Return-Path: Received: from cive.ri.cmu.edu by K.GP.CS.CMU.EDU id aa04052; 30 Mar 90 18:10:19 EST Date: Fri, 30 Mar 1990 18:07-EST From: J.S.Singh@CIVE.RI.CMU.EDU To: bovik@CS.CMU.EDU Subject: contact lenses Message-Id: <638838429/jsingh@CIVE.RI.CMU.EDU> Date: Wed, 28 Mar 90 01:45:37 EST From: Arun Krishnan To: singh@CIVE.RI.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: Contacts. More than the contacts, I think that the cleaning system is what makes them comfortable. The first time I tried contacts (88 spring), I had to trash them after 1 month because of the constant irritation to the eye ( resulting in bloodshot eyes.). I had been using the standard lens-plus heat treatment method of lens care. When I started wearing contacts this year, within a week I had the same problem as before, namely allergy to some compound used. My doctor then switched me to the AOSEPT system that uses some sort of catalyst and hydrongen peroxide to clean. I have had no further problems.... (fingers crossed ;=) You may want to talk to your doctor about that. Arun Krishnan To: singh@CIVE.RI.CMU.EDU Subject: Contact Lenses Date: Wed, 28 Mar 90 02:36:55 EST From: Gordon.Goetsch@K.GP.CS.CMU.EDU The June 1989 issue of Consumer Reports has two articles on contact lenses that you may be interested in. I recently bought a pair of rigid gas-permeable lenses, after having finished the shopping around process. If you are interested in a copy of the Consumer Reports articles or want me to elaborate on my experiences shopping (I'm busy now, but could say something more informative in a few days), send me email. Gordon Date: Wed, 28 Mar 1990 08:34-EST From: Dean.Pomerleau@F.GP.CS.CMU.EDU To: J.S.Singh@CIVE.RI.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: Contact Lenses I've had good experience with the Squirrel Hill Eyetique. I think my initial visit cost me $140 dollars for eye exam and soft contacts. They are always very nice and very fast. I have always been able to get my contacts that day when I've needed to replace them. --Dean Date: Wed, 28 Mar 90 09:26:52 EST From: Ted Lehr To: singh@CIVE.RI.CMU.EDU Subject: contacts I wear extended wear contacts (7- day) but take them out each night because of the characteristics of my eyes. They are soft, gas-permeable lenses and are usually quite confortable. I pay about $80 for them if I recall and replace them about every year and a half. I can't recommend strongly enough 20/20 Opticians on Murray Ave. They have excellent Opticians and an optometrist who knows his stuff and is quite willing to answer any questions. Finally, the solution I use is Allergan. I've found it to be consistent in quality and comfort. - Ted Date: Wed, 28 Mar 90 09:27:55 EST From: Terina.Jett@B.GP.CS.CMU.EDU To: singh@CIVE.RI.CMU.EDU Subject: Disposable Contact Lens I have tried the disposable lens, and they're GREAT. My doctor gave me a pair to try for a week, and that was the best week my eyes have had. It was great to be able to wake up and see, shower, do everything, anything. They are much bigger than the soft, or gas permeable lens. The reason is because they need the suction. I can get a year supply for around 385 from my doctor. Prices may vary though. Terina. From: John Hagerman To: singh@CIVE.RI.CMU.EDU Subject: Contacts Date: Wed, 28 Mar 90 09:51:20 EST I go to Dr. Fred Smith on Murray (and I bet that many of the others who respond to you also go to him). He rants and raves about the bad practices in the contact business. Depending on your needs, contacts can be simple or tricky. Dr. Smith asserts that the cheap places tend to lump everyone into the "simple" category (so that they can use cheap lenses), leading to poor results for those people whose needs are not simple. For example, I have an astigmatism, so I paid a lot ($350) for good soft lenses (the cost included the initial exam, all lenses used during fitting, and 3 months of follow-up visits). I am happy with the result; the vision and comfort are very good, and I expect these lenses to continue giving good results for a few years. Dr. Smith also claims that these lenses will stabilize my vision. Dr. Smith works hard to get the best possible vision and comfort, and claims that he can satisfy people who have been otherwise unsatisfied with contacts. I therefore recommend him. The only disadvantage is that he likes to talk (unless you enjoy that sort of thing). - John Date: Wed, 28 Mar 1990 10:52-EST From: Scott.Safier@ISL1.RI.CMU.EDU To: J.S.Singh@CIVE.RI.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: Contact Lenses I just bought contact lenses from America's Best in Monroeville and am very satisfied with them. 1) I was under the impression that gas-permeable were hard contacts, not soft. I think all soft lenses allow oxygen to the eye. 2) I've had problems with soft lenses in the past. There are apparently many types of soft lenses. When I explained my past problems to them, they prescribed a different lens than they normally sale. It seems there are mass produced and hand machined lenses. The former tend to be thinner and do not retain water very well (especially around controlled environments that computers like), while the latter are a bit thicker, retain water better but may be slightly less confortable (although I've not noticed this). 3) America's Best had a sale for first time customers of $40 for a pair of contact (which included the cost of fitting). Because I got different lenses, mine cost $60. -S Date: Wed, 28 Mar 90 11:15:12 EST From: Matthew.Diamond@MAPS.CS.CMU.EDU To: jsingh@CIVE.RI.CMU.EDU Subject: contacts My belief is that people differ widely in their reaction to various lenses. I get along well with my gas permeables, and always have. Other people found it easier to start with soft lenses for a while, then work up, etc. Furthermore, allowances can be made for what you use them for. My optometrist says that people blink 1/3 less often when viewing computer terminals than usual, so it may be more important to get a more permeable lens if that's what you do. Don't pay $100 dollars for a pair of lenses, because they fit them to you once, then you're out the door. If you pay a decent price (like your $250), you can expect to get good followup care. My optometrist was very careful when fitting me, but in followup he reordered the right lens because he found he could improve the fit again (no extra cost to me). It would be nice to be able to order once, get them, and have everything perfect, but in practise you need to have someone who knows what they're doing to solve the problems you get. ANother example: I'd come home from work and my eyes would be red. Solution: rewet my lenses during the work day. Simple, but I needed someone who knew what they were doing to keep an eye on me. So find a good practitioner, tell him the history of your lens wear and what problems you had, and take his recommendation. A good eye specialist is willing to try more than one kind of lens with you to get the one that works. Read the bovik files for recommendations, the difference between optometrist & opthamologist, and other useful info. Many people use Dr. Frederick Smith (yes, that's who I use), but check the files yourself. Hope this helps. Matt Date: Wed, 28 Mar 90 11:43:29 EST From: Maria.Ebling.Okasaki@BACH.CODA.CS.CMU.EDU To: singh@CIVE.RI.CMU.EDU Subject: Contacts Hi, This is mostly just general advice about eyecare and may not be appropriate for bovik. Maria _________ I don't have anyone in Pittsburgh at the moment. But, in CA, I too had numerous problems with contacts not working out. I started out at the School of Optometry because it was reasonably priced. I wound up having a fairly bad allergic reaction which caused conjunctivitis or something like that. (Though I followed every instruction to the letter.) After much futzing around with changing solutions and cleaning methods, the school diagnosed me as being allergic to the actual lenses and told me I just couldn't wear soft contact lenses. Four+ years later, I went to an opthamologist (sp?) who specializes in contact lenses. He said there was no way I could be allergic to the lenses and said that the problem was probably due to the preservatives. Anyway, he gave me the cheapest pair of lenses that he thought I could wear (lenses which correct for astigmatism are more expensive) and put me on non-preservative cleaning solutions (I use AOSept). These lenses didn't work so on my next checkup (I had a number of regularly scheduled checks after I received the lenses -- all included in the original price) he replaced the lenses with slightly more expensive ones (but only charged me the difference in cost -- something like $10 per lense). In fact, for the first few weeks after getting a new pair of lenses, you can go back for replacement ones if they are uncomfortable or aren't the perfect prescription at NO extra cost. I went through a number of lenses because they were irritating (and probably defective). I have had NO problem since with the lenses or allergic reactions to them. I suspect that, had I gone to him in the first place, I would have saved myself considerable pain, frustration and money. Every year I return for a checkup and eye exam. He does a far more thorough eye exam and also checks for potential problems caused by wearing contact lenses. In fact, I don't know if you are considering extended-wear lenses but he STRONGLY advised me against them because of the numerous problems people have because of them. He just isn't convinced that they are "safe". The bottom line is that you pay more for an opthamologist but you also get what you pay for. I will never trust my eyesight to someone who is not an opthamologist. Good luck! Maria To: singh@CIVE.RI.CMU.EDU Reply-to: Robert Harper Subject: contact lenses Date: Wed, 28 Mar 90 15:24:13 EST From: Robert.Harper@PROOF.ERGO.CS.CMU.EDU I'm no expert, but here are my experiences. First, as I understand it, "gas permeable" is a synonym for "hard". The lenses are made of plastic (I gather that 20 or 25 years ago they may have been made of glass), but they are definitely not the same as "soft" lenses. I wear soft lenses, and have done so for about 3 years now. If you haven't examined them closely, you might be in for a surprise: soft lenses are like cellophane. They fold over, they stick to themselves, and hence can be a bit tricky to handle, BUT they are (for me, at least) undetectable once they are in, and give me back full-field perfect vision. I love them. As for problems, I once had a relatively serious problem because a lens had a tiny tear in it which caused some minor, superficial corneal damage that was VERY painful, but healed itself within a day. I took a break off of the lenses for about a week, and have had no problems since. There is always a danger of a tear because you are always trying to separate the damn things from themselves when you take them out (they fold over and weld together very easily). You have to learn various tricks to coax them apart without damaging them. Incidentally, I use chemical disinfection, which means soaking them every night in hydrogen peroxide, and neutralizing them in the morning. Every few months I give them an enzyme treatment to remove protein deposits. Bob Harper To: singh@CIVE.RI.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: Contact Lenses Date: Wed, 28 Mar 90 15:34:17 EST From: Amy.Moormann.Zaremski@A.GP.CS.CMU.EDU I'm afraid I don't have any really good recommendations for you, but I can pass on my experience with contact lenses. (sorry it's so long, but it is a bit involved) I got hard contact lenses about 12 years ago (back when the choice was much easier...). I was completely satisfied with those lenses until I moved to Pittsburgh. But then my eyes started staying very red and very dry, and my wearing time went from >16 hours/day to less than 8. The consensus seemed to be to switch to a lens that would allow more oxygen to get through. I chose to try gas perms because they give me better correction than soft, and are easier to take care of. Last January, I got a pair of Boston Equalens (gas perm) from my optometrist (Fred Smith). On paper they looked like the best bet: high oxygen permeability, approved for extended wear (I figured that meant I should be able to wear them all day without any problem), UV protection (I was skeptical on the value of that). I don't remember the cost. Unfortunately, after a year, I was still unable to wear them more than about 8 hrs/day, and my eyes were still very red. I went to an ophthalmologist, who told me the lenses needed some adjustments to fit correctly but didn't want to deal with it. I went back to Dr. Smith, who suggested I try the "new and improved" Boston lens (DXL, or something like that). Even higher permeability, new shaping technique, _not_ approved for extended wear. I've had them almost 2 months now, and the redness is significantly reduced. I'm still not completely satisfied -- they start feeling uncomfortable after about 10 hours, and I have to use comfort drops frequently -- but they seem to be an improvement. I would suggest that if you've had trouble getting contacts to work, you look for someone (optometrist or ophthalmologist) who is willing to spend the time to find something that works for you. You'll probably have to pay more, but it's also probably worth it. If you do find some lenses you're happy with, I'd be interested to know what they are. -Amy Moormann Zaremski Date: Wed, 28 Mar 90 21:08:01 -0500 (EST) From: Michael.Witbrock@CS.CMU.EDU To: J.S.Singh@CIVE.RI.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: Contact Lenses I suggest that if you are getting contacts in pittsburgh, you go to an opthalmologist. Pittsburgh optometrists, especially the mall kind, seem to be incompetent. I recomment my opthalmologist, Dr Hugo Cerri. 30-Mar-90 18:02 J.S.Singh@CIVE.RI.CMU.EDU Contact Lens Survey I got quite a few responses to my query about contact lenses. They can be found in /../frc/jsingh/info/contacts. I must say that after reading the responses, I know very little more than I did before. It still seems strange that some optemetrists charge $80 for contacts that last a year and a half and others have their patients pay $300. One of the responses refers to a Consumer Report Guide to contacts. I think this is probably the best place to check up on. I did learn one thing and my own experience with contacts roughly agrees with it. The biggest hassle with contacts is cleaning them properly. Don't clean them properly and they are a health hazard as well as the fact that the amount of time one can wear them continuously decreases with use. Disposable lens seem to offer a solution to this problem except for the fact that they are a bit pricey. Sanjiv ----------