I rarely wear my contacts, mostly because they are non-disposable, over seven years old, and increasingly uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time. The gym is about the only place I wear them, to save myself the frustrations of having my glasses slide off my sweaty face. Tuesday night, as I was changing in the locker room of the gym, I took my contact lens case out of my backpack, folded my glasses and set them in the locker, and sat down on the bench.
Pop - in goes the left contact.
Pop - in goes the right contact.
Holy shit - my right eye is on fire. I have never felt such pain in my eyes (except for that time when I was a kid and stuck a fork in my eye at a spaghetti dinner, but that was voluntary...stupid, but voluntary).
I reached into my eye to remove the lens...and couldn't find it. I poked and prodded around, feeling the gooey warm surface of my eyeball slide under my fingertips. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the lens slid out from behind my eyeball.
Actually, half of a lens slid out. In the usual method of applying my contacts (meaning not paying attention at all and just throwing them in there), I didn't even notice I was popping half of a lens into my eye. I can only assume that when I had taken them out the night before, the lens was only halfway in the case and got sliced in half when the cap was screwed on.
The next morning, I found out that my company dropped all vision coverage from our insurance plan. Without telling us. Wasn't that nice of them?
To make a long story short ("too late"), I managed to see an eye doctor. No damage done to my eye except for minor irritation. He did a full exam, during which he proclaimed, "Damn boy, you have some bad eyes."
But I will have fresh, disposable contacts and new eyeglasses by next week. That's kind of exciting.
Posted by mak at September 16, 2004 5:16 PMActually, half of a lens slid out.
Oh my gosh - I thought you were about to say you had lost half a lens inside your eye somewhere!
Yay for new specs! :)
Could you see well enough, though, to tell if the eye doctor was hot?
Posted by: Jodi at September 16, 2004 6:18 PMOMG! I just CRIED a contact out today...and then drove home with one eye closed because I couldn't see!
But yes...ahhhhhh...brand new contacts feel SO nice!
Posted by: pua at September 16, 2004 9:59 PMSee, this is why if I need something I will get glasses and not be wearing contacts. I don't even like the though of touching my eye... much less poking around.
Posted by: Bingo at September 16, 2004 11:46 PM*blink blink* Were you saying something about contacts? *blink blink* My eyes are watering. *blink* In fact, my left eye has been scratchy all day. *blink* I'm blaming you. *blink blink*
Posted by: Karen at September 17, 2004 3:04 AMOk...I've got sympathy pain...
I had an eyelash under my contact once, and scratched my eye trying to get it out. Afterwards I had to wear an eyepatch for 3 days.
Posted by: Patrick at September 17, 2004 11:55 AMYou've reminded me that since I'm down to my last pair of disposables and I can't see through my current specs, I need to make an eye appointment. We'll want to see a picture of you in your new glasses when you get them.
Oh, and Patrick + eyepatch = hot.
Posted by: Jeff at September 17, 2004 12:11 PMI totally just gagged.
Posted by: feisty girl at September 17, 2004 2:14 PMWho is this "Gym" guy, and what were you doing at his place?
Posted by: Michael Vernon at September 17, 2004 4:56 PMsorry to hear of you contact mishap. I decided never to get contacts I hate to futz with my eyes and glasses are just less worrysome for me.
Posted by: Lee at September 18, 2004 5:14 AMI completely sympathize on all counts. After 24 years of contacts, I'm getting Lasik.
Posted by: kayo at September 18, 2004 11:55 AMIf you're interesting in laser surgery, I can recommend a very good doctor here in town. I had horrid vision for years and many troubles with contact lens, including that which you describe. It was expensive, but worth every penny. I have a new life.
Posted by: Jere at September 18, 2004 6:42 PMSome people at the company need a big kick on their behinds.
Posted by: Jalal at September 19, 2004 10:44 AMJere is totally right. Get LASIK. Nothing is better than being able to see at all times. The locker room will be much more fun after that.
Posted by: Glenn at September 19, 2004 1:43 PM