All About My Gas Permeable (Hard) Contact Lenses...

When looking online for information about Gas Permeable contact lenses it was very hard to find the answers to all my questions. So I thought I would a blog post answering the questions I couldn't find and the ones I hard to find out the hard way!

Having worn glasses since I was three years old (1996) and I'm about to turn 20, I thought it was about that time that I plucked up the courage to get contacts. On the 23rd August 2013 I had my first appoint with my optician and exactly a month later I took the contacts home.

What are Gas Permeable (hard) contact lenses? 

GP contacts are made from a firm, durable plastic that transmits oxygen. They offer excellent eye health as they don't contain water like soft lenses do and resist deposits and are less likely than soft contacts to store bacteria. Another advantage to GP contact lenses is that cleaning and disinfecting them is very easy as they don't dehydrate, are easier to handle, and last longer than soft lenses.

What's the dirt fe between GP contacts and soft lenses?

Soft lenses are much larger in diameter than GP lenses and "tuck under" the eyelids so yo speak. As a result of this, you don't feel the lens edges when you blink. But as GP lenses are smaller and much thicker, during blinking your eyelids will experience initial "lens awareness."

Overtime your eye lids will gradually adapt and you will not feel the lens with every blink. Once over that small hurdle, the comfort of soft and GP contacts can be comparable. Its exactly the same as buying a new pair of shoes. You may notice and feel the shoes while you break them in, but when thats all over they're the proper fit.

First Experiences With Hard Contacts

Where to begin! It took me so long to get to grips with my lenses, the first time the optician put them in for me i was sitting in the chair, head back feeling very nervous. Once the lens had been put in my eye I got a sudden outburst of tears, and the feeling as if I had grit in my eye. It took me at least 10 minutes to let him put the other one in. The next few times consisted of me trying to put them in and out on my own, it took me a long time to pluck up the courage but now I am able to do that completely fine. The difference I have noticed with my lenses compared to those who wear soft lenses is that they have to go strait onto the cornea, meaning if you put it into your eye and it goes onto the white part you can't just blink and it will go into place, you have to hold the lens still so it cannot move and look towards it and slowly move the contact onto your eye! No lie this is the hardest thing to do when you are first starting out, but in time you will get the hang of it.

How I Feel Now About Hard Lenses now

I have only been officially wearing my lenses for officially a few days now and I'm still getting to grips with them. They do feel like my eyes are itchy and I'm squinting and blinking a hell of a lot! But I would not go back to glasses!

Benefits of Hard Lenses

They last longer

They are easier to look after and there is less chance of allergy to solutions

With some medical cases, hard lenses are the only way to achieve good vision.

They actually let more oxygen to your eye and allow it to breathe better

Disadvantage to Hard Lenses

Require consistent wear to maintain adaptation

Can slip off the centre of eye more easily than other types

Requires office visits for follow-up care

You can not sleep in them under any circumstances

Happy Shopping Fellow Shopaholics!

Contact Lenses

How to wear contact lenses: 

                Assuming the whole world has only eyes for you, you should make sure that you are able to see them good and clear. If you do not have 20/20 vision glasses are very becoming and give an air of intelligence to a person. But if they don't suit you, you can always turn to lenses. 

Myths and Legends

It is impossible to get contact lenses stuck behind your eyes. They can break but they don't tent to shatter in your eye. You can not loose them in your eye, they are in there somewhere or you did indeed drop them on the floor, so mind where you step...

How to fit contact lenses: 

1. Wash, rinse and dry hand thoroughly 

NOTE: It is very important not to let water near you lenses. A wet finger could cause a lenses to flatten, avoid using fingernails when handing the lenses as you could scratch them.

2. Learn the perfect routine, then stick to it. Always insert and apply in the same order to prevent confusion or skipping a vital part of the ritual.

3. Pour the lens from container, with the storage fluid, into the palm.

4. Using a mirror examine the eyes for any debris, tears or excessive watering before insertion. And check the contact itself is intact and not chipped or buckled. Do not use if damaged.

5. Is the lense the right side up? 

6. The actual insertation. Until now its been all talk and no action

   a) Hold the upper eyelid open to stop it blinking shut, which will be its involuntary action.

   b) Une the Tumb to pull the lower eyelid down.

   c) Look upwards at the celing and with your finger place the lens onto the white part of the eye (with more practice you will eventually just put the lens directly onto the centre of your eye.) It will wiggle the lens naturally in a wink of an  eye, literally, into the right position.

   d) Try NOT to panic, squirm or do any sudden movement as it will prolong the procedure.

   e) Remove your finger and try not to blink. Allow the lens to fix into position by looking down. 

7. Relax and close the eye for a moment, when you open your eyes everything should look crystal clear.

8. If the eye feels dry use one or two of your eye drops.

How to remove contact lenses: 

Don't panic, you got it in your eye, it is possible to get it our.

1. Ensure your hands are clean and dry with no scratchy unfilled nails.

2. Look up - or to the side - and position the contact lens on the white part of your eye sliding it across by using the forefinger.

3. pinch contact lens gently between the thumb and the forefinger. (with longer nails this will take more time and practice) 

4. It should come out easily, but practice makes perfect.

5. Place the lens on the tray to be cleaned and repeat the progress for the other lens, giving your eyes a chance to recover.

Happy Shopping Fellow Shopaholics!