Trying contacts again soon

[Eyeshaveit]

Hello! I wore contacts for 6 years, from around age 15 to 21. Then suddenly, my eyes became quite dry, and I haven't worn contacts since. I'm now 25. I'm doing all the normal things to try to alleviate the dry eye -- e.g. been to many, many doctors and am currently trying TheraTears Nutrition, compresses, lid cleaning, and TheraTears or Refresh drops when I need them -- but I really want to get back into contacts. I'm going to try them again soon with a contact lens specialist at a major U.S. eye hospital. Given that my eyes are moderately dry without the contacts, I would be extremely happy if I could wear contacts for, say, 3-5 hours 2-3 nights a week, and for the better part of the weekend. Does anyone have any experiences in getting contacts to work? Also, does anyone think the contacts could worsen my dry eye condition beyond simple contact lens dryness (assuming I take excellent care and follow all the right practices)? I'm sure, like most people here, one of my greatest fears is exacerbating what is already a difficult situation..

Thanks!!

[calli66]

I keep repeating myself on this topic-- but I have had pretty good luck with Extreme H2O soft lenses ("Thins"). They are 59% water, but don't dry out on the eye. My eyes are extremely dry; I live in a dry climate/high altitude; I tend to get blepharitis: I use gel at night. But most of the time I can wear these lenses 12 hours a day. I use hot washcloth compresses twice a day--in the A.M. before inserting the lenses, and before bed.

I have tried Pro-Clears, OptixO2, Acuvue Advance, etc., too--with less success. Try every available lens on the market that's supposed to be good for dry eyes. Give each brand at least a week's trial before forming a definite conclusion. With some brands, you have to also try different powers, since lens design, materials, and fit affect acuity.

General tips for contact wear (in my opinion): Main One--keep hands, face, and lenses scrupulously clean.

1. Disinfect and enzyme treat every night. (I use the enzyme drops).
2. Rub with lens cleaner at least once a day (dry eyes make more gunk).
3. Use plain saline spray and rinse, rinse, rinse.
4. Use 2 drops of "Aquify" or "Blink" IN each lens before inserting--for extra comfort.
5. Use pure, non-deodorant soap for hands, fragrance free products, and no hairspray, eyeliner, mascara, perfumes, etc. if you wear them.
6. Keep your fingers away from your eyes, no picking, rubbing, touching.
7. Work your way up to a longer wearing time--don't push it if your eyes are suffering.
8. Change out disposables for a fresh pair (time varies according to brand)--but again--they get dirty with proteins and deposits, so don't try to "save money" by making them last longer.

Hope this helps--and Good Luck.

C66

[Eyeshaveit]

Thanks for the ideas!!!

Thanks so much for the ideas! This is great.

I actually just got back from the doctor, and he wants to start me on Focus Dailies One Day contacts. Reason is that I can avoid exposing them to any cleaning agents (only drops they would touch is probably Refresh Contacts), and since I sit in front of a computer 12 hours a day, I really just want contacts for a few hours 3 times a week and then all weekend long.

I had also tried O2Optix, Proclear and Acuvue Advanced maybe six months ago, and had limited success with those. The Extreme H2O's sound pretty promising -- I had not tried those. If the Dailies don't work, or if I want to switch to an every-day lens, I will definitely look into those.

[calli66]

Dear Eyeshaveit-
I sometimes look up topics on:

http://groups.google.com/group/sci.med.vision

You can do a search within the group--I just looked at posts about Focus Dailies. Seems there are some complaints about it being difficult to remove. But at least you can compare notes about a product.

Anyway, it's a good place to get user feedback on eyecare products.

C66

[Eyeshaveit]

So I've been trying contacts over the past few weeks. When they're in, my eyes feel somewhat comfortable for a few hours.. it's really not a disaster!

My problem is that when I take them out, they start to hurt and get dry, much worse than normal. And if I wear them for, say, 6 hours on a Saturday, that irritation and extra redness seems to last for days!

Is this a problem you had? Do you think this is something that could get better as I wear them a little more often, or is it pretty bad news?

Thanks again : )

[calli66]

My problem is that when I take them out, they start to hurt and get dry, much worse than normal. And if I wear them for, say, 6 hours on a Saturday, that irritation and extra redness seems to last for days!

Is this a problem you had? Do you think this is something that could get better as I wear them a little more often, or is it pretty bad news?

Thanks again : )

I have had this problem with some brands of contacts, but I'm not sure what causes it. For sure, my eyes are very dry, and while covered by a lens, the corneas are protected, but when the lenses come out, Oh Brother! Suffering.

Lens edge design, material, ionic or non-ionic, and water content all vary. Some lenses shrink up on the eye, get tight, and the edges "dig in". Other lens designs are sort of "loose" and move too much and the friction causes problems. Ask your eye doctor--there are likely other people with the same difficulties, who have tried these lenses.

Just my opinion, but it sounds like the problem won't get better by wearing them more often. Don't give up trying to wear contacts, though--this just may not be the best brand of lenses for you.

C

I wanted to add this: I have had problems with "fresh" lenses--the first day of wear, they irritate my eyes. I wonder if the solution that soft lenses are packed and shipped in---contains an ingredient (like some preservative) that my eyes don't tolerate well. I don't wear dailies--so I like to take my fresh lenses out of the "bubble" and soak them in plain saline solution overnight. Then--they feel better. So--I'm wondering if the Daily Lenses would have this same issue--and you wouldn't know if they felt "better" after the 2nd or 3rd day.

[Leonora]

Calli66--
I'm so glad you mentioned having trouble with fresh lenses! For years I thought there was some weird recycling conspiracy going on and that I was getting a dirty lens now and then. Whew!

[Eyeshaveit]

Thanks for the replies, guys! This is helpful. When I told my contact fitter my situation (contacts surprisingly comfortable, which is a new thing for me after 2 months flaxseed/fish oil and hot compresses, etc, but painful/red after removal for as much as a few days), he said I might not be cut out for contacts, which was disappointing. I'll see if I can find someone who is willing to work with me more diligently.

I pretty much accept wearing glasses at work and really just want contcats for going out on night/weekends and playing sports : )