Pro and cons of contact lenses

[Zach O]

I'm in need of new glasses. I hate glasses. I have been thinking about contacts. Anyone have anything I should know about them? I'd like ones that last longer than a day. I also travel a lot, so how would a guy get new ones in case he runs out?

Thanks!

[eneranch]

I've been wearing contacts since the 80's; love them, wouldn't go back. Today's lenses last a long time depending on how well you clean & disinfect them & what kind of environment you wear them in.

When I travel I always take extra lenses with me; if you know what your prescription is, I imagine you can always try going to somewhere that sells lenses & get a through-away pair.

My suggestion would be to get a pair & see how you like them & how your body adapts to them before you buy a large quantity.

[ThunderSquirrel]

The transition to contacts can be rough depending on how your eyes react.

I wore them for 10 years, but just had PRK done.

If you have seasonal allergies or dry eyes, contacts can be miserable. But to me was still a better option then glasses.

[Aloha_Shooter]

I travel quite a bit myself. My lenses are supposed to be 30-day lenses but I take them out each night often won't wear them on the weekends (I had an issue 20 years ago where my eyes apparently weren't getting enough oxygen).

What I do is save my old lenses and throw those in my carry-on as emergency use lenses. That way, I have lenses I can use to go swimming or in case one is lost or torn.

[crashdown]

Been wearing them forever.
Can't stand glasses. I think I have better than average peripheral vision, so glasses make everything around me blurry.
I have been wearing disposable daily wear lenses for over a year now, and can't imagine ever going back to 30 day lenses.
I keep extra sets in hiking bag, range bag, glove compartment, etc. They are a bit more spendy, but nothing beats putting on a fresh set of lenses every day, and I guess I save a little by not using cleaning solutions.
Sleeping with them on is a bad idea. As Aloha said, your eyes need oxygen. Take out your contacts at night before reading or watching TV, and let your peepers breathe for a while.

[BPTactical]

What do you do for a living?
As much as I like contacts between working for CDOT in dusty, windy and nasty conditions plus machining/gunsmithing they are not a good match.
If you sit in an office, go for it.
If you work in dusty/ dirty conditions, fuggedaboutit.

[Gman]

^^^^ there is much wisdom in these words.

[68Charger]

As I got older (over 40), contacts would help with my distance vision (and better quality vision than any glasses could offer... but I found I couldn't see things up close..

now when I wear contacts, I have to put on reading glasses for up-close work
I'll also add that if you have dry eye issues, contacts will give you problems- much like the dusty conditions.

I wear disposables, but have also worn extended wear in the past... I like the disposables because I don't wear them every day... if I have a problem with 'em, take 'em out and throw them away... go back to glasses.

YMMV

[Punkface]

I forget to take my contacts out all the time. Especially when I drink. Taking them out after a few days or even the next day sucks balls.

I love having clear vision in my peripherals though. That and my glasses are always dirty so not having to clean them constantly is awesome.

I always keep a spare set of contacts handy. I've been debating getting lasik or something similar in the future as well.

[Cman]

I use Air Optix Breathable contacts and I'm lazy, I take them out about every 3 months. I work in a dirty environment - auto mechanic - and I have no problems with my eyes being dry or irritated. I like being able to wake up and see the clock or where I'm going with out tripping over cat toys.