Contact Lense Virgin

meglome

Right never worn contacts before even through I've had glasses since I was three. Don't even know much about them to be honest (not good with putting anything into my eyes). But I'm thinking I'd get some daily’s that I'd wear now and then. Haven't had an eye test for two years. So I have a few questions for everyone.

Best place to get an eye test and my first set of lenses? (Insight Opticians in Jervis Shopping Centre is the closest place to me)
Should I just get the old test and use that? (I asked in Insight and they were charging €40 for the test and 60 for the first set of contacts)
What would you recommend as the best way to learn putting them in and taking them out?
Anyone seen a portable magnified mirror which would help if I'm out and about?

Any help appreciated.

xeroshero

Hi...

I would go with specsavers to be honest but thats a personal decision. I used them, had no problems. You would most likely need a new prescription, Id be surrised if your eyes haven't changed at all in 2 yrs! Probably no harm is getting the test done anyway...

Reards putting them in and out, som people REALLY freak out at the thought of it but REALLY, HONESLTY its not something to be worried about! Its not ike having dirt/something stingy in your eye - remember the lenses are MADE to be there! The person in the optician will generally put them in for you first, so you can get the feel of them... Then they take them out, they then talk you through putting them ina nd out several times... You'd be amazed at how easy it is and how fine it feels!!! Yes, you can sometimes feel something there but I never found them uncomfortable or sore (I used both dailies and monthlies <at different times>...)

Contacts can give you great freedom, I got them for playing sport, I was about 15 or 16 - they were great!!! (I've now had the laser done whichi is another step up but contacts are definitely recommended by me!)

Regards the mirror thing, I always found just a normal mirror to be fine. You shouldn't really have a need to put them in "when you out and about" as such anyway... If you do, just use a bathroom, always bring an extra pair in case of loss/damage to one/two!

I can understand people's fear at the thought of putting them in and out but nearly everyone I know who use lenses say how silly they were prior to using them to worry.... So, go for it!

Oh, and regards the price.... I got the dailies in a normal opticians, can't really remember how much there were, I THINK around €50 for 30 pairs (but they could last months depending on use obviously!) The monthlies were mush cheaper, from specsavers, I paid I think it was around €55-60 for three months supply! There are many different types are lenses, obviously some being more expensive than others...)

Oh, and I would avoid "vision express".... NIce friendly/helpful staff and all the rest but I found them very expensive but some peopel like that - feel they are getting the best because they are paying more...

meglome

Thanks for that. If I don't booze/eat all my money away I'll take the plunge I reckon.

SligoBrewer

meglome wrote: »

Thanks for that. If I don't booze/eat all my money away I'll take the plunge I reckon.

Do.

You won't regret it!:)

Misticles

you will need a new sight test to get the lense fit. if you go to specsavers. it will be 27 for the test 32 for the lense fit. and 35 upwards for one month of dailes.. if your suitable for dailies that is. the 32 covers u for a year, so if you have to go back for anything to do with lenses for the year its free.
ya get taught how to put them in and take them out. if ya dont get it the first time, ya can try again.

Lil' Smiler

ah it's worth the money!!!

i think when i get my prescription checked out i'm gonna buy my lenses online anyway!


I know when i got my lenses, I was 9 at the time, now 21 they were so so good in Specsavers at traching you how to put them in, my brother was terrible about putting them in and they actually took a few appointments (free of charge) to get him used to them!

meglome

I'll need at the help I can get

Tusky

I'm in a similar situation although Ive never even had glasses. My eyesight has gotten worse over the past few ideas but HATE the idea of getting glasses. Not for appearance reasons, I just don't like the idea of having something on my face all the time. Can you go straight to contacts or will I need to buy glasses first ?

Bit nervous about learning to put them in and take them out. Are there some people who just cant do it ?

JæKæ

Probably be worth getting a test. Usually they won't have changed too much in two years, but get a test now. Then buy them online at getlenses.ie. They require a prescription.
After the prescription expires, then go to http://www.aclens.com. A US site, they don't require it.

As regards putting them in, they might show you a strange method, you don't have to do it a set way. Work out your own way of getting it in. (I just hold my eye open with the thumb and index finger of one hand, and put it in with the index of the other hand.) Stick to your own, and you'll be doing it in your sleep within a few weeks.

meglome

Tusky wrote: »

I'm in a similar situation although Ive never even had glasses. My eyesight has gotten worse over the past few ideas but HATE the idea of getting glasses. Not for appearance reasons, I just don't like the idea of having something on my face all the time. Can you go straight to contacts or will I need to buy glasses first ?

Bit nervous about learning to put them in and take them out. Are there some people who just cant do it ?

I'd go for the glasses as well. It won't always be okay to wear contacts, especially if you're very tired. We're all getting older and you might end up straining your eyes even more if you don't have the option.

I'm NOT looking forward to the whole put them in/take them out learning curve. I'm going down to specsavers tomorrow to get them so we'll see what happens.

meglome

Actually since I'm such a wuss I was thinking along the line of this...

10 X Compact Magnifying Mirror
http://www.independentliving.com/prodinfo.asp?number=454479

Tusky

meglome wrote: »

Actually since I'm such a wuss I was thinking along the line of this...

10 X Compact Magnifying Mirror
http://www.independentliving.com/prodinfo.asp?number=454479

Would that help ? The problem with putting them in is surely more about getting over your initial reaction. Which is to blink.

Let us know how you get on! Would be keen about the experience of someone who has never done it before.

meglome

Yeah you're probably right. Was trying yesterday pretending to put them and it wasn't good

feylya

I got contacts on Wednesday. Still haven't managed to put them in at home Anyone got any hints?

xeroshero

(God, I just ralised how wierd this is whne I tried to remember how I used to put them in/take them out! Benn nearly a year for me now....)

Ah.... Reagrds hints - practice, practice, practice!!! Like said previously there isn't really a right way or a wrong just whatever works for you!

Good luck!

Featherl

Would recommend Spec Savers, sometimes they do discount off Eye Test, they will show you how to put in and take out, and how to mind them.

I got a 3 month supply for €120 which I thought was good. I dont use every day, I find my eyes get sore using them every day

feylya

I've finally figured out a way that works and it's not like the Specsavers one. What I do is roll my eye down, pull down my lower lid, look up towards the ceiling (but I tilt my head down so I end up looking at the mirror) and then put the contact below my iris. Then it's just a case of sliding it up/rolling my eye down to let it fall into place.

dubk8

Agree with consensus that Specsavers is probably best place to get your inital test and perscription, remember you get refund on your prsi for test. Once you have your perscription you should buy your lenses online. I use www.Visiondirect.com and find their prices very competitive, less than half price high street prices. Also use Night & Day lenses so I only have to put them in once a month and they stay there even when I am sleeping. Solves problem with having to take them in and out daily. Also great if you come home over the limit and forget. It used to be killing if I forgot to take them out when I was using the daily lenses.

Hope this helps.

meglome

Right I got the contact lenses, in Specsavers as was recommended, soft daily ones. Very happy with the whole process. The fun began when I had to do the test to put them in. Spent an hour poking myself in the eyes, until it looked like I had pink eye. Poking yourself in the eyes for an hour isn't as much fun as it sounds :rolleyes: At this stage I was feeling very frustrated and kinda stupid. Then one of the staff suggested I sit closer to the mirror. Low and behold I got them straight in, then was able to take them straight out. Then was able to do this the second time. Haven't actually worn them since but am feeling that I'll have no trouble doing so. Thanks for all the advice.

meglome

Follow up.

I wore them out on Friday night. When I went to put them in I found I was quite nervous about doing it. Had to do a quick trim on my nails which I do tend to keep at 'having my eye out' length. Once I did that I got them straight in with no problems. I'm using the one hand over the top pulling up the top lid and the other hand pulling down the bottom lid system they teach in Specsavers. Of course waking up on the sofa at 10am with them still in wasn't what I'd planned, damn vodka. I'm delighted I got them.

dubk8

Use Night & Day lenses so you only have to put them in once a month and they stay there even when you are sleeping. Great if you come home over the limit and wake up on the sofa on Saturday morning. No sore eyes.

meglome

I'm happy with the soft day lenses, I don't wear them often so it's fine for me.

Solarball10

I've been wearing contacts for the past 5 years. I started off with the dailies but I wore them a lot, and they weren't great for my eyes (I started using eye drops though and they helped a lot).

Only recently I went to monthlies and they're much cheaper and more comfy! The dailes were 35 a month, whereas the monthlies are only 66 for 3 months supply! Even these aren't supposed to be worn all the time though - ideally 5 days outta the week for 7/8 hrs a day.

And as for trying to get em in the first time--it was impossible for me!! My eyes kept watering constantly and the optician told me to come back for another try...so I kept trying, and eventually I did get used to them. Was a pain coming home after a drunken nite tho, was about an hour in the bathroom tryin to get em out @ the start!! Now it's a matter of a couple of seconds

andrewh5

dubk8 wrote: »

Use Night & Day lenses so you only have to put them in once a month and they stay there even when you are sleeping. Great if you come home over the limit and wake up on the sofa on Saturday morning. No sore eyes.

I agree with this. They are brill! I also have bifocal ones which are even better - no more reading glasses

meglome

Well so far I've worn them three times and woken up with them in twice. So I'll either have to drink less or think about the monthlies. Don't like the idea of having contacts in for long periods though.