Eye update – because I know you care
I had my trial week with the daily contacts, and I gotta say, not that impressed. While I loved tossing them at the end of each day and not hassling with solutions and cases, I still felt like I was way too aware of the presence of contacts in my eyes. I remember the days when I’d pop them in and basically forget they were there.
I miss those days. I want them back…
At my follow-up appointment yesterday I told the dude that while the Monster Eye didn’t reappear, I wasn’t exactly tripping over myself to get a year’s supply of dailies.
He had three suggestions: 1) try Acuvue Oasys lenses, 2) try Extreme H2O lenses, 3) get plugs put in your tear ducts. Yes, plugs. In my tear ducts. It’s okay, I almost barfed too. Apparently it’s something called punctal occlusion, which involves plugging the ducts between your eyes and your nose where your tears drain. You know how when you’re crying, and your nose starts dripping all over your face? Those are your tears. The idea is to block those drains so more tears stay in your eyes and reduce dryness. I guess it’s not a big deal, only takes a few minutes, and can be done right in the doctor’s office. Which, okay, that sounds great and all. But, um, plugs? In my tear ducts. So barfing.
I took home a sample of the other two options – both two-week lenses. I’m just really praying that my eyes end up loving one of them. Maybe if I get super-hydrated contacts and better solution, and try not to wear them for 14+ hours a day, I can avoid the whole plugs in the tear ducts business. Because really, something about that makes my skin crawl.
I can’t wear contacts. I’ve tried and tried but it never works out for me. Some people are just not built for them. In my case, I have a really bad astigmatism and the astigmatism contacts give me a headache because they’re constantly readjusting. And I can’t just get stronger non-astigmatism contacts like some people do because my astigmatism is so bad.
And I hate the word astigmatism.
Maybe one of these two new things will work for you.
I had the plugs put into my tear ducts a few years ago. Before they do the “real” ones, they do a trial with ones that deteriorate after a couple of weeks. Those were great for me, but after they went away and I had the real ones put in, they put in, it was awful. I had constant pools of tears in my lower lids so everything was always blurry! I had to have them removed after a few weeks. Not that you’re leaning toward it anyway, but I just thought I’d share my experience.
P.S. Sorry about the typos. I’m moving way too fast these days!
You mentioned solution here which was another thought I had had. I have always, always rinsed with saline solution even after they came out with the no-rub, safe for your eyes cleansing/soaking/rinsing solution. I can’t for the life of me comprehend that something that is supposed to disinfect and clean can possibly be safe for my eye. And, the stuff burns my eyes. So I rinse with saline.
Um, yeah, the whole duct plugging thing is creepy.
I think the Oaysis ones are the closest to mine but again, I have to say, Night & Day lenses are the best lenses on the market. I forget to change them out because they are that comfortable and my eyes always get an A+ at the eye doctor.
Acuvue Oaysis are what I have! And I had what you had/have, eyewise. They are fantastic. From the first second I put them in, it was like my eyes sighed with relief. I love these things. I’ll cross my fingers you have the same experience.
So, how do they get all up in there to plug the ducts? While you’re awake, sitting in the chair? That’s enough to make me get a headache and want to vomit. I wish you luck with the other possible solutions. I’m sure one will work out.