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Original poster

Just got contact lenses....help!

61 replies

Tanfastic · 07/07/2017 13:59

Wasn't sure where to post this so sorry if it's in the wrong section!
I've just left Specsavers having got my new contact lenses and been taught how to put them, remove them and clean them etc.

However, I cannot see that well. Is this normal? I don't feel any benefit whatsoever at the minute. Is it because my eyes are still adjusting? They said it can take a while but I just wanted to know anyone's experiences of this.

My prescription is quite small so I can see "quite" well without them so this is why i'm able to type this but the words on the screen are blurry.

I have another appointment in just over a week....

OP posts:
Sunnymorningwithbacon · 07/07/2017 16:13

Have you got one for distance one for near if you need a reading prescription? That can take a while to adjust to. Or are they multi focal?

MikeUniformMike · 07/07/2017 16:57

If you have astigmatism then they are toric.

Years ago, I got my eyes tested at Specsavers and they got the prescription wrong. I found out when I got the specs made somewhere else. The astigmatism corrections were for the wrong eyes.

I would persevere as it is a trial but do not buy the lenses if you are not happy with the trial ones.

Original poster
Tanfastic · 07/07/2017 19:36

Sunnymorning, I'm not sure to be honest. Useless aren't I?!

Yes they are definitely Toric.

Anyway I persevered for four hours but had to take them out because I couldn't read anything properly at work. Then I lost one but found it again after crawling around on my office floor for half an hour 🙈🙈🙈.

I've rang Specsavers again and said I've had to take them out, they don't feel right to me so they are going to order me something different. I have no idea what but I'll give them a try. I might put the ones I have back in tomorrow with it being weekend to see how they feel but no I won't be buying anything that doesn't feel as effective as my glasses, there would be no point, I need to be able to see!

Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
ilovecherries · 07/07/2017 20:46

I got my lenses from Specsavers initially kept insisting I couldn't see with them, they kept insisting they were right. I trusted them because I always found them great with specs. Eventually they told me I'd have to pay if I wanted them to change them again. Decided if I was going to have to pay for a new consultation I'd try somewhere else. Went to an independent, everything fixed within 30 mins with a new prescription. Don't be fobbed off - contacts are amazing, and you should be able to see with them!

Fluffycloudland77 · 07/07/2017 21:05

Buy some moisturising eye drops, own brand is fine, it helps the eye if it's a bit dry.

dazzlingdeborahrose · 07/07/2017 21:10

I switched to torics. First time of wearing, my vision was amazing. HD. These lenses are not the right size for you. It sounds like they're slipping in your eye. That said, I don't really rate specsavers. Perhaps try another optician?

FrowningFlamingo · 07/07/2017 22:04

I have one toric lens and one normal one.
What you were describing sounded like when I accidentally put mine in inside out to be honest!

eurochick · 08/07/2017 15:22

Torics don't always correct your vision 100%. Mine don't. They make it good enough for distance and driving but not close work. As a result I use glasses for work and keep my lenses for weekends and holidays.

Original poster
Tanfastic · 08/07/2017 19:04

Maybe I'm not suitable for contacts then. I rarely use my glasses at weekends unless I'm on the iPad etc. I need them for work every day though as I use a computer. Words are blurry without. I wanted it so I didn't have to wear glasses at work really. I was led to believe by the optician that I was suitable candidate for them. I never would have bothered if it meant I still couldn't see properly.

OP posts:
Original poster
Tanfastic · 08/07/2017 19:06

I put them back in today. Found driving a bit weird as a bit blurry and I couldn't se my son properly across the other side of the pool when spectating at swimming, just a blurry outline.

I had to whip them out when I came home as I couldn't stand it.

OP posts:
GladAllOver · 08/07/2017 19:13

Toric lenses don't suit everyone. You might have to have the convenional sort.

FaithAgain · 09/07/2017 08:31

I had a trial with specsavers. Dreadful experience, didn't get on with the lenses and gave up on the idea for years afterwards. Then I went to a private optician. I had an hour appointment (rather than 30m at specsavers). I had a good go with them, loads of practice in and out and finally got to grips. I would honestly try somewhere else based on my experiences!

eurochick · 09/07/2017 08:39

I'd stop driving in them right away as they are probably not sufficiently correcting your vision!

Don't give up yet. You might just need a different brand or type.

Fairylea · 09/07/2017 08:42

You don't have to have toric lenses if you have astigmatism. I have severe astigmatism in my left eye (160 whatever that means) and am -9.50 prescription in both and I just have normal monthly lenses. I find them great.

I started wearing lenses at 12 (am 36 now) and the difference was amazing immediately. It sounds like something isn't right somewhere.

IfYouGoDownToTheWoodsToday · 09/07/2017 08:44

They definitely aren't the right prescription for you.

I went back 3 times when I first started wearing them. Each time they slightly changed the prescription and we got there in the end!
Just go back and tell them they are not right.
I used Soecsavers and the lady was lovely, so helpful.

Sunnymorningwithbacon · 09/07/2017 08:46

I would go to an independent optician tbh

mateysmum · 09/07/2017 08:53

If Specsavers don't sort you out properly, I would try and find an independent contact lens specialist. Specsavers are OK but I always feel it's a bit of a sausage machine. I switched to an independent a couple of years ago and haven't looked back. It costs a bit more, but the service and advice is far superior.
Don't give up on lenses, there are lots of different types around. This just sounds like a bit of a bad start.
By the way how have Specsavers ordered you something different if you haven't been back?

OhYouBadBadKitten · 09/07/2017 08:57

I'd echo going to find an independent optician before giving up on lenses.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 09/07/2017 08:59

Fairylea, the 160 doesn't tell you how bad your astigmatism is, just which direction your eye is a weird shape in. There will be another number that looks similar to the -9.5 that tells you about your astigmatism.

Sunnymorningwithbacon · 09/07/2017 09:04

The cyl is the amount of astigmatism. Mine is -1.25

The 160 is the axis - so the degree (angle or direction maybe a better word?) of the astigmatism.

Original poster
Tanfastic · 09/07/2017 09:05

Thanks for al the advice, thought I'd only get a couple of replies being a boring contact lens thread 😂.

I'm not putting them in again. I'm going to wait for the new ones and see what thy are like. when I rang Specsavers to say they were still blurry etc I spoke to the lady who showed me how to put them in and out. She spoke to the optician and then rang me back and said they were going to order me something different. I have no idea what but I'm assuming a different type of lens.

If that doesn't work I've no idea, but maybe I'll try somewhere else.

OP posts:
Fairylea · 09/07/2017 09:05

Oh I'm not sure then Grin I don't have my prescription in front of me. I do know it's bad though.. I've been referred to the eye hospital because I had a retinal tug in that eye that caused me flashing lights etc. Thankfully all was well but they monitor it closely. They think the astigmatism together with high myopia caused it.

gandalfspants · 09/07/2017 09:12

I have one toric and one normal. The toric one I had much more trouble finding the 'right' lens for me. Also took a while to get used to.

When I first got contacts I did an hour the first day and then gradually built up, could you be wearing them for too long if your eyes aren't used to them.

They have a right way up, so can take a while to settle when you put them in, but if you can see well after 20 mins they're not right for you.

Ime you'd know if you'd put a toric lens in inside out, you'd be able to feel it in your eye, (but maybe I'm weird) also I found if you look at one thing and turn your head side to side as far as you can (so your eyes move iyswim) you can feel them 'jump' at the edge of your vision if they don't fit or are inside out.

gandalfspants · 09/07/2017 09:13

X post! Hope the new ones are better.

mintich · 09/07/2017 09:17

It's the fit that is the problem which is why it is different after blinking (I'm an optometrist) go back and ask them to check again.