Hot for contact lens people

[RayH]

Another savings tip: if your company has a medical reimbursement fund which you contribute into you can use it for contact lens supplies. The full amount that you contribute in is available at the beginning of the year so you can buy as much stuff as you need at the beginning of the year, get reimbursed and it gets slowly deducted tax free out of your paycheck the rest of the year.

 

[sxr7171]

Originally posted by: KokomoGST

Originally posted by: sxr7171

Originally posted by: Dr2GunzOD
The No-Rub solutions like optifree and renu are the same as the old regular bottles. they just got approval from the FDA to use the solutions without rubbing. However, it is still recommended that you rub your lenses, esp if you keep your lenses for 2 weeks or longer.

Alcon (optifree) recently changed the preservative in their solution to one that causes less allergic reactions...thats why it feels better to some. optifree and renu are very similar in makeup. complete is a little different so if the other two bother you ..give it a shot.

also, talk with your optometrist about getting solutions. i have seen several give patients free sample bottles whenever they want it. several patients come in every few months and stock up for free. of course it depends on where you go for eye exams....places like walmart etc arent going to do it for ya

Thanks for the info, I can never get my optometrist to tell me much about solutions and the differences between them.

I've tried Alcon (OptiFree), Renu Multiplus (NoRub), and AMO's Complete (NoRub) and it seems that the Complete is the best on my eyes. None of them really bother me that much. But the AMO just seems soothing with Alcon not as irritating as Renu. Seems a lot of eye docs are pushing specific solutions because of a deal they have with a particular manu. Mine admitted it but said that because they have that deal they can give me free samples (they were using Alcon).

I agree, I still think that the Allergan Complete solution is the best. I noticed that few optometrists hand out free samples of this stuff and even though most people who have tried it say that it feels better than other solutions, no optometrist I've talked to would specifically recommend it. Maybe Allergan does not make such deals with optometrists.

 

[Cooky]

Scanned the solution and it came up as regular price (6.xx) at the WalMart in Nassau Park near Princeton, NJ.

BTW, it was the only WalMart I've been to that doesn't do car oil change; thought all of them do.

 

[Dr2GunzOD]

Allergan is starting to push it samples more now. They just branched off from their parent company. Their reps were in the office a few weeks ago wanting us to give out more of their samples.

As far as promotions go, very few involve giving out samples of solution. the majority involve the volume of contact lens sales in the office. thats where the reps try to influence the doctor.

 

[wlau]

Allergan Complete is available in MANY generic store brands, I am talking 100% same ingredients... Costco's Kirkland Signature MPS is actually made by Allergan. Walgreen's MPS is also Allergan Complete. RiteAid's MPS is Alcon OptiOne (not opti-free express), which also the KMart's American Value brand. KMart's American Value brand just released a No-Rub version of the MPS, and it's made by B&L, so it think it might be really close to ReNu Plus, not sure though. I don't think consumers know that contact lense supply requires FDA approval, so the generic store brands are actually made by the big 3, smaller companies can't afford the R&D and approval cost. In fact, if you compare the instruction panel, they virtually use the same wording as their expensive new brand siblings. I am using Costco's Kirkland Signature MPS, which is Allergan Complete, and I cleans and feels just like the Allergan brand. What's more, that stuff is sooo cheap, 3 of 16oz bottles is less than $8...

PS: MPS = multipurprose solution (industry lingo)
Allergan Complete is now made by AMO, Advanced Medical Optics, a spin-off of Allergan.

 

[LongCoolMother]

how do you guys wear it?! its so hard to get them on. i always blink before i put it on and it hurts. when by chance, i DO get them in, it hurts and then makes me eyes all dry. -_-..

 

[OrlandoTiger]

Originally posted by: RayH
Another savings tip: if your company has a medical reimbursement fund which you contribute into you can use it for contact lens supplies. The full amount that you contribute in is available at the beginning of the year so you can buy as much stuff as you need at the beginning of the year, get reimbursed and it gets slowly deducted tax free out of your paycheck the rest of the year.

? This is news to me,anyone else have experience with such a plan?Interesting.
Long,it sounds like you need to go see the good Dr who posted here.Did you get a fitting (instructions) when you got your lenses,and a follow up appt?You should have...

 

[sxr7171]

Originally posted by: wlau
Allergan Complete is available in MANY generic store brands, I am talking 100% same ingredients... Costco's Kirkland Signature MPS is actually made by Allergan. Walgreen's MPS is also Allergan Complete. RiteAid's MPS is Alcon OptiOne (not opti-free express), which also the KMart's American Value brand. KMart's American Value brand just released a No-Rub version of the MPS, and it's made by B&L, so it think it might be really close to ReNu Plus, not sure though. I don't think consumers know that contact lense supply requires FDA approval, so the generic store brands are actually made by the big 3, smaller companies can't afford the R&D and approval cost. In fact, if you compare the instruction panel, they virtually use the same wording as their expensive new brand siblings. I am using Costco's Kirkland Signature MPS, which is Allergan Complete, and I cleans and feels just like the Allergan brand. What's more, that stuff is sooo cheap, 3 of 16oz bottles is less than $8...

PS: MPS = multipurprose solution (industry lingo)
Allergan Complete is now made by AMO, Advanced Medical Optics, a spin-off of Allergan.

Nice post, I had no idea! Now if I could find a Costco around here. I'm still going to check out the Walgreens version. Do you know if it is the most recent formulation with ingredients for protein removal and any other new stuff? Thanks!

 

[di2iftwood]

Orlandotiger - It's called "flexible spending" and basically, you estimate (on the lowside) how much in medical costs you will PAY during the year and the pre-tax amounts are deducted from your paycheck and put aside for medical costs (including contact lens, contact supplies as well as doctors visits/co-pays and OTC and prescription drugs). The amounts YOU PAY to the doctor/store will be reimbursed out of the flex spending account. At the end of the year if you don't use everything in the account, you lose it.

 

[OrlandoTiger]

thanks di2iftwood,I had only heard of using pretax dollars for additional insurance but it sounds like this is a similar plan which would work well for those other expenses.

 

[SherEPunjab]

I've used Renu Multipurpose before but didn't buy it again. It was too 'soapy' it produced a lot of bubbles and didn't rinse the lens completely clean. I like Alcon or Complete. As per my optometrists advice, he suggest that i rinse the contacts with preservative free saline spray. So here is what i do:

i buy the Walmart brand NO RUB solution. The No Rub solutions actually make the lens more comfortable to wear for some reason. it really makes them nice and soft. All no rub solutions tend to do this from my experience.

i then purchased WalMart preservative free saline spray. it may be a new product because i hadn't seen it before. i used allergan in the past i believe but that was $$$. The walmart preservative free saline solution is only 2.74 i believe.

i use JnJ preservative free rewetting drops. They are not the same thing as what you clean them with. I heard there was a report on that, but the saline solution will never moisturize your eyes as well as preservative free rewetting drops. I've tried rewetting with all the major brands of saline and multipurpose and none of them refresh it.

 

[commemoratives]

FYI, as a follow up to soft solution vs rigid.

My optomotrist is on the Texas board and since I converted to rigid lenses has said rigid lenses can use soft lens solution but not vice versa. I tried the rigid solution samples and asked him if it was Ok to go back to my old favorite soft lens solution. His explaination was that the rigid solutions could be more agressive cleaning solutions which would easily damage soft lenses, but there was no soft solution which would damamge gas perm lenses. Since soft lenses are substantially liquid what you store and clean them with wil become a component of the lens and unless properly balanced could dissolve the lens.

Rigid lenses, which are safe to store dry, don't absorb significant solution and therefore the more begnign soft solution may not actually clean as well depending hoy each individuals eye builds up protein but poses no risk to the rigid lens.

Obviously check with your optomotrist, but I have been using soft solutions about three years with no problem. Mine said it was kosher [BTW some cleaners are not... what do you think they mean by porcine enzyme? No, I'm not Jewish, but EWWW! Porcine enzyme extract?]

Anyway, this guy is on the board and does enforcement... you know tracking down companies who sell to people without a prescription through the mail and at flea markets and the like. Those decorative lenses and the stories he could tell about people using them for "fun" are just scary. There are things you can do to your eyes which ruin your vision forever. He is so conservative and cautious about vision care that I trust what he says.

 

[dude]

Originally posted by: commemoratives
you know tracking down companies who sell to people without a prescription through the mail and at flea markets and the like. Those decorative lenses and the stories he could tell about people using them for "fun" are just scary. There are things you can do to your eyes which ruin your vision forever. .

Wow please tell some of these stories! I'd like to think I'm doing everything right to my eyes and contacts but I'd like some more caution... btw, I've been using contacts for almost 10 years.

 

[sxr7171]

Originally posted by: dude

Originally posted by: commemoratives
you know tracking down companies who sell to people without a prescription through the mail and at flea markets and the like. Those decorative lenses and the stories he could tell about people using them for "fun" are just scary. <STRONG>There are things you can do to your eyes which ruin your vision forever.</STRONG> .

Wow please tell some of these stories! I'd like to think I'm doing everything right to my eyes and contacts but I'd like some more caution... btw, I've been using contacts for almost 10 years.

Yeah, after using contact lens for over 8 years, I have become so complacent about things. I put my lenses in the same solution for days, I never rub them even though I have worn the same disposable lenses for 6 months. Once, I even forgot to put enough solution into the case (as opposed to all over the floor) and I found a severely dry and wrinkled lens in the morning which I then began to rehydrate by rubbing in solution and subsequently put in my eyes. I really feel stupid about all this, and I have a year's supply of lenses lying around at home. I'm trying to come clean so don't flame me.

I could use some really scary stories to straighten me out. Thanks.

 

[murphy55d]

I use Solo-Care Plus, no rub.

it's cheaper than renu(like $4 a bottle), and seems to work better.

This $1.55 is either a definite price error, or an in-store/clearance, likely just that store.

It's still $6 something at the store I work at.

 

[Chess]

In my walmart here in maryland they have little scanners were you can actually check the price thats on it i would do that before expecting to get the price just an idea

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: Chess
In my walmart here in maryland they have little scanners were you can actually check the price thats on it i would do that before expecting to get the price just an idea

Checked in Sacramento Wal-marts yesterday. They ring up as regular price, at least the little scanners rung them up as regular price.

Also, I you can get a 2-pack of equate contact solution for like 5 bucks regular price. Thats what I use.

<== monkey dance

 

[anji65]

Originally posted by: wlau
Allergan Complete is available in MANY generic store brands, I am talking 100% same ingredients... Costco's Kirkland Signature MPS is actually made by Allergan. Walgreen's MPS is also Allergan Complete. RiteAid's MPS is Alcon OptiOne (not opti-free express), which also the KMart's American Value brand. KMart's American Value brand just released a No-Rub version of the MPS, and it's made by B&L, so it think it might be really close to ReNu Plus, not sure though. I don't think consumers know that contact lense supply requires FDA approval, so the generic store brands are actually made by the big 3, smaller companies can't afford the R&D and approval cost. In fact, if you compare the instruction panel, they virtually use the same wording as their expensive new brand siblings. I am using Costco's Kirkland Signature MPS, which is Allergan Complete, and I cleans and feels just like the Allergan brand. What's more, that stuff is sooo cheap, 3 of 16oz bottles is less than $8...

PS: MPS = multipurprose solution (industry lingo)
Allergan Complete is now made by AMO, Advanced Medical Optics, a spin-off of Allergan.

just fyi: my friend who worked at neutrogena as a chemist told me that although 2 things have the same ingredients (not just contact lens solution, but shampoo, food, vitamins..etc.), their formulation and concentrations of ingredients may be completely different.

 

[commemoratives]

In general they all had a similar theme with unique but gruesome details:

Otherwise intelligent person puts in a set of contacts which were either never fitted for them, as the case generally is for the cosmetic contacts, or purchased form a non professional by someone who thought they knew the prescription at a flea market. All of the lenses involved were of good manufacture, but the person who put them in either had never worn contacts before or had not been fitted for that lens properly or in the case of flea markets was purchasing out of date lenses.

Almost always the individual left the lenses in for an extended period of time whic far exceeds rational wear, but in a few cases it was just overnight. When it came time to remove the lenses it was always diffacult and on occasion required professional assistance. Anyway, upon removal some of the cornea came up too. Viola, permenantly screwed up vision!

Can you imagine peeling off a layer or just pieces of your cornea? I had a cornea scan done when I switched to rigid lenses and it showed a ridge which required a unique fitting. Some people have them naturally, and it is my understanding that in extreme cases this is why those folks shouldn't ever wear contacts in general or just cetain types of lenses. Soft lenses are more prone to be a problem because they dry out more easily and in those dry areas tend to fuse or glue themselves to the cornea...

Anyway, if you are having a problem getting your lenses out go to a professional!!! Have them look at the problem before you damage your eyes.

There are lots of things I will buy the best deal on, and yes I get the bargain solution that works best for me. Just don' t let convenience or ignorance mess up your eyes forever.

I would love to try out a pair of those cosmetic lenses, or even get a pair of color change lenses. I gaurantee I will never purchases lenses from someone who doesn't want a copy of my prescription in hand before they sell me lenses and will always check the manufacturers name before I pruchase. That's 'cause I now know which brands work best for me.

Some of the tales did involve using hard solutions on soft lenses and partially eating up the lens with the same outcome where they artificially weld themselves to the cornea.

Just thinking about it makes me sick. I am not going to risk my eyes for a few bucks or some minor inconvenience.

BTW, that is not why I switched to rigid. For me it produces crisper vision and I like being able to pop out my lenses and clean them and put them right back in for a few hours. Rigid lenses take more getting used to because you have to build up a tougher callous on the inside of your eyelid, but they pass as much as 80% of the oxygen nowdays as soft lenses so they really are better for your eyes than the old hard lenses.

 

[fonzinator]

Originally posted by: Msatan666
Yep, they are. They generally have the same ingredients in the same concentrations, I think they just try to market it as a easier way to carry the solution (rewetting drops) on you so you can use them anywhere.

On the burning issue, it depends I think pretty much all the brands have become a lot better in that respect. Last year I could not use Alcon solution even for soaking because it hurt like crazy but this year it is much better, the same goes for Renu to a lesser degree, the only one that was really gentle was Allergan Complete solution. Now they all are gentle. Maybe I just got used to the harsher solutions, I don't know.

I would say the reason your eyes burn is becuase the solutions are removing the proteins from your eye. Yes, they are made to remove proteins from your contacts when they are not in your eye, but removing these proteins directly from your eye probably isn't good.

FYI...The soothing ingredient in eye drops is Methylcellulose. The higher the percentage of this, the more soothing and comfortable the eye drop will be. You'll pay more for higher concentrations of it though.

 

[ingenue007]

I have a couple of questions for optometrists here.

1. What is the reason for rubbing? Removal of gross debris?
2. Why do some solutions (no rub types) require longer spraying of the lens (i.e. 10 seconds vs 5 seconds)? Are the enzymes less effective?

thanks