Can a person with epilepsy use contacts?

[suebear]

Personally I think it is a silly question but it's something that I would like to know as I am actually reading more and more about them and considering my options.

I am doing quite well with controlling the seizures even though I do have them still. Furthermore, I have been considering the option as I feel it might be the better way to go for me especially now that I have had the DBS for Epilepsy surgery. At this time I am doing some research and trying to find out what is going to be the best direction to go.

I have had glasses in the past but they have always ended up getting broken so this time if I can prevent it by owning contacts then I will. Now that the seizures are slightly improved I think it will be better but yet they do still occur so that is being taken into consideration and I think contacts would be better to prevent broken glasses needing replacement.

If anyone has thoughts on this as he or she has experienced it as an epileptic I would greatly appreciate it. On a final note, I would appreciate it if medical advice be left to persons who have the Dr. in front of their name as I do intend on seeing them. Thank you for understanding my point of view on that matter.

[emma]

I have no idea - that's a really good question... I was told I wasn't a good candidate for contacts because my prescription is constantly fluctuating along with my astigmatism changing all the time.

I know that if you have astigmatism - that contacts can give you headaches sometimes if the prescription isn't perfect - so if you have headaches, or things that can trigger from eye strain, it might not be a good choice... that's why they told me not to get contacts, because I tried them before and my headaches were like 50x worse when i'd wear them.

Have you tried looking into glasses plans? I know that for free replacements if they get broken, it's like 20 dollars a year and most big glasses places offer those plans now (especially for kids, which btw saves us SO much money since my son breaks his glasses like 3-5x a year just because of his age).... no questions asked... so that's what we do.

[suebear]

I know that if you have astigmatism - that contacts can give you headaches sometimes if the prescription isn't perfect - so if you have headaches, or things that can trigger from eye strain, it might not be a good choice... that's why they told me not to get contacts, because I tried them before and my headaches were like 50x worse when i'd wear them.

Have you tried looking into glasses plans? I know that for free replacements if they get broken, it's like 20 dollars a year and most big glasses places offer those plans now (especially for kids, which btw saves us SO much money since my son breaks his glasses like 3-5x a year just because of his age).... no questions asked... so that's what we do.

That is interesting to know as from what I was reading, I thought you were able to get a better deal on contacts but after reading what you had just mentioned, I think I may stick with glasses. I previously wore glasses and yes, I do or at least I did at the time have astigmatism. Now, because of what took place with the DBS, it seems that I'm having issues with it again. So the issue is, I need to do something as the old pair obviously is not working and I need to replace it. Financially, what you mentioned is a good thing to know for sure. The frustrating thing, I only need the glasses to wear when I'm working on the computer as I can see long distance just fine, it is the close up work that is causing the problem for the most part.

At any rate, I will keep doing my research and asking a lot of questions on this issue as I know I will be needing to get the matter resolved and soon. Thanks so much for your information.

[davidmc]

I have simple partial seizures, although I don't have an epilepsy diagnosis. My diagnosis is "seizures" even though Topamax is controlling them.
Anyway, I have an agstigmatism and wear contact lenses. I did get headaches, but that was with or without the contacts and before The Topamax, now I rarely get them, so guess my prescription must be right. However, Specsavers seems to think my prescription has gone down, which I know it hasn't (they gave my brother and sister and other peopler I know the wrong prescription). Luckily though they are too lax to bother changing the prescription on the contact lenses.

[emma]

That is interesting to know as from what I was reading, I thought you were able to get a better deal on contacts but after reading what you had just mentioned, I think I may stick with glasses. I previously wore glasses and yes, I do or at least I did at the time have astigmatism. Now, because of what took place with the DBS, it seems that I'm having issues with it again. So the issue is, I need to do something as the old pair obviously is not working and I need to replace it. Financially, what you mentioned is a good thing to know for sure. The frustrating thing, I only need the glasses to wear when I'm working on the computer as I can see long distance just fine, it is the close up work that is causing the problem for the most part.

At any rate, I will keep doing my research and asking a lot of questions on this issue as I know I will be needing to get the matter resolved and soon. Thanks so much for your information.

I have two pairs of glasses, one for computer use and one for daily wear, and if I DONT wear my pair designed for when i'm on the computer, I start having problems... hardcore.

there's something about the computer designed glasses that make a huge difference, but if I get up (I can't see distances I'm fine up close) i can't see more then 3-5 feet since they aren't designed to be used off the PC... so it's kind of a pain to switch my glasses around - but it's worth it.

[Nakamova]

I wore contact lens when I first developed seizures. My medication at the time (Dilantin) gave me dry eyes, and I also do a lot of watersports, so I decided to get laser surgery to correct my vision. My vision was perfect for 9 years -- until I started taking Lamictal, which has given me dry eyes AND blurry vision.

[valeriedl]

I've worn contacts and glasses before I was diagnosed with epilepsy and have been wearing both since. I have and agstigmatism but I've never had any problem with headaches. I wear the leave in kind of contacts, the ones that you can sleep in, and they are for agstigmatism. I usually keep them in for about a month, sometimes longer which I know I shouldn't do, and then switch to my glasses for a month. I go back and forth between the two.

I've never had a problem with the contacts. I've had seizures while wearing glasses and contacts so I know one isn't a trigger. I have to wear one or the other because without them I can't see.

After I had my first seizure, (which was a very bad one, I was in the hospital for a few weeks) my vision changed dramatically. I get my eyes checked every two years and my vision does change a good bit, I don't know if that's due to the epilepsy and seizures or not.

[suebear]

I've worn contacts and glasses before I was diagnosed with epilepsy and have been wearing both since. I have and agstigmatism but I've never had any problem with headaches. I wear the leave in kind of contacts, the ones that you can sleep in, and they are for agstigmatism. I usually keep them in for about a month, sometimes longer which I know I shouldn't do, and then switch to my glasses for a month. I go back and forth between the two.

Your comments of how to proceed mean a lot. It does bring up questions which I can ask my doctor for myself and how s/he will treat me for my situation. At the time what I am dealing with would seem to be an astigmatism. As for the epilepsy, the seizures are complex partial when they occur. The good thing is, they are changing and slowly improving even only after the month this DBS has been placed. It is just taking time.

I do appreciate your input as it gives me something to think about regarding questions.

[momof3boys]

Ive worn contact lenses and glasses through out my life. I havnt had a problem with either. Last year I had contact lenses, this year, just in July, I got a new pair of glasses. I kind of go back and fourth between the two. But Ive had no issues with having contact lenses. I just like having that extra pair of glasses when Im wanting to take a break from using contact lenses.

[suebear]

Ive worn contact lenses and glasses through out my life. I havnt had a problem with either. Last year I had contact lenses, this year, just in July, I got a new pair of glasses. I kind of go back and fourth between the two. But Ive had no issues with having contact lenses. I just like having that extra pair of glasses when Im wanting to take a break from using contact lenses.

There has been many things I am reading that are stating it is a good idea to go back and forth with the combination instead of just contacts themselves. I believe if I choose to wear contacts this time that I will also get a prescription for eyeglasses that way I can still get the benefit of doing that. I also believe it gives the eyes a break when wearing eyeglasses instead of contacts but that is just my opinion, I could be mistaken. At any rate, I think I will choose eyeglasses for certain however I will leave the option open to obtain a prescription for contacts after speaking with the eye doctor and then form a final opinion.

[valeriedl]

I also have both contacts and glasses because if I need to go to the hospital to have any sort of testing done that I may have to spend the night, or if I may needed to have an operation I can't wear the contacts.

[SexyMama208]

I myself wouldn't recommend someone with epilepsy to wear contacts.

[momof3boys]

There has been many things I am reading that are stating it is a good idea to go back and forth with the combination instead of just contacts themselves. I believe if I choose to wear contacts this time that I will also get a prescription for eyeglasses that way I can still get the benefit of doing that. I also believe it gives the eyes a break when wearing eyeglasses instead of contacts but that is just my opinion, I could be mistaken. At any rate, I think I will choose eyeglasses for certain however I will leave the option open to obtain a prescription for contacts after speaking with the eye doctor and then form a final opinion.

I find it helpful for me to go back and fourth between the two. There are days where I still wear my contacts, but on days where Im busy with the kids, or like one stated above, if I were to be in the hospital, or even out of town for a day or two, Its always nice to have a pair of glasses to give my eyes a break and not worry about losing a contact, getting them cleaned, etc.

I still have some contacts that I got last year, but recently Ive been wearing my glasses more often.

[johnnachos]

my girlfreind has epilepsy and she has contacts becaus glasses always get broken she has had seizures with them in before and the worst that has happened so far was that they can fall out or slide up or down and be a little harder to get out but nothing serious has happend but i am not a doctor and am just speaking outta expirience with my girlfreind so i could be spot on or deadly incorrect hope i can help