OK, so here's my week in review in regards to learning to use contact lenses. I had my first appointment and check-up on Tuesday. I tried and failed that first day to put in the lenses. My frustration level was through the roof so I made an appoint for the following day, Wednesday. Tuesday evening I went to a neighborhood pot-luck party. It was fabulous. But it was in a park. Full of grass and flowers and trees. All enemies to severe allergy-ridden people like me. I could feel it coming on as I was going to bed but brushed it off. When I woke up on Wednesday morning, I was in a full on serious allergy and sinus attack. My eyes were watering and nose was flowing and voice sounded like a heavy-smoking man. So I decided this would only make matters worse. I rescheduled for Thursday.
So Thursday I went in for my second learn-how-to-use-the-damn-contact-lens appointment. I was there for about an hour and a half. Made a lot of progress. Got close. Very close. But in the end, just needed to walk away. So I went in today, Friday, for my third and hopefully final appointment. After one hour and 45 minutes, I got the left contact in!!!!!!!!!! I didn't even believe it at first because I couldn't feel it in there, nor could I see it. Good sign, right? I was determined to get the darn left eye in now! But now only having one eye to work on (before I would switch between the two eyes when I would tire of one- I wear the same prescription in both eye). This working on one eye got old very fast. I was so so so close but I blink it out a half second before it suctions on. Arrrggghhhh!! So then she suggested I try learning to take out the right lens. This too took me a while to figure out as I couldn't see or feel the thing. But I did get it out. In the end, I was there for 2.5 hours. I was starving and frustrated and tired and just needed to not poke my poor little eyes any more this morning.
I really like the girl who helped me Thursday and today so I wanted to make sure she would be there for my next (FOURTH) session. Since she doesn't work until Tuesday, that's when I am next making a go of this. I am going to practice touching my eye this weekend. I actually think having a few days break from this will help me. By the time I left today I was stressed beyond words with myself.
Normally I would be mortified to admit that I am 31 and struggling this much with something seemingly so simple and every day. But last night I googled "scared to use contacts" and holy heck, I am not at all alone! Lots and lots and lots of adults seem to struggle just like me. I find this oddly comforting that I am not the only wimpy one out there when it comes to eyes.
But I have to tell y'all that your comments and advice were invaluable!! I read and re-read them over and over and actually tried all of your techniques. To be honest, I don't think there is a technique I have yet to try. But if you have one to offer, please don't hold back on me. I have never been more open (and practically begging!) to advice.
I am just so close. Right there. But not. You know? Oh and the thing is, I can all but guarantee that I would be able to do this in a fairly short period of time if I was at home. I would be so much more relaxed. But I have to prove it to the doctor in the office before I am allowed to take them home. Drats. So back again I go.....for stinkin' round FOUR.....on Tuesday. Please cross your fingers and pray that the fourth time is the charm. I have a lot of other things I need to be doing instead of spending hour upon hours poking at my eyeball!!
8 comments:
Oh my gosh -- I am so relieved to see that someone else is struggling to put contact lenses in!!!! My 2nd grade niece can do it, but it took me 2 hours at the dr's office, and I'm still struggling to do it at home. Haven't worn them since the appt. I really want to be able to wear them too....Let me know if you figure out any tricks. Hope the practice will make perfect for you!!
Congrats! You got one lens in and back out again. Just relax. You will accomplish this. Practice makes perfect! Hang in there and don't give up!!
You can do it, girl! I don't have eye issues and I've been wearing contacts since like 8th grade. And I freaking love eyedrops - feels like jumping into a pool or something! hehe... but I noticed several people saying to look in the mirror while doing it. I actually don't do that - I just look at the contact coming at me. Cuz if I'm looking at it and it's heading straight for me, what's it gonna land on? Oh yeah, my eye. Plus then you're not like watching yourself doing it in the mirror... so maybe it'd be less freaky? Worth a try perhaps! And even though it didn't freak me out, I still had to come back the next day to get the hang of it! It takes everyone a while - eye phobia or not! :-)
You have the upmost courage! You posted about a very personal dilemna that is bothering you. You go girl because you are almost there! Look at the positive and progress in one week!!!
You will get the hang of it. Just keep practicing. I noticed someone said that they focus on their finger and the contact and don't use a mirror. I can't do that because I focus on poking myself in the eye, by focusing on my image in the mirror I don't notice the finger approaching my eye. Good luck with it!
Congrats - you are getting there. You will be putting them in and taking them out easily very soon I'm sure!
Woohoo! You did one eye! Just take your time, you'll get used to it and be able to do both eyes! Like Mona said, just relax. Don't stress about this, so many people have this problem. You can do it! You got one in! Thatz huge! Don't give up!
It took me WEEKS to learn how to put my contacts in, and after having them for nine years I still have trouble sometimes. Hang in there - it will get easier! I promise!
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