Contact Lenses

[kerryg]

Just go and get the buggers lasered!!!
What it costs in optometrists / prescription lenses / frames / contacts etc all help in lowering the true cost of getting your eyes permanently fixed!

Totally recommended.

Swoop, have you had it done? How much did it cost and what was involved (time off work, pain, etc?) And does it last forever or are you up for further surgery or back to wearing corrective lenses as you age?

My glasses (progressives) cost an arm and a leg (as in around $800) each time ...and they spoil my good looks too....................

[John Banks]

My sister recently got it and my mother has also had it. I'll be looking into it soon. From what I know, you need to be over 20 and your eyes can't worsen for two years. (Otherwise you get them lasered and the shape of your eye changes, or something). My sister had these rediculous looking fish-eye goggles on for two days after she got the lasering. Not really sore as much as irritating. I believe she said the cost was $2000, definately worth it if you consider the cost of glasses/contact lenses - not to mention convenience.

My mum had it done over 30 years ago, but I believe that was a scalpel type job. She hasn't had any problems, but after 50 she had to start wearing glasses for reading and such - pretty much exactly the same as anyone going through that age.

[Colapop]

Swoop, have you had it done? How much did it cost and what was involved (time off work, pain, etc?) And does it last forever or are you up for further surgery or back to wearing corrective lenses as you age?

My glasses (progressives) cost an arm and a leg (as in around $800) each time ...and they spoil my good looks too....................

I tend to go through frames like babies use disposable nappies (I've since been told not to use my head as a hammer). Not being able to afford a new pair of frames every time I broke them, I used to put up with no nose protectors and welded fixes and sh*t 'til I found that my frames were near enough to the reading glasses frames they sell in the chemist (not warehouse). So I got my lenses (plastic) resized (it cost $35) and I just get a new pair of $40 frames whenever I need 'em. These frames are just as tough as optometrist frames and cheap as chips. My current frames have lasted me 2 years. Good for parents whose kids trash glasses all the time.

[Swoop]

Swoop, have you had it done? How much did it cost and what was involved (time off work, pain, etc?) And does it last forever or are you up for further surgery or back to wearing corrective lenses as you age?

My glasses (progressives) cost an arm and a leg (as in around $800) each time ...and they spoil my good looks too....................

Yes, Had it done early last year.
There are 2 different methods. PRK is the "old fashioned method" where they simply laser the outside of the eye to the new shape required.
LASIC is the "flap and zap" method, slightly more expensive but faster to heal, etc, etc.
The thickness of my cornea (clear bit in the front of the eye) only allowed the PRK method viable.
Time off work? Had it done Fri midday and spent saturday in a dark room doing bugger all. This is where the lasic is better - faster healing.
Back to work Monday (yay...)
Pain??? No pain. 1/2 a hypnovel, lay back, look at the red light and then watch it go blurry (zap, zap, zap)!
This treatment gets you back to the normal eyesught for the average person. So I have been informed that I might need glasses (emphasize MIGHT) when I'm into the 50's.

Go along to Auckland Eye and have the assessment done on your eyes (free). They do a heap of tests and see if it is viable to do, and what method is possible to use. They can do it on a payment plan if required for the $$$.
I hated glasses and was glad to get rid of them. Fogging up, a pain under a helmet, contacts coming out, costs involved with glasses, etc!

GO AND INVESTIGATE!!!
I saw Dr David Prendergrast @ Auckland Eye and he was great.
You will NOT regret having it done, I assure you!

Sarge, are you a one eyed bastard or what?? (p/t)
If in doubt, have the bad eye done first.....

[John Banks]

Just got my contact lenses, so they're still in the "mildly irritating" stage. Can't wait to get them out on a ride though.

[kerryg]

Go along to Auckland Eye and have the assessment done on your eyes (free). They do a heap of tests and see if it is viable to do, and what method is possible to use. They can do it on a payment plan if required for the $$$.
I hated glasses and was glad to get rid of them. Fogging up, a pain under a helmet, contacts coming out, costs involved with glasses, etc!

GO AND INVESTIGATE!!!
I saw Dr David Prendergrast @ Auckland Eye and he was great.
You will NOT regret having it done, I assure you!

Thanks for that. I'm going to check it out.

[kerryg]

I tend to go through frames like babies use disposable nappies (I've since been told not to use my head as a hammer). Not being able to afford a new pair of frames every time I broke them, I used to put up with no nose protectors and welded fixes and sh*t 'til I found that my frames were near enough to the reading glasses frames they sell in the chemist (not warehouse). So I got my lenses (plastic) resized (it cost $35) and I just get a new pair of $40 frames whenever I need 'em. These frames are just as tough as optometrist frames and cheap as chips. My current frames have lasted me 2 years. Good for parents whose kids trash glasses all the time.

Hmmmm...interesting, I'll have a look next time I'm in the chemist. Thanks

[Colapop]

Hmmmm...interesting, I'll have a look next time I'm in the chemist. Thanks

Proper spring loaded arms too.

[oldrider]

I have been wearing contacts for 30 years. I had a lot of trouble with the glass ones. Improved with plastic and now pretty much perfect with soft monthly disposables. They can last about 3 months if I take them out to soak over night. This also lets your eyes breath overnight.
Problems I have are in the daily handling of the lenses. "putting them in and taking them out" they are very thin and if not slightly tinted are hard to see.
If you are a mechanic or some sort of manual worker the state of you finger skin and hands can be a problem in handling the delicate lenses and solutions.
The other problems I have had is when you are pissed. One lens in and one out with a skin full of piss can be a bit difficult. Best just to leave them in and flake out. Things are usually very cloudy in the morning and rainbow coloured halos around any thing like a light take most of the morning to clear.
I seldom drink now but have been a slow learner.
I would not go back to specs unless absolutely forced to. Any problems on the bike can be easily countered or controlled.
I fully recommend contacts. Cheers John.

[John Banks]

Irk... my contacts have been irritating the hell out of me, I can barely put them in now... I guess I'll have to go back down to OPSM and see if they can sort me out.

[oldrider]

Irk... my contacts have been irritating the hell out of me, I can barely put them in now... I guess I'll have to go back down to OPSM and see if they can sort me out.

What type of lenses did they give you, glass or plastic? Plastic are best. Least likely to irritate! John.

[John Banks]

They gave me plastic ones... the expensive ones too, that allow for breathing and you're able to sleep in. They were only trial lenses, though, so I'm going to get them replaced with the different brand and see if they're any better.

[RiderInBlack]

They gave me plastic ones... the expensive ones too, that allow for breathing and you're able to sleep in. They were only trial lenses, though, so I'm going to get them replaced with the different brand and see if they're any better.

Fu*k you're not going to get any better than those. They are the bomb. I'm not going back to the old cruddy non-breathing ones after using those. Good luck if you find any better

[inlinefour]

I just got a set of contact lenses (usually wear glasses which are awkward), and tried them out this morning for 15 min ride to work seemed okay, but wanted to know if any other KB ers wear them and if so any tips or experiences to note, especially them drying out or being blown out:eyepoke: .

Cheers

I tend to stick to my glasses all the time. Can't understand why you say they are awkward, both my helmets are great with them (Xpeed & Shoei XR1000) I also like the fact that my specs are self tinting, which is awesome on a sunny day and not a hassle in the dark.

[anmolt]

u gotta keep the visor shut otherwise u tend to get heaps of particles in your eye,i have a similiar problem with specs as they could hit u from under or over the specs...so shutting the visor or having large specs would help i guess........plus specs are good with specific helmets as they tend to move quite a bit and restrict the field of vision as well.........in any case im hopefully gonna get rid of both as im planning to get laser correction done.......so no more trouble!!!!!!!!!!!!!!