FYI Contact lenses.

[Dug]

I just thought I should mention in my advancing years my eyesight was not what it used to be, Autofocus is a great gift but you still need to see what you are shooting.

After a few years wearing and losing many sets of glasses I attempted contact lenses.

I had checked out laser surgery and had found it not to be a permanent cure and to have a risk factor to high for my liking. Both my GP and a prominent eye surgeon recommended against it. I also found out it can cut down on you colour vision and contrast not a good option for a photographer.

I tried several optometrists to no avail my eyes rejecting the contacts. the surgeon recommended a person in Brisbane specializing in contact lens fitting. After a series of tests we finally found a set of soft contacts that suited my eyes.

I now wear a close up lens in my left eye for reading and computer work and a distance lens in my right eye for using my cameras etc.

Due to the fitting problems I have to take my lenses out once a week for cleaning but apart from that I live and sleep with them in. I do notice they are in my eyes but they are not uncomfortable at all. I change lenses about once a month and they are cheaper and easier than replacing lost or damaged glasses.

The difference it makes to my photography and my life are incredible I would never go back to glasses unless I had to.

For anyone in my situation (Aging photographer with failing eyesight) Contact lenses are well worth considering as an option.

If anyone wants my Optometrists contact details PM me, he works in Queen street in Brisbane central.


cheers doug

Still a one eyed Nikon fan

[Geoff]

Insightful and thoughtful post Dug.
As a contact wearer - (and I still consider myself ''young'') I appreciate your thoughts and investigations on laser surgery Good work matey.

[Matt. K]

DUG
You're talking to the door!...I'm over here!

[Dug]

The door is not wearing camouflage OK!

[Gordon]

I reckon I'd have problems with contacts when out mountain biking with dust and mud etc. Its bad enough with glasses sometimes.
I investigated methods of improving eyesight a while ago- glasses really are a complete PITA when its very humid when mountain biking, they continually fog up and you cant see where you are going. When just riding along I can stop and wipe them, but in a race its just hopeless.

As an alternative this is what I found:
http://www.paragoncrt.com/

Unfortunately there seems to be only 1 practitioner in Oz at the moment, but perhaps that will increase soon.
I'm thinking seriously of giving it a try as soon as finances allow.

Gordon

[Frankenstein]

I've worn contacts for a few years now, but as my eyes are aging, the prescription also changes. Originally I was only shortsighted, but over the past few years my closer vision has been getting a bit blurry as well. About 6 mths ago my optometrist suggested what Doug is now doing - having a close up lens in one eye and a distance lens in the other. It sounded like mumbo jumbo to me, but it actually works - the brain realises what you're focusing on (near or far) and compensates accordingly. It's kinda like having a built in zoom lens, I guess (I wonder if I can get Nikon contacts to match my camera gear?)

Frank

[Dug]

I reckon I'd have problems with contacts when out mountain biking with dust and mud etc. Its bad enough with glasses sometimes.
I investigated methods of improving eyesight a while ago- glasses really are a complete PITA when its very humid when mountain biking, they continually fog up and you cant see where you are going. When just riding along I can stop and wipe them, but in a race its just hopeless.

As an alternative this is what I found:
http://www.paragoncrt.com/

Unfortunately there seems to be only 1 practitioner in Oz at the moment, but perhaps that will increase soon.
I'm thinking seriously of giving it a try as soon as finances allow.

Gordon

Soft contacts are the same as eyes, if you can cope with the dust and mud on your eyes then you can cope with contacts (I am not selling these thing OK! You can also get disposables for high risk areas like swimming but I don't bother with these.

[Alex]

I've worn contacts for a few years now, but as my eyes are aging, the prescription also changes. Originally I was only shortsighted, but over the past few years my closer vision has been getting a bit blurry as well. About 6 mths ago my optometrist suggested what Doug is now doing - having a close up lens in one eye and a distance lens in the other. It sounded like mumbo jumbo to me, but it actually works - the brain realises what you're focusing on (near or far) and compensates accordingly. It's kinda like having a built in zoom lens, I guess (I wonder if I can get Nikon contacts to match my camera gear?)

Frank

Frank,

My current glasses are Nikon
Alex

[Dug]

It took me a few weeks to get the hang of the 2 different lens thing and I would consider reading glasses to get both eyes close focus if I did a lot of reading. but for general use I am delighted with the results.

No fogging when you get out of an air-conditioned car on a humid day up here either.

[phillipb]

I wish I had that option when I was shooting professionally. I even had my prescription put into my Bronica viewfinder. That was ok except for the stigmatism which meant that landscape mode was ok but portrait mode was a real dog. Contacts in those days were not very comfortable, specially at the end of a long day in a smoke filled environment.