contact lenses...

[Diabetic-Canada]

I'm sure many of you wear contact lenses...I do and I'm in need of new ones. On the market are a few new ones since I last got them e.g. the 30 day and night. Which you can apparently wear for 30 days and nights without taking them out. I am interested in these, but I'm not sure about sleeping in them.

What kind of contacts do you wear?

Would having diabetes be a reason why I shouldn't wear contacts for 30 days nonstop?



p.s. I will be talking to my eye doctor about them, I just want to get your opinions aswell.

[Jenny]

I have worn contacts for nover 8 years now. I wear Acuvue 2 by Johnson and Johnson. Disposable every 2 weeks. My eye doc used to get on my case for not taking them out everynight. However, these aren't24 hour wear ones either, so I don't know if the new ones are really safe or not. Good idea you are checking with your doc because I know eyes need a certain amount of oxygen to them every day to stay healthy.

[HeatherP]

I've worn contacts for about 20 years now.

I use the Acuvue 2's and even though the manufacturer says 2 weeks, my old eye doc (who has retired) said 30 days was okay. I do, however, take them out at night. **Tony don't read this next part!** I find that if I wear them 24 hrs, my eyes get dry and the contacts stick to my eyeballs.

Diabetes in itself is not a reason to not wear contact lenses. You personally may have issues that would cause problems, but as you're going to be speaking to your doctor, he/she should be able to advise you as to what your options are and what will work best for you.

They also have daily wear disposables too - a fresh pair every day. I find the cost a bit steep although I like the idea.

Good luck,
HeatherP

[rzrbks]

I wore contacts for many years, quit and then was wanting to start again, eye Doc told me not to bother.

Combination of hypersensitivity to changes in vision {Dr. basically told me I was a pain in the @$$ because I could tell 1 step difference in perscription} and the fact of astigmatism (i.e. gas permeable, only) makes me a poor candidate for contacts ever again.

Ain't Diabetes Grand:smartass: :thumbsup: :hypocrite :whistling

[Fiona]

Hi there,
I have been wearing the 'Focus Day and Night' contact lenses since November last year. They stay in for 30 days and nights, however I can take them out whenever I want to to give my eyes a rest eg the other day we had terrible winds with lots of dust and they needed to come out.

I had to trial them first as not everyone is suitable to wear them. I saw my optometrist every two weeks for 2 months then she decided I was suitable. I think they are great and for around 28 out of 30 days I wouldn't even know I had them in.

I started wearing them before I was diagnosed but nothing has changed since having type 1.

The best part is waking up in the middle of the night and being able to look at the clock to see what time it is.

Fiona

[Jenny]

Fiona,
since you wear the 30 day kind, are they pricier than others?

[Diabetic-Canada]

Went to the doctor, I got a trial pair of the Night and Day lenses. Which apperently let in 6 times more oxygen to my eye than the ones I was previously wearing. More than enough Oxygen for my eye. The Doctor was concerned about the fact that Diabetics are more prone to infection, so she suggested that I try leaving them in overnight, and get her to check out my eyes after that.

Sooo... We'll see how things go

[Shalyndria]

I spoke to my optometrist about these lenses when they first came on the market, but at the time they were too expensive to use. He was trialing them himself, and I do remember him telling me that not only do they let in more oxygen, they are also more sanitary as they are not exposed to bacteria (from handling) as much as those that are removed each day. Less chance of infection.

I have to go for another fitting (Rx has changed) and am going to ask to trial them myself. I've been wearing contact for about 12 years and would love to try these!

Let us know how it goes, Diabetic-Canada!
Shy

[Fiona]

Jenny, they are more expensive, probably double the cost of the 2 weekly disposable ones. I work shift work and wake up at 2.30am and finish at midday so they are good for me as I can just leave them in all day night etc. Also the costs are cut down by not having to use as many solutions for cleaning etc