Contact Lenses

I've been thinking about getting contact lenses. I'm going to my opticians soon (Boots), so I'll ask them about lenses then. For the time being though, I was hoping to find out some information about them.
If my eyesight has changed, and I need a new prescription, will I still be able to get a new pair of glasses and get some contact lenses to try out as well? I'm not sure whether I'll like them or not, so I want to give them a trial and see what it's like.
I've no idea what the different types of contact lenses are like... can anyone tell me what is the best type to try for the first time?

Reply 1

Juno

20

You need a special contact lens test, and then your optician should recommend some for you.

Reply 2

indigogirl

OP

1

Juno

You need a special contact lens test, and then your optician should recommend some for you.

Oh, okay. Thanks!

Reply 3

harry5069

To start with the optician gave me about 5/6 pairs of dailies, these are the easiest to care for because you obviously just throw them out. I was also told these are the softest and easiest on the eye, but since I have nothing to compare them to I can't tell you for sure.

Reply 4

Juno

20

I buy mine off the internet now I know my prescription, and it's much cheaper that way.

Reply 5

Snowfall

10

Yes, they'll ask you to make a seperate contact lens test. They'll probably start you off with daily ones as you don't need to clean them and are easy and convenient. They'll show you how to put them in and take them out and once they're happy that you can do it, they'll give you some to try out and see how you go. Saying that, I've been wearing them for more than 5 years. Can't see the system changing much though.

Once you've gotten used to wearing contact lenses, you might want to try ones that last longer but you have to clean, for money reasons really. The daily ones are quite expensive. I went from dailies to monthlies to 2weekly ones. There are also things to consider like how dry your eyes are.

Oh and you can also get hard lenses which last for...well a good few years I think. Think they're harder to get used to and I think cost like 50-100 pounds. Although you'll end up forking out a lot more with soft lenses anyway!

Reply 6

indigogirl

OP

1

harry5069

To start with the optician gave me about 5/6 pairs of dailies, these are the easiest to care for because you obviously just throw them out. I was also told these are the softest and easiest on the eye, but since I have nothing to compare them to I can't tell you for sure.

Yeah, I would've thought they would be the softest.

Reply 7

Snowfall

10

indigogirl

Yeah, I would've thought they would be the softest.

Yeah. I'm pretty sure the daily ones are quite a bit softer and floppier than monthlies/fortnightlies.

Reply 8

indigogirl

OP

1

Snowfall

Yes, they'll ask you to make a seperate contact lens test. They'll probably start you off with daily ones as you don't need to clean them and are easy and convenient. They'll show you how to put them in and take them out and once they're happy that you can do it, they'll give you some to try out and see how you go. Saying that, I've been wearing them for more than 5 years. Can't see the system changing much though.

Once you've gotten used to wearing contact lenses, you might want to try ones that last longer but you have to clean, for money reasons really. The daily ones are quite expensive. I went from dailies to monthlies to 2weekly ones. There are also things to consider like how dry your eyes are.

Oh and you can also get hard lenses which last for...well a good few years I think. Think they're harder to get used to and I think cost like 50-100 pounds. Although you'll end up forking out a lot more with soft lenses anyway!

Okay. Thanks for your help! :smile:

Reply 9

DoktaUH

11

I started with mine on wednesday just gone. The opticial started me on 2-weeklies straight off :eek:

. The whol process was pretty easy really i went for the lenses and since i needed a new prescription anyway they booked me to have them one after the other :biggrin:

Had the tests last saturday and found i needed a toric lense for my left eye so they ordered that in special for wednesday and here i am.. still wearing them and loving it :biggrin:

Reply 10

zoea85

2

I have been on specsavers monthlies for about 7 months now and they are brilliant. Completely boosted my confidence! As far as I know dailies are the most expensive cos you don't have all the mucking about cleaning them but they are also much thinner and more prone to splitting I've heard so you have to be extra careful handling/ getting them out.
Get a free trial and see how you get on but honestly they are so convienient you'll never go back once you get the hang of them. The only problem I had was getting them out at first but its easy after practice.
If you're a bit freaked out by them, don't worry you'll get over it, I did, just be bold!

Reply 11

danni_bella

17

I don't use the regular contacts as I'm 20/20 but I've got a prescription to use green ones for cosmetic purposes which I love :biggrin:

Just remember you need to have really clean hands when handling them, and also a great brand I use to clean my lenses is geared for sensitive eyes called Moisture Plus or something. It's heaps good, don't use any other brand unless you have to, other ones have caused my eyes to become dry :frown:

But this one works :smile:

HTH,

DBx

Reply 12

Elements

13

This thread is kind of deja vu for what's been and is going to be happening with me and my opinions on this recently.

Reply 13

supertramp

9

Yes, as others have said, you get a special contact lens trial test to make sure you are ok for lenses. I had one today and he gave me monthlies to try (I've had dailies before) and they check that everything is ok. For me, he said I would need special ones for astygmatism, which I am gutted about because they cost more, and I have to go back in a couple of weeks for another appointment.

I think at Boots you get a 30 day free trial for dailies, which is definitely worth taking up if you only want them for nights out and so forth. Mine lasted ages. They're really good because when you get sick of them (or fall asleep/pass out and you wake up and your eyes feel like sandpaper) you can just grab them out and chuck them away.

Reply 14

slk999

15

i'll say a little thing about contacts in general. i got them just before christmas and i can honestly say they are one of THE best things i got that year. it's only 14.00 out of my bank each month, but for the benefits you get from them, not least improving your self confidence. i'd really recommend them to you. yeah, you'll need a special appointment where they'll do a colour test thingy in your eye. and also you'll have a trial pair on and see how those go. then if you like them you'll be able to get some. it does mean regular check ups just to see how it's going, but they're not really really frequent so still worth your time!

Reply 15

Ariel4

1

I couldnt do without mine, my glasses really annoy me. if youre worried about cleanliness, daily ones are the best. i use monthlies, because theyre the cheapest. your optician will be able to recommend the best ones for you. i had a months trial, as they can take a bit of time to get used to. but you have to keep them clean, one of my friends got an ulcer on her eye from her lenses, which was gross, and probably quite painful!

Reply 16

supertramp

9

it's only 14.00 out of my bank each month

Ugh. Unless you have a bloody stupid rugby ball eye.

Reply 17

DoktaUH

11

Mine doesn't cost extra for a toric lense, and a +170 is probably at the extreme end of astigmatism :p:

Reply 18

Elements

13

Do Bots always give you a 30 day free trial of contact lenses? How long did it take you ppl to get them in? Did you manage to do it in your first appointment for lenses? How much is the contact lenses test and appointment? Because I have mine soon.