years experience wearing lenses so I do recognise when things are not right in my eye. I believe that the manufacturers will build in a good factor of safety so that the lenses are safe for most of the wearing population.

knotlob

Ragnarox · #24 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Bausch & Lomb use the same lens material for their Monthly disposable lenses.

This is a very interesting statement. I went to lens.com to check on this. You claim that daily disposable contact lenses made by Bausch & Lomb "use the same lens material" as their monthly disposable contacts.

I found out that the only daily contact lenses Bausch & Lomb makes are SofLens Daily Disposable contact lenses. They are made of 41% polymer (hilafilcon B) and 59% water.

Optima 38 contacts, monthly contacts manufactured by Bausch & Lomb, are composed of 62% polymacon and 38% water.

The other monthly B & L contact lens is PureVision, which is 64% balafilcon A and 36% water.

I'm no materials expert, but those all sound like different materials to me. How can you say that all B & L dailies and monthlies use the same material?

Knotlob · #25 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ragnarox

This is a very interesting statement. I went to lens.com to check on this. You claim that daily disposable contact lenses made by Bausch & Lomb "use the same lens material" as their monthly disposable contacts.

I found out that the only daily contact lenses Bausch & Lomb makes are SofLens Daily Disposable contact lenses. They are made of 41% polymer (hilafilcon B) and 59% water.

Optima 38 contacts, monthly contacts manufactured by Bausch & Lomb, are composed of 62% polymacon and 38% water.

The other monthly B & L contact lens is PureVision, which is 64% balafilcon A and 36% water.

I'm no materials expert, but those all sound like different materials to me. How can you say that all B & L dailies and monthlies use the same material?

Hi Ragnarox

I live in Germany, but I am Scottish (have also lived in Canada, Ireland & Jamaica via work). I used to buy my contact lenses from a UK Company called Lensbase.

Here is the link for Bausch & Lomb - SofLens Daily Disposable lens (made of Hilafilcon B):

http://www.lensbase.co.uk/product.php?xProd=3409&xSec=15

Here is the link for the Bausch & Lomb - SofLens 59 Monthly Disposable Lens made of Hilafilcon B:

http://www.lensbase.co.uk/product.php?xProd=369&xSec=49

Now, it is quite possible that if you live in another part of the world, these particular lenses may not be available, but since they are in the UK, I have referred to them in my posts.

Sorry, I did not mean to imply that ALL Bausch & Lomb lenses were made from Hilafilcon B. The message I was trying to make was that the Daily Disposable Lens (Soflens Daily) I used was made of Hilafilcon B and that Bausch & Lomb also produce a Monthly Disposable lens (Soflens 59 Monthly Disposable) made of Hilafilcon B.

The Hilafilcon B material is not as far as I am aware, a Silicone Hydrogel. The Balafilcon A lens to which you refer is a Silicone Hydrogel lens. I don't know what the Polymacon material is exactly.

knotlob

Vita_man · #26 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Hi Ragnarox

I live in Germany, but I am Scottish (have also lived in Canada, Ireland & Jamaica via work). I used to buy my contact lenses from a UK Company called Lensbase.

Here is the link for Bausch & Lomb - SofLens Daily Disposable lens (made of Hilafilcon B):

http://www.lensbase.co.uk/product.php?xProd=3409&xSec=15

Here is the link for the Bausch & Lomb - SofLens 59 Monthly Disposable Lens made of Hilafilcon B:

http://www.lensbase.co.uk/product.php?xProd=369&xSec=49

Now, it is quite possible that if you live in another part of the world, these particular lenses may not be available, but since they are in the UK, I have referred to them in my posts.

Sorry, I did not mean to imply that ALL Bausch & Lomb lenses were made from Hilafilcon B. The message I was trying to make was that the Daily Disposable Lens (Soflens Daily) I used was made of Hilafilcon B and that Bausch & Lomb also produce a Monthly Disposable lens (Soflens 59 Monthly Disposable) made of Hilafilcon B.

The Hilafilcon B material is not as far as I am aware, a Silicone Hydrogel. The Balafilcon A lens to which you refer is a Silicone Hydrogel lens. I don't know what the Polymacon material is exactly.

knotlob

Hmm. I checked those links and they are the same material in the same percentage, too. I guess, like you say, it must be a UK thing. Ragnarox got his/her information from lens.com which is an American company. I'm glad you added that post to clarify your earlier one.

Knotlob · #27 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vita_man

Hmm. I checked those links and they are the same material in the same percentage, too. I guess, like you say, it must be a UK thing. Ragnarox got his/her information from lens.com which is an American company. I'm glad you added that post to clarify your earlier one.

Hi Vita_man

There seems to be a fair bit of contact lens marketing differences around the world. Last week I was looking for a Coopervision Comfilcon Silicone Hydrogel lens with a specific name and trawled several country's Coopervison Websites. Quite surprising to see the variation in product availability (or at least the names!), not to mention the large number of different names for similar lens products sold by different Optician Chains.

knotlob

Tiger · #28 (**permalink**) 11-24-2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Hi Vita_man

There seems to be a fair bit of contact lens marketing differences around the world. Last week I was looking for a Coopervision Comfilcon Silicone Hydrogel lens with a specific name and trawled several country's Coopervison Websites. Quite surprising to see the variation in product availability (or at least the names!), not to mention the large number of different names for similar lens products sold by different Optician Chains.

knotlob

That's very interesting, Knotlob. If you're thinking of buying contact lenses here in the States, then you should give lens.com a try. They sponsor Lens 101 and so I feel like I should give them a little "plug."

Knotlob · #29 (**permalink**) 11-24-2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiger

That's very interesting, Knotlob. If you're thinking of buying contact lenses here in the States, then you should give lens.com a try. They sponsor Lens 101 and so I feel like I should give them a little "plug."

Hi, Thanks Tiger,

Now that the Euro/Dollar Exchange rate is very high (weak dollar) sometimes US purchases can be attractive, provided the Seller doesn't insist on using a courier to ship the goods. We also have to add on about 23% normally for taxes and import duties (on the goods + freight/courier costs).

knotlob

Purpleiris · #30 (**permalink**) 11-24-2009, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Hi, Thanks Tiger,

Now that the Euro/Dollar Exchange rate is very high (weak dollar) sometimes US purchases can be attractive, provided the Seller doesn't insist on using a courier to ship the goods. We also have to add on about 23% normally for taxes and import duties (on the goods + freight/courier costs).

knotlob

Wow. I never thought about all of that. Where are you posting from?

Knotlob · #31 (**permalink**) 11-24-2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purpleiris

Wow. I never thought about all of that. Where are you posting from?

Hi Purpleiris

I am posting from Germany, near Hamburg in the North of Germany.

I checked out the US prices and as I suspected with the high freight cost, plus the EU Import Duty and MWSt (German sales tax), the lenses would be 1.5 times more expensive that the cheapest I can find them locally Mail Order.

knotlob

Knotlob · #32 (**permalink**) 11-24-2009, 05:15 PM

On this subject of reusing Daily Lenses I came across this article from a UK Tabloid on-line:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-357082/Contact-lens-firms-ripping-off.html

It dates from circa 2005 and it is a bit like lobbing a hand grenade into this forum, but it does not surprise me, given my own tests on Daily Disposable lenses, especially with the Bausch & Lomb Daily & Monthly disposable lenses.

I tend to take what is written in these tabloids with a pinch of salt, but I think this article is largely accurate!

'The company (J&J) admitted to the Daily Mail that there is no medical reason why the daily lenses could not be reused and worn as long as the other brands (1-2 weekly and Monthly Disposables), provided they were disinfected in the same way'. (Information inside the brackets added by me to clarify the statement).

Again, I am not advocating that people reuse daily disposable or other Disposable lenses, but note the comments from J&J in this article which are food for thought.

EDIT

I'll add this health warning so as to avoid any confusion here:

Although the Mail On-Line article reports that some Daily Lenses are similar or the same as Weekly or Monthly lenses by a given manufacturer, that does not mean that all manufacturers are doing this, nor does it mean that all lenses in a manufacturer's product range are of the same material and physical characteristics. One would have to look at each lens's detailed physical specification, including Dk values, before drawing any conclusions.

knotlob

eyecaramba · #33 (**permalink**) 11-25-2009, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

On this subject of reusing Daily Lenses I came across this article from a UK Tabloid on-line:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-357082/Contact-lens-firms-ripping-off.html

It dates from circa 2005 and it is a bit like lobbing a hand grenade into this forum, but it does not surprise me, given my own tests on Daily Disposable lenses, especially with the Bausch & Lomb Daily & Monthly disposable lenses.

I tend to take what is written in these tabloids with a pinch of salt, but I think this article is largely accurate!

'The company (J&J) admitted to the Daily Mail that there is no medical reason why the daily lenses could not be reused and worn as long as the other brands (1-2 weekly and Monthly Disposables), provided they were disinfected in the same way'. (Information inside the brackets added by me to clarify the statement).

Again, I am not advocating that people reuse daily disposable or other Disposable lenses, but note the comments from J&J in this article which are food for thought.

EDIT

I'll add this health warning so as to avoid any confusion here:

Although the Mail On-Line article reports that some Daily Lenses are similar or the same as Weekly or Monthly lenses by a given manufacturer, that does not mean that all manufacturers are doing this, nor does it mean that all lenses in a manufacturer's product range are of the same material and physical characteristics. One would have to look at each lens's detailed physical specification, including Dk values, before drawing any conclusions.

knotlob

Hi knotlob,

I looked at this "Daily Mail" website you mentioned and I found some of the following headlines:

"Try the Sudoku diet: Burn 90 calories an hour without leaving your armchair"

"Internal bra gives women a permanent lift, claims surgeon"

"Is coma man . . . REALLY 'talking'?"

Not quite "Elvis is My Gynecologist" but not the Journal of the American Medical Association either.

The statement made in the article "All these [daily and monthly] lenses are made of the same material in exactly the same proportions - 42 per cent polymer and 58 per cent water" is completely false, as demonstrated by Ragnarox in this very post.

I looked up three daily contact lens brands and three monthly replacement contact lens brands at random on a British web site and here's what I found . . .

SofLens 1 Day 30% Hilafilcon A
Freshlook One-Day 31% Nelfilcon A
1 Day Acuvue 42% Etafilcon A

Biofinity 52% Comfilcon A
Air Optix Night & Day (Focus Night & Day) 76% Lotrafilcon A
PureVision 64% Balafilcon A

All six use completely different materials and percentages. (I left out the water content because all you have to to is subtract from 100 in each case.) The Daily Mail's "42 per cent polymer and 58 per cent water" claim is true . . . for 1-Day Acuvue contacts only.

This not an attack on you, Knotlob. This is a quest for the truth. I'm sorry the Daily Mail lied to you. We don't take much stock in tabloid reporting here on Lens 101.

If you are "[taking] what is written in these tabloids with a pinch of salt" then why post it at all? Was it to see the reaction to your "hand grenade"?

Knotlob · #34 (**permalink**) 11-25-2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyecaramba

Hi knotlob,

I looked at this "Daily Mail" website you mentioned and I found some of the following headlines:

"Try the Sudoku diet: Burn 90 calories an hour without leaving your armchair"

"Internal bra gives women a permanent lift, claims surgeon"

"Is coma man . . . REALLY 'talking'?"

Not quite "Elvis is My Gynecologist" but not the Journal of the American Medical Association either.

The statement made in the article "All these [daily and monthly] lenses are made of the same material in exactly the same proportions - 42 per cent polymer and 58 per cent water" is completely false, as demonstrated by Ragnarox in this very post.

I looked up three daily contact lens brands and three monthly replacement contact lens brands at random on a British web site and here's what I found . . .

SofLens 1 Day 30% Hilafilcon A
Freshlook One-Day 31% Nelfilcon A
1 Day Acuvue 42% Etafilcon A

Biofinity 52% Comfilcon A
Air Optix Night & Day (Focus Night & Day) 76% Lotrafilcon A
PureVision 64% Balafilcon A

All six use completely different materials and percentages. (I left out the water content because all you have to to is subtract from 100 in each case.) The Daily Mail's "42 per cent polymer and 58 per cent water" claim is true . . . for 1-Day Acuvue contacts only.

This not an attack on you, Knotlob. This is a quest for the truth. I'm sorry the Daily Mail lied to you. We don't take much stock in tabloid reporting here on Lens 101.

If you are "[taking] what is written in these tabloids with a pinch of salt" then why post it at all? Was it to see the reaction to your "hand grenade"?

Hello Eyecaramba

Thanks for your reasoned post.

OK, it's somewhere between 'Freddy Star ate my hamster' (though that was another tabloid like the Sun) and a pukka Scientific Journal. However, we do have libel laws in Europe and if the Daily Mail was completely inaccurate, then they would surely have been sued, if completely false. It's not the sensational guff associated with Class B Celebs, but leaning more towards investigative journalism.

The article is 2005, so 4 years old - materials have changed.

As I stated in the 'health warning', it doesn't say all contact lens manufacturers, though the Mail may wish the casual reader to interpret it this way. It only specifically mentions the companies J&J & Bausch & Lomb. I didn't interpret the Mail article as stating that all manufacturers use the same materials. Rather that the two companies mentioned here use the same material in at least one of their monthly and/or weekly lenses as they did in one of their daily lenses.

Bausch & Lomb certainly have Daily and Monthly lenses made of the same material, Hilafilcon B and I know that that daily lens will last a month easily with proper sterilisation, etc.

In post #25 after the post #24 by Ragnorox, I gave the links for these Bausch & Lomb lenses.

I haven't trawled through all the manufacturers, only the Bausch & Lomb, since I was trying a Bausch & Lomb daily lens at the time.

OK, I accept that the Mail and similar tabloids are not the first choice for hard information, but at the same time, I will not hold my breath waiting for an eye care professional to break this type of news.

I have already found several names for the Coopervision Biofinity lens and I think virtually all of these names other than Biofinity are only available through Optician Chains - which charge almost double what I can buy the Biofinity lens for, on the Internet. I did actually check on one specific 'Biofinity' lens being offered to me by my new optician chain in Germany but with another name - and a call to Coopervision confirmed that the two lenses were 'similar'.

I also bought some test lenses advertised as Biofinity Comfilcon and these had no brand name on them. They were the correct test lenses and in fact should not have been offered for sale on the Internet, but supplied free to the patient by the optician. I already was supplied with a pair of test lenses by my optician, but the power was fractionally off and wished to try the recommended weaker powered lens for a month before committing to a 6 or 12 month supply.

So the culture of embellishing the profits from Contact lens sales in Europe at least, does seem alive and well amongst certain brands. I think I read that in the US, the law was changed to force the optician to give the patient the exact prescription in order to allow the patient to make their own choice of where to buy the lens product.

I don't feel the Daily mail lied to me and when I said I take such publications with a pinch of salt, I mean I read them, as indeed everything I read, with my BS detector switched on! But given my experiences so far with disposables in Europe, the article did make some sense.

I don't intend to start using Dailies as a cheap substitute for Monthlies (unless I get direct confirmation this is OK from the manufacturer), nor would I advise anyone else to do so.

knotlob

Jawa · #35 (**permalink**) 11-25-2009, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Hello Eyecaramba

Thanks for your reasoned post.

OK, it's somewhere between 'Freddy Star ate my hamster' (though that was another tabloid like the Sun) and a pukka Scientific Journal. However, we do have libel laws in Europe and if the Daily Mail was completely inaccurate, then they would surely have been sued, if completely false. It's not the sensational guff associated with Class B Celebs, but leaning more towards investigative journalism.

The article is 2005, so 4 years old - materials have changed.

As I stated in the 'health warning', it doesn't say all contact lens manufacturers, though the Mail may wish the casual reader to interpret it this way. It only specifically mentions the companies J&J & Bausch & Lomb. I didn't interpret the Mail article as stating that all manufacturers use the same materials. Rather that the two companies mentioned here use the same material in at least one of their monthly and/or weekly lenses as they did in one of their daily lenses.

Bausch & Lomb certainly have Daily and Monthly lenses made of the same material, Hilafilcon B and I know that that daily lens will last a month easily with proper sterilisation, etc.

In post #25 after the post #24 by Ragnorox, I gave the links for these Bausch & Lomb lenses.

I haven't trawled through all the manufacturers, only the Bausch & Lomb, since I was trying a Bausch & Lomb daily lens at the time.

OK, I accept that the Mail and similar tabloids are not the first choice for hard information, but at the same time, I will not hold my breath waiting for an eye care professional to break this type of news.

I have already found several names for the Coopervision Biofinity lens and I think virtually all of these names other than Biofinity are only available through Optician Chains - which charge almost double what I can buy the Biofinity lens for, on the Internet. I did actually check on one specific 'Biofinity' lens being offered to me by my new optician chain in Germany but with another name - and a call to Coopervision confirmed that the two lenses were 'similar'.

I also bought some test lenses advertised as Biofinity Comfilcon and these had no brand name on them. They were the correct test lenses and in fact should not have been offered for sale on the Internet, but supplied free to the patient by the optician. I already was supplied with a pair of test lenses by my optician, but the power was fractionally off and wished to try the recommended weaker powered lens for a month before committing to a 6 or 12 month supply.

So the culture of embellishing the profits from Contact lens sales in Europe at least, does seem alive and well amongst certain brands. I think I read that in the US, the law was changed to force the optician to give the patient the exact prescription in order to allow the patient to make their own choice of where to buy the lens product.

I don't feel the Daily mail lied to me and when I said I take such publications with a pinch of salt, I mean I read them, as indeed everything I read, with my BS detector switched on! But given my experiences so far with disposables in Europe, the article did make some sense.

I don't intend to start using Dailies as a cheap substitute for Monthlies (unless I get direct confirmation this is OK from the manufacturer), nor would I advise anyone else to do so.

knotlob

Hi knotlob.

Allow me to weigh in on this debate. Let me just say first that in an environment where "flaming" someone who disagrees is a common practice, you and eyecaramba have both kept your respective cool. I appreciate that.
Secondly, you both make some good points, and I appreciate the opportunity to see both sides of the issue.

Thirdly, I don't know where you're posting this from, but here in the United States, we take things with a "grain of salt." I noticed you mentioned a "pinch of salt." I wonder what that says about the relative patience of our respective nations?

Knotlob · #36 (**permalink**) 11-25-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jawa

Hi knotlob.

Allow me to weigh in on this debate. Let me just say first that in an environment where "flaming" someone who disagrees is a common practice, you and eyecaramba have both kept your respective cool. I appreciate that.
Secondly, you both make some good points, and I appreciate the opportunity to see both sides of the issue.

Thirdly, I don't know where you're posting this from, but here in the United States, we take things with a "grain of salt." I noticed you mentioned a "pinch of salt." I wonder what that says about the relative patience of our respective nations?

Hi Jawa

Yes, I am one of these lonely folk from the other side of the pond. I am posting from Germany, but really my home location is Scotland, though I've probably only spent about a year there in the last 23 years or so!

I am glad people on this forum seem to be adult and mature enough not to resort to flaming (even when they may not fully agree with each other's views)

knotlob

LeeRoberts · #37 (**permalink**) 12-01-2009, 12:36 PM

Very interesting post here, ladies and gentlemen. I hope we can come to some kind of agreement here. I'd like to add also that I'm glad we can all be civil even if we disagree. Perhaps it's knotlob's European influence . . .

Vita_man · #38 (**permalink**) 12-08-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Hi Jawa

Yes, I am one of these lonely folk from the other side of the pond. I am posting from Germany, but really my home location is Scotland, though I've probably only spent about a year there in the last 23 years or so!

I am glad people on this forum seem to be adult and mature enough not to resort to flaming (even when they may not fully agree with each other's views)

knotlob

Poor knotlob. This is what . . . the third time in this thread that you had to explain that you're not from the United States of America? I'll cut the members a little slack in that this is a long thread and it's tempting to just skim for the major details.

I appreciate your patience, knotlob.

Knotlob · #39 (**permalink**) 12-08-2009, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vita_man

Poor knotlob. This is what . . . the third time in this thread that you had to explain that you're not from the United States of America? I'll cut the members a little slack in that this is a long thread and it's tempting to just skim for the major details.

I appreciate your patience, knotlob.

Thanks Vita_man

But now I have put my location in my user CP so it shows up on the top right hand side of my post. Might make it as bit easier

knotlob

LeeRoberts · #40 (**permalink**) 12-08-2009, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Thanks Vita_man

But now I have put my location in my user CP so it shows up on the top right hand side of my post. Might make it as bit easier

knotlob

Yeah, I can see your location, but it's something I have to get used to looking at if I don't want to be the fourth person in a thread asking someone where they're from.

SandiStix · #41 (**permalink**) 12-14-2009, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Hello Eyecaramba

Thanks for your reasoned post.

OK, it's somewhere between 'Freddy Star ate my hamster' (though that was another tabloid like the Sun) and a pukka Scientific Journal. However, we do have libel laws in Europe and if the Daily Mail was completely inaccurate, then they would surely have been sued, if completely false.

knotlob

I suspect that these magazines have a team of highly trained attorneys on staff to fend off such libel lawsuits, because the tabloids seem to get away with a lot.

Just out of curiosity, I checked out that "Freddy Star" comment you made. That was a real headline, and as it turns out, Freddy Star (aka Frederick Leslie Fowell) wrote in his autobiography "I have never eaten or even nibbled a live hamster, gerbil, guinea pig, mouse, shrew, vole or any other small mammal."

So there.

babyblues · #42 (**permalink**) 12-14-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by takatenamano

Yeah. You know there are lenses that are not disposable and not just for one day use but their purpose is only available to those who have certain problems in their eye sight.

What "certain problems" would qualify you for extended wear contact lenses? I was under the impression that it didn't matter. They make those for any condition that daily contacts can fix, don't they? Whether you are near sighted, far sighted or astigmatic, you can use either daily or extended wear contacts, or so I thought.

Knotlob · #43 (**permalink**) 12-14-2009, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SandiStix

I suspect that these magazines have a team of highly trained attorneys on staff to fend off such libel lawsuits, because the tabloids seem to get away with a lot.

Just out of curiosity, I checked out that "Freddy Star" comment you made. That was a real headline, and as it turns out, Freddy Star (aka Frederick Leslie Fowell) wrote in his autobiography "I have never eaten or even nibbled a live hamster, gerbil, guinea pig, mouse, shrew, vole or any other small mammal."

So there.

No of course he didn't

But maybe he ate a dead one

It was, I think, a headline in one of the UK tabloids - probably the Sun, best known for Page 3 girls! I certainly wouldn't read the Sun looking for accurate daily news Anything to sell the paper to the unthinking masses.

knotlob

packman · #44 (**permalink**) 12-14-2009, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

No of course he didn't

But maybe he ate a dead one

It was, I think, a headline in one of the UK tabloids - probably the Sun, best known for Page 3 girls! I certainly wouldn't read the Sun looking for accurate daily news Anything to sell the paper to the unthinking masses.

knotlob

Yes, I did a Google search and I found this on the front page of the Sun. (No Page 3 girls were seen, though.) If he were to have eaten a small animal that was dead, he wouldn't be very different from many others who eat meat, except that most animals that are eaten by people are rather large.

Knotlob · #45 (**permalink**) 12-14-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by packman

Yes, I did a Google search and I found this on the front page of the Sun. (No Page 3 girls were seen, though.) If he were to have eaten a small animal that was dead, he wouldn't be very different from many others who eat meat, except that most animals that are eaten by people are rather large.

Yeah, that's true, but a couple of dodgy contestants on a recent UK Reality Show apparently killed and ate a rat on the show, after they were deprived of meat. The animal rights folks were up in arms of course. I think that was definitely unscripted, but then folks who appear on TV Reality Shows are anything but normal!

knotlob

Garfield21 · #46 (**permalink**) 12-15-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Yeah, that's true, but a couple of dodgy contestants on a recent UK Reality Show apparently killed and ate a rat on the show, after they were deprived of meat. The animal rights folks were up in arms of course. I think that was definitely unscripted, but then folks who appear on TV Reality Shows are anything but normal!

knotlob

So much for "reality." Reality is really quite boring. That's why they need to put these "normal" people in extraordinary situations. All the contestants are rather dodgy though, aren't they?

Knotlob · #47 (**permalink**) 12-15-2009, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garfield21

So much for "reality." Reality is really quite boring. That's why they need to put these "normal" people in extraordinary situations. All the contestants are rather dodgy though, aren't they?

Nobody would watch 'normal' people unless these 'normal' people behaved strangely. But yes, I agree, most of these characters have something dodgy about them.

I don't watch this stuff - I suppose the Celebrity based ones are better named 'I'm a Celebrity - Get me some Publicity'. But they also seem to have Mr & Mrs Joe Bloggs off the street, on these shows - so they want their 5 mins of fame and maybe the ca$h and in turn they agree/are forced by the situations to behave in a completely bizarre manner, which for some reason some TV viewing public feel compelled to watch. Whatever floats your boat I suppose!

knotlob

Tiger · #48 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009, 11:03 AM

Wow. I had to scroll up quite a bit to get back to the original point of this thread, and that was about using 1-Day Acuvue contact lenses for more than one day. Can we all agree that doing this is a bad idea?

packerbacker · #49 (**permalink**) 12-31-2009, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiger

Wow. I had to scroll up quite a bit to get back to the original point of this thread, and that was about using 1-Day Acuvue contact lenses for more than one day. Can we all agree that doing this is a bad idea?

I would agree that wearing 1-Day Acuvue contact lenses for more than one day is a bad idea, and I certainly wouldn't like to go on a public forum like this one and claim otherwise. Such an action could hurt a lot of people if I'm misinformed.

LeeRoberts · #50 (**permalink**) 01-05-2010, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alyssa

thanks for giving me the link..that give me the idea though on what really a novelty contact lenses were all about..

You're welcome Alyssa. I hope you find the information, as well as the link, useful.

Ragnarox · #51 (**permalink**) 01-14-2010, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Hello Eyecaramba

Thanks for your reasoned post.

OK, it's somewhere between 'Freddy Star ate my hamster' (though that was another tabloid like the Sun) and a pukka Scientific Journal.

knotlob

pukka, pucka [ˈpʌkə]
adj (esp in India)
1. properly or perfectly done, constructed, etc. a pukka road
2. genuine; "pukka sahib"

pukka - absolutely first class and genuine; "pukka sahib"; "pukka quarters with a swarm of servants"

I consider myself pretty knowledgeable about expressions used in European countries, such as "dodgy" and "jiggery pokery" but you keep surprising me, knolob.

Knotlob · #52 (**permalink**) 01-14-2010, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ragnarox

pukka, pucka [ˈpʌkə]
adj (esp in India)
1. properly or perfectly done, constructed, etc. a pukka road
2. genuine; "pukka sahib"

pukka - absolutely first class and genuine; "pukka sahib"; "pukka quarters with a swarm of servants"

I consider myself pretty knowledgeable about expressions used in European countries, such as "dodgy" and "jiggery pokery" but you keep surprising me, knolob.

Variety is the spice of life

Pukka does sound a bit colonial I suppose.

I also have to increase my vocabulary on this forum with the International mix of posters here - it's more interesting I think.

knotlob