Anyone here wear contact lenses? What are they like?

I'm considering trying some out, and am just wondering if they're difficult to take care of.

I had optic neuritis 3yrs ago, any reason I wouldnt be able to wear contacts because of that?

I loved my contacts, Never a problem. But as my PPMS progessed. I was having more trouble in their cleaning ( no big deal for me and no use of anything bothered me for 27 years. But DD who has no MS or allergies, hates her's. Depends, I guess). Lucky enough to afford Laser Surgery, love it! Had infection, took some time to correct, but now 3 years down the road, no problems. Can see!! Even in middle of night or when getting up!!! Good luck with contacts. Every one reacts differently. I now know, with Laser Surgery too. Nothing goes 100% smoothly, but in the end, worked for me.

I had soft, weekly disposables and I think that was good.

I was thinking of just trying the disposable kind of contacts. I dont want them for wearing all the time, but maybe just for summertime, so that I dont have to carry all my glasses around, sunglasses and regular glasses.

I liked contacts because I could wear plain sunglasses of my choice
9not$$$ RX glass ones) and as I got older. drugstore reading glasses. Confession - I rarely cleaned my contacts once I could throw out and start fresh each week. Never had a problem. But that's me.

I wore gas permeable (rigid) contacts for 20+ years and they were not too bad to take care of...unless of course when I would drop one down the drain and hubby would have to actually take the sink apart! (he hated it when I did that! )

But I actually had lasik surgery in 2001 and it was the BEST $5,000 investment I ever made! I am now able to play in and around water without worrying about them being "spashed" out plus I can actually buy a pair of sun glasses now that are not so heavy or expensive!

I never wore soft or extended wear contacts due to astigmatism, but my son wears them and he loves them!

Good luck!

I just recently got contacts again. My 10 year old DD got contacts so I figured if she got them, I should get them again. I have chronic dry eyes so I can't wear them every day, all day. I just like having them for days I don't feel like wearing my contacts. Like today when we went to the amusement park.

Because I have the dry eyes, and all my medications make it that much worse, my eye doctor told me to put in lubricating drops (for contacts) to keep my eyes moist. That is the biggest problem I have with contacts -- the dry eyes.

With the new contact solutions that are out there, they have all in one multipurpose cleaners. After wearing your contacts you take them out, clean them in your hand and then soak them over night (at least 4 hours). You use the same product for all of the cleaning and soaking.

With the disposable contacts, after about a month you throw them away and take out a new pair.

I had to go for a contact fitting. The doctor suggested a pair of contacts for me to try out. I wore them for about a week and then went back to see him. He looked at the contacts in my eyes to make sure they were right for my eyes. He told me how long I can wear each pair for. In my case he said about a month.

I have an astigmatism so I got the toric lenses, which are a bit more pricey.

When my daughter had her contact fitting, she want back three times. After the first time her contacts were not right for her eyes. So the eye doctor had her try a different kind and they were better for her.

After he knew the pairs we were wearing were right for us, we then ordered 6 months worth of contacts.

The hardest part of contacts if getting used to putting in and taking out the contacts. It takes practice and patience.

I'm so glad I got contacts again. I didn't need a new prescription for my glasses so I didn't have to replace them as well as buy the contacts. And the cost of the contact fitting plus lenses cost less than the new pair of glasses that I wanted.

I say try contacts out - at most you'll loose the fitting fee (if your doctor's office does the same as mine). But if you like contacts, then you can enjoy having them!

There are many types of contacts - hard, soft. monthlies, every two weeks, weekly, extended wear, oasis. You and a doctor can discuss. I recommend 1-800-CONTACTS - theyt were much cheaper to buy from than my local place - and very nice and helpful. I don't think I ever got over the local place receptionist (stupid girl!!) seeing me in my chair ans asking my pusher - " can SHE fill out forms?" I pulled out my very best snotty and said "Of course I can." I hope (and think) I made her feel bad.
I never had any problem popping my contacts in and out, my eyes never ever in past got pink-eye, etc. I DO not recommend this, SIL amazed me when she popped her itchy Hard lense (It was long ago when all lenses were hard) and put it in her moist mouth!!! She never had a problem either.

Erin
I have been wearing soft contact lenses since 1982. I have horrible eyesight and severe astigmatism.
I actually have worn the "old" hard contacts also. I bought contacts with my very first paycheck ever.

I don't know if it is just me but I actually feel cooler while wearing my contacts. I guess the lenses of my glasses seem to trap hot air under my eyes and make me feel warmer.

Unfortunately due to my advanced age I do need magnifiers to read up close, but to me , that is a small price to pay. Some brilliant person actually invented sunglasses with magnifiers built in which is wonderful while at the pool or beach.

So I would say give them a try, once you have your initial exam your eye doctor should give you a trial pair which you wear for a week or so, that should give you an idea if you will like them or not.

Good Luck hope everything works out for you.

I loved my contac lenses! I wish I had them years ago because glasses can be a real pain at times.

When I had cataract surgery done on one eye I wore only one lens which was nice.

Now that I had the other cataract removed I don't need the lenses and have mono vision so no glasses at all.

One eye is 20/20 and the other is 20/40 which is not bad for a sixty year old.

I know lots of people love them but thought I'd add my different experience. I got them for vanity in my 20s but never liked them so when it got to the point that I wasn't out trying to woo the boys I ditched them. Sorry but my entire life I've been told not to stick anything in my eye.