[chick_in_the_hat]

Thanks Optical Goddess! I don't think an informed opinion meant to be helpful should be considered a party pooper.

I wear gas permeable lenses....I have to take them out every night but they hardly ever need to be replaced. Once a year I get a check up - that is pretty much my only expense besides solution. I ride a scooter - wind is only a problem in that it makes my eyes water - I wear sunglasses during the day and goggles at night. Rollercoasters aren't as bad - the speed is only for a very short period of time.

[da fat n da furious]

Originally Posted by HarpoChicoGroucho

I JUST went to the amusement park last month and didn't even think about my contacts. I didn't even think I would have any kind of problem and I didn't. But I don't have the same luck with swimming in them; I always have to take them out. They dry out and bother the heck out of me. I guess it's the brand. What kind do you use, Valrock? I've got to switch brands because they don't make Surevue anymore. I want to try the new hydraclear Acuvue.

Did anyone use the ReNu that was recalled because of the eye fungus? Well I did use ReNu (because my parents bought all of that stuff for me) but since I'm grown and poor now, I buy the generic Walmart brand ($5 less!!!!) I just thought it was funny that the more expensive stuff gave people fungus and my cheap Walmart brand never has given me a problem.

What? I used to use that ReNu,,but changed when my Dr. asked me to try another brand at his cost...lol I have been using Hydraclear for awhile now and love them. Find thou every so often that there is a contact that is defective...has a lil nip taken out. Which if you don't see at first irrates like crazy. Called my Dr. office about this and they told me it happens and just come by and get another to replace the damaged one.

[Sassy_Chick]

Thanks Optical Goddess, that info did help. I hardly ever where mine. Maybe if I'm lucky 1 or twice a month? I always make sure to clean them before use and after too. Although I need to throw this pair away due to I got pink eye and I just happen to be wearing my contacts that day as well. I also have no idea where my other contacts are. Luckily I love my glasses.

I only like to wear my contacts when its sunny out so I can wear my sunglasses (non prescription).

Oh and I use Opti-Free Express Lasting Comfort, No Rub Solution. I get mine at Costco. That is also where I got my lenses.

[Optical Goddess]

I thank everyone for being open to my optical nerding. I've worn both RGP ( Gas perms) contacts and soft lenses. The RGP's allowed me to see better, but I didn't wear them every day, which compromised comfort. These can be worn for longer periods of time because they do not absorb as much as soft lenses do.

On the rare occasion when I do wear contacts, I wear Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism, which is one of the hydraclear type lenses. It's my favorite. At the ripe old age of 27, I wear bifocals, combined with my dry eyes, my days with contacts are over...but that's okay. I really dig glasses.

Many patients switched to different solutions during the whole Renu fiasco. Even though Bausch and Lomb removed the Moisture loc product from the shelves, I think many people are just leary of Renu right now....many other solutions work just as well... many of my patients use the ShopKo/Walmart/Costco store brand products with great success..
I am having problems accessing it, but if you go to the bausch and lomb website ( www.bausch.com ) , there is a program that allows you to get 12 free contact lens cases, for free I believe...that's sweet because it's good to have multiple cases ( you don't know when you might need one) and it's a good way to keep your lenses fresh.

It's recommended to replace your case every three months. Some people prolong that by boiling thier case ( boil the water, put the case in, do not boil it all together), or by putting it in the dishwasher...not sure how that works.

[BrownEyedJ]

Do not wear your contacts longer than the time given for them. I pretty much wore my contacts everyday...I had one month disposables and since they still felt great after a month, I kept on wearing them an extra month or sometimes longer. One day when I got up and put my glasses on, I thought I had the wrong glasses on because my eyes were so fuzzy...I could hardly see. By overwearing the contacts it caused damage to my cornea and I had to go to a specialist where I had to give up wearing contacts and had to treat my eyes with special drops and ointments plus I had to keep going back to the specialist every week at first and then every month until it healed. My eyes though will never be completely healed, I have permanent damage. The specialist has ok'd to wear them again, although he would prefer me not to at all but I only wear them about 1 day a week or for special outings. Everyone just be careful with your contacts !

Take care...

[cyndy]

Wow, thanks for such an informative thread. It is partially alarming to read about the potential harmful effects of contacts. I love contacts - but I have a hard time wearing them. It is a very strange problem. I usually can't wear them for long periods without my eyes becoming extremely irritated. Sometimes I will just put them in, go on the computer for 30 minutes and my eyes start hurting and I am forced to remove them. This even happens when I start a new pair (I have monthly contacts). I keep them longer than a month because I don't wear them everyday.

I would LOVE to continue wearing contacts, but the pain and uncomfort at times makes it difficult. I don't like wearing glasses at all, I've never been able to get used to them. I find my tinted colour contacts easier to wear than clear ones.

Any thoughts?

Thanks a million in advance

[FeistyRoo]

WoW! I am surprise at the response. Thank you.

I was a little worried about the Roller coaster rides and stuff because you always hear about the speeds and the whole G force thing.

When I go to the amusement park later on this summer I will remember to pack a little bottle of rewetting droplets!

I wear night and day lenses most of the time so I wear them for 5 days and let my eyes rest two days and sometimes I almost forget I wear contact lenses.