Contacts wearers, a ONE more question please? (UPDATE)

DH and I went to Wise Eyes in Massapequa a few months back to get contacts for the wedding.

We only bought 3 pairs each so we saved one fresh pair for the day of the wedding and otherwise only wore them on weekends.

We've had some problems/questions that I hope you can help with:


1. If you buy the disposable 1-2 week lenses, how long do they REALLY last? We're only getting one week out of them before they start getting uncomfortable to wear, drying out.

2. What brand do you buy? Wise Eyes told us we could only get Biomedics because of our prescription (-3.5, 8.6, 14 and -2.5, 8.6 and 14). I thought it was BS that only Biomedics makes this combo but it's actually true.

3. Besides the strength, how exact do you have to be with the other 2 numbers? If I switched to 8.4 or 13, we would be able to buy Accuvue lenses.

4. When you first started wearing them daily, did you have a lot of trouble with computer screens? I'm sittng here with a low-grade headache and getting blurry vision constantly.

5. What solution do you buy? We have the 'no-rub' stuff but someone told me that the calcium deposits may be what's bothering us after wearing them for a week. She recommended doing the rubbing even though it says you don't have to.

Thanks in advance. I would really love to be able to wear these things comfortably daily.

***UPDATE***

Well things seem to be better with my new cleaning regiment.

But I have one last question!!

I figured out why my eyes were bothering me at work. If I cover my left eye, I see the screen fine. But if I cover my right eye, it's blurry.

Although my eye prescription has been different since I started wearing glasses, the guys at Wise Eyes told me that they were now the same.

They lied.

So now I need to go to a GOOD optometrist who will tell me the truth.

I don't have vision insurance so I can go to anyone. Anyone have a good recommendation for me? Thanks!!

1. Yes, they last two weeks. I actually wear them for longer (I forget to throw them out.)

2. Acuvue

3. Ask your dr - the other numbers have to do with the size of your eye, I think. I'm 8.4 (I've got big eyes)

4. I don't remember - I was seven when I started wearing contacts! I do remember it took a long time to get them in. Now it takes less than 10 seconds.

5. I buy Ultracare. There is no rubbing involved.

Good post.

I wear pro clear - which are supposed to be for dry eye.

I THINK that it may be my eye solution that is bad so I am going to buy a new brand and try it out.

1. the 2nd week isn't as FUN but they do last 2 weeks....even though they are disposable, try a weekly enzyme cleaner....it helps that second week feel more like the first.

2. acuvue2. the size is important. i can wear and according to the dr. 8.4 fits my eye better, but it flops around on my eye...so even though the dr. doesn't believe it, i wear the 8.3. you can try it...you will know IMMEDIATELY if it's not right...when i put in 8.4s i can't get them in/on my eye as easily and i feel like something is in my eye.

3. i answered that in 2..oops.

4. i have issues with the computer...glasses work better at the computer but contacts are stronger than glasses. i know my aunt has special glasses for using a computer!

5. complete. it's the one in the cute blue bottle. (but in bulk at bjs or costco it's in a standard white bottle after you open the box) a little rubbing won't hurt...it could help...but honestly, i'd try the weekly enzyme cleaner.

6. there is no '6' i just thought i'd mess with you!!

1) my doctor told me 12-15 wearings and then throw them out. seems good so far!

2) i wear biomedics, too. it is true, they are the only brand that makes my size. i tried accuvue and my eyes got red and dried out from the wrong size.

4) definitely a problem! i blink a lot and sometimes wear reading glasses to make the print bigger.

5) green botle, i never rub.

1/ they told me 2 weeks. You can stretch up to 1 month if you don't wear them everyday.. Like me!

2/ Bausch & Lomb Softlens 66 toric (only one I can stand!)

4/ I had that problem with other brand samples. They did not feel confy (hurting actually) and I could not see well. Make sure you did not put them the 'wrong' way.

5/ I use the no rub solution. But I want to switch brand.

I use blink all the time when I wear my contact. I have very dry eyes.

I wear the Acuvue 2, two week disposable. Truthfully, I can wear one pair for months and be fine. I went (and this may be kinda gross) about 6 months wearing the same pair of disposables and when I went to get my eyes checked I was sure that my eyes would be ruined and my vision would be even worse... I was totally wrong, my perscription hadn't changed at all!

I use the stuff in the green bottle every day and I let my lenses soak over night.

It takes a little while to get used to wearing the contacts and you'll definitely experience headaches, but after a few weeks if you're still getting headaches and blurred vision, I would call your Dr.
GOOD LUCK!

Thanks so much ladies, keep the advice coming if you can. I'm printing this out and going to CVS at lunch to compare daily cleaning solutions and an enzyme cleaner.

Wise Eyes told me that the Alcon Opti-Free rinsing/disinfecting/storage solution (green bottle) was the only thing I needed. Didn't mention any of this other stuff at all. The least they could have done was inform us, give us the option, you know?

I'd rather spend the money now and see what works. I mean, this is our eyesight! You don't mess with that!

I wear mine for appx. 3 weeks bc I remove them and store them/clean them every night

I wear Acuvue Hydraclear bc I have dry eyes

Strength - I wear them according to my prescription

I use different solutions

I've been wearing them for many years and I dont have any problems with them at all...other than my eyes drying out sometimes.

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Posted by CLMon7906

1. the 2nd week isn't as FUN but they do last 2 weeks....even though they are disposable, try a weekly enzyme cleaner....it helps that second week feel more like the first.

2. acuvue2. the size is important. i can wear and according to the dr. 8.4 fits my eye better, but it flops around on my eye...so even though the dr. doesn't believe it, i wear the 8.3. you can try it...you will know IMMEDIATELY if it's not right...when i put in 8.4s i can't get them in/on my eye as easily and i feel like something is in my eye.

3. i answered that in 2..oops.

4. i have issues with the computer...glasses work better at the computer but contacts are stronger than glasses. i know my aunt has special glasses for using a computer!

5. complete. it's the one in the cute blue bottle. (but in bulk at bjs or costco it's in a standard white bottle after you open the box) a little rubbing won't hurt...it could help...but honestly, i'd try the weekly enzyme cleaner.

6. there is no '6' i just thought i'd mess with you!!

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I Agree Acuve advanced 2 is better because they say they let the poors in your eyes Breath I love it I get more the 2 weeks out of each wear....

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Posted by greenfreak

DH and I went to Wise Eyes in Massapequa a few months back to get contacts for the wedding.

We only bought 3 pairs each so we saved one fresh pair for the day of the wedding and otherwise only wore them on weekends.

We've had some problems/questions that I hope you can help with:


1. If you buy the disposable 1-2 week lenses, how long do they REALLY last? We're only getting one week out of them before they start getting uncomfortable to wear, drying out.

2. What brand do you buy? Wise Eyes told us we could only get Biomedics because of our prescription (-3.5, 8.6, 14 and -2.5, 8.6 and 14). I thought it was BS that only Biomedics makes this combo but it's actually true.

3. Besides the strength, how exact do you have to be with the other 2 numbers? If I switched to 8.4 or 13, we would be able to buy Accuvue lenses.

4. When you first started wearing them daily, did you have a lot of trouble with computer screens? I'm sittng here with a low-grade headache and getting blurry vision constantly.

5. What solution do you buy? We have the 'no-rub' stuff but someone told me that the calcium deposits may be what's bothering us after wearing them for a week. She recommended doing the rubbing even though it says you don't have to.

Thanks in advance. I would really love to be able to wear these things comfortably daily.

---

1. I've worn a pair of disposables for weeks in the past without problems. They were biomedics - I ran out and I didn't want to order more because I could tell my prescription changed and it just took awhile to get my lazy a** to the eye doctor so I wore my last pair for awhiel. I usually just try to stretch them out to 3 weeks though.

2. Those numbers are definitely size numbers and I don't know if they are the only brand that makes that size but I bet you could check - do a search on www.1800contacts.com and see what you find out. Also, with respect to Biomedics, I have raed in the past that they get over-prescribed by some eye doctors because of some sort of kickback arrangement. My previous eye doctors told me I had to use them because of an astigmatism (sp?), but my new eye doctor said they're really outdated contacts and had me try Optique and Acuvue Advance each for a week - neither are special for astigmatism btw - and they both were great. I chose the Acuvue. I'm fairly certain my old eye doctor was full of s*it.

3. I think the size does need to be right, but I would look and see if other brands make your size.

4. Everytime I change my prescription, I have trouble for a few days. Could that be why?

5. Alcon's Opti-Free One or something like that - the box is blue and orange. This stuff is amazing. I also liked Renu with MoistureLoc but haven't used it since the fungus issues - although I've heard people are now getting the infections and they're using other solutions so it's probably not the solution. I may go back. I rarely rub my contacts - the Alcon one I buy removes deposits without rubbing.

Good Luck!

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Posted by greenfreak

Thanks so much ladies, keep the advice coming if you can. I'm printing this out and going to CVS at lunch to compare daily cleaning solutions and an enzyme cleaner.

Wise Eyes told me that the Alcon Opti-Free rinsing/disinfecting/storage solution (green bottle) was the only thing I needed. Didn't mention any of this other stuff at all. The least they could have done was inform us, give us the option, you know?

I'd rather spend the money now and see what works. I mean, this is our eyesight! You don't mess with that!

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Try the blue and orange one - I really don't like the green one.

Thanks so much everyone!

I took the contacts out for today and I'm back wearing glasses. That and the 2 Advil I just took should do the trick. It's been weeks since I've had them in, I need to get used to them again.

I got Alcon's Opti-Zyme enzymatic cleaner. It's a 24 tablet supply so it should last a while. $17.00 for this little box though, WOW!

I'm going to try doing the rub daily instead of buying a seperate daily cleaner. The all-in-one I have should be ok along with the enzyme cleaner.

I really need to make this work. I love being able to walk outside, slip on and off my new Revo sunglasses, and still be able to SEE!

Thanks again for all the advice, this one is in my notebook.

6 hours wouldn't be a problem. I would take them out about 7pm and wouldn't put them back in until 6am the next morning.

Yes, if it's something different than the cleaner, disinfectant, or enzyme cleaner please let me know. I'll give anything a try if it works!

Hi - I realize you have a lot of opinions but I would like to agree with some of the ladies that already posted.
I have a tough time with dry eyes a buildup on my contacts. I switched from Renu to Opti-free no rub, and I rub them every morning before I put them in after they have soaked all night and that helps a ton.
Also - I ear proclear - if you can ever get those, I recommend them.

1. If you buy the disposable 1-2 week lenses, how long do they REALLY last?

I actually get 3-4 weeks out of mine. I know that's bad, but oh well! I also try to wear glasses 2-3 days a week.

2. What brand do you buy?

I'm currently using Bosch & Lomb. Usually whatever the eye doctor sells me.

3. Besides the strength, how exact do you have to be with the other 2 numbers?

IMPORTANT - I would never switch anything without the doctors consent. A friend of mine was accidentally using the wrong contacts, and now has ulcers on her eyes. It could cause permanent damage and she has to wear glasses for months now, until everything has cleared.

4. When you first started wearing them daily, did you have a lot of trouble with computer screens?

Not that I can remember. I'd tell your optometrist to make sure everything is ok. Again, I keep thinking back to what happened to my friend, and she was having pains and headaches and didn't think anything of it.

5. What solution do you buy?

Opti-free Replenish ... it's a no-rub

I hope this doesn't freak you out. I'm just very paranoid after what my friend went through.

***UPDATE***

Well things seem to be better with my new cleaning regiment.

But I have one last question!!

I figured out why my eyes were bothering me at work. If I cover my left eye, I see the screen fine. But if I cover my right eye, it's blurry.

Although my eye prescription has been different since I started wearing glasses, the guys at Wise Eyes told me that they were now the same.

They lied.

So now I need to go to a GOOD optometrist who will tell me the truth.

I don't have vision insurance so I can go to anyone. Anyone have a good recommendation for me? Thanks!!