Torsional Contact Lenses?

[mr_rua]

Originally Posted by sheepofblue Does anyone have Torsional Contact Lenses? That is the only soft contact a Baaa-lind sheep can wear. However the Doc said they might dry out when used in wind (on the bike) and not super comfy. I am not sure I could put something in my eye but it would be sweet not having to pull the glasses off and on everytime I take hte helmet off.

I wear toric contact lenses in both eyes when riding (street/track) and haven't had any issues. Just make sure you carry a bottle of re-wetter with you for the times when your eyes really dry out badly (10+ hours of riding for me). Did 2 track days back to back without using re-wetter solution.

[Red Rider]

I have torics, too. Eyeglass wearer all my life, but finally got contacts two years ago soley for riding and dealing with my helmet. I've had no problems with them on the track (only time I ever wear them). The only hassle is they are not symmetrical and have to be inserted one way for proper vision.

[sheepofblue]

Originally Posted by Red Rider I have torics, too. Eyeglass wearer all my life, but finally got contacts two years ago soley for riding and dealing with my helmet. I've had no problems with them on the track (only time I ever wear them). The only hassle is they are not symmetrical and have to be inserted one way for proper vision.

Thanks

[ccwilli3]

I have a toric in my right eye and a std lens in the left. Both are designed to be worn a month and thrown away. No problem with either and I never carry drops or the like. I sleep in them and really don't take them out until they are foggy...

I really didn't think they were all that expensive either. They were maybe 50% more than the non-toric lens which for the advantage of them being disposable I thought was a good deal...

[tigerblade]

I'm much the same as ccwilli3. My left is standard and the right a toric (for astigmatism). I wear mine about two weeks and throw them away. I do take them out every night, but just put them in saline: no cleaning beyond that. I've never had a problem with them when riding. In fact, when I crashed and broke my scapula, I also had a weird cut just below my left eye. Not sure if my helmet moved into it or what, but I'm guessing it would have been worse had I been wearing glasses.

The right one (toric) is much more expensive than the left, but I went to a new eye doctor a couple years ago and he really helped with that. I used to get only 4 right lenses per year. Now I change the right every two weeks just like the left, for the same price. It was the difference in seeing 95% as could as I possibly could, for a lot less cost. My lenses are about $350 for a year's supply.

[sheepofblue]

Originally Posted by tigerblade I'm much the same as ccwilli3. My left is standard and the right a toric (for astigmatism). I wear mine about two weeks and throw them away. I do take them out every night, but just put them in saline: no cleaning beyond that. I've never had a problem with them when riding. In fact, when I crashed and broke my scapula, I also had a weird cut just below my left eye. Not sure if my helmet moved into it or what, but I'm guessing it would have been worse had I been wearing glasses. The right one (toric) is much more expensive than the left, but I went to a new eye doctor a couple years ago and he really helped with that. I used to get only 4 right lenses per year. Now I change the right every two weeks just like the left, for the same price. It was the difference in seeing 95% as could as I possibly could, for a lot less cost. My lenses are about $350 for a year's supply.

Hmm interesting.... of course there is still the issue of getting anything near my eye when it is open (i feel sorry for the Dr when he/she puts drops in I really try to keep it open )

[tigerblade]

Originally Posted by sheepofblue Hmm interesting.... of course there is still the issue of getting anything near my eye when it is open (i feel sorry for the Dr when he/she puts drops in I really try to keep it open :down)

I had a HUGE problem getting them in my eyes when I first got contacts in high school. I actually stopped wearing them for a couple years. But then I tried again and I could just do it. Just takes patience and practice.

[luvtolean]

SoB have you tried what esoteric recommended?

Seemed like a good idea for people with that problem.

[sheepofblue]

Originally Posted by luvtolean SoB have you tried what esoteric recommended? Seemed like a good idea for people with that problem.

No and it is interesting. Of course this is not a flinch reaction. The trouble with my eyes was caused in part by taking a rock in the face at about 60MPH off someone elses tire (so guessing more like 100MPH). I could not see out of one eye at all for about 3 months, had to stay in dim rooms, not attend the state championship race (dust), not ride , etc. Therefore there is a huge chicken sheep issue on my eyes. I can barely watch anyone else put in contacts, although after 20 years I am getting better

[RRWANTR]

Originally Posted by Mojave954 Think the Navy is letting some of their pilots due this as well. Odd, not even 10 years ago they wouldn't let us Aircrew fly with contacts.

Believe the Navy only allows PRK for some reason...

[Mindcrime]

Originally Posted by sheepofblue Hmm interesting.... of course there is still the issue of getting anything near my eye when it is open (i feel sorry for the Dr when he/she puts drops in I really try to keep it open )

When I first got contacts way back when they tried to put them in for me the first time and it just wouldn't happen. I would close my eye and flinch etc. Then they had me try and it worked fine. I guess in my case it was more of a trust issue...... I guess I prefer inflicting discomfort on myself rather than letting someone else do it. That being said I've been wearing contacts for 15 yrs and haven't had any problems.

[Fig]

Sheep, I think Esoteric summed up my experience as well. I had perfect vision until about a year ago when I noticed the street sign was a little blurry. Anyway, I now have glasses and contacts. It was a chore to actually get them put in, but now, I can take them in and out with no problems whatsoever. I was budgeting about 20 minutes each morning for this task, and now, I pop them in and out faster than I can get my teeth brushed.

One small word of advice if you do get contacts. Alter your morning routine. You will have to put "put contacts in" just slightly ahead of "apply deodorant". I put deodorant on just once before installing contacts, and even after washing my hands, it still stung like a MOFO. Never again. Also, don't eat those Pizza Hut Que' Papa's with jalepeno in them before removing contacts. Or be sure and wash your hands for a solid hour!

Like Esoteric said, you can have some test contacts put in to see how they feel. I has no idea you could test drive contacts but it was possible. Just note, it does take a while to get used to putting them in, and taking them out, so your first reaction may not be what you feel in a few weeks or months.

One last note, since contacts come in set levels, you will not have as accurate a perscription as glasses. If you require precision exact vision, you may not want to put the glasses down. For me, it's right on the edge. I can barely notice a difference between glasses and my contacts, but for riding the motorcycle, I wear the contacts every time.
Fig

[RC51Mike]

I have gas permeable hard, toric lenses right now and it's a nightmare at the moment. The Dr. can't seem to get the Rx right so I can read and drive at the same time. I mean, well you know what I mean. The lenses are heavier than most and take longer to spin around to get aligned. Therefore, when you blink things are a little blurred for a second. I've worn hard contacts for about 30 years with no problems but these aren't going so well. I can't see spending $500 on contacts then have to go to the drug store to buy reading glasses. My eyes are way past coke bottle to something like glass block so lasik is out of the question. The doctor said all I can do is hope for cataracts so insurance pays for the implants.