Wearing contact lenses and working around sawdust.

Dave Shepard · April 22, 2007, 09:23:39 PM

I could use some advice about wearing contacts around the mill and while chainsawing etc. I have just gotten contacts, but I haven't worn them around the dust yet. I like to wear safety glasses around the mill, so I don't want to get prescription glasses unless I have to ($300

) Any advice would be appreciated.

Dave

Brian_Rhoad · April 22, 2007, 09:28:37 PM

I wear soft contacts and have no problems around dust. I wear sun/safety glasses when I'm outside all of the time. I usually don't wear glasses when I'm running the mill. If my eyes get dry I put a few rewetting drops in my eyes, but that isn't very often.

Kevin_H. · April 22, 2007, 09:32:01 PM

Dave I have not had any big problems with my contacts and sawdust, I wear a good pair of safety glasses.

I do use the disposable contacts so if they get too dirty I just toss'em and put in a new pair. ya might want to take a small bottle of saline with ya if you custom saw.

I have been wearing contacts for atleast 10 years and haven't gotten a new pair of glasses since.

Dave Shepard · April 22, 2007, 11:23:37 PM

Thanks, this is what I wanted to hear. I haven't gotten to the point where they are easy to put yet, so I haven't bean wearing them to work. I really didn't want to spend the $$$ on the safety glasses only to loose or break them. I have to wear sunglasses outside most of the time anyway, and they are Z87.1 as well as the clear safeties I wear inside.

Dave

WDH · April 22, 2007, 11:32:48 PM

I wear soft contacts and have no problem. I too use a good pair of safety glasses to protect my eyes in case anything gets kicked up into my face.

clif · April 23, 2007, 03:52:58 AM

I have worn soft contacts since they first came out (aboout 30 years). Being in the construction business and although I try to wear some sort of protective glasses now, in my early years that was not the case and ocassionally would get hit in the eye by some object and not receive any injury. The only problem I have had is fumes from some chemicals : paints, cleaners etc. tend to shorten their life. Hard lens (if they still make them) are made to bring fluid and what ever is in the fluid (sawdust etc) under the edge to keep the eye moist. Soft ones are permeable and moisture passes through them hence not a problem. One other thing I miss (I had to change a couple years ago) was only wearing one contact in my dominate eye to correct for distance and none or a weak power in my other eye so I could see close. Ask your Dr. about it , if you try it do not fight it just let it happen and your eye will adjust and you will not notice it. If you could not tell, I believe soft contacts are great. Protect your eyes what ever the cost it is worth it. Clif

Fla._Deadheader · April 23, 2007, 09:06:18 AM

I've been considering this. I did the two different powers when I was still diving. One up close, one for distance. Couldn't tell the difference.

I DID, a couple times, wipe an eye and moved the lens. >:( >:( It is instinctive. How would one adjust this, when sawing remote and sweating profusely ??? Can't carry EVERYTHING to the woods that you might need ??? ???

This has been my biggest concern ??? How long can you keep them in before removing ??? How long can they be used ???

WDH · April 23, 2007, 10:11:59 AM

I have the "mono-vision" contacts. One for far vision and one for near vision. The brain knows which one to use. It is pretty effective. I can read without glasses, and I can drive without glasses. The ones I use are good for 30 days, then toss. I take them out nightly about 60% of the time. I ahve not had any problem with wiping them out of my eyes. They stick real tight!

footer · April 23, 2007, 10:31:26 AM

I have worn contacts since 1984, and worked in industrial maintenance in a concrete pipe plant for 16 years, construction for 3 years, concrete ready-mix driver for 1 year, and currently a mechanic for a trucking company. I have been into construction/remodeling/sawing wood and working with steel for at least 35 years. I have been around a lot of different kinds of dust. I would say the worst is concrete grinding or chipping, because the particles are so abrasive. Cement dust will destroy the contacts. It leaves a coating that won't come off. Diesel fuel and anti-freeze will also ruin them on contact. It puts coating on tham that that makes it look like yo are looking through a fog.

Frickman · April 28, 2007, 05:25:24 PM

Years ago I wore glasses some, contacts some. I had some problems with sawdust, and quit wearing contacts. I've worn glasses since age seven and really don't mind. I get the best polycarbonate lenses available that are safety lenses for my prescription and wear them all the time. It's real nice wearing safety glasses all the time, you never know when something is going to hit you.

I had a guy working for me awhile back who wore contacts. He worked in the woods, on the mill, and on the farm. All it seems he did was fool with them contacts. I asked why he didn't wear glasses at work He said that they were too much trouble, contacts were easier. It didn't seem that way to me though.

Patty · May 05, 2007, 08:58:28 AM

I have alot of questions about contacts. ??? I have never worn them. I had to start wearing glasses about 5 years ago. It all happened when I was shopping one day for clothes and for the life of me, I could not read the tags. When I had to ask a little 90 year old lady to read the tags for me, I knew it was time to get some glasses. :

Glasses are a real pain in the patutee I think. Always dirty, always in the way, always needing to be stronger...I have had them upgraded 3 times already! At this pace I will be in coke bottles by the time I am 60. :

Anyway, I have a friend who wears the soft lens contacts. She swears her vision is improving. She says she only has to wear one lens now because the other eye has improved to the point that correction is no longer necessary. Is this possible? Is everyone who wears glasses a candidate for contacts? Can I start wearing them at this age? (I am 51). Will they stop my eye sight from deteriorating so quickly? Are tinted lenses better than clear? Are they hard to install?

Give me a minute and I will think of more questions. :D

WDH · May 05, 2007, 10:49:19 AM

I don't think that contacts will actually improve vision but rather correct it. I have been wearing them for 25 years. You get used to them, so that taking them out and putting them in becomes rote like brushing your teeth. The key is hygiene. I have mono-vision. One lens lets me see close so I can read and the other lens lets me see far so I can drive, so I don't need glasses. Takes a little getting used to, but if you give it time, it works. I am on the other side of 51, so I don't see why they can't work for you.

Brian_Rhoad · May 05, 2007, 01:09:44 PM

I tried contacts about 25 years ago and had major problems. My eye doctor told me I could never wear them again. When he retired my new doctor said I could try them and see what happens. I could'nt stand my glasses when I was racing because of them fogging up. I have been wearing contacts again now for about 7 years. My eyes had been getting worse when I was wearing glasses. Now with contacts, every year they have gotten better. I was at my doctor on Thursday and my eyes are the same as a year ago. I can now pass the exam so I don't need glasses to drive. I will continue to wear contacts or glasses though. The doctor thinks that the contacts have caused my vision to improve. Another thing she told me is to wear sunglasses when I'm outside. The UV rays do a lot of damage to your eyes without protection.

Steven A. · May 05, 2007, 01:37:13 PM

If you wish to wear glasses but the cost is an issue try this place.
http://www.39dollarglasses.com/
I have purchased several pair there. I pay about $100 for a nice frame with progressive bifocal, high strength plastic lenses. The same thing would cost over $350 at Wal Mart.
I get my exam at WalMart and they give me the info I send to $39 glasses.
The website tells you how to measure for the right size frame.
I was sceptical at first but I've really been happy with them for about 4 years now.
I used to wear contacts but I'm in very dusty conditions sometimes and had problems.

Patty · May 06, 2007, 07:58:04 AM

I guess I had not considered the cost.

I was more concerned about showing off my beautiful blue eyes! smiley_gorgeous :D

Thanks for the input, guys. I appreciate it.

Corley5 · May 06, 2007, 10:13:52 AM

I've been wearing soft contacts for close to 25 years with no problems. In dusty conditions they don't last as long. They become uncomfortable. I wear my glasses in the evening and 1st thing in the morning. Otherwise my contacts are in the rest of the day. I hate glasses

Patty · May 06, 2007, 02:22:26 PM

Are there specific brands that are better/worse than others? Are disposables better than non disposables? Do they make different softness's? If so which are best? Do you have luck in ordering them online?
Are mono lenses better than bifocal lenses?

So many questions ???

WDH · May 06, 2007, 09:29:52 PM

I tried the bi-focal soft disposable contacts, and I did not like them. Compromised too much for near vision and too much for far vision. For in-between, they were fine. I am 20/20 with the mono vision. They are soft disposable contacts that you wear for one month and then trash.

Corley5 · May 06, 2007, 10:30:48 PM

I've always worn either Ciba Vision or Bausch & Lomb. Currently B&L has the best match for my prescription. I buy 16 pairs every two years from my opthamologist and usually have a couple pairs left over. Eventually I'm going to have the corrective surgery done.

Burlkraft · May 07, 2007, 07:09:49 AM

I wore contacts for about 15 years and then as I got older my allergies got worse. Anyone with allergies knows the last thing ya wanna do is stick sumpthin in yer eye.... :

:

I had surgery 7 years ago and I have nothing but good things to say about it. I am however experiencing what they call old eyes.....I can't imagine that... :D :D :D Patty will like this...I have asked other people to read tags for me. Some days are better than others. The doc says to just get some reading glasses, but I could also have lens replacement. I'll wait before I do that....until I can't read the Forum anymore and then I'll do sumpthin.... ;D ;D

Patty · May 07, 2007, 07:53:30 AM

This getting old stuff is kinda a drag. First new teeth, now new eyes, next will be new ears....Norm will think he has a new bride by the time I am finished! :D

Tom · May 08, 2007, 03:10:16 PM

The problem with lense replacement is that the new one is not focusable. (Is that a word?)
I understand they have to put a far focus in one side and a near focus in the other and your brain has to make the distinction of which one to use.

I'm looking at lense replacement, one day, because of cataracts. If or when I do, I'll get two far-away eyes. I've been near-sighted all of my life and know what that is like. I'll just get some reading glasses.

I know what bifocals are all about too. You can't read the labels on the bottom shelf at the grocery store.

I don't think I could stand each eye being different.

Fla._Deadheader · May 08, 2007, 07:03:03 PM

I got used to the near-far set in 3 hours. You never know they are different. ;D

Carries-Mom · May 09, 2007, 08:47:01 AM

I use the acuvue soft contact lenses. They recommend you wear them for two weeks and get rid of them. I can wear them for two months, as long as you clean them well with the solution. If I'm working outside around dirt and dead grass, due to no rain, I still can get quite a good use out of them. I do wear glasses, but only at night and in the morning. I have been wearing contacts for 5-6 years now and don't have any problems. It's just gettin' used ta puttin somethin' in your eyeball and taking care of them, and use rewetting drops when your eyes get dry. As far as them shifting in your eyes, Fla. Deadheader, quit rubbing them so hard that your eye pops out of the back of your head. :D :D I've seen how you do that. Hope my two cents helps!!