contact lens

[Pravit]

I already have a prescription for contact lens, could I buy them in China(and would it be cheaper)? What about cleaning solutions, do they have all the US brands? Thanks!

[anonymoose]

Contact lenses are widely available in China, and they are very cheap, compaired with Germany anyway. Cleaning solution is also available. I'm not sure, but I guess most of it is Chinese manufactured.

[doumeizhen]

When I asked abuot purchasing contact lenses in China I was told that it was unwise to buy there because of the different shapes between Western eyes and Chinese eyes. The latter, I was told, are flater. Perhaps you should ask your optometrist if this is true and something you should worry about before you go. I didn't really need them so I did not investigate further.

Contact lens solution is available, but if you buy it in small Optometry shops you won't be saving much on it. I seem to remember it being costly actually, as I use use the generic type at home.

[Xiao Kui]

I always buy the Bausch and Lomb contacts in China. I don't know abt the flatter/rounder eyes thing, but I've never had a problem with the contacts I bought in China. My experience for Bausch and Lomb contacts is that they are very cheap in China. The Renu solution however is not much cheaper than in the states. I used a Chinese solution once and it burned my eyes so I stick with the Renu. It's available all over China as are B&L lenses.

[Pravit]

the different shapes between Western eyes and Chinese eyes

I'm actually ethnically Chinese myself, so I imagine contacts shaped specifically for Chinese people would be beneficial for me.

This is becoming really specific, but does anyone know if the toric kind for astigmatism is available in China?

Also, I heard of the B&L ReNu solution sold in China causing fungal infections. I assume the one they sell now is a different version of the product?

Thanks for the advice!

[Crivens200]

I use Bausch & Lomb SoftLens Toric lenses - they are available but you normally have to order - normally takes about 8 days to arrive and they cost me 120rmb for a box of 2 (monthly replaceables).

I've previously bought them in Beijing, Shanghai and now in deepest Jiangsu province - should be available anywhere that sells B&L products. Best to take in the foil wrapper to show them though.

The contact lens prescription will determine the shape of the lens – not the genetic disposition of the wearer.

I think all the Renu solutions were withdrawn from China after the recent scare in the US about fungal infections so I use a brand called Opti-free which doesn't cause any problems.

I’ve never had a problem – the lenses are identical to what I would wear back in the UK.

[Pravit]

Wow, thanks for the advice! Amazing that you were able to get them even in Jiangsu. Do you just go to an optometrist's office and order a box, or how does it work?

[roddy]

Bear in mind that some ridiculous percentage of Chinese people wear glasses or contacts, and there are opticians literally on every street. They'll all hold stock of the most commonly purchased contact lenses, and will order anything they don't have in the cupboards.

All you need to do is turn up, tell them what you want and pay. Very simple.

[liuzhou]

My local optician refuses to take my money!

True.

[roddy]

I'll take it.

Do you mean he gives you stuff for free, or he refuses to serve you because your eyes are the wrong shape?

[Pravit]

那就很好啊！

Does anyone know why East Asia has such a high occurence of myopia? Does anyone know if it extends to Southeast Asia as well? I read somewhere it had to do with the intense focus on academics and that in the 1950s it was much lower.

[roddy]

I'm not sure what the actual medical evidence is on excessive book-studying and short-sightedness, but if there's a link, it'll show up in China / Korea / Japan. Homework / study hours are high.

[kudra]

recent news story from WSJ reprinted in Baltimore Sun

http://www.baltimoresun.com/technology/bal-eyestrain0501,0,6131631.story?coll=bal-technology-headlines

PDA popularity triggering eyestrain

As use of hand-held gadgets increases, U.S. becoming a nation of squinters

Some opticians say the tiny fonts on the gadgets are leading a wave of younger people to seek reading glasses. Most people start noticing age-related vision declines around age 40, as the eye's internal lens loses elasticity. While no one is suggesting that the small screens are causing people's vision to deteriorate faster, some opticians say the small type on portable gadgets is making people aware of minor vision shortcomings at younger ages.

"I have 30-year-olds coming in for reading glasses so they can focus on their BlackBerry," says Alli Rossi, an optician in Los Angeles.

It's those exploding sales of plecodict in the US ....?