Contact Lenses -- I have questions about them?

Question

Okay, here it goes:

1. Can they damage your eyes?
2. Are they costly (more so than glasses)?
3. How do you clean them in solution?
4. Do you put them in before or after the solution has dried?
5. Is there anything else I should know before seriously contemplating getting contact lenses?

I've been wearing glasses for years and would like a change, but I want to know if contacts can damage your eyes. Facts, opinions, and previous experience / knowledge is appreciated! Thanks. ;)

Thank you! The trial pair sounds like a good plan of action. :)

I have one more question...

6. Does the contact solution damage your eyes?

Thank you, everyone! I'm glad this got a good turn-out. :) I think I could handle washing them everyday. They are my eyes, after all. ;P Wouldn't want them to be damaged.

I think I'll discuss this because I'm due back for an appointment (vision has changed).

Answer 1

1. yes if you don't take care of them
2. not as far as i can tell, get 30 day dispoables
3. put solution on the palm of your hand and rub them, a lot of solutions are no rub now so you just have to put them in the case
4. don't let them dry out, ever
5. if you can put them into your eyes, that's the worst part of it

I have had contacts for over 10 years and never really had problems, just keep them clean and change them out and they are good to go. Glasses get in my way with kids, they get dirty and i can't drive with them because they are too bright. I'd go to the optometrist get a trial pair and see how you like them.

Answer 2

1. Yes, you must take good care of them, don't fall asleep in them. I wore them for 3 years. I had to stop because my eyes became too dry and it was a terrible time, they would pop out and just burn.

2. Depends what kind of glasses. If you get cheap frames, then yes considerably more expensive plus you have to buy the solution and cases. Also depends if you have astigmatism or not, that is a big factor the astigmatism contacts are almost double the price of regular contacts. If you do get the astigmatism contacts you will experience the astigmatism lenses flipping (they get a little blurry until you blink and they flip back) and if you decide to not get the astigmatism lenses your vision will not be the same as with your glasses. Not only that glasses can last years if your script doesn't change and your careful with them.

3. The cleaning is the easy part just put them in the case with some rub-free solution.

4. Before, you want the contact to be soft, wet and pliable and the solution keeps it moist.

5. I say why not look into the surgery. That is what I'm looking into right now. I started with contacts and didn't mind them but then wasn't able to wear them. Now, my glasses give me headaches, at times. I hate not being able to see without glasses. I just went to Six Flags Great America and I got on the Batman with my sis, we waited for the front row even and when the ride was about to start they mentioned to secure loose things especially glasses and flip flops.....well I had to put them in my shirt attached to the center of my bra....needless to say that sucked, it was night time and everything was just a blurry mess, NO FUN. Can't wait to get the surgery it will also help with swimming which is something else glasses AND contacts get in the way of.

I personally say yes contacts can damage your eyes but you can sometimes enjoy them with no problems for a while. My eyes became super dried out and I forget what the Dr. called it but I had small bumps on the underside of my eyelids so then the eye was not completely cleaned when I blinked-you get very red irritated eyes and they burn.

Answer 3

1. Can damage your eyes if they stay in too long or if you get something under them that can scratch your eye.
2. The exam is costly (usually $100/year) but if you get a good brand from Wal-mart they will run $15 for 3 pair.
3. They have a no-rub solution these days that they just sit in overnight and you don't need to rub them clean.
4. You don't let the solution dry, you take them directly out of the solution and put them on your eye. The wetter they are the easier they stick to your eye.
5. Just get the soft ones, they are hard at first but once you get used to them you will like them much better than glasses. Keep a pair of glasses handy as you will sometimes want to rest your eyes from the contacts... I have been wearing them for over 5 years and I am so glad I did...glasses just become a pain for many reasons...good luck

Answer 4

The contacts themselves won't damage your eyes but if you are not careful they could cause an infection but this is a very small risk. I first started wearing regular soft lenses and my eyes are very sensitive and were irritated all of the time. I switched to Acuvue-2, 2 week disposables, and they are great. They are about $15 for a 6 week supply. You can either use regular solution which you just put them in your palm and rub them with the solution or you can use the "no-rub" solution. You just rinse the lenses and put them in a case! I suggest that you try out the disposables. That way, worst case scenario, you are only out $15 and the cost of the exam.

Good luck!

Answer 5

1. Nah. The soft ones are made of plastic.
2. Not really. My scrip is pretty odd and I still get a year's worth for ~$300. Comparable to a nice pair of specs.
3. There are 2-in-1 solutions now that you just squirt on to the lens and rub gently with a finger, then rinse. Each week, an enzyme cleaner that you just set them in is good.
4. Before. Wet is good for your eyes. Think of the solution like tears.
5. Might want to invest in a pair of non prescrip sunglasses. Contacts tend to focus the light a little more. Other than that, they're great.

Answer 6

1. Can they damage your eyes?

No. You can also poke your eye out with your fingers but you're careful right? So you should be careful with your contacts as well.

*Wash your hands properly (you might get an infection)
*Do not wear them at night ( they get too dry)
*Do not wear them if you're in front of a computer longer than 2 hours (again they get too dry)
Do what it says on the packages basically and you'll be fine.


2. Are they costly (more so than glasses)?
That depends on your choice of glasses and contacts.

3. How do you clean them in solution?

You wash your hands, take them out, put them in their case full of fresh solution. Solution does the cleaning. Your doctor will show you how to do things step by step.


4. Do you put them in before or after the solution has dried?

Solution does not dry out, you always keep them in their cases filled with fresh solution when you're not wearing them. When you want to wear them, you take your contacts out and pour the old solution to the sink, fill it again to use it later.


5. Is there anything else I should know before seriously contemplating getting contact lenses?

You should ask any questions you may have to your doctor. No need to be shy...Good luck.

Answer 7

1. yes they can if you rub ur eyes they can damage ur cornea
2. no glasses are more expensive
3. if you get the no rub kind of solution you dont have to clean them. but what i do is every other day i would just put some solution on the contact a rub it in to rinse it off.
3. put the contact in the palm of ur hand, put some solution on it and rub (not to hard) with a finger for a couple of second
4. right after u clean them you can put them in
5.i think its better to the soft lense than the hard ones, just make sure u clean them from time to time if you get the no rub solution cause if u dont u will get little deposits on the contacts and it will bother ur vision and make sure to ask all the question they have to ur doctor to make sure.

Answer 8

1. Yes, they can cause irritation and inflammation of the eye and the eyelid, especially if left in two long or your eyes are very dry. (this seems to go away on it's own if you avoid your contacts for a week or two)

2. Yes, there are all different types of lenses. some can be worn night & day for up to 30 days (more $$) some types you must take out every night.

3. They need to soak for the minimum amount of time (listed on the bottle of solution) which desolves build of of normal minerals and deposits the eye produces. Then you rinse with clean solution.

4. The solution is not harmfull to your eyes (i believe it's mostly saline) you should put your lenses in while still wet. dry lenses can cause irritation.

5. Play it smart. if your eyes hurt or are irritated just wear your glases that day. if you have allergies you may need to avoid contacts durring times when allergies are really bad. Don't wear them in the swimming pool. not only can you loose them, but they can absorbe chemicals out of the water. I currently wear 30-day continuous wear lenses but I take them out every night becuase my eyes become irritated very easily. (i used to wear them day & night) I personally feel that because i've worn contacts for many years my eyes are more sensaitve than they used to be. the good news is that the eye is a truely remarkable thing and a lot tougher than we give it credit for. i find that on days that my mornings that my eyes are sensative

Answer 9

If you take the necessary precautions conatcts are a good option. They are more expensive than glasses, boyh to buy and maintain.No they dont damage your eyes if you clean them regularly.

To clean a lens take a lens on your slightly cupped palm, pour a couple of drops in the lens cup and gently rub it with your finger. Rinse and store in clean solution. Storage solution must be changed everyday tp prevent infection.

Lens should not be allowed to dry any time. Else they will become brittle. Lens are worn wet.

Contact a optician for more details.

Best part of contacts - you get 100% visibility.

Answer 10

1. I don't think they can do any permanent damage, unless you put them in wrong.
2. They can be, but it's a cost that's spread out over a time period
3. You just wash your hands, and rub them gently in the solution. Or you can buy bubbly solution that washes them for you. Or you can put them in a sealed container and shake them.
4. It doesn't matter. The solution is fine for your eyes. The moister it is, the better though. Your eyes need to breathe. Oxygen has to get to them in order for them to function properly.
5. I switched from glasses to contact lenses (the disposable kind you throw away after a while) and it turned out I was allergic to them. I was blind for a couple of days, and very, very light sensitive. My sight returned after a while, but I'm still light sensitive now, six years later. Just a heads up. It's rare from what my doctor told me, so I wouldn't stress about it, but if your eyes get really red and itchy, take them out and get a check up.

They're really awesome, and while I had them, I loved them and wish I could switch back.

Good luck!