Contact lens choices

SteveDallas · 08-17-2007, 10:58 AM

I'd appreciate any thoughts from anybody who has worn both soft contact lenses and rigid gas permeable. For those keeping score at home, I have pretty bad myopia (eyeglasses are about -12 in my left eye and -22 in my right). I started wearing hard contacts in 1981 (at the time they tried soft lenses but couldn't accomodate my prescription). In 1987 they switched me to gas permeable lenses, which I've worn ever since. (I mean I've worn that type of lens, not that I've had the exact same pair all this time!)

I'm now considering soft lenses since they can now accommodate my vision. I have been having a bit more discomfort with my lenses mostly relating to eye dryness, and I was thinking that soft lenses would improve on this. From talking to my doctor and reading on the internet, I have learned that current RGP technology is such that it's not such an open and shut case. Soft lenses would definitely involve more hassle and expense. (I can replace one of my RGP lenses for about $85, and it will last for years.) But would I find them more comfortable? All research to this point indicates that I might, or I might not.

After talking it over with my doctor, I have decided to try them and see what happens, and I will know once and for all which way is better for me. But I'm curious if anybody else has tried both and what your experiences were.

theotherguy · 08-17-2007, 11:24 AM

I have been wearing soft lenses for about 25 years now and I find them very comfortable. I don't even know they are in my eyes unless my eyes get dry. I am -11 and -10.5. My mother took the same path you are taking and finds the soft to be more comfortable.

freshnesschronic · 08-17-2007, 01:46 PM

I've had soft lenses since the 6th grade and they don't feel like anything and (to me personally) are not a bitch to put in. Where as I see my dad struggle to insert hard contacts everyday. Do hard contacts feel like something all the time? Cause that'd suck.

smurfalicious · 08-17-2007, 02:07 PM

I just got (soft) contacts for the first time in early July - which was a huge step for me because I can't stand anything going in my eyes - I couldn't even use eye drops. I use Acuevue for astigmatism. Never had the glass ones, so I can't compare. I love them, I hate them. They're thin and they flop around and turn inside out and rip and stick to my finger or eyelid, anything other than my eyeball.

The Man has been wearing softs for 10 years, Bausch & Lomb, a certain kind that specifically lets a lot of air into the eye (because he never, and I mean NEVER, takes them out). He likes them because they let his eyes breathe and thus they don't get so dried out.

Spexxvet · 08-17-2007, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveDallas

...
I'm now considering soft lenses since they can now accommodate my vision. I have been having a bit more discomfort with my lenses mostly relating to eye dryness, and I was thinking that soft lenses would improve on this.

Actually...... soft lenses can absorb some of your already-deficient tears, causing dryer eyes and making the lenses feel less comfortable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveDallas

From talking to my doctor and reading on the internet, I have learned that current RGP technology is such that it's not such an open and shut case. Soft lenses would definitely involve more hassle and expense. (I can replace one of my RGP lenses for about $85, and it will last for years.) But would I find them more comfortable? All research to this point indicates that I might, or I might not.

Rigid and soft lenses fit differently. A rigid lens only touches your cornea around the edge of the lens, like a bowl sitting upside-down on a table. A soft lens covers your cornea like a blanket. They feel very different. Rigid contact lenses give you the best vision that you can get. My experience has been that folks who switch from rigid to soft typically are not happy with the switch, but your results may vary.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveDallas

After talking it over with my doctor, I have decided to try them and see what happens, and I will know once and for all which way is better for me...

That's the only way to be sure.

Hope that helps. Good luck.

SteveDallas · 08-17-2007, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freshnesschronic

Where as I see my dad struggle to insert hard contacts everyday. Do hard contacts feel like something all the time? Cause that'd suck.

Well it's not a struggle for me... I've been doing it 25+ years, so I can almost do it in my sleep. (I think I have a couple times.) Most of the time they're not noticeable, but I do need to use rewettening drops sometimes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

Actually...... soft lenses can absorb some of your already-deficient tears, causing dryer eyes and making the lenses feel less comfortable. . . .

Yeah, I had this conception that soft lenses would automatically be more comfortable. My doctor said it's worth trying, but don't be surprised if it turns out I like the RGPs better. Like I said, this way I'll put the issue to rest in my mind for good.

bluecuracao · 08-18-2007, 12:45 AM

I wore the same pair of hard, fenestrated lenses for over 15 years. I didn't notice any changes in my vision with that pair until then, and when I went to a new doctor to get my eyes checked out, he just about fell out of his chair ("These belong in the Smithsonian!").

Since then, I've gone through a couple of pairs of gas permeable lenses. The only time they really bother me is when dust gets in my eye(s), and then I just want to die.

I don't think I'll be switching to soft lenses any time soon, though. I hate the idea of pinching them out (shiver)--I'd rather pop out the RGPs.

xoxoxoBruce · 08-18-2007, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveDallas

Most of the time they're not noticeable, but I do need to use rewettening drops sometimes.

If you don't have enough tears, I'll give you something to cry about, young man.

SteveDallas · 08-18-2007, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

If you don't have enough tears, I'll give you something to cry about, young man.

That's quite all right... my bank statements and bills are sufficient.

xoxoxoBruce · 08-18-2007, 11:25 AM

Ha ha ha ha.

08-19-2007, 01:29 AM

I want some blackouts.
http://9mmsfx.com/Merchant2/merchant...egory_Code=SL1

xoxoxoBruce · 08-19-2007, 01:34 AM

Contacts?

08-19-2007, 01:35 AM

Yup.

yesman065 · 08-19-2007, 01:15 PM

Or you could order the ones from your favorite team.
just in time for football - NFL lens

SteveDallas · 08-19-2007, 06:19 PM

That would be cool.. though I'm sure they wouldn't have my prescription. The bigger "problem" is that when I clicked through all the links, they took me to a store that didn't sell them! (Or they were well hidden.)

08-17-2007, 10:58 AM	#1
SteveDallas Your Bartender Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philly Burbs, PA Posts: 7,651	Contact lens choices I'd appreciate any thoughts from anybody who has worn both soft contact lenses and rigid gas permeable. For those keeping score at home, I have pretty bad myopia (eyeglasses are about -12 in my left eye and -22 in my right). I started wearing hard contacts in 1981 (at the time they tried soft lenses but couldn't accomodate my prescription). In 1987 they switched me to gas permeable lenses, which I've worn ever since. (I mean I've worn that type of lens, not that I've had the exact same pair all this time!) I'm now considering soft lenses since they can now accommodate my vision. I have been having a bit more discomfort with my lenses mostly relating to eye dryness, and I was thinking that soft lenses would improve on this. From talking to my doctor and reading on the internet, I have learned that current RGP technology is such that it's not such an open and shut case. Soft lenses would definitely involve more hassle and expense. (I can replace one of my RGP lenses for about $85, and it will last for years.) But would I find them more comfortable? All research to this point indicates that I might, or I might not. After talking it over with my doctor, I have decided to try them and see what happens, and I will know once and for all which way is better for me. But I'm curious if anybody else has tried both and what your experiences were.

08-17-2007, 11:24 AM	#2
theotherguy no not that other guy, the other one Join Date: May 2007 Location: TN Posts: 640	I have been wearing soft lenses for about 25 years now and I find them very comfortable. I don't even know they are in my eyes unless my eyes get dry. I am -11 and -10.5. My mother took the same path you are taking and finds the soft to be more comfortable. __________________ I should be working.

08-17-2007, 02:07 PM	#4
smurfalicious Tool. Not the band - you are one. Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: 501 Northlake Blvd., North Palm Beach FL Posts: 329	I just got (soft) contacts for the first time in early July - which was a huge step for me because I can't stand anything going in my eyes - I couldn't even use eye drops. I use Acuevue for astigmatism. Never had the glass ones, so I can't compare. I love them, I hate them. They're thin and they flop around and turn inside out and rip and stick to my finger or eyelid, anything other than my eyeball. The Man has been wearing softs for 10 years, Bausch & Lomb, a certain kind that specifically lets a lot of air into the eye (because he never, and I mean NEVER, takes them out). He likes them because they let his eyes breathe and thus they don't get so dried out. __________________

08-18-2007, 11:25 AM	#10
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Ha ha ha ha. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

08-19-2007, 01:29 AM	#11
rkzenrage Guest Posts: n/a	I want some blackouts. http://9mmsfx.com/Merchant2/merchant...egory_Code=SL1 Last edited by rkzenrage; 08-19-2007 at 01:34 AM.

08-17-2007, 01:46 PM	#3
freshnesschronic Professor Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,555	I've had soft lenses since the 6th grade and they don't feel like anything and (to me personally) are not a bitch to put in. Where as I see my dad struggle to insert hard contacts everyday. Do hard contacts feel like something all the time? Cause that'd suck.

08-18-2007, 12:45 AM	#7
bluecuracao in a mood, not cupcake Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 3,034	I wore the same pair of hard, fenestrated lenses for over 15 years. I didn't notice any changes in my vision with that pair until then, and when I went to a new doctor to get my eyes checked out, he just about fell out of his chair ("These belong in the Smithsonian!"). Since then, I've gone through a couple of pairs of gas permeable lenses. The only time they really bother me is when dust gets in my eye(s), and then I just want to die. I don't think I'll be switching to soft lenses any time soon, though. I hate the idea of pinching them out (shiver)--I'd rather pop out the RGPs.

08-19-2007, 01:34 AM	#12
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Contacts? Attached Images __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

08-19-2007, 01:15 PM	#14
yesman065 Banned - Self Imposed Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,847	Or you could order the ones from your favorite team. just in time for football - NFL lens

08-19-2007, 06:19 PM	#15
SteveDallas Your Bartender Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philly Burbs, PA Posts: 7,651	That would be cool.. though I'm sure they wouldn't have my prescription. The bigger "problem" is that when I clicked through all the links, they took me to a store that didn't sell them! (Or they were well hidden.)

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