rcj (01/26/83)
Summary of contact lense replies: Hard lenses: 1 vote (had worn them for 25 years with no problems) Soft lenses: 0 votes (this does not include extended wear (EW) lenses) EW lenses: 22 votes (everybody else) Some info (hopefully correct, no guarantees) about EW lenses: Pro: 1) Less irritation 2) Less redness 3) Less care (can be worn from 1 to 3 weeks without removal or cleaning; apparently optometrists are legally barred from RECOM- MENDING that you leave permalense in for more than 14 days.) 4) Range of correction is much greater than with other lenses; (Soflens go to -5 diopter, Permalens go to -20 diopter) 5) Astigmatism correction available Con: 1) Difficult (relatively) to fit, especially for people with astigmatism 2) Very fragile 3) Expensive (relative to other lenses, EVERYONE said that they were well worth the cost) 4) Expensive to replace (they last about a year and cost ~$100 a year to replace, insurance can bring this cost down to ~$70 a year including the insurance premiums.) 5) Do not take well to heat cleaning as opposed to chemicals. PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE ARE THE EXPERIENCES OF THE PEOPLE WHO WROTE TO ME, NOT FACTS DIRECTLY FROM PROFESSIONALS. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR OWN DOCTOR WITH ANY QUESTIONS. Advice if you would like to get EW lenses: 1) Most people said that they preferred an optometrist over an optha- mologist for the purchase of lenses. 2) Go to a professional who carries a wide variety of lense brands and let them work with you to get the best lenses for your eyes. 3) If there is a plan available for eye care associated with your lenses, it is probably best to take it. EW lenses may be more difficult to fit than other types of lenses and thus require more adjustments and, unless you are careful, more money. 4) If insurance is available, by all means TAKE IT!! Everyone who wrote me that mentioned insurance was emphatic about that. Insurance from permalense, for example, is ~$30/year for replacement of lost/torn lenses at ~$18 apiece. This can save you big bucks!! 5) If you have astigmatism, consult your doctor on the possibility that you will be able to adjust to it (is it mild enough) without getting the astigmatism-correcting lenses, cause they am expensive!! 6) Follow your doctor's instructions and enjoy your lenses, the most common comment in my letters was "I wouldn't wear anything else!!". Thanks to everyone who wrote in, and NO, I don't have a relative in the eye care business, The MAD Programmer alias: Curtis Jackson ...!floyd!burl!rcj ...!sb1!burl!rcj ...!mhuxv!burl!rcj