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.

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'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.

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.

SteveDallas;375823 wrote:

...
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.

SteveDallas;375823 wrote:

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.

SteveDallas;375823 wrote:

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.

freshnesschronic;375903 wrote:

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.

Spexxvet;375930 wrote:

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.

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!"). :o

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.

SteveDallas;375962 wrote:

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.

xoxoxoBruce;376170 wrote:

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.

Ha ha ha ha.

I want some blackouts.
http://9mmsfx.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=9SE&Product_Code=BS&Category_Code=SL1

Contacts?

Yup.

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

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.)

bummer - There were a couple other sites too but I can't find 'em right now. I remember a friend of mine had a pair with the eagle on them - like on the teams helmet.

Nothing will compel me to sticky my finger in my eye for soft,rigid or colored contact lenses.

Oh, you should try. It's worth it to have a small piece of plastic floating around on top of your eyeball, being rubbed against your cornea and the inside of your eyelids thousands of times a day, every time you blink.... What's not to love?? ;)

SteveDallas;376411 wrote:

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.)

You get your script sent to them and they fill all scripts.

I also like the wolf set from Dracula, looks really good. Blackouts basically with a small yellow spiked rim waaaayyyy on the outside.

Hands down, industry true, 9m is the best site for affordable lenses.
They do a lot of work for top end films.

SteveDallas;376645 wrote:

Oh, you should try. It's worth it to have a small piece of plastic floating around on top of your eyeball, being rubbed against your cornea and the inside of your eyelids thousands of times a day, every time you blink.... What's not to love?? ;)

exactly! :)

I just have reading glasses. I could probably use real glasses but why when I can get by with reading glasses for 20 bucks. (I'm farsighted and can see a thousand miles away but I can't read print in my face anymore...ahem, age I guess.) Anyway, I really don't think I could ever do contacts...what with angioedema and the sensitivity of my eyes anyway...I bet my eyeballs would reject contacts...or my eyes would swell up to Marty Feldman size eyes. That would be miserable.

Shawnee123;377390 wrote:

I just have reading glasses. I could probably use real glasses but why when I can get by with reading glasses for 20 bucks. ...

Aaaaaaaarg! :greenface :scream: :shock: :banghead:

What, Spexx? I know you have a vested interest in eyecare, but I even had the eye doc tell me I could get by with reading glasses. I would love to get a scrip and real glasses but I gotta tell you, I don't have 400 to shell out. Any suggestions? I'd really like your expert opinion! :)

I love my soft lenses. never had hard ones, but hate glasses. it is incredibly and suprisingly easy to get used to sticking something on your eyeball and pinching it off again. I can even do it while driving now. (be very afraid) ((I can also take ny bra off under my shirt while passing trucks, but that's probably a story for another forum)

Shawnee123;377891 wrote:

What, Spexx? I know you have a vested interest in eyecare, but I even had the eye doc tell me I could get by with reading glasses. I would love to get a scrip and real glasses but I gotta tell you, I don't have 400 to shell out. Any suggestions? I'd really like your expert opinion! :)

It's rare that "Over The Counter" readers give you the best vision and keep your eye muscles in a relaxed state. Most people's right eye prescription is different than their left eye prescription. Most people have astigmatism. OTC readers have the same power in both lenses, and do not correct for astigmatism. There's a point in the lens, called the Optical Center. Looking through the Optical Center gives you the best vision. It also influences where you eyes "aim". If the OC is not placed correctly, the result is double vision, unless your eyes work harder than they need to, to fuse the images, which may make your eyes feel tired. Because OTC readers are cranked out by the tens of thousands, the chance that the centers of your readers are placed correctly for your eyes is slim. OTC reader lenses are typically molded, a less expensive and inferior way of making Rx lenses, rather than ground. The optics of a ground lens are much better than those of a molded lens.

You don't need to pay $400 for a pair of custom made readers. Here, they start at $89.00.

OTC readers may work for you, and if that's all you need, you'll be fine. If you want the very best for your eyes, think about custom made prescription glasses. [/optical snob]

That makes sense. Getting a pair of script glasses is in the foreseeable future. I've always had amazing vision. When I was a kid the doc asked me if I wanted to read manufacturer information on the doorknob while I was at it. Of course, after hitting 40 I started to lose the ability to see close up, though my far sight is still great. Plus, I am on a computer all day, many nights at home, or I have my nose in a book. I do believe I have slight astigmatism, was told that once though I don't really understand it. Also, I believe my left eye is much stronger than my right (is that the same thing?)

Thanks for the advice!

Shawnee123;378406 wrote:

... Of course, after hitting 40 I started to lose the ability to see close up, though my far sight is still great. ...

*cough* presbyopia *cough*

Spexxvet;378412 wrote:

*cough* presbyopia *cough*

Dammit, Spexx, my religious affiliation is none of your business, nor do I think it's pertinent to this thread. :lol:

I asked the doctor what presbyopia was and he said, "You're 46 and need reading glasses."