New Contact lens wearer

HMBgal · #1 (**permalink**) 05-04-2009, 10:33 AM

Hello all. I'm so happy to be here! I'm an "older" female who tried RGPs a few years ago and had dry eye problems so severe that I was logging onto Dry Eye Talk daily to find out what to do next. I gave up, even though I was highly motivated and tried everything I could think of: occular nutrition, warm eye compresses, several different lenses, etc. I could see beautifully for about 15 minutes, then my own personal version of torment would start.

I got the bug to try again and went with CooperVision ProClear MulitFocals; one is toric, the other one is not. I have amblyopia pretty bad in one eye, so correction in that eye is not possible. That being said, I've had these for a couple of weeks and lo and behold, I can actually wear them! They are quite comfortable and my dry eyes aren't causing too many problems with these. I can wear them for about 15 hours--I'm totally amazed.

I'm still getting used to the drama of putting them and taking them out--still pretty klutzy at this but I'm hoping I will get better with practice. My vision isn't as crisp as with glasses and I can't quite get the degree of magnification I need for close-up, but I'll get a pair of reading glasses for long computer or book sessions, I guess.

Couple of questions because I've had two doctors say different things: should I be rubbing these before I put them in each morning? They seem so fragile and I'm so afraid of breaking one. I've read that these tear easily, but the posts I looked at were from a couple of years ago. Are these lenses less fragile than they were?

Also (if you've read this far, you patient soul, you), what is the best cleaning/care system? They gave me Aquify at the store. Is there a better one?

Thanks, and I look forward to getting to cyber-know you all.

Nichobec · #2 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HMBgal

Hello all. I'm so happy to be here!

Couple of questions because I've had two doctors say different things: should I be rubbing these before I put them in each morning? They seem so fragile and I'm so afraid of breaking one. I've read that these tear easily, but the posts I looked at were from a couple of years ago. Are these lenses less fragile than they were?

Also (if you've read this far, you patient soul, you), what is the best cleaning/care system? They gave me Aquify at the store. Is there a better one?

Thanks, and I look forward to getting to cyber-know you all.

Hi HMBgal. Welcome aboard. Let me see if I can help you with your questions. I'm no expert, but I can't help but try to rescue a "damsel in distress."

To answer your question about rubbing the lenses, I don't think you need to rub them each morning. ProClear MulitFocals are fairly thin, so I don't think all that rubbing is a good idea.

I'm afraid I don't know much about Aquify, but I understand it's a good multi-purpose contact lens cleaner.

Well, I hope that helps you. Look around Lens 101 a bit, there's a lot of good information here.

HMBgal · #3 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nichobec

Hi HMBgal. Welcome aboard. Let me see if I can help you with your questions. I'm no expert, but I can't help but try to rescue a "damsel in distress."

To answer your question about rubbing the lenses, I don't think you need to rub them each morning. ProClear MulitFocals are fairly thin, so I don't think all that rubbing is a good idea.

I'm afraid I don't know much about Aquify, but I understand it's a good multi-purpose contact lens cleaner.

Well, I hope that helps you. Look around Lens 101 a bit, there's a lot of good information here.

Thanks ever so! That was my feeling about rubbing that delicate little lens, too. I also have acrylic nails (quite short so I don't do violence to myself trying to get the lenses out), so I really feel like I have to be careful. One doctor said I have to rub to get the protein and schmutz off, and the other one said not to. The Aquify says it removes proteins if you soak for at least 4 hours. Also, since the lenses have that protein in them that repels adherence of things like that, I think I'll forgo rubbing them. I'm still kind of in happy shock that I can wear them at all after my experience with RGPs. I do think RGPs give crisper vision, though. And driving at night with my current lenses is quite an experience. Woo Hoo! Reminds of my younger days when I did inhale...

I will take your advice and use the search function.

Nichobec · #4 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HMBgal

Thanks ever so! That was my feeling about rubbing that delicate little lens, too. I also have acrylic nails (quite short so I don't do violence to myself trying to get the lenses out), so I really feel like I have to be careful. One doctor said I have to rub to get the protein and schmutz off, and the other one said not to. The Aquify says it removes proteins if you soak for at least 4 hours. Also, since the lenses have that protein in them that repels adherence of things like that, I think I'll forgo rubbing them. I'm still kind of in happy shock that I can wear them at all after my experience with RGPs. I do think RGPs give crisper vision, though. And driving at night with my current lenses is quite an experience. Woo Hoo! Reminds of my younger days when I did inhale...

I will take your advice and use the search function.

Hi HMBgal, I'm glad I could help. Congratulations on your use of the word "schmutz." I think that's the first occurrence of that word on this forum.

While you're surfing Lens 101 for answers to your contact lens question, check out the new sunglasses section. You do wear sunglasses, don't you?

HMBgal · #5 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nichobec

Hi HMBgal, I'm glad I could help. Congratulations on your use of the word "schmutz." I think that's the first occurrence of that word on this forum.

While you're surfing Lens 101 for answers to your contact lens question, check out the new sunglasses section. You do wear sunglasses, don't you?

You're a mensch, thanks! I think Yiddish is such an expressive language. Yes, I absolutely wear sunglasses and will take your suggestion and search over at the sunglasses forum. Why do I get the feeling that I've probably just spent $75 on sunglasses that aren't right...As for the night driving, I'm thankful that I don't have to do much of it because I feel like I'm driving through a fireworks show...so strange.

Guinness · #6 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HMBgal

Why do I get the feeling that I've probably just spent $75 on sunglasses that aren't right.

Hi HMBgal, I hope you don't mind me interrupting.

It could be worse. You could have spent $300 on sunglasses that aren't right.

While we're on the subject, what do you mean by "not right"?

HMBgal · #7 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guinness

Hi HMBgal, I hope you don't mind me interrupting.

It could be worse. You could have spent $300 on sunglasses that aren't right.

While we're on the subject, what do you mean by "not right"?

Not interrupting; the more the merrier. Well, I bought some expensive reading glasses (read cute designer frames) and absolutely could not use them. When I asked my optometrist why, she measured my eyes and apparently I have a very small face. The standard reading glasses are far (by 20 mm) too wide for me. I just figured there's something else about sunglasses that I don't know, like the lens material, color, amount of darkness, polarized vs. non, etc. Mine are polarized and dark gray lenses that supposedly filter out the bad stuff. I'm outside all day, so I need decent eye protection. Jeesh. I spent $1,200 in December for new glasses (read cute designer frames) with progressive lenses, coated, the works, and prescription sunglasses. Now I've dropped another mess o' dough for contacts and reading glasses and non-prescription sunglasses. I'm teacher in California, so once I realized I wasn't going to get pink-slipped, I guess I went a little nuts...I can't think of another thing that should cost me more money. There isn't anything, is there???

Guinness · #8 (**permalink**) 05-06-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HMBgal

Not interrupting; the more the merrier. Well, I bought some expensive reading glasses (read cute designer frames) and absolutely could not use them. When I asked my optometrist why, she measured my eyes and apparently I have a very small face. The standard reading glasses are far (by 20 mm) too wide for me. I just figured there's something else about sunglasses that I don't know, like the lens material, color, amount of darkness, polarized vs. non, etc. Mine are polarized and dark gray lenses that supposedly filter out the bad stuff. I'm outside all day, so I need decent eye protection. Jeesh. I spent $1,200 in December for new glasses (read cute designer frames) with progressive lenses, coated, the works, and prescription sunglasses. Now I've dropped another mess o' dough for contacts and reading glasses and non-prescription sunglasses. I'm teacher in California, so once I realized I wasn't going to get pink-slipped, I guess I went a little nuts...I can't think of another thing that should cost me more money. There isn't anything, is there???

You have such an expressive writing style, HMBgal. Are you an English teacher, by any chance? You said you spend a lot of time outdoors. Is it one of those progressive California outdoor schools?

Never mind, none of my business. Anyway, you said that you got polarized, dark gray lenses for your sunglasses, which is good. Gray is the best tint for seeing things like traffic lights in their true colors, and polarization is good for cutting out the glare from shiny surfaces such as other cars on the highway. It sounds like you've done well in your selection of shades. As long as they fit comfortably and you can see with them on, I think you're good.

HMBgal · #9 (**permalink**) 05-06-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guinness

You have such an expressive writing style, HMBgal. Are you an English teacher, by any chance? You said you spend a lot of time outdoors. Is it one of those progressive California outdoor schools?

Never mind, none of my business. Anyway, you said that you got polarized, dark gray lenses for your sunglasses, which is good. Gray is the best tint for seeing things like traffic lights in their true colors, and polarization is good for cutting out the glare from shiny surfaces such as other cars on the highway. It sounds like you've done well in your selection of shades. As long as they fit comfortably and you can see with them on, I think you're good.

Nope, not an English teacher (I think it's called Language Arts nowadays). I am in a highly academically competitive, huge school district in Silicon Valley. My granddaughter goes to one of those progressive California schools (Waldorf), but I wouldn't be such a good fit there, I'm afraid. I am an avid reader, so perhaps that influences my writing. I am an adapted physical education specialist and health science teacher. I work with kids with autism, profound multiple disabilities, deaf, blind, serious emotional disturbance, developmental disabilities...the gamut of the federally mandated qualifying conditions for receiving special education services in our public school system. These kids have severe social and physical limitations, so I assess and implement physical remediation and education programs so that they can hopefully join the general education classes successfully without so much support. I also teach recreational and lifelong wellness and fitness skills because these kids are likely to have a lot of leisure time on their hands because this populations is so under-employed. Rec and leisure is often their only entrance into the community in a naturalistic way, so I try to give 'em all the tools I can.

One of the reasons I wanted contacts is that many of my students have behavioral "quirks," and one of them is snatching glasses off my face and throwing them as far as they can. Behaviors always communicate something, and I'm still not sure what this action communicates, or if it's just a compulsion, but any pairs of glasses have been destroyed this way. The school districts don't reimburse us for this, unfortunately. Of course, my glasses have also kept my eyes from getting scratched when a student has a meltdown and starts spitting and scratching at whatever is in reach, and peoples' faces seems to be a favorite. My students will have to find something else, now...it seems to be my wristwatch. I buy cheapie plastic ones, so that I can handle!

It looks like I lucked into a good pair of sunglasses, then. I bought these at the optometrist's office, so I know I probably paid too much, but they are so good at adjusting and repairing things that it's worth it to me. They fitted my contacts, so I asked their advice and put me in these. I tried the brownish "driving" tint, but it felt like it let too much light into my eyes.

I have to say that I'm very impressed with the optometrists and opticians that have been helping me see the last couple of years. I walked in off the street and I guess it could have gone the other way; I think we've all experienced that. Kudos to my "vision team." I think I will bake some goodies for them when I go in to pick up my lens order.

Guinness · #10 (**permalink**) 05-06-2009, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HMBgal

One of the reasons I wanted contacts is that many of my students have behavioral "quirks," and one of them is snatching glasses off my face and throwing them as far as they can. Behaviors always communicate something, and I'm still not sure what this action communicates, or if it's just a compulsion, but any pairs of glasses have been destroyed this way. The school districts don't reimburse us for this, unfortunately. Of course, my glasses have also kept my eyes from getting scratched when a student has a meltdown and starts spitting and scratching at whatever is in reach, and peoples' faces seems to be a favorite. My students will have to find something else, now...it seems to be my wristwatch. I buy cheapie plastic ones, so that I can handle!

It looks like I lucked into a good pair of sunglasses, then. I bought these at the optometrist's office, so I know I probably paid too much, but they are so good at adjusting and repairing things that it's worth it to me. They fitted my contacts, so I asked their advice and put me in these. I tried the brownish "driving" tint, but it felt like it let too much light into my eyes.

Wow, it sounds like you really could use some good contact lenses and sunglasses. I hope you've found what you need. Maybe someone in a similar situation to yours can be helped by your posts. Perhaps with your unique experiences you can help someone here in the contact lenses section or maybe even the new sunglasses section.

That's what we do here at Lens 101.

HMBgal · #11 (**permalink**) 05-18-2009, 05:48 PM

I don't seem to see as well with them (right eye) as I did with the trials...is such a thing possible? I've looked at the prescription and the box to see if they match and them seem to. I'm really confuzzled by this. Will my brain get used to this? Is it common? I asked my daughter if there is any variability in hers (she has a simple scrip for nearsightedness and she's worn them 15 years) and she says that some seem blurry at first, but it's temporary. Mine are plain old multifocals in the L eye, and multifocal toric for the R.

isevilla · #12 (**permalink**) 05-21-2009, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HMBgal

I don't seem to see as well with them (right eye) as I did with the trials...is such a thing possible? I've looked at the prescription and the box to see if they match and them seem to. I'm really confuzzled by this. Will my brain get used to this? Is it common? I asked my daughter if there is any variability in hers (she has a simple scrip for nearsightedness and she's worn them 15 years) and she says that some seem blurry at first, but it's temporary. Mine are plain old multifocals in the L eye, and multifocal toric for the R.

I too have the same problem...I normally wear proclear (for far only). I started having problems reading while wearing my glasses (for far only) and proclear contact (for far) however without any I can read perfect.

Dr gave me biomed in monovision i guess and I could see perfect up close but not so well for far and they were horribly uncomfortable. So now im in proclear multifocal and Right is toric and its like I see as if i have binoculars on or something. As if the vision is separated. This is the 2nd wk now in them and toric one still feels weird and the vision still seems separated.

Dont know but dr says it can take wks for the eyes to combine and that once that happens I will see almost perfect. Its not so bad that I cant drive or anything though.

Anyone have any thoughts or advice for the multifocal newbie?

HMBgal · #13 (**permalink**) 05-21-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isevilla

I too have the same problem...I normally wear proclear (for far only). I started having problems reading while wearing my glasses (for far only) and proclear contact (for far) however without any I can read perfect.

Dr gave me biomed in monovision i guess and I could see perfect up close but not so well for far and they were horribly uncomfortable. So now im in proclear multifocal and Right is toric and its like I see as if i have binoculars on or something. As if the vision is separated. This is the 2nd wk now in them and toric one still feels weird and the vision still seems separated.

Dont know but dr says it can take wks for the eyes to combine and that once that happens I will see almost perfect. Its not so bad that I cant drive or anything though.

Anyone have any thoughts or advice for the multifocal newbie?

I had to get used to my progressive bifocal glasses, but it took a few days. I hope that my brain figures things out soon with my multi-focal torics. It's been a week in these lenses and though they are supposed to be the same as my trials, I can't see nearly as well with these (my specially ordered year's supply) as I could with the trials. I was expecting them to be identical, but they aren't. I guess my trust level is a little low because my first trial set, the R eye was great, the L eye was actually worse than no correction at all: Coopervision sent/made it wrong. I kept taking it out, putting it back in, flipping it around---I was going nuts and come to find out, the lens case was marked correctly, but that is not what was inside. Sigh.

As for multi focals, I certainly don't get as good close-up correction as with glasses, and that RGPs corrected better than soft (for me, anyway). I guess it depends on how bad your presbyopia is. My lenses don't even come in the add that I need. Bluh. But I still would rather need reading glasses than have to wear glasses all of the time. It's a trade-off, I guess.

Good luck with your multi-focals! I have multi-focal torics in one eye, and just plain old multi-focals in the other. It's not wonder the brain needs some time to figure it all out. Multi-focals are truly amazing little pieces of technology, I think. Mine are very comfortable, although I feel the edge of the toric a little bit, but not so much that I could say it's uncomfortable. I have dry eyes, so I always attribute any weirdness to that. The plain multi-focal is so comfortable that I can't feel it at all. I can wear them for about 12-14 hours before the eye dryness gets to be too much.

isevilla · #14 (**permalink**) 05-21-2009, 06:16 PM

Well I talked to the eye dr again today and they swear that my vision will get better. I hope so because I really love the fact that I can wear them and read a book and look far away all at the same time. I really like the whole concept just hope my brain hurries the process so I can see even better.

Oh by the way the eye dr quoted me $250 a box for the right eye which is the multifocal toric and $60 for the left which is multifocal. Is this about what you paid for yours? Its over $300 for 6 lenses each eye! It seems very expensive to me!

Keep me posted on how yours turn out.

HMBgal · #15 (**permalink**) 05-21-2009, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isevilla

Well I talked to the eye dr again today and they swear that my vision will get better. I hope so because I really love the fact that I can wear them and read a book and look far away all at the same time. I really like the whole concept just hope my brain hurries the process so I can see even better.

Oh by the way the eye dr quoted me $250 a box for the right eye which is the multifocal toric and $60 for the left which is multifocal. Is this about what you paid for yours? Its over $300 for 6 lenses each eye! It seems very expensive to me!

Keep me posted on how yours turn out.

You're getting a much better deal than I got. When I got fitted with one toric, one non-toric, both doctors that I saw told me that this would be far cheaper. Well, it wasn't. They charged me exactly the same amount for each lens. I didn't take my prescription on-line because I wanted the on-the-spot customer service while I'm getting used to things. My year's supply was $445. I have the feeling that I've been hosed a bit, but this place has been so great about replacing my glasses when the non-glare coating started coming off and when I broke a lens; they had me fixed up in a day or two at no charge. I wanted to be able to have that level of service if I need it while I'm getting used to being a contact lens wearer.

I think we asking our brains to do a lot of readjusting and I guess we just have to be patient. Now, I got a lens stuck on my eye the other day...you talk about drama! I searched and searched the web and I tried everything until my eye was so irritated and red that I decided to just sleep in the darn thing and go to the optometrist's office and let them take it out. I finally got the idea to put my head over the sink (lined with a paper towel) and have my husband squirt my big bottle of Aquify sideways into my eye. The little sucker just popped right out. I wore my glasses yesterday because I didn't want to further irritate that eye, and then wore my lenses today. I'm kind of nervous about trying to take it out tonight...wish me luck. I always get the right one out so easily, but the left (a different base curve, and the non-toric one) is just a bear and I always have trouble with it. I'm trying to figure out if my technique is different, but I just can't figure out the problem. At least I know that the big eye squirt will get it out if I can't after a try or two.

Ah the things we do for beauty? Convenience? My husband thinks I'm absolutely nuts to not just keep with the glasses all the time. As long as he's willing to arm himself with my Aquify when I need him to, he can say whatever he wants.

isevilla · #16 (**permalink**) 05-21-2009, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HMBgal

You're getting a much better deal than I got. When I got fitted with one toric, one non-toric, both doctors that I saw told me that this would be far cheaper. Well, it wasn't. They charged me exactly the same amount for each lens. I didn't take my prescription on-line because I wanted the on-the-spot customer service while I'm getting used to things. My year's supply was $445. I have the feeling that I've been hosed a bit, but this place has been so great about replacing my glasses when the non-glare coating started coming off and when I broke a lens; they had me fixed up in a day or two at no charge. I wanted to be able to have that level of service if I need it while I'm getting used to being a contact lens wearer.

I think we asking our brains to do a lot of readjusting and I guess we just have to be patient. Now, I got a lens stuck on my eye the other day...you talk about drama! I searched and searched the web and I tried everything until my eye was so irritated and red that I decided to just sleep in the darn thing and go to the optometrist's office and let them take it out. I finally got the idea to put my head over the sink (lined with a paper towel) and have my husband squirt my big bottle of Aquify sideways into my eye. The little sucker just popped right out. I wore my glasses yesterday because I didn't want to further irritate that eye, and then wore my lenses today. I'm kind of nervous about trying to take it out tonight...wish me luck. I always get the right one out so easily, but the left (a different base curve, and the non-toric one) is just a bear and I always have trouble with it. I'm trying to figure out if my technique is different, but I just can't figure out the problem. At least I know that the big eye squirt will get it out if I can't after a try or two.

Ah the things we do for beauty? Convenience? My husband thinks I'm absolutely nuts to not just keep with the glasses all the time. As long as he's willing to arm himself with my Aquify when I need him to, he can say whatever he wants.

i dont think you were hosed at all my quote was for only a 6 month supply $300 so it would be $600 a year for me.

ive had a contact a few years ago decide to hide in my upper eye lid. It was terrible. At least you finally got it out and now know what to do for next time it happens.

How do you like the aquify with these lenses? Im using the clear care and for some reason im drowning them in blink eyedrops every hour it seems. I dont ever remember having this bad of a dryness problem with my other proclears.

Well if go with glasses then they have to be bifocals too so same thing. I read even bifocal glasses are hard to get used to. I cant see having to have eyes down not head to read and all that jazz. Im determined to get these contacts or something to work.

HMBgal · #17 (**permalink**) 05-21-2009, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isevilla

i dont think you were hosed at all my quote was for only a 6 month supply $300 so it would be $600 a year for me.

ive had a contact a few years ago decide to hide in my upper eye lid. It was terrible. At least you finally got it out and now know what to do for next time it happens.

How do you like the aquify with these lenses? Im using the clear care and for some reason im drowning them in blink eyedrops every hour it seems. I dont ever remember having this bad of a dryness problem with my other proclears.

Well if go with glasses then they have to be bifocals too so same thing. I read even bifocal glasses are hard to get used to. I cant see having to have eyes down not head to read and all that jazz. Im determined to get these contacts or something to work.

Yikes! The lens wasn't up in any weird place, although I'm sure it will happen. Mine was just on my eye, right where it should be, and everytime I would draw it down, it would just slide back up and I couldn't get it.

Whoa, $600...I feel worse for you, better for me. Did you try looking at a website, then seeing if they can work with you? My office gave free frames for reading glasses (I have a narrow face and the focal point of the generic readers are way too wide), and a $50 rebate. They also had a no-interest financing plan if paid off in three months.

RE: rewetting/cleaning: they gave me a few Aquify sample systems (have the use their lens case) at the office and I haven't had any problems with it. That's a whole other thing...which drops, cleaning system, preservative vs. preservative free, etc. I just stand there in the eye-care section and look at all of that stuff. I was pickier with my RGPs because I didn't toss those out after a month. I only wore those for about 2 months. Even with Restasis, I couldn't use them because of the dryness...crystal clear vision, incredibly uncomfortable.

As for the dryness. Do you work inside in a really dry environment? I think if I had to work in a super dry environment, I might have more problems. When I walk into a grocery store, I can almost feel them sucking dry...weird. I live on the coast where it's humid, and I work inland where it is quite warm, but not terribly dry. I'm also trying the TheraTears nutrition caps (got a bunch of free samples although any omega fish-oil type of stuff would probably do), and use LacriLube at night. I only need drops every few hours during the day. I also try to keep myself really well hydrated.

Even with all that, I'm doing 100% better with these Proclears than I thought I would. I was prepared to only wear them for 4 hours a day, but wear them easily for 14 hours a day. If they got me through my workouts and some social functions, I was willing to settle for that. I read about all of the ripping and how fragile they were. When it was time to get rid of my trial lenses, I decided to try and tear them. I was amazed at how much they stretched and really didn't tear that easily for me. It was freaky.

isevilla · #18 (**permalink**) 05-21-2009, 10:45 PM

i looked around on some web sites and saw some pricing for them but believe me when i say that it was pulling teeth just to find out what kind i had on. the eye dr office was so reluctant to give me the info let alone the rx. Im waiting though till the month is up with these to see how i end up adapting to them before i even think about shelling out $600/yr for contacts. i have insurance but only allowed one purchase every 2 yrs and this isnt one of them so it will be completely out of pocket.

I dont work outside of the home but thought that maybe the dryness was due to my allergies. Ive been waking up with yucky eyes and redness. I have to use eye drops 2x daily for allergies. I live in IL so not sure if its dry or humid it was 80 today and they felt kinda crappy.

Like i had said i use the clear care and supposedly its the best on the market. I have also been using blink eye drops. When i had a different kind of contacts i used aquify and it worked well but with the proclear i remember it not to work as well. the downfall to the cleaner i use is that it must stay for min of 6 hrs in the case so if i take them out mid day i cant clean them and i have to remove to give 6 hrs for morn wear. so im probably going to switch back to aquify and see what happens.

i have to admit im not a big water drinker which prob contributes to the dryness as well. ill prob get a suplement to help with that too.

HMBgal · #19 (**permalink**) 05-21-2009, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isevilla

i looked around on some web sites and saw some pricing for them but believe me when i say that it was pulling teeth just to find out what kind i had on. the eye dr office was so reluctant to give me the info let alone the rx. Im waiting though till the month is up with these to see how i end up adapting to them before i even think about shelling out $600/yr for contacts. i have insurance but only allowed one purchase every 2 yrs and this isnt one of them so it will be completely out of pocket.

I dont work outside of the home but thought that maybe the dryness was due to my allergies. Ive been waking up with yucky eyes and redness. I have to use eye drops 2x daily for allergies. I live in IL so not sure if its dry or humid it was 80 today and they felt kinda crappy.

Like i had said i use the clear care and supposedly its the best on the market. I have also been using blink eye drops. When i had a different kind of contacts i used aquify and it worked well but with the proclear i remember it not to work as well. the downfall to the cleaner i use is that it must stay for min of 6 hrs in the case so if i take them out mid day i cant clean them and i have to remove to give 6 hrs for morn wear. so im probably going to switch back to aquify and see what happens.

i have to admit im not a big water drinker which prob contributes to the dryness as well. ill prob get a suplement to help with that too.

I thought it was a law that they have to hand you the prescription after the exam; maybe that is just in California. My trial lens package had the prescription on it, but if they doc didn't even give that to you, I'm not sure how you are supposed to get that information. Every time I have purchased glasses, contacts, even my reading glasses, I was handed a piece of paper with the prescription on it.

If you have allergies, I bet that would affect your lens wear. I have heard that some people have sensitivity to the lens material in Proclears, but I've heard that about almost all lenses. I guess that's why we have to do so many types of trial lenses. Are you on the computer a lot? You can get a big blinking eye that pops up every so often to remind you to blink. You might want to look over the Dry Eye Zone forum (or Dry Eye Talk...Rebecca Petris runs it. Nice lady, nice people on the forum) and see if they have anything helpful. Some of those people have dry eyes from laser surgery. Their eyes are so messed up that have to wear goggles outside. Oy!

I wonder if you can have two pair of lenses in circulation, so you always have one pair soaking and one pair for your eyes.

isevilla · #20 (**permalink**) 05-21-2009, 11:34 PM

i will look into the info you gave me about the dry eyes.

for now i only have the one pair of trials but when i was wearing my older ones thats what i did had two pairs. i wore one and when it was time to get them out i would clean them and soak. then i would pull out the other pair and where those. it worked out pretty well for me.

thanks so much for all the advice and it was nice sharing my experience with you and visa versa.

please keep me updated on how you end up with you adaption to the lenses and i will too!

HMBgal · #21 (**permalink**) 05-21-2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isevilla

i will look into the info you gave me about the dry eyes.

for now i only have the one pair of trials but when i was wearing my older ones thats what i did had two pairs. i wore one and when it was time to get them out i would clean them and soak. then i would pull out the other pair and where those. it worked out pretty well for me.

thanks so much for all the advice and it was nice sharing my experience with you and visa versa.

please keep me updated on how you end up with you adaption to the lenses and i will too!

Will do, and I hope your allergies calm down. They are sure no fun.