Let's talk contact lenses and how I really should get them!

Okay, I've been wearing glasses for about 12 years and I think maybe it might be time for contacts. So I have a few questions.

1-Optomotrist or optamologist?

2-What kind do you recommend? Daily, monthly or another kind?

3-What are we talking price wise?

4-Do you wear them all the time?

5-How are your eyes when you DON'T wear them?

6-Maintanence? Annoyances? Pros and Cons?


Thank you in advance. I'm still debating this but it's at the point where I recognize people by their voices

Re: Let's talk contact lenses and how I really should get them!

I've been wearing contacts since I was 16. I've gotten so used to them, I don't wear glasses anymore, although I do have a nice pair to wear.

1-Optomotrist or optamologist?
I would go to an ophthamologist if you haven't had the health of your eyes checked in while. An optomotrist will just give you your Rx.

2-What kind do you recommend? Daily, monthly or another kind?
I have Accuvue 2. I wear them daily for 2 weeks then toss. I take them in and out every day, but get a new pair 2x a month.

3-What are we talking price wise?
I get a 1 year supply of 2 week disposables for $111 at Costco.

4-Do you wear them all the time?
From the moment I get up until I go to bed. I don't sleep over night in them, but I can take a 2-hour nap and not be bothered if I leave them in.

5-How are your eyes when you DON'T wear them?
Fine. No issues. I just hate not having such good peripheral vision with glasses.

6-Maintanence? Annoyances? Pros and Cons?
Since mine are 2-week disposables, I don't but any cleaner or care systems. I just soak overnight in a multi-purpose solution. So that's all I buy and it last about a 1 month for a bottle.

Pros - just like not having to wear glasses - nothing to clean off (my glasses as so dirty), can easily wear sunglasses, better peripheral vision, my kids can't pull them off my face

Cons? Nothing for me, but I guess when you first get them, getting used to putting them in and out.

Message edited 3/23/2008 11:30:16 PM.

Re: Let's talk contact lenses and how I really should get them!

1-Optomotrist or optamologist?
if you get your yearly/ bi yearly exams you cane go to an Optomotrist. contact exams everywhere exspire after 1 YEAR

2-What kind do you recommend? Daily, monthly or another kind? that is up to the dr. and you. every eye is differant. so no one can answer that but you and the dr.

3-What are we talking price wise? it depends on your insurance and alot of places to a meet or beat

4-Do you wear them all the time?

5-How are your eyes when you DON'T wear them?

6-Maintanence? Annoyances?
i had dry eyes so i was always having to put rewetting drops in (i barly wear mine) but again everyone id differant ) and as pp some can go allday with out a problem

Pros and Cons? no glasses, cons for me was the dry eye

hope this helps... i work for davis vision and if you have any questions let me know

Message edited 3/24/2008 12:57:35 AM.

Re: Let's talk contact lenses and how I really should get them!

1-Optomotrist or optamologist? Optomertrist. An Opthamologist would only be needed if you have to get specially fit lenses

2-What kind do you recommend? Daily, monthly or another kind? You should get Daily wear lenses in the beginning. Wear them for several months before you talk to your Dr about extended wear.

3-What are we talking price wise? My contacts annually cost less than one pair of my glasses

4-Do you wear them all the time? I wear extended wear, and take them out for 2 days every month to let my eyes "breathe." If you get dailies, you would take them out every night

5-How are your eyes when you DON'T wear them? After a few seconds of my eyes adjusting to the glasses, they are fine.

6-Maintanence? Annoyances? Pros and Cons? Maintenance is simple. The new solutions are easy to use. Annoyances? - Well I carry eye drops with me all the time just in case something gets in my eye. I also started using more expensive mascaras that do not flake so that the makeup cannot get in my eyes.

There are no real cons, IMO. I love not having the discomfort of glasses (the pressure behind the ears and on your nose). I find that I do not get eye fatigue as easily, and it is easier to use the computer, etc, than when I wear my glasses. I have been wearing lenses for 21 years. I started with hard contacts, and now I wear coloured contacts, extended-wear, and disposables (depending on my mood).

Good luck!

Re: Let's talk contact lenses and how I really should get them!

1-Optomotrist or optamologist?

i see an opthamologist and an optometrist in the same practice because i like to go back and forth between glasses and contacts, but for just contacts, you'll need to see an opthamologist

2-What kind do you recommend? Daily, monthly or another kind?

i recommend whatever is most comfortable in your eyes. price-wise, dailies are more expensive but you save a ton of $$ on cleaning solution, however, i have not been able to find any that feel good in my eyes. i wear the kind you change every two weeks.


3-What are we talking price wise?

because i have astigmatism in one eye, i pay about $40 a box (6 contacts, a 12 week supply) for that eye, and about $20 a box for the other eye. i use discount-contact-lenses.com, they have the best prices for MY lenses.


4-Do you wear them all the time?

i wear them less now that i am PG, but i used to wear them every day. since i am in front of the computer all day i use a lot of re-wetting drops.

5-How are your eyes when you DON'T wear them?

fine - i just like to give them a rest sometimes b/c contacts tend to dry out my eyes

6-Maintanence? Annoyances? Pros and Cons?

maintenance is easy.

it's annoying to have to take out and clean every night - even though i use a no-rub solution i still rinse them off and although it is quick it is still annoying for me. it's also annoying if you wear eye makeup and it gets in your eyes... you have to take the whole lense out and clean it.

pros, definitely looks better (on me) than wearing glasses.

cons, more expensive over the course of a year than buying a new pair of glasses every two years.

Re: Let's talk contact lenses and how I really should get them!

I have worn contacts since I am in junior high, since I had heavy bifocals...

1-Optomotrist or optamologist?
I would go to an ophthamologist if you haven't had the health of your eyes checked in while. An optomotrist will just give you your Rx.

2-What kind do you recommend? Daily, monthly or another kind?
I have the Cohen's brand 2 week disposables..I once used a coupon and they locked in the price..it's not bad..

3-What are we talking price wise?
I get a year for about $100 also

4-Do you wear them all the time?
From the moment I get up until I go to bed. I don't sleep over night in them, but I can take a 2-hour nap and not be bothered if I leave them in.

5-How are your eyes when you DON'T wear them?
Fine. No issues. I just hate not having such good peripheral vision with glasses. I am not as comfortable in my glasses now.

6-Maintanence? Annoyances? Pros and Cons?
Since mine are 2-week disposables, I don't but any cleaner or care systems. I just soak overnight in a multi-purpose solution. So that's all I buy and it last about a 1 month for a bottle, maybe more since I get the BJ's bottle

Pros - just like not having to wear glasses - can easily wear sunglasses, better peripheral vision

Cons? Nothing for me, but I guess when you first get them, getting used to putting them in and out. Also, be very aware since I unfortunately remember having to do a lot of trial and error with eyecare...certain brands gave me corneal infections..go for it!

Message edited 3/24/2008 4:19:51 PM.