contact lens question

My son just started using contact lenses and this is my first time dealing with them, so I am new to this stuff. He dropped one last night and couldn't find it. Now this morning he found it all dried up. Is it still good to use if I soak it in solution? Or should I just ditch it?

SueR

November 19, 2008 8:50 am · Link

My guess would be, the safe thing to do is replace it.

But, i have done that before. I thought i lost it, but in the morning it was all dried up in the sink. I soaked it for half the day, then put it in. It was uncomfortable at first, but eventually it was okay.

jivedig

November 19, 2008 8:54 am · Link

Ditch it! Remember it's going in your eyes and it must be clean. I hope you have others.

If not, and that's the only pair you have, then soak it and you should have received some cleaner from the eye doctor to clean it with before using it again.

It's been a long time since I could wear contacts - call the doctor to make sure.

happy2bhere

November 19, 2008 8:54 am · Link

thanks Jive

SueR

November 19, 2008 8:55 am · Link

thanks happy

SueR

November 19, 2008 8:59 am · Link

If you soak it overnight in the proper saline solution the shape and moisture should return, but you should replace it.

luckigyrl
November 19, 2008 9:00 am · Link

The Dr. only gave me enough for 6 months, and thats using each pair for 2 weeks. No extras. I'm just not sure what happens by 6 months and I am short one (or more by then). I guess I can just renew my prescription earlier?

SueR

November 19, 2008 9:06 am · Link

Def throw them away. That contact can be ripped from being dried up and can really hurt your eye.

justMe
November 19, 2008 9:11 am · Link

I have those too - it's okay. Just use a new one and now your son will have an "extra" for when he loses the next (which is bound to happen) and then he'll have a pair.

happy2bhere

November 19, 2008 9:16 am · Link

Don't worry about the prescription renewal. It is not like meds where they monitor how many you are taking to make sure you don't take too much or too little.

The replacement estimated timeframe is 2 weeks, some people go longer, some prefer replacing every week. Depends on the amount of time you wear it.

Since these are disposable lenses and relatively cheap - I would replace it. Many years ago, you only replaced the lenses every year (different type of lense) and the cost was about $100 per lense. Then you tried to revive it!

I wore the disposables for quite a while and would generally get 3-4 weeks from each new lense - but I only wore them during the day - immediately took it out when I got home and did not wear it on the weekends at all. So, the actual wear time was almost 1/2 of a normal wear when planning the replacement timeframe.

When they are no longer comfortable - replace them. Keep cleaning them every day and this result in longer wear and good vision.

Enjoy!

Coralie

November 19, 2008 9:21 am · Link

I think I'll just throw it out. I just wasn't sure if it's a big no-no to try and revive it, or if it is a possibility. He does have plenty for now. Thanks for all the input!!

SueR

November 19, 2008 2:46 pm · Link

A little hint - when I was a teen getting use to putting them in/out I would sit at a table with a towel down - that way if I dropped one I could usually retrieve it without trouble.

Kate S.

November 20, 2008 8:13 am · Link

He puts them on in the bathroom, with the drain closed in the sink. While he was taking it out, he poked his eye and his finger flicked the lens somewhere. I was going nuts with a flash light looking every where for it! lol The next morning he said when he touched the faucet to turn it on, he heard something drop in the sink! It was the dried up lens. Of all places, it was on the faucet handle which is crystal, so it blended in! Again, thanks everyone!

SueR

November 20, 2008 8:44 am · Link

I have used the thee disposalable lenses too. If you want you can have your Dr give you the script and you can take it to WalMart and get your lenses there. Might be cheeper then your DR.

Personally, I had glasses and contacts for many years. Then I did ALOT of research and went into NYC and had the lazer surgery. If you have the chance and can do it I would recommend it. Also you can sign up for and FSA account at your work and save a little more money.

Skipper
November 20, 2008 9:39 am · Link

SueR...

The two week disposables are great but never try to reuse a lens that has been out of soultion for a few hours. They are much thinner than daily wear and way more comfortable, especially for kids who are active and/or have alergies. I grew up as a kid with daily wears that had to make it 6 months or so, have alergies and was constantly around high levels of dust/debris due to motorcycling/fourwheeling/lawnmowing etc. and also wore them playing sports (football/baseball/rugby)... they would be very uncomfortable as time wore on.

With the two week disposables, you can wear them a week or two more to make up for lost time if you rip or lose one. Just be smart about it and don't use them for more than 4 weeks and use a multipurpose disenfecting solution that you can buy at Sams or Costco for way cheaper than CVS.

Also, most Doctors get plenty of free samples, so when you go for a checkup you can say your kid lost a few and ask for a few samples-- all the doctors that i've gone to have been willing to give up a few samples to make up for lost lenses.

Whatever
November 20, 2008 11:25 pm · Link

I have been wearing contacts for almost 30 years and highly recommend Clear Care.

Jay
November 20, 2008 11:54 pm · Link

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