Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Contact lenses

27 replies

Hooverino · 27/02/2025 17:01

Sorry wasn’t sure where to post this.

I’m getting fed up of doing my makeup nicely, then putting on my glasses and ruined the effect. I’ve seen too many photos where I just look old and geeky because of my glasses.

I would like to try contact lenses. But I can’t stand the thought of going to the opticians and having them put them in for me. I think I could do it myself, but not have someone else do it for me. I don’t like anyone going near my eyes.

Is it possible to buy contacts online if I know my prescription? Would you recommend it?

OP posts:
HundredMilesAnHour · 27/02/2025 17:05

No, you need to be fitted for contact lenses. It’s not just as simple as buying the same prescription as your glasses. You will also need regular checks on your eye health if you’re wearing contacts.

A good optician will show you have to put the contacts in yourself rather than put them in for you. I’ve been wearing contacts for 30+ years (with 6 monthly checks) and I can’t remember an optician putting my contact lenses in ever!

SlaveToAGoldenRetriever · 27/02/2025 17:07

No, contact lens prescriptions are different to glasses prescriptions. You need to be assessed and fitted in person by an optometrist.

I’m a contact lens wearer of 30 years and my 20yo DD has worn them since she was 12. I’ve never had anyone else put them in for me, nor has she. DD had an appointment dedicated to teaching her how to put them in/take them out properly by herself. Takes a bit of getting used to but it’s definitely worth it - I haven’t worn my glasses in years and hate the feeling when I do. It’s like having tunnel vision.

DoraDont · 27/02/2025 17:12

I've been wearing contact lenses for 37 years and I don't think anyone else has ever put one in for me!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
YouveGotAFastCar · 27/02/2025 17:13

No, you need a contact prescription and a fitting, you’ll scar your eyes otherwise.

But they won’t put lenses in for you. I’ve never had that happen in 20-odd years.

Original poster
Hooverino · 27/02/2025 17:15

That’s good to hear they won’t put them in for me!

Is anyone else really squeamish with eyes? Is it ok to wear contacts?

OP posts:
ShodAndShadySenators · 27/02/2025 17:20

You need to be seen by a proper optician. The range of contact lenses available is really wide so you have to make sure you've got the right type for you, as well as having an eye examination. Nobody will put them in for you or even touch them, you have to learn to do it yourself. You might feel a bit wobbly about putting them in and taking them out to start with, but you soon get used to it.

Second the above about the tunnel vision - being able to see 180 degrees to the sides and no frames in sight is truly fantastic and I never take it for granted. SO worth it.

TheWhiteUmbrella · 27/02/2025 17:23

I'm not squeamish about my eyes, but I can reassure you that they're very comfortable. It doesn't feel much different to the sensation of eye drops because the lense will be in a pool of solution.

The optician will help you, but the technique I use is middle finger to gently hold down the bottom lash line and then index finger to pop them at the bottom of my eye whilst looking upwards - you don't want to be staring straight at the lense and trying to put in your eye. Then you swivel your eye around to settle it and carefully blink and it'll move into the right place.

It's much harder to put on false lashes in my experience. Give me contacts any day over those!

Wendolino · 27/02/2025 17:23

Contacts are fantastic, especially daily disposables so you don't need bottles/cases. I've had mine a long time so I can't remember my first appointment but I took DS to have them when he was 15 and the optician explained how to put them in and supervised him putting them in for the first time. The optician didn't put them in for him (this was Vision Express).
Go for it, you won't regret it.
(Never shower or swim in them or put them in with wet hands or you risk a serious infection. You shouldn't sleep in them either.)

Needtosoundoffandbreathe · 27/02/2025 17:24

Contact lenses changed my life! Been wearing them for over 30 years and they're great. So easy and comfortable.

DuckieDodgyHedgyPiggy · 27/02/2025 17:25

I think it's totally normal to be squeamish about eyes, as you put it. We all are. It's something we have to overcome if we're going to wear contacts, and it's perfectly possible to do it. Modern (soft) lenses are very comfortable. It just takes a bit of practice and perseverence for a few days. Good luck!

SlaveToAGoldenRetriever · 27/02/2025 17:26

Wendolino · 27/02/2025 17:23

Contacts are fantastic, especially daily disposables so you don't need bottles/cases. I've had mine a long time so I can't remember my first appointment but I took DS to have them when he was 15 and the optician explained how to put them in and supervised him putting them in for the first time. The optician didn't put them in for him (this was Vision Express).
Go for it, you won't regret it.
(Never shower or swim in them or put them in with wet hands or you risk a serious infection. You shouldn't sleep in them either.)

Certain types are fine to sleep in. DD has monthlies which are specifically licensed for this.

coxesorangepippin · 27/02/2025 17:30

Yeah you can buy them online easily

They're often cheaper too

Wendolino · 27/02/2025 17:41

SlaveToAGoldenRetriever · 27/02/2025 17:26

Certain types are fine to sleep in. DD has monthlies which are specifically licensed for this.

Show quote history

I imagine you'd be told that they were safe to be slept in, whereas other types shouldn't be slept in.

SlaveToAGoldenRetriever · 27/02/2025 17:43

Wendolino · 27/02/2025 17:41

I imagine you'd be told that they were safe to be slept in, whereas other types shouldn't be slept in.

Show quote history

Apart from dailies most types are fine to sleep in nowadays. It’s personal preference - I’d never sleep in mine as I have dry eyes but DD is absolutely fine and has been doing it for years, DH is the same. It’s just what works best for her.

BackinBlack24 · 27/02/2025 17:44

You need to get the right prescription and fitted first time professionally they make sure you know how to get them out it's important , lots of other important info as well , how to clean them , no swimming/ showering with them in etc . After that you can order them online once you can manage them

BashfulClam · 27/02/2025 17:47

The optician doesn’t ‘put them in for you’ they show you how to do it. In my appointment I had to show I could insert and extract them before I was allowed to go home with them. They also teach you how to clean and store if they aren’t daily disposable ones. I’ve had lenses for 25 years.

Wendolino · 27/02/2025 17:58

SlaveToAGoldenRetriever · 27/02/2025 17:43

Apart from dailies most types are fine to sleep in nowadays. It’s personal preference - I’d never sleep in mine as I have dry eyes but DD is absolutely fine and has been doing it for years, DH is the same. It’s just what works best for her.

Show quote history

I haven't had dailies for long but when I had monthly ones I was warned not to sleep in them. It must depend on the brand.

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 27/02/2025 17:58

No one has ever put my lenses in for me. I hate glasses, been wearing lenses for thirty odd years

MoonWoman69 · 27/02/2025 18:03

Hooverino · 27/02/2025 17:15

That’s good to hear they won’t put them in for me!

Is anyone else really squeamish with eyes? Is it ok to wear contacts?

I'd absolutely love to be able to wear contact lenses, but I'm really really squeamish when it comes to eyes! I hope you can get on with them, I'll be jealous if you do!!! 😁 Good luck

Emerald0897 · 27/02/2025 18:04

Been wearing daily disposables for over 20 years. No one has ever put them in for me. Takes a bit of practice but I barely think about it now - I can do them without a mirror in a couple of seconds!

fatgirlswims · 27/02/2025 18:06

You put them in yourself

I had laser eye surgery and this is the best thing ever!

Although now it's worn off a bit and I need a reading prescription I'm back in lenses!

Mindgardner · 27/02/2025 18:08

I wear glasses but like you wanted to try contact lenses. I was measured and given a half hour session about hygiene, insertion and wearing them. I was given a pack away but couldn't get the hang of putting them in my eyes. I haven't got a phobia but somehow even tho' I tried and tried I couldnt put them in, so threw the packet away.

ThingsThatMakeYouGoHmmmmmmmmm · 27/02/2025 18:12

You should Initially arrange contact lenses through an optician. Get used to them, get your checks, think about online after that. As a new user, I would advise a fairly regular CL checkup at the optician. These are quite cheap,and can flag up any possible problems ( don't Google vascularisation, contact lens). Are you comfortable putting the pad of your fingertip on the surface of your eyeball ( many people aren't)? If you can do this, you will be fine.

SlaveToAGoldenRetriever · 27/02/2025 19:04

fatgirlswims · 27/02/2025 18:06

You put them in yourself

I had laser eye surgery and this is the best thing ever!

Although now it's worn off a bit and I need a reading prescription I'm back in lenses!

The fact that none of the consultants I work with who perform laser eye surgery have had it done is enough to put me off! They all wear glasses and/or contacts. Life altering complications are more common than you think, it’s just not worth the risk in my opinion.

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 27/02/2025 19:09

As others have said you need to see an optician. Be aware that contact lens prescriptions might not be as accurate as your glasses prescription. I much prefer wearing contacts, but despite trying a billion combinations over the last couple of years, I can’t quite get a prescription that gives me decent distance vision while letting me use a computer at work any more. So they’re now for weekends/nights out only sadly!