Contacts? What do I need to know? Teach me

[Shanna-like-Banana]

DH & I have been discussing investing in contacts for our daughter. She is a college freshmen in a Culinary College. She has worn glasses for about 6-7 years, and we did tell her once her Rx leveled out we would look into getting her contacts. For some time she was being seen 2x yearly and it was changing every single time. The strength for each eye is different, one eye needs a much stronger corrections.

I know nothing about contacts. Neither DH or I have worn glasses, so I'm lost on this one. DD understands this is a luxury and not a necessity. She has glasses that are just fine, her Rx has been exactly the same for 2 years. She is starting her cooking labs and even though her glasses fit fine, and are new, they do move when your bending, carrying, washing, leaning over, etc. We're not looking to totally replace wearing glasses, but to give her something 4-5 days a week in labs. Plus I've read about making sure your eye gets enough oxygen, and not wearing contacts every day.

She has an eye condition where she has to see an Ophthamologist that for some unexplained reason does not measure/fit for contacts. So she would need to find somewhere for another exam/fitting.

With her eyes being different corrections, I understand we will need to order a set per eye. How will she be able to try samples of different brands to decide what to order? Do the doctors offices have single sets you can purchase for each eye strength, or an order you can place with a company to try different brands?
I also know there seems like 100 different kinds of contacts, daily's, one you have to wash, etc.

Once she finds a style she likes, I've seen 10 different commercials for contacts ordering service. Our insurance doesn't have any glasses/contact coverage, so it will be OOP. I've seen WalMart and Sams club provide them as well. How do I know what a good price is?

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

The doctor will have plenty of samples that will match her eyes (each one). She will try on the samples for a few days and come back to ensure they fit properly and no issues (at least that's what my doctor does).

From there they will try to get you to buy from them but just get a prescription card (no hard feelings) and you'll have to do a search yourself because one store may have better prices on one brand than another. There are tons of coupons out there. Last time I ordered Vision Direct had the best price with a promo code but that isn't always the case. You'll have to search amongst them all.

 

[afan]

She needs to a see a doctor that regularly deals with contacts and can measure for them, it's generally an additional cost on top of the eye exam. I've been wearing contacts since I was 15, well over 20 years and they've changed a lot since then. I started out with ones you had for the entire year then went to monthly and now daily. It's totally normal for people's eyes to need different corrections, only once have both of my eyes ever been the same.

Don't worry about the whole oxygen thing, that's more with the contacts I started with that you weren't supposed to sleep in etc. They now have one's that you can put in and sleep in. I don't simply because I don't like to though I will nap with them because it's just easier.

There are more than one type of contacts depending on her eyes, I used to be able to wear normal one's but now I have to wear one's specifically for astigmatism and they are a bit of a pain because they have to adjust to the right spot on your eye so it's totally in focus, but if she doesn't have astigmatism then it's not a problem for her to worry about.

I would say for her monthly's would be good and it brings the cost down since you need fewer pairs for the year. I had to switch to daily's because my eye's decided to become allergic to a material in the monthly contacts, I can't remember what it is but probably not an issue for most people. The daily's are as durable but they are easier since you open the package, pop them in and then toss them at the end of the day. But they also cost more, but any contacts I have because of the astigmatism will cost more.

I get my contacts at Costco because they were the best price when I looked. You may also want to consider if you have eye insurance what they pay for glasses vs contacts, sometimes it's a better deal to use the ins for contacts and pay for the glasses. It was for me given the prices at Costco. I also keep my script for 2 years and use the same frames for 4 years with new lenses when there's a change.

The biggest thing is she's going to have to be ok with putting her finger in her eye, having the contact move around when you rub your eyes and it takes a few minutes to find it in your eye, that the contacts may dry out, though I think with all the new types it's not as much of an issue. But things like a/c and using the defrost in the car will dry them out. In the end contacts really aren't a big deal and they are so much better than they used to be, she just needs a good dr to help her figure out the best type and then work through the samples. Make sure she's honest, the first one's aren't always the right one's. They'll teach her how to put them in and take them out.

 

[QueenIsabella]

Contacts are really no big deal. My DS12 wears them, as do both his sisters. DS21 wasn't comfortable with putting his finger in his eye, so he wears glasses.

The opthamologist will help her to find the right kind for her. Not one of my kids wears the same exact contact for each eye. 2 also have astygmatism, and again, NBD with contacts and differing prescriptions. They've also tried different brands/styles, and returned them if they didn't feel or work right.

Our eye doctor has a "all you need" policy on contacts, which works well for beginners, who might be more inclined to tear or lose them. So it costs me a little more, but I can get extra pairs whenever. Obviously, I try not to abuse this, but it's good to have. My oldest just orders from 1-800-CONTACTS.

It will take her a while to get used to wearing them and putting them in (less issue with removing them). I find that starting them in the summer, when we're not rushing out the door, to work best. Your DD's learning curve may be quicker since she's older.

Another note--it might take her a bit to get used to not having glasses, especially if she wore them all the time. My eyes felt very "naked" at first. Also, she'll want to keep sunglasses handy, especially if she's had transition lenses before this.

 

[kymom99]

No one has the exact same prescription for both eyes. They can use the same prescription as they would with glasses and then just do a contact fitting.

The thing about oxygen is nonsense. I wear contacts 12+ hours a day 7 days a week. The newer types allow oxygen to reach the eye.

The ones I use are the type you throw away once a month. You can leave them in but I take them out at night.

 

[martikus]

Contacts are no big deal and honestly I love them. I can wear sunglasses that aren’t prescription. I rarely wear my glasses.

A good eye dr will have a bunch of brands to try and give them for free and have her return a couple weeks later. I find my prescription just slightly duller than my glasses but tiny differences.

I think I pay $200 for a year supply and there is always a rebate in addition. I do monthly’s. Plan to need a couple extra the first year as I ripped a couple getting hand of it.

I’ve used a version of monthly bio infinity for 20+ years and love them. I never keep them in at night.

 

[Jaime4004]

The eye doc will give you more info than you want. DD15 really wants contacts but cannot deal with putting something in her eye. She was just at the eye doc yesterday trying (and failing) and has an appt to try again in a week. I've been wearing them for 25 yrs or so. After practice, they're so easy. Our family sees 2 different eye MDs and both have recommended not wearing contacts more than 8-10 hrs/day because oxygen to the eye is a thing. Most people are guilty of wearing them longer, me included, but doesn't mean it's a good idea. I know 2 people who cannot wear them anymore because of infections. Contacts today definitely are made much better than 25 yrs ago. I prefer ones you wear daily and toss, less risk of infection. They are more expensive, but those are the one I'll get DD, if she can ever get them in. Like PP said, the eye MD has you try different pairs for a few days/weeks each until you find the ones that feel the best. Then I take the prescription and price shop online. The best deal changes every year, this year I ordered from lens.com.

 

[Klayfish]

DS21 wasn't comfortable with putting his finger in his eye, so he wears glasses.

That's my problem too. I'm in my mid-40s and have never worn any corrective lenses of any type. But at this point, I'm starting to need them. I have reading glasses from the dollar store which work great, but I'm going to need more than that soon. However, the thought of sticking my finger in my eye...I try to see if I can touch my eye and my eyelid closes instinctively. DS14 has been wearing them since he was about 10 or 11 and DS11 wears them, and they both laugh at me.

 

[tvguy]

One thing to think about, the protection the glasses provide that contacts don't. Those cooking labs would be when I WOULD wear glasses instead of contacts with heat from ovens, stuff splashing and getting thrown around by mixers and hitting you in the eyes.

I wore contacts for years, but that type situation would not be wearing contacts.

 

[DisneyHardin]

No one has the exact same prescription for both eyes. They can use the same prescription as they would with glasses and then just do a contact fitting.

The thing about oxygen is nonsense. I wear contacts 12+ hours a day 7 days a week. The newer types allow oxygen to reach the eye.

The ones I use are the type you throw away once a month. You can leave them in but I take them out at night.

I wear the same prescription in both eyes. It is really nice because I don't have to worry about keeping my left and right contacts separate.

 

[Hikergirl]

I wear the same prescription in both eyes. It is really nice because I don't have to worry about keeping my left and right contacts separate.

Dh has the same contact Rx in both eyes, however his glasses are not.


To the pp who mentioned you can just convert your glasses to a contact prescription, when I worked for an eye doctor the patient needed 2 different prescriptions, 1 for contacts and one for glasses. You couldn't just use your glasses prescript and get a fitting for lenses, you had to have an actual prescription for contacts (because they can be different).
I don't know if that is State mandated or not but I believe it is still the same today as I just set up an eye exam for my ds who is looking for a contacts prescript.

 

[Marionnette]

Dh has the same contact Rx in both eyes, however his glasses are not.


To the pp who mentioned you can just convert your glasses to a contact prescription, when I worked for an eye doctor the patient needed 2 different prescriptions, 1 for contacts and one for glasses. You couldn't just use your glasses prescript and get a fitting for lenses, you had to have an actual prescription for contacts (because they can be different).
I don't know if that is State mandated or not but I believe it is still the same today as I just set up an eye exam for my ds who is looking for a contacts prescript.

It's not at "state mandated" thing. It has to do with the difference between a lens that sits on the cornea vs one that sits even further from the focal point.

 

[Hikergirl]

It's not at "state mandated" thing. It has to do with the difference between a lens that sits on the cornea vs one that sits even further from the focal point.

I know why the prescription would be different (I worked for an Ophthalmologist), but sometimes there are State mandated regulations in place that would never allow a patient to use that same prescription, where as some States may be more lax in their regulations and "let" a patient use it as long as they had a separate fitting appointment. That is what I meant. There was a list of things I was surprised to learn that weren't universal when it came to glasses and contacts, but like I said to in the pp, I'm not sure what has changed. It has been years since I worked there.

 

[Marionnette]

I know why the prescription would be different (I worked for an Ophthalmologist), but sometimes there are State mandated regulations in place that would never allow a patient to use that same prescription, where as some States may be more lax in their regulations and "let" a patient use it as long as they had a separate fitting appointment. That is what I meant. There was a list of things I was surprised to learn that weren't universal when it came to glasses and contacts, but like I said to in the pp, I'm not sure what has changed. It has been years since I worked there.

A spectacle Rx does not include base curve nor diameter. You kind of need those measurements for a contact lens script. I don't know of any states that permit the Rx's to be interchangeable because they are not the same thing. In addition, the actual script for contact lenses will include a brand and type of lens specified by the doctor. The patient cannot just choose whatever they want because it's cheaper. However, if the patient actually had a proper contact lens evaluation and fitting, their contact lens script would bear all that information so that they can order the lenses without issue. And a compassionate provider will take the patient's financial concerns into consideration whenever possible so that the script is for the most affordable lenses that meet the patient's needs.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I've been wearing contacts since I was 12 and have had glasses since I was in first grade. My eye doctor back then had a rule where you couldn't try contacts until you were that age. It was more about responsibility. I believe they have gotten lax on that over the years.

I've always had monthly ones. And I'm saddened to say that this year was my last year in the contact type that I've been wearing this whole time. They finally discontinued them. I'm so not looking forward to the mess of trying to find ones that fit me and the eye doctor warned that many patients loved the ones I was in because they were more comfortable (meaning they didn't feel the contact as much as newer ones seemed to be) and their vision was a bit sharper than newer ones. However, newer ones are more breathable and mine are an older kind and they are less breathable. I tried overnight ones way back when they first came out and I just couldn't see as clearly with them. Back then I had an astigmatism in both eyes and overnight ones were not normally up to snuff for astigmatism. Over time I lost it in my left eye but still have it in my right eye. My vision has also settled out presently and hasn't changed year over year for a while but it always did as I was growing up and into my early-mid 20s (I'm 30 now).

My vision is so bad though that they never have my prescription in the office so they have to send off for it.

Both of my eyes have never ever been the same prescription and over time it's switched back and forth between the dominant eye.

I've always ordered my contacts through my eye doctor but I've always had either VSP or EyeMed insurance so that makes a difference. There are those services out there you can def try you just need to have the prescription for what the contacts would be. Each service is going to have their own policies on trying them out, cost, and what kinds are available.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

The biggest thing is she's going to have to be ok with putting her finger in her eye, having the contact move around when you rub your eyes and it takes a few minutes to find it in your eye,

The very first time I attempted to put contacts in at the doctor's office when I was 12 it took me 1 1/2 hours to do so lol. Didn't take long to get the hang of it afterwards but it totally reminded me of that scene where she tries to put in contacts in the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

It was just difficult for me to find my groove of how it would feel the most natural to me to get them on my eye. My stepmother put her contacts in in a completely different way than I did. My mom put hers in a completely different way too (my mom actually has yearly gas permeable ones though *shudder* I don't know how she got used to that lol).

Once I got it though it was totally fine.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

They can use the same prescription as they would with glasses and then just do a contact fitting.

No not really.

Contacts encompass your eye, glasses do not. How you 'see' through them is very different.

I found this from an article that articulates the point better than I could:

"Contact lens and glasses prescriptions are not the same. A contact lens must match the size and shape of your eye. Therefore, a prescription for contact lenses contains information like base curve and diameter, as well as brand. Also, glasses rest about 12 millimeters from your eyes, while contacts sit directly on the eye. Contact lenses made to conform to a glasses prescription would be stronger than necessary, which could cause vision problems. Finally, your glasses are shaped to correct for astigmatism (irregular curve in the cornea or lens). However, contacts must be designed to fit the astigmatism, if there is one."

So yeah...don't recommend just trying to simply translate glasses prescription into contact prescription.

 

[kymom99]

I guess the point I was trying to make was that it's not so complicated to get a contact prescription, even if your eyes need different levels of correction. I would ask the doctor your daughter sees now for a recommendation since he/she does not do contact fitting. But in all the years I have worn contacts, around 40 years, getting a prescription for both glasses and contacts has not been much more involved than just getting one or the other. I'm sure it's more complex than the average person would think but the place I go to makes it seem pretty simple.
They always give me a sample pair if changing type or brand for some reason. If they work for me, they order a bunch to last me a while, usually a years supply.

I think the thing I was trying to impress upon the OP was that contacts are nothing to be afraid of. In the far off past I got many eye infections but now, with disposables, I never do. And like a PP said, I wore a type that my doctor did not recommend anymore because they weren't as good for allowing oxygen through as some newer ones are. I didn't like the new ones at first. They felt funny. But he insisted that for my eye health I needed to switch. Which I did. And now all is good.

Also, I have one contact for near vision and one for distance. My glasses are no line bifocals. It's heck getting old.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I guess the point I was trying to make was that it's not so complicated to get a contact prescription, even if your eyes need different levels of correction. I would ask the doctor your daughter sees now for a recommendation since he/she does not do contact fitting. But in all the years I have worn contacts, around 40 years, getting a prescription for both glasses and contacts has not been much more involved than just getting one or the other. I'm sure it's more complex than the average person would think but the place I go to makes it seem pretty simple.
They always give me a sample pair if changing type or brand for some reason. If they work for me, they order a bunch to last me a while, usually a years supply.

I think the thing I was trying to impress upon the OP was that contacts are nothing to be afraid of. In the far off past I got many eye infections but now, with disposables, I never do. And like a PP said, I wore a type that my doctor did not recommend anymore because they weren't as good for allowing oxygen through as some newer ones are. I didn't like the new ones at first. They felt funny. But he insisted that for my eye health I needed to switch. Which I did. And now all is good.

Also, I have one contact for near vision and one for distance. My glasses are no line bifocals. It's heck getting old.

No it's not overly complicated for sure. Just have to go to a place that will do the correct type of eye exam with fitting and everything And for my eye doctor every year he just has me put my contacts in at the end of the exam and he looks at them with the light to ensure the fit is still good. He also checks for scratches or damage on my eye due to contact wear, etc.

What you said was that they could use the same prescription as they would with glasses and just do a contact fitting, that would be inaccurate and was what I was responding to Your subsequent comment that I'm quoting now gives good advice though!

 

[afan]

The very first time I attempted to put contacts in at the doctor's office when I was 12 it took me 1 1/2 hours to do so lol. Didn't take long to get the hang of it afterwards but it totally reminded me of that scene where she tries to put in contacts in the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

It was just difficult for me to find my groove of how it would feel the most natural to me to get them on my eye. My stepmother put her contacts in in a completely different way than I did. My mom put hers in a completely different way too (my mom actually has yearly gas permeable ones though *shudder* I don't know how she got used to that lol).

Once I got it though it was totally fine.

Now I have even less issue sticking my finger in my eye or getting up close with the mirror. Much easier to get stuff out of my eye now. I know my mom doesn't like watching me put them in or take them out, some people just can't deal with it.