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Anyone started or restarted wearing contact lenses in 70s

(12 Posts)
Elless Sun 11-Jun-23 09:23:07

I've just started wearing contacts at age 62. I only wear them if I'm doing anything special or going out. It has taken a lot of trial and error but I'm quite comfortable with them now. My main issue was when I took them out my eyes would hurt but after a bit of investigation I've now got eye drops that you put in whilst wearing your lenses to stop your eyes drying out.

Pittcity Sun 11-Jun-23 01:21:01

I love my multifocal lenses. They are monthly lenses and quite expensive as I have astigmatism too.
Opticians offer free trials so I'd go for it.

GrannySomerset Sat 10-Jun-23 22:07:49

I wore monovision gas permeable lenses for over thirty years until I had my cataracts done - again, one lens for distance, one for reading/computer. Mostly I manage without glasses at all and my vision at 81 is the best it has ever been. Quite miraculous!

ChickenLicken Sat 10-Jun-23 22:01:24

AskAlice yes, I had varifocals. When I tried contact lenses, the first set gave me blurry vision, so Specsavers got a different brand, I had the same problem. And the third. I thought that would be the end of it but they suggested Monovision contacts; one lens corrects for near & the other for distance “& your brain sorts it out!” they explained 😁 As weird as it sounds, it actually works, & I’m very happy with them.

Theexwife Sat 10-Jun-23 21:25:17

I tried the varifocal lenses when there was a free trial, but I couldn't get used to them, they felt fine but everything was slightly blurry.

I know other people that have not had any problems with them so you will need to have a try to see if they are suitable for you. I would go for a free trial, there is always one on somewhere.

AskAlice Sat 10-Jun-23 20:39:41

I'd love to be able to wear them but I have varifocal glasses and I'm not sure if I would be able to adapt...anyone else tried the varifocal lenses?

NotAGran55 Sat 10-Jun-23 20:32:04

I started them 4 years ago at 63 and love them. Soft, 2 weeklies. I wish I had started them before as they are so easy.

BlueBelle Sat 10-Jun-23 18:04:39

I wore soft contacts for 40+++ years until this year and had both cataracts done so no longer need them I m 78 I was incredible short sighted, have astigmatism , and a hole in the macular just need £1 reading glasses for close work now
I d get them back in as soon as if I was you so much easier

ChickenLicken Sat 10-Jun-23 17:59:24

After wearing glasses for years, at my last eye test I asked about the free contact lenses trial & have now worn daily disposable lenses for several months. Wish I’d tried them years ago, they are very convenient. 😊

Kate1949 Sat 10-Jun-23 17:58:38

I have always worn, and still wear, gas permeable contact lenses. I am nearly 74. I originally wore hard lenses when I began aged 23. Everyone told me 'Try the soft ones. Yours are old fashioned.' So I did. I couldn't deal with them. They would go inside out, stick to things. They are too flimsy. I'm happy with my lenses and wouldn't know I had anything in my eyes.
When I told my optician that people said they were old fashioned he said. 'Well they still make them so do what suits you and actually they are better for your eyes as they allow more oxygen in'.

SachaMac Sat 10-Jun-23 17:48:49

I tried but never mastered contact lenses, one of my daughters, my sister and a close friend have worn them. My sister still wears them regularly but my daughter had a corneal ulcer so now limits their use, my friend who is in her late 60’s wore them for decades but can’t wear them now as her eyes have become very dry so she has given up.
I would still like to give them a go, even if just for occasional use. It’s probably worth giving them another try if you were ok with them before.

Wiser Sat 10-Jun-23 17:32:47

I wore lenses constantly for thirty years. Now I am 75 and haven't worn them for twenty five years. I am considering wearing them again but am uncertain. Anyone got any experience of this? Thanks