Contact Lens Wearers

[Frances999]

Many years ago I wore the contact lenses that you wore for 6 days straight and then wore glasses on the 7th day. It just didn't feel right and my optician said it wasn't really a healthy thing so I stopped doing it.

Hmmm, they probably weren't silicon hydrogel lenses. Like Carol says, the FDA approved continuous wear lenses out at the moment are proven to be healthy for your eyes because they let in almost the same amount of oxygen as not wearing lenses at all.

 

[T16GEM]

I am glad I asked about contacts! You guys are Contact Lens Experts!

 

[Frances999]

I am glad I asked about contacts! You guys are Contact Lens Experts!

It's sad, but I am paranoid about eye health so I have read a lot of books and websites about contact lenses! Pleased to help.

 

[rjn1976]

Hmmm, they probably weren't silicon hydrogel lenses. Like Carol says, the FDA approved continuous wear lenses out at the moment are proven to be healthy for your eyes because they let in almost the same amount of oxygen as not wearing lenses at all.

Not strictly true.
Silicon hydrogel lenses do let significantly more oxygen through the lens than previous materials, generally dry out less than other lens types and are generally a good thing if you are looking to wear lenses as a longterm option. There have many new silicone hydrogel lenses launched over the past year.
However in terms of overnight wear they are not necessarily safer than "conventional lenses" - the reason people get into problems with overnight wear (and why some practices stopped fitting the older lens types as overnight wear option 10 -15 years or so ago) is that overnight wear increases the risk of corneal (fornt surface of the eye) infection.
When these "new" lenses were launched a few years ago, we initially thought that increasing the oxygen through the lens would solve this problem, but the latest research shows that, sadly, this is not the case. Overnight wear of any lens type/material carries a signficantly higher risk of problems and the incidence of problems is the same whether you wear a silicone hydrogel lens or "ordinary" lens. This is not to say that people shouldn't wear lenses overnight, but that you need to make an informed choice using the latest evidence.
Daily disposables are generally good option for most people.

 

[Frances999]

Not strictly true.
Silicon hydrogel lenses do let significantly more oxygen through the lens than previous materials, generally dry out less than other lens types and are generally a good thing if you are looking to wear lenses as a longterm option. There have many new silicone hydrogel lenses launched over the past year.
However in terms of overnight wear they are not necessarily safer than "conventional lenses" - the reason people get into problems with overnight wear (and why some practices stopped fitting the older lens types as overnight wear option 10 -15 years or so ago) is that overnight wear increases the risk of corneal (fornt surface of the eye) infection.
When these "new" lenses were launched a few years ago, we initially thought that increasing the oxygen through the lens would solve this problem, but the latest research shows that, sadly, this is not the case. Overnight wear of any lens type/material carries a signficantly higher risk of problems and the incidence of problems is the same whether you wear a silicone hydrogel lens or "ordinary" lens. This is not to say that people shouldn't wear lenses overnight, but that you need to make an informed choice using the latest evidence.
Daily disposables are generally good option for most people.

Yes, but that is nothing to do with silicone hydrogels -vs- daily disposables. That's just sleeping in any lenses. In terms of overall eye-health I struggle to see how anyone could argue that daily disposables are more healthy for your eyes than silicone hydrogels, disregarding the cleansing and sleeping issues. Basically, if you want to sleep in lenses you'll need to silicone hydrogels, and, like you say, sleeping in any lenses will obviously give rise to an increased infection risk.

However, I do remember reading a study whereby they found that those sleeping in silicone hydrogel lenses were something like ten times less likely to develop keratitis than those sleeping in other lenses.

 

[rjn1976]

Yes, but that is nothing to do with silicone hydrogels -vs- daily disposables. That's just sleeping in any lenses. In terms of overall eye-health I struggle to see how anyone could argue that daily disposables are more healthy for your eyes than silicone hydrogels, disregarding the cleansing and sleeping issues. Basically, if you want to sleep in lenses you'll need to silicone hydrogels, and, like you say, sleeping in any lenses will obviously give rise to an increased infection risk.


However, I do remember reading a study whereby they found that those sleeping in silicone hydrogel lenses were something like ten times less likely to develop keratitis than those sleeping in other lenses.

Apologies for the long post:

As I said silicone hydrogel lenses are generally a good thing. Soft Daily disposables or (hard) RGP lenses, have for some time, been recognized as the safest forms of lens wear. The latest silicone hydrogel lenses will undoubtly challenge this position, especially the latest ones launched over the past six months. Daily disposables have signficantly less risk of serious eye infection when compared to overnight wear (and are almost as convenient for the majority of patients). Some brands of daily disposable seem to be safer than others

The post FDA approval study (manufacturer backed) did indeed show a significantly reduced incidence of keratitis when compared to older lens types for overnight wear. Unfortunately the latest research does not support this theory. The two most recent studies are:

Stapleton et al's Australian study found no significant differences in incidence of MK per 10,000 users per year between RGP, daily wear soft and daily disposable lenses. Daily wear SHs had a higher incidence of MK, possibly because they were initially used to fit problem patients. Overnight soft and overnight SH lens wear carried the highest risk and there was no significant difference between the two lens types.

Radford et al's UK case-control study looked at the relative risk of MK and found a five times higher risk with overnight wear than with daily wear, independent of lens type.

 

[arieliwish]

Just to update you:

Got eye test 10 days ago at specsavers and got night and day lenses for free trial last sat. Had to up their use each day this week, 6 hrs, 8 hrs, 10 hrs, etc., until last night when I had to sleep in them!! That was weird, going to sleep while still being able to see, and the digital clock being in focus when I woke!!!!!!

Despite having a cold this week, they've been great, in fact taking them out and putting them in has been no bother at all, none of the old messing about with cleaning fluid/saline/protein removal etc. plus the advantage that if you do fall asleep with them in you don't feel like there's a brick behing your eyelid when you wake up!

Off for my check up at 3pm today, so will prob order a few pairs, then get my next lot online as they seem cheaper.

Lynn

 

[T16GEM]

Lynn - Glad you are getting on ok with them, I still haven't gotten around to getting an eye test hopefully next week - Did you find specsavers good?

 

[arieliwish]

The girl I got for my initial test and assessment was fantastic, she explained everything and was very friendly. I saw a man today and he was great too, although the shop staff are a bit contact-knowledge-lite!!

They originally booked me in last week for 2pm lens trial, where you wander around town for half an hour wearing the new lenses then go back to see how you got on, I queried if I had to go in at 1.30 to put them in then see the optician at 2 - no go in at 2 to put them in then back half an hour later. mm, not correct!! Luckily I went in 15 mins before app so had to have them assessed after only 15 mins wear!

Again today the girl I was ordering my lenses from said I wouldn't need any solutions as they stay in for 30 days then you throw them away - my lady optician reccommended 6 nights in and 1 without them!

I ordered through their lens scheme but don't fully understand it so I'll read through the paperwork tonight, £15.50 per month including 1 pair lenses per month, tests, check ups, 4 replacement lenses if lost or torn, and money off 1 pair specs per year - don't think this bit will benefit me as I usually pay for thinner lenses (jamjars otherwise!) and we get tax credits reduction anyway.

Been looking online and found them for £12/£13 per pair so will prob do that in future.

Lynn

 

[Donaldduck66]

I'm a day and night contact lens wearer and have been for 4 or 5 years now. They are brilliant. I find that I do need comfort drops in a morning as my eyes do dry out whist I'm asleep. I leave them in constantly for the whole month and take them out for 24 to 48 hours at the end. (Usually the whole weekend). I also keep a bottle of solution handy in case I get a smudge on them and have to give them a clean. I've never had any trouble with them at all. I am very careful when I go swimming and to the water parks, though for obvious reasons but I'm not prone to opening my eyes under water. They are the best things I've every invested in. I also pay £15.50. They have come down in price a lot over the years as they were quite expensive when I started weraing them. I would recommend them to anyone.