Optician thinks I'm going blind.... :(

[Alex]

Well guys and girls,

I've just got back from the opticians after what I thought would be a routine appointment to get my new contact lenses!

OH HOW I WAS WRONG!

Went in as normal, and asked " Any problems with your contacts? " to which I replied... " Nope, except when I FIRST put them in, the next morning my eyes are stuck together"... which I thought was normal anyway after reading stories online.

Optician perks up and I can see alarm bells are ringing in his head!

"Ok... erm... er.... ", he paused to read his paperwork on me
"Right... i think we need to do some scans"

So off I pop to this other room, have lots of different drops and scans and stuff done... They were VERY VERY thorough with there stuff!

Get called back after being put in waiting room (while my eyes adjusted back to normal)....

"Ok, Alex.... I've got some some bad news.... because of the contact lenses, your eyes are damaged beyong repair. The eyelids inside should be smooth, but are infact now VERY pitted and are like a piece of mini sandpaper now. They are slowly wearing down your eyes."

My last scan about 7 years ago shows no trace of damage and I was smooth... lovely! But thanks to contacts, which I started wearing just after the scan, they have worn away my eyelids ....

I was told that I should expect my eyesite to deteriorate progressively over the next 5 to 10 years.... and while they can't guarantee I wont go blind, there is a chance I will !! A larger then average chance!!

So for all those that wear contact lenses...... I HIGHLY recommend you speak to your opticians and get a check up... I thought I was fine, I had never had any problems except my prescription changing every 2 years like normal.

Unfortunately for me, the damage is already done.... but get yourself checked!!!!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Can you not have laser treatment now, instead of carrying on using lenses?

Sorry to hear your bad news.

[Alex]

Unfortunately due to the "sandpaper" like effect of my lids, the laser treatment would effectively be money wasted :(

(I asked him if it would work and he said " for a while " ...)

[gaza]

How common is this? because my daughter starting wearing contact lenses about a year ago.

That is awfull news for you, i am sorry.

[STEVE HANLEY]

I wore contact lenses constantly when I was first diagnosed my eyesight was shot( shortsighted) I.E. need them to see anything more than 4ft away clearly. but don't need them for reading.

I was told glasses were better (I agree now) because when you wear contact lenses over a long period of time I.E all day. Your eyes never get a rest as they are constantly looking through magnified vision. Whereas if you wear glasses you can take them off and give your eyes a rest.

I don't know if that could be a contributing factor but worth considering. Also if you're an ugly :Censored: like me glasses are an improvement.

But even thats open to debate. I was however allowed to stay in the Paras as it didn't restrict me if anything improved me

[Paul The Party Dj]

Alex - I'm so sorry to hear this news.
I don't know what to say.
Get another opinion.
I'll keep you in my thoughts.
Paul

[Shaun]

Alex - I'm so sorry to hear this news.
I don't know what to say.
Get another opinion.
I'll keep you in my thoughts.
Paul

Pretty much my thoughts too. Hopefuly they'll be able to do something. :(

[rob1963]

Hi Alex,

I'm really sorry to hear about this, but I'm very surprised you wore contact lenses for 7 years and never had any check ups to make sure they weren't causing problems.

I wore contact lenses for nearly 25 years, and had annual check ups to make sure they were fitting okay and not causing any problems.

I agree that you should get a second opinion...and hope you get good news.

[Charlie Brown]

Howdy Alex,

I don't bother with contacts...I prefer myself with glasses anyhow!

Sorry to hear about this. I hope you're on the mend! :)

[Alex]

you wore contact lenses for 7 years and never had any check ups to make sure they weren't causing problems.


Sorry I missed out some vital information LOL.... sorry I was a bit absent minded earlier.... I used to wear the contacts you take out each night... or use daily disposal ones... but recently went for the 30 day continuous wear a few months ago.

Always had checks up... but never had any complaints (or not a complaint I though was relevant! LOL ) with my old type of contacts.

It was my new contacts (30 day all night and day wear) that were causing issues to complain about ... and thats why I thought I better mention something because they were new contacts :)

I'm currently booked to see my private doctor tomorrow and see if I can get a referal/second opinion from another medical expert... we'll see!
I'm HOPING to god that the optician was wrong.. or being over cautious.

But with everything in this world...you've gotta be positive... and so on the bright side(jokey side)... if I do go blind, then I've heard your other senses heighten! Hopefully it will be my hearing and I'll feel the beat more and be able to beat mix better! HAHA!