[Injecto]

I'm going to get some contact tomorrow and it just hit me. Is there any reason, given the eye issued diabetics can get, that a diabetic should NOT wear contacts?

I guess I'm thinking that, you know, they actually sit and shift ON the eye physically. Would this put me at any greater risk of eye problems?

And on that note, any suggestion on the type/manufacturer of contacts I should get?

[Keezheekoni]

I can't wear any type of disposable contacts because my astigmatism in both eyes is so bad. I have to get the hard lenses, and I *hate* those things. Getting them in is okay, taking them out is the pits...

Anyway, my husband wears the disposable Accuvue 2s. He really likes them, you can easily tell if they are inside out, and if one pops out while you're out, you can just run some tap water on them so you don't need to carry saline with you. (I've also seen him just lick the lens, but that just grosses me out...)

The only concern with wearing them for him is that he *has* to take them out to sleep. I guess there was a time that he left a pair in for months without taking them out for anything and they damaged the surface of his eyes... I wouldn't suggest doing that! Also, if you have dry eyes, be sure not to rub your eyes with the contacts in...carry around rewetting drops.

[rzrbks]

Just be sure you do a very good job of keeping them clean.

My eye Dr. feels there is no reason not to wear them as long as you're keeping your B/G in good control and you are particularly careful about cleaning them.

I have gas permiable and wear them with some regularity but want soft very much, trouble is, soft aren't worth a d@** for people with astigmatism.

[grace girl]

I've been wearing them off and on for 30 years...7 of those years with D. Just follow the cleaning instructions that you are given and you'll be fine. Sleeping in them over night (if you have extended wear) can increase the risk of infection. I wear extended wear, but I take them out every night, and throw them away and get a new pair every two months.
As for brand, let your doctor decide. Different brands are better for different issues.
You'll love them!

[Alice]

I'm Type I and have worn contacts for over 30 years. No problems. You need to care for them just as anyone would...no difference having diabetes. One factor to consider, some contacts such as "gas permeable" are healthier for the eye as they allow oxygen to penetrate the lens easier...which is better for your eyes. Talk to your doctor about this...also, I would get the prescription filled by your opthalmologist and be sure to ask for a complete diabetic check-up (which should be done once a year). I stopped going to optomotrists years ago, although I have had some that were very thorough with diabetic exams. Avoid the "mall" and "retail" offices if possible. They do such a volume, I worry about getting a good exam. I'm sure some such locations are fine, but overall, I'd go to an opthalmologist.

[DeusXM]

They're fine. I wear the kind you can leave in for an entire month (even sleep in) and I've never had any problems apart from occasionally they go a little dry if you don't rinse them every week or so.

[Funnygrl]

Not that I know of. I've been wearing contact lenses **** near daily for, er...7 years now without problems. And I abuse the heck out of them. I wear them too long, sleep with them, and never change them

[palefacegirl03]

I have been wearin contacts for 20 years, type 1 diabetic for 17 of those years, no problems.

[Jeannie]

I was wondering the same thing myself. I've seen the new Acuvue Advance contacts for astigmatism advertised. Supposed to be good for dry eyes as well. I use to wear toric lenses(soft), but because they were made for the astigmatism..they were pretty expensive and I quit wearing them, plus my eyes were always so dry. My eye dr told me long ago that contact lenses were good in helping correct the astigmatism.

[solox316]

I have been wearing Acuvue 2 for the past year. I am switching next week to the Acuvue Oasys, which allow 3x the oxygen to the eye, but they also cost more. If you have an eye doctor that will just give you a prescription, they are very cheap at warehouse clubs, easily half the price of most eye doctor offices. Keep em clean, don't sleep with them in, don't wear longer than you should, and you will be fine. *That is referring to the 2-week disposables...

[spinnb8]

i have worn acuview contacts for 15 years, and for the first 13 years i slept with them in for a week, took them out for a night or two, and wore them another week.
well about two years ago i started taking them out every night and my eyes do feel better. but never had any problems with my contacts.
and the opthamologist always tell me "your a perfect canidate for lasik" but i am scared of that, and dont really mind wearing contacts or glasses.

[Alice]

My last two opthalmalogists have told me that although they do the procedure on others...they will not have Lasix done themselves. Interesting.

My theory is that diabetics have a risk for other issues down the road...why add Lasix to the list? My sisters both had Lasix and although in the beginning were very happy, both now are having trouble with their night vision...shortly after surgery.

I've been diabetic for 41 years and so far have healthy retinas...I'm not going to play around with Lasix. But, I think it's fine for others.

[someone]

I've been using the Focus dailies for about a year now and they have been decent. Only problems I have had are when I take a nap or something with them in.. big no no. I also have lots of trouble knowing whether these are inside out or not and they sometimes get dry during the day, but I assume this happens with most brands. I do like the fact that I don't have to worry about losing them.

Can anyone here compare the Focus Dailies with the Acuvue one day?

[sickeye27]

Lasix was the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. I am a mother of a 3 year old and a 1 year old and that means a lot of waking up in the middle of the night. This translated to sleeping in my contacts so that I could see what I was doing when I had to check on my kids; after 20 years, it was starting to take a toll on the health of my eyes. Dr. Wiles is so informative and has such a calm demeanor; he put me at ease even though I was nervous about the procedure. He went through all of the steps involved in the treatment so that I knew exactly what to expect. I appreciate everything he has done to make my vision what it is today. I can now see 20/20 with no help."