brand new to contacts, starting with air optix for astigmatism

haylznz · #1 (**permalink**) 08-05-2010, 03:50 AM

Hi,

I'm Haylz, and just starting out in my first contact lense trial. My optometrist recommended these lenses as she's worn them ever since they first came out.

Getting then in and out was actually pretty easy which shocked me as I have nerve damage in my hands and can't always feel what i'm doing. I have learnt already that I can't be too close to the mirror - my eyes try to follow the mirro and I "miss".

I wore them for 4 hrs today without any major issue - other than being really aware they are there, and learning to control how quickly I move my eyes - nearly embarrassed myself and missed a step in fron of the boss, but not quite.

Wondering here, any advice for first time users?
how long does it take before there is no "i'm wearing a contact" sensation?
is it normal for my eye to be slightly red after I take them out?

Thanks,

Knotlob · #2 (**permalink**) 08-05-2010, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haylznz

Hi,

I'm Haylz, and just starting out in my first contact lense trial. My optometrist recommended these lenses as she's worn them ever since they first came out.

Getting then in and out was actually pretty easy which shocked me as I have nerve damage in my hands and can't always feel what i'm doing. I have learnt already that I can't be too close to the mirror - my eyes try to follow the mirro and I "miss".

I wore them for 4 hrs today without any major issue - other than being really aware they are there, and learning to control how quickly I move my eyes - nearly embarrassed myself and missed a step in fron of the boss, but not quite.

Wondering here, any advice for first time users?
how long does it take before there is no "i'm wearing a contact" sensation?
is it normal for my eye to be slightly red after I take them out?

Thanks,

Hello haylznz and welcome to the forum

It may take about a week to get used to the soft lenses. It is much quicker than for RGP lenses.

Not sure why you are worried about how fast you move your eyes. Are the lenses moving off centre - they should move a little when you blink, but not be in danger of going off centre? If they do, maybe the base curve is too loose for you, but your optician will be able to see this very well during an eye exam.

You shouldn't really get red eyes unless your have worn them too long, etc. Maybe you are getting slightly red eyes because you are new to the lenses and it takes a bit more fiddling with your fingers to remove the lenses.

Give it some more time and probably your eyes will get used to the lenses and you will find it easier to insert and remove the lenses.

If redness does get worse, it maybe due to a reaction to a wetting agent in the lens solution. A few people have reported problems with this since Ciba Vision changed some of their lenses from O2 Optix to Air Optix type brand name.

Let us know how you get on with the lenses.

knotlob

MopJockey · #3 (**permalink**) 08-05-2010, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haylznz

Hi,

I'm Haylz, and just starting out in my first contact lense trial. My optometrist recommended these lenses as she's worn them ever since they first came out.

Getting then in and out was actually pretty easy which shocked me as I have nerve damage in my hands and can't always feel what i'm doing. I have learnt already that I can't be too close to the mirror - my eyes try to follow the mirror and I "miss".

I wore them for 4 hrs today without any major issue - other than being really aware they are there, and learning to control how quickly I move my eyes - nearly embarrassed myself and missed a step in front of the boss, but not quite.

Wondering here, any advice for first time users?
how long does it take before there is no "i'm wearing a contact" sensation?
is it normal for my eye to be slightly red after I take them out?

Thanks,

Hi haylznz. I see you're from New Zealand. I almost moved there, but that's a long story. Welcome to Lens 101.

Congratulations on your new contact lenses. I'm glad you're doing reasonably well right out of the gate.
Your post has already been answered by knotlob, and he knows a lot more about contact lenses than I ever will. I'll just tell you that whatever he says, I agree.

haylznz · #4 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 05:06 AM

Thank for the helpful comments from both of you

Day 4 here now and getting much easier with the contacts. Today managed a total 8 hrs before I needed to swap them out, and that was more due to the fact that I was helping sand down a kitchen and wanted to avoid getting the dust/contacts combo...

I've figured out a trick to get em out, and getting them in this morning was much easier than it has been so far.

re moving my eyes too quick - I tend to move my entire head when in glasses - with the contacts I was moving my eyes quite quickly to the side - wouldn't affect most people but i get vertigo (Labyrinthitis) and if I move too quick sometimes it can get to me easily. But this is much easier.

Even managed to drive with em today - been a little nervous, but getting very comfy with them, much faster than I thought I ever would too.

Knotlob · #5 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haylznz

Thank for the helpful comments from both of you

Day 4 here now and getting much easier with the contacts. Today managed a total 8 hrs before I needed to swap them out, and that was more due to the fact that I was helping sand down a kitchen and wanted to avoid getting the dust/contacts combo...

I've figured out a trick to get em out, and getting them in this morning was much easier than it has been so far.

re moving my eyes too quick - I tend to move my entire head when in glasses - with the contacts I was moving my eyes quite quickly to the side - wouldn't affect most people but i get vertigo (Labyrinthitis) and if I move too quick sometimes it can get to me easily. But this is much easier.

Even managed to drive with em today - been a little nervous, but getting very comfy with them, much faster than I thought I ever would too.

Hello haylznz

Thanks for posting an update. It sounds like you are adapting very well to the new lenses. Things should continue to get easier over time.

Sensible to avoid dusty situations when wearing contacts, especially in the initial stages. However, it is best if you have some sort of vacuum dust collection system when sanding. The dust isn't very good for your lungs and also without extraction, dust gets everywhere and takes longer to clean up

.

knotlob

RawBob · #6 (**permalink**) 08-09-2010, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Hello haylznz

Thanks for posting an update. It sounds like you are adapting very well to the new lenses. Things should continue to get easier over time.

Sensible to avoid dusty situations when wearing contacts, especially in the initial stages. However, it is best if you have some sort of vacuum dust collection system when sanding. The dust isn't very good for your lungs and also without extraction, dust gets everywhere and takes longer to clean up

.

knotlob

Yes, and it's also a good idea to wear safety goggles.