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So I want to give contact lenses a try, but feeling nervous!?

A little background info. I'm 25. I've been wearing glasses since I was about 11 on and off. Mostly on, but sometimes in the wrong prescription (too weak). I've always needed them, but funds and insurance had been an issue up until a couple of years ago. I also have an astigmatism. It's not super sever, but without my glasses there is a noticeable degree of fuzziness, my night vision is really bad, and I can't read road signs.

The little annoyances of glasses have always bothered me but I've put up with it because I wasn't willing to try alternatives. But I Think I've finally had it. In my line of work, they fog up constantly and get splattered a lot. I think I'm finally ready to try contacts.

I made the appointment for next week yesterday, but I'm feeling so nervous! Can someone put my mind at ease regarding what to expect during the contact exam? What will my OD do? Will it feel weird? Is there likely to be a problem because of my astigmatism? Could something go wrong? I've had a lot of eye exams in my life, but never a contact lens exam. I think I'm feeling more nervous about the exam than trying contacts in the first place!

Also, I know my OD will go over this with me, but what should I be considering regarding the contacts themselves? I've heard that GP lenses are a lot better for astigmatism than soft lenses, but that they're also a lot harder to get used to. Any input there? Or maybe it won't matter because my astigmatism isn't very sever?

Thanks guys.

3 Answers

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  • Colin
    Lv 4
    7 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    I will try to answer all your questions and hopefully alleviate your concerns.

    A contact lens exam is really not much different than a regular eye exam, except that they need to take a few measurements of your eye to help them figure out which contacts are likely to work best for you. They don't need to touch your eye or anything, so there is nothing to worry about. Then they will likely ask you a few questions to try to figure out which type of contacts may best suit your lifestyle, dailies, biweekly, monthly etc. Most lenses these days are soft ones, as they really are very breathable now. GP lenses are not very common and usually only people with difficult prescriptions or specific eye problems get them.

    If they have your prescription in stock, you will likely be fitted at that appointment, otherwise they will have to order them and you will have to go back. (If you need contacts for astigmatism, it is unlikely they will have them in stock.)

    When I first got contacts, the doctors assistant trained me in how to put in and remove the contacts. They will show you to hold your eyes open and then place the contact on you eye. Just relax and be patient. For me, it took me awhile, so don't give up, as you will get the hang of it. For me, the key was to let the contact settle on my eye and then move the eye around before blinking, otherwise it would pop out. They will also show you how to clean and take care of your lenses. The keys are; always, always, always wash your hands before touching your contacts, always rinse out your lens case and always use new solution and follow the wear time and advice of your doctor.

    After that, the doctor checked the fit and vision and asked me to come back in about a week to see if they were still working well for me. I have had a few eye problems, so had to try a few combinations before we found ones that worked well for me. These are all trial lenses, so there is no additional cost, just the extra cost of the contact lens exam and fitting, which is usually a flat rate.

    It is hard to explain what it feels like when you first have contacts, but you feel a bit something on your eye, but feels comfortable and you quickly forget you have contacts in your eyes. You may initially have to wear them for only part of the day and gradually extend the wear time, but you quickly are able to wear them all day.

    Contacts are more expensive than glasses, but for me, I found they were a life changer and I find I get better vision than with glasses, but it is still a good idea to have a pair of glasses around as backup (even if it is an older prescription), in case you need to give your eyes a break etc.

    At first you will need to allow extra time in the morning and at night to put in and take out your contacts, but after a few weeks it only takes a few minutes a day to properly take care of them.

  • ?
    Lv 4
    4 years ago

    Tato Contact Lens

  • 7 years ago

    Colin explained all that very well , don't forget to give him best answer.

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