my contact fell out!!!

[Lise]

This is part of why I got Lasik last April. I was a -12 in both eyes, truly blind without glasses or contacts. I had contact troubles while riding and swimming--one time a little wave in Lake Michigan knocked my goggles off and I lost a contact--riding my bike home with one eye shut really sealed the deal on that Lasik appointment. Aside from some dryness, which is less and less with time, I am very happy with the Lasik. Never thought I'd do it, but, then again, never thought I'd become an athlete either! Good luck. I'm sure you'll find strategies that work. L.

[alpinerabbit]

you could have licked it and put it back in? as an emergency measure - can't promise it works every time (it definitely does not work with my one-shot contact lenses, they are too thin and flimsy and somehow very finnicky. In fact I've had to toss one and take another on numerous occasions.)

with practice you will not need a mirror anymore to insert them.

Lise: Lasik with -12? please do tell. I have -8 and -11 but I'm scared to do it.

[nuthatch]

I think it's definitely the dryness of the air that makes them blink out. The disposables are mostly water. Drops are good (but a pain to stop and put in). I live in a more humid location but I usually take that "grabby eye" feeling as a signal to drink more water. It seems to help me produce more tears almost immediately. Probably psychosomatic!

[VenusdeVelo]

Anytime I've had my contacts pop it was becuz of dry eyes -- I was having problems (have worn them for about 25 yrs!) with contacts though in the last few years drying out at the end of the day. I switched to the new Acuvue contacts that have extra moisture (can't remember the name, Oasys was one brand but not the ones I bought) *plus* I use the new saline with "moistureloc". They helped, they even helped when flying as I do overseas trips and just don't like putting on glasses for long periods.

My eyes are a bit worse than yours (-5 and -6) so they do have contacts for your strength. And yes, bringing an xtra pr along is a good idea (but I usu don't!!) -- I have the drops I use at stops.

And I also have the more wrap style sunglasses designed for a woman's face, they keep the elements out a little better I think than the larger men's sizing.

Some things to consider...I wish I wasn't too squamish to go and look into Lasik....

[Crankin]

I have been wearing contacts for almost 30 years and I have never had an issue with them while riding. I am really blind, too. The dryness was definitely a problem in the climate in Phx. But, that was back before they had contacts with a high water content. I suggest you look at Accuvues; I wear the kind that last for 2 weeks. You can keep them in overnight, but I don't. I don't even remember they are in.
My issue is now that I am old, I wear reading glasses over my contacts. I can still see my bike computer, but I am dreading the day when that gets blurry!

[DeniseGoldberg]

My issue is now that I am old, I wear reading glasses over my contacts. I can still see my bike computer, but I am dreading the day when that gets blurry!

Old? You're not old Robyn! You're right that we all have to deal with the reading glasses thing at some point, but old is in how you feel and act! You don't fit into 'old'.

--- Denise

[Crankin]

Just a figure of speech, Denise. I know that I am not "old!"
But I never forget to pack my reading glasses in my seat bag...

[annie]

I have been wearing contacts for almost 30 years and I have never had an issue with them while riding. I am really blind, too. The dryness was definitely a problem in the climate in Phx. But, that was back before they had contacts with a high water content. I suggest you look at Accuvues; I wear the kind that last for 2 weeks. You can keep them in overnight, but I don't. I don't even remember they are in.
My issue is now that I am old, I wear reading glasses over my contacts. I can still see my bike computer, but I am dreading the day when that gets blurry!

Ditto! Exactly. I wear the same contacts you do, Robin, and just recently gave in to "old" and got reading glasses. I don't like it but I had no options! Until lasik can resolve near AND far-sightedness, I will wait........

LadyJ - Maybe see if you can find sunglasses that wrap around enough to keep that dry wind out of your eyes..... plus carry the rewetting drops with you. At least now you know of the signs of your contacts drying out and could prevent it with the drops before it gets too bad.

annie

[Lise]

Lise: Lasik with -12? please do tell. I have -8 and -11 but I'm scared to do it.

Yep, I was scared, too. I've worn glasses since I was 7 years old, and it got progressively worse until my late 30s. Swimming with contacts/goggles was a real pain in the butt, and sometimes kept me out of the pool if I didn't have perfectly sealed goggles. Having surprised myself and everyone that knows me by becoming a triathlete, I needed to swim sometimes!

I also started dating again after a yuk breakup and 5 years solo. I am -was- so blind that I literally couldn't see the features of the person I was dating without glasses or contacts. So, swimming and ...fooling around... that's what pushed me over the edge to look into it.

Also the fact that a 70+ year old woman I know had it done. Hmmmm....

The hospital where I work has one of the two new laser devices in the city of Chicago. The doc I saw told me that this newer technique "Alace", I think it's called, or "Alase", is better for the really, really nearsighted.

The procedure itself was scary and uncomfortable, but I could see nearly perfectly by the next day. For about a week I was astonished by the miracle of seeing perfectly every time I opened my eyes, and then the shock wore off. It's as if I'd never worn glasses. One of the best things I've ever done. Scary (and expensive) as it was, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Lise

[kiwi girl]

This isn't a solution to the dryness problem - but in terms of the losing a contact and having trouble getting home - I keep a spare set of my disposables in my seat bag with my bike repair stuff