Contact Lenses and Eye glasses question

[Fishbone†]

I have worn contact lenses for 18 years, and have had NO issues – in fact, people often comment that they don’t even realize I wear them because they don’t bother me in the least. For the past four years I’ve worn the extended wear, and apparently, I over-wore them.

Yesterday morning I woke up and my eyes were burning and super sensitive to light – it was the first indication I had there was a problem. I took my contacts out while I got ready to give my eyes a break, and I couldn’t get them back in. I called the eye doctor because I don’t own any glasses, and I can’t drive without correction. He got me in, and told me in simple terms my eyes were “rejecting” the contacts. He said I couldn’t wear them for two weeks, and told me a couple times I may never be able to wear them again. I hope that’s not true. Has anyone else experienced this??? What is the outcome – could you wear contacts again after your eyes healed??

The real question I have though is this. I had to get glasses so I could function for the next two weeks, and they did an eye exam at the eye doctor so I would have the correct prescription. I got the glasses, and I swear there is something wrong with them. The lady at Pearl Vision told me it’s just an adjustment issue – meaning I have to adjust to glasses after wearing contacts too long, and that it would be fine in about 7 days. I think the prescription is wrong – everything is fuzzy in the distance… and even some up close. It feels like I have to refocus all the time. I try to describe it, but I just can’t seem to…. It kind of feels like a magnifying glass that you have a little too close where the letters are clearer than without, but a little fuzzy around the edges. That’s how things look to me – like they don’t have the sharpness they should. Is this adjustment to glasses or a bad prescription?? I have a follow-up appointment with my doctor on Tuesday and plan to ask him then, but I’m following his instructions (eye drops, etc) to a “T” because I want them to heal ASAP (so I can get back to my lenses – note: I will be switching back to daily wear and caring for them with the utmost care lest I lose the ability to wear them), and I’m afraid wearing an incorrect correction will damage my eyes further or slow down the progress. Does anyone have any knowledge or experience in this area??

Sorry so long!!!

 

[jsmith]

I wear daily wear contacts-have for about 25 years-but i also have glasses so i can give my eyes the occaisional break-theres nothing wrong with your glasses perscription-its partly adjustment and partly due to the fact that you just do get as sharp a correction with glasses. Have you considered getting Lasik as an alternative to going back to your lenses? I would do it in a heartbeat if insurance covered it just to be rid of corrective lenses.. oh and the one time my eyes "rejected" my contacts it was six months before i could wear them again-thats when i went from daily wear lenses that get replaced once a year to disposables.

 

[beachbunny]

Same thing happened to me earlier this month! I wear soft disposables - take mine out every night and throw out every two weeks.

By the time I went to my doctor I could not get my contacts in because they hurt too much - my eyes were red and puffy. I was put on steriod eyedrops for one week - no contacts. My doctor thought it was an allergic reaction.

I'm wearing my contacts again but only for shorter periods of time because I don't want to risk it. Like you, I had to order glasses. I've been waiting two weeks for them to arrive from Costco. Much as I don't like wearing glasses, I've resigned myself to having to wear them more in the future.

 

[Fishbone†]

I would love to get lasik - I just don't have the money right now.

 

[phillybeth]

I would go to the emergency room. You could have a very very serious eye infection. Your eyes are nothing to mess around with.

 

[Fishbone†]

I would go to the emergency room. You could have a very very serious eye infection. Your eyes are nothing to mess around with.

I've already been diagnosed, and given eyedrops (a steroid like beachbunny). I just hope I can wear my contacts again - even if just for the day - or most days. I hate these glasses, but I guess I can survive them in the evenings or weekends if it means I get to wear contacts again.

I'm glad to hear you could wear yours again Beachbunny - he told me two weeks, and I guess as much as I'm already counting the days, I'll stick to that.... just so I know I'm good to go for sure.

 

[ZachnElli]

I have worn contacts for about 18 years also. I had over worn contacts once and got an ulcer in my eye. I was out of contacts for about 4 weeks, but yes I can wear them now. That was with extended wear also, but a long time ago. I now use the disposable. There is an adjustment when going to glasses, so give it a few days and then see how well your vision is with them.

 

[jennyl772003]

I have been wearing contacts exclusively for years.

I just recently got glasses to wear at home in the evenings. For the first couple of weeks they gave me headaches and my vision didn't seem very clear. Now, a few months later, every thing is A-OK. (I only wear them for a couple of hours a day, so it took a little while)

One thing I would suggest for you though...Since you now own glasses, wear them in the evenings instead of your contacts. I Know my eyes seem to appreciate the break!

 

[Horseshoes]

I have been wearing contacts for 24 years.

I have the disposable ones. I definitately see better with my contacts. I do not see as clearly in my glasses, but I wear them at night.

Even though I buy the No Rub solution, I still rub them to clean them, I take the utmost care.

I have never been able to adjust my vision better in my glasses than in contacts.

I have a friend who couldnt wear contacts anymore, she tried drops, waited weeks, etc. Still hasnt been able to wear them again and its been years.

I would be devestated if I couldnt wear contacts again.

Good luck

 

[Mrs.Toad]

My doc didn't use those words, but I had lots of trouble with them once, got some tiny perforations on my corneas, and had to do without for a month or two. He said that sometimes, as people get older, their eyes just can't handle wearing contacts as long, or at all, anymore. Guess that's just a different way of saying they reject them, right?

My eye doc said it was from over-wearing them. Even the best contacts do not allow enough oxygen to reach the eye and he said your eyes need some awake time each day without contacts to rest your eyes. He said sleep time doesn't count, because with your eyes closed, the oxygen doesn't get in there, either.

Anyway, he also emphasized the importance of keeping them very, very clean. I was wearing 2-week disposables when this happened, and he had me take them out each night and clean them with Clear Care. But now, I've switched to daily disposables. He said these are the most sterile you can get, because you never take them out and put them back in. They cost more, but once you factor in that you never have to buy cleaning solution again, the difference isn't so bad. I love them, they are so easy and convenient. But I still take them out each night a couple hours before going to bed, and wait as long as possible before putting them in, in the morning.

Good luck. I hope that you can wear your contacts again. Don't rush it, though. Give your eyes a nice long contact lens vacation so they can heal.