contact lenses

[curiousmind1]

who does the best contact lenses? i have tried specsavers and asda and both were terrible, i was with another company for a hile while they were reasonable i still had problems with them. im just wondering are boots or vision xpress any better? or any other suggestions thanks

[Veggibear]

What have you found 'terrible' about them - the service or comfort of the lenses?

[237SJ]

Sounds like maybe you just can`t weat contact lenses. Some people do have difficulty with them. Maybe you could try a high water-content type

[Old_Geezer]

Do they not all just badge some manufacturer's product with their own name ?
What are these problems you get anyway ? Is it something that is likely to change by using a different retailer's product ?

[york310]

As above, asda and specsavers rebrand all the major contact lenses as their own so just by changing optician doesn't mean you'll get different lenses.

If you are unhappy with the service then maybe you get what you pay for. Both asda and specsavers are free lens assessments whilst some smaller or independant practices may charge £50 but you may feel happier with a more personalised service. You may be happier with local recommendation as staff may vary a lot in national companies.

If it is the lenses you had issues with then is this due to comfort or vision? Is this why you changed from your original supplier or were you motivated by something else such as cost?

Some people can wear any type of lens and have no problem but others may find all lenses problematic. Everyones eyes are different with levels of sensitivity, tear supply, size, etc. and along with external factors such as environment, working tasks, smoking, etc. can affect comfort and vision.

You need to find out which lenses you have tried and what issues you have had so that you can find out which lenses you can try next but really this is best discussed with someone who can examine your eyes and discuss your needs.

Most people find daily disposable lenses the most comfortable but prices can vary from about £15 to £45 (you may have seen acuvue true eye advertised on television) for thirty pairs. Others year monthly or two weekly lenses successfully with the most modern ones being silicon hydrogel lenses such as air optix aqua or biofinity lenses. These are very breatheable so more suited to longer wearing times and also they are less prone to dryness issues.

[Eve]

Great answer from York :) I was going to say similar.

I've worn contacts since I was 14 so about 17 years now. Started on monthy ones and after an attempt at the ones you wear all the time am now on dailies.

I have had problems over the years but related to my eyes rather than the contacts themselves, I had a problem with dry and swollen eyes which resulted in Specsavers telling me not to wear them for a while until my eyes had got better.

I still have some problems though have recently been diagnosed with malabsorbtion which has caused certain imbalances which I am hoping will now be righted and make wearing them easier.

I also have astigmatism and they have given me differing prescriptions in each eye to try and right the balance.

Even random (in my case stupid) things can affect your eyes. I was getting really sore eyes and finally the penny dropped that I was getting into bed, putting pain gel on my legs for my arthritis then probably inadvertantly rubbing my eyes in the night, making sure I washed my hands properly after applying the gel helped a lot lol :)

[Eve]

I also couldn't tolerate the "all the time" wear ones, I went back to Specsavers and he explained that as my eyes produce a lot of crap that they are just not workable for me as it just collects on the lens and I can't see (as well as the more obvious reason that having that stay stuck on the front of your eye in a lens isn't good).

He said that they will have ones in time which might make it possible but, for now I'm back on dailies.

I have to say in Specsavers' defence that they were great and happily suspended my payments on their direct debit scheme while I couldn't wear them. They were incredibly helpful.

I believe that even having eyes which are a certain shape or having anything like scars on them can (well, should) prevent contact lens use.

I find the drying out is helped by putting some contact lens friendly Allergen eye drops in each eye before putting them in.

Are you making sure you aren't using them in any environments you shouldn't? I understand swimming pools and tanning booths are nos. Hayfever or other allergies can be a problem too.

Maybe a proper consultation with a good optician would help?

[Nosha123]

should you not speak to your optician? I dont think contact lenses are something you should really 'shop around' for.. as different types have different benefits....

Acuvue are the best for me though!