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Original poster

Can you feel your contact lenses

37 replies

lipstickwoman · 29/03/2023 22:28

On my 4th set of trial ones.

Getting nearer prescription wise but sooo itchy and scratchy. Im persevering and using drops but wondered if it's a case of getting used to them or if I should be expecting them to be less uncomfortable.

Your experiences would be good to hear.

OP posts:
Belle89 · 29/03/2023 22:31

No, once in do not notice, maybe you need to try a different type or size

swashbucklecheer · 29/03/2023 22:32

I can't feel them at all unless there's something wrong with them or my eyes. But I've been wearing them for years now so am well used to them.

FiveHundredDucksWentOutOneDay · 29/03/2023 22:32

No, I don't feel mine at all if they're in properly.

I wouldn't keep them in if they feel scratchy. Scratched corneas are no joke, if they scar they cause permanent damage to your eyesight. My opticians have always been strict that no contact lenses at all should be worn with scratched corneas; so I'd be worried if they felt scratch-y!

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LysHastighed · 29/03/2023 22:33

Daily soft lenses were much better than this. Hard ones you usually feel. All the soft ones were fine but not as good as daily disposables.

BarryK3nt · 29/03/2023 22:34

I do when my eyes get dry

PinkingScissors · 29/03/2023 22:34

It took me a while to find ones I liked. Now I pay ££ for Acuvue Oasys but it's worth it. They're daily lenses, I did wear monthly for a good number of years as I didn't want to spend the money on dailies and felt exactly as you describe but persevered due to not wanting to wear glasses. My eyes dried out all the time. It's definitely been worth the change.

FeetOnly · 29/03/2023 22:34

I was about to give up on my new ones (switching from hard to soft and tried several types) and ordered some daily lenses off the website I use. As I had to make up postage I ordered the soft lens cleaner that was the same brand as I usually used for my hard lenses and not the same as the optician supplied. No more scratchy, itchy eyes and can wear lenses the whole day.

It could be the cleaning solution, not the lenses themselves.

underneaththeash · 29/03/2023 22:35

Optician here: sounds like your eyes are a bit dry - did they mention any issues with your tear layer?
You often can feel them around the outside for the first week, but then you should get used to them, dailies are often the most comfortable, but their prescription range is smaller.

Original poster
lipstickwoman · 29/03/2023 22:36

Sorry should have mentioned they're daily ones.

OP posts:
Original poster
lipstickwoman · 29/03/2023 22:37

@underneaththeash yes they said my eyes were a bit dry and gave me drops. Can't say as they've made a lot of difference tbh

OP posts:
MaraScottie · 29/03/2023 22:39

Try extended wear lenses, they are a million times more comfortable than regular dailies.

Also, take fish oils, they do really improve the quality of your tears.

newname2022 · 29/03/2023 22:41

Can't feel them for the most part but occasionally they feel dry if I'm tired

underneaththeash · 29/03/2023 22:41

FeetOnly · 29/03/2023 22:34

I was about to give up on my new ones (switching from hard to soft and tried several types) and ordered some daily lenses off the website I use. As I had to make up postage I ordered the soft lens cleaner that was the same brand as I usually used for my hard lenses and not the same as the optician supplied. No more scratchy, itchy eyes and can wear lenses the whole day.

It could be the cleaning solution, not the lenses themselves.

That is really not a good idea, it may be that the daily ones are more comfortable as they're not moving properly as you blink. You need fresh tear exchange under the lens to wash away debris from the tears, microbes and also to provide your cornea with oxygen.

When I first started practicing, I'd say most of the infections/inflammatory responses I'd see were due to over wear and dirty lenses. Now as the lens materials are better and many people wear dailies, most of the issues are due to fitting problems - people buying lenses off the internet who haven't had them properly assessed.

underneaththeash · 29/03/2023 22:43

lipstickwoman · 29/03/2023 22:37

@underneaththeash yes they said my eyes were a bit dry and gave me drops. Can't say as they've made a lot of difference tbh

Next time you go, ask if you have any MGD, if you do, treating that will make contacts easier to tolerate.

QueSyrahSyrah · 29/03/2023 22:43

newname2022 · 29/03/2023 22:41

Can't feel them for the most part but occasionally they feel dry if I'm tired

Exactly this. I can't 'feel' them as such, but at the end of a long day or if I'm especially tired my eyes get dry in a way they don't if I'm wearing my glasses.

JPduck · 29/03/2023 22:48

You shouldn't feel them, I only felt them when they were inside out

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 30/03/2023 01:38

Only if I'm tired and have had them in all day. Mine are licensed for extended wear, but I don't think I'd like to sleep in them!

The solution can definitely make a difference. I used the same one for years and then it was discontinued. The one I switched to at first I didn't like at all and did find I noticed my eyes more.

Phoebo · 30/03/2023 02:07

No, only if my eyes were dry

WeegieWan · 30/03/2023 02:08

This may seem daft - but are you drinking enough water? I wear hard lenses and if I get dehydrated they get uncomfortable and my eyes start to itch and water. I don't know if it is the same with soft dailies though.

I also agree with @FeetOnly about trying a different solution- I couldn't get my regular one so tried another and ended up rubbing my eyes so much, plus I could only tolerate my lenses for about 7 or 8 hours instead of the more typical 12/14. I went back to my old solution (cheapy Tesco one!) and immediately felt the difference - it was like my lenses had just disappeared, couldn't feel a thing.

Generally though itchy and scratchy is not good - it's also possible your eyes just don't like lenses?

Danikm151 · 30/03/2023 02:10

I hated daily contact lenses and much preferred monthlies.
daily feel itchy but monthlies just take the one day to get used to and then they’re fine as long as you follow the care guidelines properly 🙂

iamcatz · 30/03/2023 02:41

I feel them but I have astigmatism and dry eyes from staring at screens all day.
I feel them no matter daily or monthly, tried many brands.

Beezknees · 30/03/2023 07:19

No, lens wearer of 18 years and don't feel them at all.

Beezknees · 30/03/2023 07:20

They do start to feel dry at the end of the day though, that's when I take them out and put my glasses on.

Stormystar · 30/03/2023 07:48

I can only feel them if they’re inside out or my eyes are too dry, otherwise don’t know they’re in .

Original poster
lipstickwoman · 30/03/2023 07:49

Thank you.. some really interesting and helpful replies. I have another appt next week and will see how it goes from there

OP posts: