Contacts, the good bad and ugly?

[Wo~Wo]

I am seeking advice of whether or not to do a thru-hike with contacts. Unlike the vast majority of contact wearers, I do not have soft-contacts - I have hard contacts. Most people have not heard of hard-contacts, but it is something I had to wear (and not soft ones).

I have done week hikes with them before and have been fine. Is there anyone out there that has done a thru-hike with contacts, or better yet hard-contacts? There would be more weight associated with contacts due to solutions and cases, where-as glasses are rather straight forward. Another issue, is that hard-contacts create an indent in your corena or your eye (I believe it's called the corena that is...). So, after the trip wearing the contacts again could become very difficult.

I appreciate your input.

[Jayboflavin04]

My boss has those and his eyes are always red and irritated. I think it comes with the territory with those things. He loses one on a regular basis(they pop out), and he has to go thru the doc to get a replacement. He has degenerate corneas though. I think he cannot even get glasses....they would be tooo thick!

[buff_jeff]

It's definitely feasible to hike with soft contact lenses and have only a small inconvenience, but I'm not sure about hard lenses. It definitely could be done, but they have an increased propensity for infection, right? less breathable? I wouldn't recommend it, if so. It would be a huge hassle to get an eye infection during a hike, or have scratchy, irritated eyes for hours on end. I wear contacts all the time, but when I hike I just use prescription sunglasses for the most part. On rainy or foggy days I wear my glasses and I've never had a real problem with them fogging up or anything.

If you decide to wear them, make sure you simply follow your everyday procedures as best as possible. Take them out with clean hands and bring along contact solution. It can be done, but it might be an inconvenience. Plenty of people hike with contacts.

[Wo~Wo]

As for breathability, they're the best you can get - just don't go asleep in them. If anyone has hard lenses, they know why not to go asleep in them. Anyways, as for infection there's the same chance with any other lenses, they're not more prone by any means.

[Phoenixdadeadhead]

As for breathability, they're the best you can get - just don't go asleep in them. If anyone has hard lenses, they know why not to go asleep in them. Anyways, as for infection there's the same chance with any other lenses, they're not more prone by any means.
I don't know if I would thru with hard contacts, mine on the other hand no problem, you can leave them in for 6 months (if they hold up that long) they feel nice to me and I don't need to mess with them, when they feel bad I take them out and put in a new pair.

[Hikes in Rain]

Not a thru hike, but before they even invented soft lenses (yeah, I remember those days), I hiked, camped and such with my hard ones. You probably know the drill...cleanliness in handling is a sacrament. Do/carry whatever it takes; just consider it unavoidable weight in the pack. Keep the glasses handy, too, as a back-up.

And you're right, getting used to hard lenses isn't a casual thing. You're correct to be concerned. Astigmatism? That's usually why folks need the hard ones.

[Tin Man]

is lasik an option? lots of factors for sure, if you really feel strongly about wearing the contacts, then you can figure it out. if the contacts are for vanity purposes, get a cool pair of glasses with transition lenses. getting re-adjusted to hard lenses is a pain, but after a 6-month hike in the woods, that will not be your only pain. my opinion.

[Reid]

I myself could not wear contacts on a hike. Your going to sweat alot and it'll be in your eyes and contacts just doesn't seem reliable in outdoor conditions in any duration. I wear glasses and I can see ok without them, not enough to drive or read anything near or far, so I hike without them and upon a summit or at night I will whip them out and I always have them in a carrying case instead of wrapped around my head.

[World-Wide]

I am seeking advice of whether or not to do a thru-hike with contacts. Unlike the vast majority of contact wearers, I do not have soft-contacts - I have hard contacts. Most people have not heard of hard-contacts, but it is something I had to wear (and not soft ones).

I have done week hikes with them before and have been fine. Is there anyone out there that has done a thru-hike with contacts, or better yet hard-contacts? There would be more weight associated with contacts due to solutions and cases, where-as glasses are rather straight forward. Another issue, is that hard-contacts create an indent in your corena or your eye (I believe it's called the corena that is...). So, after the trip wearing the contacts again could become very difficult.

I appreciate your input.

My vision is 20/20, so you can imagine any opinion I offer to you would absolutely suck! However, the "Good, Bad and the Ugly" is my favorite Clint Eastwood movie!! :D But the best all-time Clint scene IMHO is from a "Fist Full of Dollars." Enjoy! (I do apologize for my digression!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeFpM2OEWPs&feature=related&pos=1

[Fiddleback]

I wore hard contacts almost 25 years. Most of my backpacking as an adult was with hard contacts. Now I wear rigid gas permeable (RGP) lens and backpack with them. I like 'em a lot and think they're more comfortable than hard lens. My kit for taking care of lens on the trail weighs well under four ounces (including the solutions) regardless whether they're hard or RGP.

FB

[Wo~Wo]

Yes, another option was to switch over to soft-lenses, the ones you can leave in for (a) month(s). I use the hard (I think they're actually gas rigid ones though, pretty similar though) lenses as they have the best optical quality - even if I did do Lasik surgery I would not have as clear or good of a vision as I do with the contacts. I used to get 20/15 w/ the contacts, now about 20/20. I recall just after a week long hike my hands with be filthy, even if I did try to scrub wash 'em and sanitize them - so that could result in some unforgiveable moments (if you get anything in your eye with hard lenses, you pretty much end up crying because it hurts A LOT).

[double d]

I've worn soft contact lens since I was in high school and I played football in both HS and college and I've hiked in all different areas of the country in my contact lens without any problems. I also have bad eyes and I would not like to hike with my glasses on, as they fog up way to easy, I have to always adjust them throughout the day, etc. I more afraid of my glasses slipping off then I am of losing a contact, but it would be nice to just have 20/20 vision, but I'm not a canidate for Lasik, but thats life. Good luck.

[mooseboy]

Can't speak for the hard lenses, sorry. But I myself hike with soft contacts in (the 2 to 4 week type) and I've always been fine. Taking them out at night & putting them in in the a.m. is sometimes a hassle, but it sure beats hiking with glasses... too many issues there (falling off, breaking, fogging up, etc.).

Since the care/removal of hard lenses sounds about the same as soft (although you say you may have to carry more weight in cases/solution), it sounds like you may as well use them. Carry at least 1 spare set, if not more.

BTW, Someone mentioned lenses you can leave in for weeks... do you just mean soft lenses that last 2-4 weeks? Even the soft type that can be worn for weeks before replacing still need to be removed at night (at least the kinds I've always used).

[Ratchet-SectionHiker]

I wear Acuvue Advance contact lenses with Hydraclear Ultra Comfort Series. They have microscopic holes in them that allow your eyes to breathe.You are supposed to change them every 15 days, but I have left one pair in for up to 6 weeks. You are supposed to be able to sleep in them (which I do) and I never take them out unless to put a new set in. I work construction and my eyes are always exposed to dust, sweat, and everything else that comes with working in rugged conditions on a daily basis. I never think twice about going into the woods with my contacts. I usually carry a small bottle of Visine (0.5 ounce) and a spare set of contacts (less than 1 oz/pair in disposable containers) but I have never had to change them in the woods. I know you were specifically asking about hard lenses but I wanted everyone to know about the kind you can wear overnight without any problems.

[mooseboy]

I wear Acuvue Advance contact lenses with Hydraclear Ultra Comfort Series. They have microscopic holes in them that allow your eyes to breathe.You are supposed to change them every 15 days, but I have left one pair in for up to 6 weeks. You are supposed to be able to sleep in them (which I do) and I never take them out unless to put a new set in. I work construction and my eyes are always exposed to dust, sweat, and everything else that comes with working in rugged conditions on a daily basis. I never think twice about going into the woods with my contacts. I usually carry a small bottle of Visine (0.5 ounce) and a spare set of contacts (less than 1 oz/pair in disposable containers) but I have never had to change them in the woods. I know you were specifically asking about hard lenses but I wanted everyone to know about the kind you can wear overnight without any problems.

Ratchet- Thanks! Good to know about this kind of lens. I haven't really shopped around in awhile, but it's good to know they're out there...

[Tin Man]

I wear Acuvue Advance contact lenses with Hydraclear Ultra Comfort Series. They have microscopic holes in them that allow your eyes to breathe.You are supposed to change them every 15 days, but I have left one pair in for up to 6 weeks. You are supposed to be able to sleep in them (which I do) and I never take them out unless to put a new set in. I work construction and my eyes are always exposed to dust, sweat, and everything else that comes with working in rugged conditions on a daily basis. I never think twice about going into the woods with my contacts. I usually carry a small bottle of Visine (0.5 ounce) and a spare set of contacts (less than 1 oz/pair in disposable containers) but I have never had to change them in the woods. I know you were specifically asking about hard lenses but I wanted everyone to know about the kind you can wear overnight without any problems.

I had those. Worked well for me, except campfire smoke was a problem. I got tired of the hassle though of keeping them sterile. Now that I need reading glasses, I got tired of looking for those when I needed to peek at the map or cook. Glasses aren't all that bad. I have some indestructable sport glasses with transition lenses that adjust with the sunlight, no issues. Normally sighted people don't know what they are missing, eh? :)

[sticks&stones]

contacts seem to work for me better on trail, than they do when not hiking. climate controlled environments, in everyday life, is sometimes a problem. on trail my 2 week contacts lasted longer, and were more comfortable. i once wore a pair for 4 months straight, and get this, i only took them out twice!

[Wo~Wo]

Ah, reading these posts I totally forgot to mention something about hard lenses that most people do not know. There is no 'extra' pair. My mother used to have hard lenses and one of her pairs lasted her ten years, until she received Lasik. Hard lenses last very long, my pair is currently running about three years on 'em. Another thing, is that you do not want to lose your hard lenses. Not only is it a hassle (as they are not readily available as soft lenses) - hard lenses cost 50$ a pair (probably now around 60$ easily). So, you're looking at 120$ just for one pair of contacts.

[mooseboy]

Ah, reading these posts I totally forgot to mention something about hard lenses that most people do not know. There is no 'extra' pair. My mother used to have hard lenses and one of her pairs lasted her ten years, until she received Lasik. Hard lenses last very long, my pair is currently running about three years on 'em. Another thing, is that you do not want to lose your hard lenses. Not only is it a hassle (as they are not readily available as soft lenses) - hard lenses cost 50$ a pair (probably now around 60$ easily). So, you're looking at 120$ just for one pair of contacts.

Ah, I didn't know that. Well, that would make me warier about bringing contacts on the Trail... under hiking conditions you may be likelier to dislodge them. Still, I don't think I've ever lost a soft lens while hiking, though I have knocked them out of whack.

[Fiddleback]

Over the years I've lost about a half-dozen hard contact lenses. A couple went down the drain before I learned to do the cleaning only after closing the drain, one I lost in a swimming pool when I tried to find out if I could swim with contacts (umm...no, I couldn't), and one I found only after I stepped on it and heard the Rice Krispies', "snap, crackle and pop."

But that's not bad over 45 years. Eventually, with those and the changeover to RGPs (zero lost to date) and new prescriptions every now and then, I built up a surplus of lens. That is, for back-up/spare lenses I have some from older prescriptions. And a spare set goes with me on the trail and every other trip I take.

I seem to have less contacts issues on the trail...might be because of a cleaner envrionment. On the other hand, sweat in my eyes is a bigger problem on the trail than I normally face around home.

For me, contacts are the way to go, on or off the trail.

FB

[AlabamaDan]

I have those soft lenses you sleep in and wear them all the time. Whenever I'm camping, fishing, hunting, hiking for more than a just a day hike I always carry my glasses as backup, but I've never used them. One day I hope to get Lasik, but I can't afford it.

[Pippy]

I did my thru hike with hard lenses. It was an absolute pain; the *4oz bottle of solution, cleaning drops, lens case, glasses case, 1/4 inch thick glasses. I'm legally blind without corrective lenses, so I couldn't just 'wing it' and pray I didn't walk off McAfee Knob. I even had to get off the trail for a few days in VA to see an optometrist...severe eye infection, tests galore (I went blind for a short period of time when I was 12, so taking all necessary annoying precautions are a must). Moral of the story, if you're a hard lens wearer, don't slack! Everything you use at home, take it into the woods. As a psychological bonus, you can look at it this way...every time you rinse your lenses, fill your lens case with new solution, you're eliminating pack weight! And one more thing...nats LOVE gas permeable solution. ;)

*You can buy bausch and lomb solution in the 2oz travel sized bottle! If you have the extra cash (I didn't) I'd stock up!

-Pippy.

[mooseboy]

BTW, regarding solution, I usually pull the cap off a medium-small container (don't know the fl. oz. measurement, maybe 8?)... and refill it from a larger, cheaper bottle when I go hiking. It usually gets me through about a week.

If I were to go longer, aside from the obvious solution of buying more solution in town (expensive), I might consider bounce-boxing the large solution bottle ahead with other items, until it's empty. Then again, bounce-boxing is not all that cheap either... oh well.

[summermike]

I've thru-hiked twice with rigid gas perms - is that what you have? I've been wearing RGPs for thirty years. I wear them daily and when hiking. I've never had any problems with them. I don't like hiking or doing anything athletic in glasses. If you have a problem with windy, dry weather when hiking look into getting a pair of 7Eye sunglasses. Motorcyclists use them and they do a great job of keeping windy and dust out of your eyes.

[LaurieAnn]

I have those soft lenses you sleep in and wear them all the time. Whenever I'm camping, fishing, hunting, hiking for more than a just a day hike I always carry my glasses as backup, but I've never used them.

I always wear soft contact lenses but for the past 10 years I've been wearing a two-week disposable called Soft Focus from Accuvue. After my last visit to the eye doc she told me that technology in lenses had come a long way since my old eye doc suggested what I was currently using and she gave me a 30 day pair of Biofinity lenses by Coopervision. My other lenses always felt awful by the day's end but with the Biofinity, I was able to wear them for the entire trip... even for sleeping. I did add a few lubrication drops at bedtime and in the morning. These are incredible! I still took a pair of old glasses as a backup but didn't need them. I've just ordered a 6 month supply of the Biofinity which will probably last me a year because I don't wear them all the time.

[ShelterLeopard]

I am seeking advice of whether or not to do a thru-hike with contacts. Unlike the vast majority of contact wearers, I do not have soft-contacts - I have hard contacts. Most people have not heard of hard-contacts, but it is something I had to wear (and not soft ones).

I have done week hikes with them before and have been fine. Is there anyone out there that has done a thru-hike with contacts, or better yet hard-contacts? There would be more weight associated with contacts due to solutions and cases, where-as glasses are rather straight forward. Another issue, is that hard-contacts create an indent in your corena or your eye (I believe it's called the corena that is...). So, after the trip wearing the contacts again could become very difficult.

I appreciate your input.

The great benefit of soft lenses, is a- you can switch them with glasses whenever you want, no headache, no problems. b- They are disposable and you can't crack them, and they're cheap. If I had hard lenses, I wouldn't wear them on the trail. I wear glasses, but take a pair of soft contacts with me for just in case. (The only thing I hate is when my glasses fog up in the mornings)

[berninbush]

I wore RGP lenses for many years. I had severe nearsightedness and astigmatism, and soft lenses just wouldn't do the job. In my mid-20s, I simply got tired of the hassle of taking care of them and switched to glasses. Finally, at age 28 I had Lasik-- best thing ever!!!

If you've been told in the past that Lasik won't give you the best vision because you've got astigmatism, check again. They've made advances in the technology so they can correct astigmatism too. Vision in my left eye is perfect. Vision in my right eye is just a tiny bit less sharp, but not enough to bother me. Overall, I see as well as I ever did with contacts or glasses.

I don't think hard/RGP lenses are any more prone than soft lenses to eye infection, though. I don't believe I ever had an eye infection in all the years I wore contacts. I dropped a lens on the ground lots of times, but always found it again (except once). I'm sure they could work for hiking if you're willing to take proper care of them.

[LaurieAnn]

My husband has astigmatism and there is a new soft lens on the market. The eye doc said it has only been available here (Ontario) for a very short time. Comfilcon DK 128 Toric is what the package says. I'll let you know how he makes out with them.