Posts by Roger Vaughn

boldwolf27 said:If you're in Chicago, I’d suggest heading over to the Eye Care Center for an exam first. You really need a specialist to run through the numbers—get your prescription dialed in and figure out which lens type actually suits your eyes. I'm not sure what their current waitlist looks like, but expect maybe a month or two for an initial appointment.

I've personally been wearing Johnson & Johnson soft lenses for about seven years now, and they’ve been great 🙂. My prescription hasn't even budged since I made the switch, and honestly, the sense of freedom is hard to describe. I don't even touch glasses anymore 🙂

I used to stick with annuals, but lately, I've switched to bi-weekly or daily disposables. They're significantly more comfortable than the yearly ones—plus, you have to consider that annual lenses usually start feeling irritating after only 8 or 10 months. Not to mention, the maintenance routine is totally different.

But look, I’ve run into another issue that I just realized yesterday... through some stroke of bad luck, I've ended up without health insurance. They took my card/booklet, and unless I land a job, I'm stuck without coverage... even though everyone keeps insisting that I *should* be able to get it regardless... but I went down to the office and apparently a 30-day window has already passed, so now I'm screwed... which means going to the Eye Care Center or the local hospital isn't really an option. I can't afford to wait two months either because this is urgent... I need to renew my driver's license, which has already expired... ummm, yesterday 🙂... and for that, I have to redo my vision exam through them 🙂 lol

redhound8 said:That surname is quite common.🙂

Ha ha, yeah, sure, whatever you say. 😁😁

If you had just given us a straight answer right away instead of sending me off to the Cleveland Clinic—maybe then I would have actually believed you within a split second. 😁

Anyway, good luck with your job or whatever. 👍

redhound8 said:All registered ophthalmology clinics and optical centers provide comprehensive eye exams...

The Cleveland Clinic is one of those providers.👍

Talk about subtle advertising... redhound8 is out here advertising redhound8 🙂

Rebecca Myers38 said:King Eye Care 👍

As for the contact lenses themselves, I would personally suggest opting for monthly disposables... provided, of course, that such an expense doesn't stretch your budget too thin... 🤷

I actually picked up a pair of glasses there once and was beyond disappointed. They weren't exactly pricey, sure, but honestly, it felt like I was being sold refurbished junk.
To make matters worse, I later ran into people sharing horror stories like, "Whatever you do, stay away from King..." so yeah, I'm skipping them entirely. 🙂

That's exactly why I'm looking for a smaller, private practice instead. A local guy actually cares about customer satisfaction—he'll go the extra mile to keep you coming back—unlike one of those massive, megalomaniacal big-box retailers.

P.S. Can someone break down those water permeability percentages for me? Or maybe just drop a link? And do I even need to stress over this stuff, or will the doctor walk me through everything?

Alexander Hall43 said:Well, standard glasses usually last about $333—I mean, let's be real, those lenses are good for a year and a half, not just one.
Regarding hygiene, sure, everything sounds fine on paper, but life happens! You might nod off for a second and end up running late for work—then you’ve got the whole whole ordeal of cleaning your lenses, washing your hands, and getting them in your eyes—and when you're rushing, you'll probably miss the mark... or maybe you head out for a workout and sweat starts stinging your eyes, or you accidentally fall asleep with them in after a few drinks. Look, I'm not trying to lecture you here, it just crossed my mind while I was reading your post.👍

Let's be clear—all this information has been quite useful. 🙂

Just throw in a recommendation for a decent shop and we're set. 😁

Alexander Hall43 said:Honestly, for practical reasons, glasses are just easier.🙂With contacts, you have to take them out before bed and then put them back in every morning—and you have to be super careful about hygiene so you don't end up with an eye infection. I just couldn't get used to them; they were constantly bothering me, even when I tried the soft ones. I gave up after two months and went back to glasses. In the long run, a decent pair of glasses will last you five years easily.

I don't quite follow... even a basic pair of glasses will run you at least... $333There are two specific options that are actually decent—and more importantly, healthy—but if you're looking for something that will last as long as you need it to, there are quite a few more to consider...
I shelled out about $700 of my own money for this—and honestly, looking back six months later, I really regret not coughing up a bit more to get something decent. It’s absolute garbage.
Lenses—as far as I can tell—you’re looking at about 500 to 600 soft ones, and that supply lasts you at least a year. Of course, once you factor in the cleaning solution, the price climbs... I don't have the exact math down because I'm not entirely sure what the solution runs me—maybe $15 or $20?—nor how long a single bottle actually lasts. I suppose those variables can shift quite a bit depending on how much you use.
If I’ve gotten anything entirely wrong here—and let's face it, my memory isn't exactly what it used to be—please, do correct me. I'm working strictly from what I can recall.

As far as practicality goes... if you ask me, what’s actually bothering you here is just a matter of hygiene and laziness—no offense intended, of course. I don't exactly consider myself an overachiever when it comes to being meticulous about cleanliness, but there's a line. 🙂 The practicality alone is enough—take glasses, for instance. You want sunglasses in the summer, but then your nose starts sweating, or you’re actually trying to get something done and they just keep sliding down your face. Or maybe you're out being active or playing a sport and they end up slipping right off entirely. It’s a hassle. If you ask me... you'd choose freedom. 😁
A little bit of maintenance in the evening isn't exactly a burden—not that anyone ever seems to have the patience for it these days.

So, after seven years of rocking glasses with a pretty mild prescription, I’ve finally reached the point where I need to upgrade... though I’ve decided to make the jump to contact lenses—mostly just for the sheer practicality of it all.
Now, my main dilemma is WHERE. For instance, I know there’s an EssilorLuxottica over on Fifth Avenue where the exam costs about $67 but they throw in the lenses for free if you buy them through them. Is that actually standard practice for most private boutiques, or is it just their specific thing...?
Anyway... I’d love some recommendations for a solid shop—specifically a reliable private practitioner. If it ends up costing me $17 more than expected, I don't really care; what matters to me is that the job is done right from the start.
Regarding EssilorLuxottica... I have this slight aversion to those massive, megalomaniac corporations with branches scattered all over the globe. On one hand, I suppose that implies scale, quality, and experience, but on the other—what do they actually care about a single customer who might walk away dissatisfied? Maybe it’s just me, of course, but that’s why I’m asking here... if you guys vouch for them, I’ll go.
Generally speaking, I tend to stick to the downtown area and moving toward the south side... which is why I'm hitting up this forum—I really don't want to end up with a "regular guy" on the complete opposite side of the city.
If anyone knows a decent spot... please, share your experiences.

By the way... what’s the word on those LensCrafters near the George Washington Bridge? They seem to be the polar opposite of EssilorLuxottica 🙂 ...again, maybe it's just my take 🤷

Thanks in advance

And honestly, that’s all pretty subjective at this point—because, as we've already seen, certain medications or creams might work wonders for one person while doing absolutely nothing for someone else. It really comes down to the individual; some people deal with more severe cases—like you do—while others don't. So, it's entirely situational...
But otherwise, I think you're spot on... in the long run, it's definitely worth the investment. I'm only speculating here, though, since I haven't spent years testing out different creams or vaccinations (whatever exactly those entail 🙂)...

cesma said:I have that ointment sitting here—though, frankly, applying it was a massive hassle because there isn't an applicator included—and honestly, it didn't do much for the external issues. I suspect it contains a corticosteroid meant to dial down the inflammation, which might offer some relief, but you really shouldn't use it long-term. Personally, Dolocaine gel was a lifesaver for me; it’s an anesthetic you apply both internally and externally—much like Faktu—which helps dull the pain during bowel movements. You can use it a few times a day. Also, a word of advice: don't wash with freezing cold water; stick to lukewarm. If I were you, I'd definitely see a specialist—go see a proctologist. If you look back at the posts from about a month ago, you'll see plenty of people sorted themselves out by getting a professional opinion first. Once a doctor actually sees what we're dealing with, they can give you a targeted recommendation for the right medication. I’ve been seeing Dr. Gojević for three years now—he has a clinic on Tuesdays, and as long as you have a referral from your GP, you don't even need an appointment—and he's quite decent. The exam isn't as terrifying as people make it out to be, though when things are hurting, it certainly won't be pleasant. It's quick, though.
p.s. just double-check that the guy hasn't run off to go skiing somewhere first.

The woman at the CVS told me not to use Proco for more than two weeks... so thanks for the heads-up on that. I don't know why, and frankly, I couldn't care less about the reasoning, but I'll follow the warning.🙂
I use lukewarm water... so that part stands. 🙂
As for the internal application... I don't see the point of going inside when my issue is entirely external—it's pretty damn visible.🙂
But anyway... the last time this flared up, everything just... stopped hurting. That "lump" shrank by maybe 50%, it doesn't hurt to the touch anymore—not at all, actually—and the bleeding has been reduced to a minimum. I'm thinking... 🙂
either that ointment worked like magic overnight, or it just coincided with the situation resolving itself naturally. All things considered, I feel much better. If I’m still dealing with this after two weeks of using this stuff, then I’ll head to the doctor to get it checked out. It feels like I've had this my whole life anyway; if it doesn't show improvement in a few days, I'll move.🙂

Anyway, thanks for the reply.

P.S. $200?!!??? I wouldn't buy that unless a doctor told me it was the absolute only way to avoid surgery.🙂 Man... I simply don't have it.

Why are you being so aggressive 🙂?
Look, I’ve typed out quite a bit because I’ve read just as much in this thread—I’m simply bringing up everything that seems relevant to the situation...
I honestly don't follow what you think you've understood, but my goal remains the same: I want to get rid of this once and for all. If I have to overhaul my entire diet for $180 or whatever it takes, fine—that’s the easy part. The one thing I can't control much is the sitting... I can stand up and pace around every thirty minutes if I have to, but that’s about the limit. I have to spend a certain amount of time at my desk. That said, I can certainly increase my activity during my off-hours. I can also drink way more fluids... since from what I gather, hydration is a massive factor here.

What I am actually looking for from you all is some concrete, actionable advice. Something like: "Hey, if you see X, get to the ER immediately," or "If Y happens, don't sweat it, just do Z..." or even just, "It's only one thing, don't panic, just cut back on sitting until it clears up—apply the ointment and take some Advil..."
In short, tell me what I need to do TODAY, because I'm stuck in this limbo where I don't know whether to freak out, head to the urgent care, or just lie down in bed and hope for the best.

I actually just stepped out of the CVS and picked up their ointment. If I'm reading the label correctly, it's called "Procto"... or maybe "Procto-Gly"? I'm hoping someone with actual experience can tell me if it's any good. I've read so many different things on these forums that I can barely remember the specific names, other than remembering someone mentioned a "homemade" remedy...

Can anyone help me identify the type of hemorrhoid I'm dealing with? I honestly can't tell if it's an internal one that's prolapsed 🙂 or if it's actually an external one 🙂 lol
So, there's this lump—about the size of half a hazelnut—but it’s more oblong than perfectly round. It started hurting a few days ago... nothing constant, just a nagging sensation. Of course, it flares up during bowel movements, accompanied by some minor bleeding. I started paying closer attention after using the restroom the day before yesterday because I noticed it wasn't just going away on its own, and things have actually taken a turn for the worse. Now the bleeding is heavier, and I was pretty shaken when I saw quite a bit of blood on my boxers. There is pain, though I suppose that's subjective; I wouldn't call it "unbearable," but let's just say it hurts—quite a bit 🙂
Anyway, there's a fair amount of blood on the paper after using the bathroom, even though the actual act itself isn't painful. The real issue is wiping, because the lump itself is tender to the touch. It all started hurting just one day after a trip to the restroom... at first, I couldn't even sit down or stand up from a chair without feeling a decent amount of discomfort. And today... well, I've described it.

Now, why didn't I react sooner? Well, for most of my life, I've had what I'd call "something weird hanging around down there." It wasn't until about a year ago that I realized maybe it wasn't supposed to be there. But it's not like I haven't seen doctors before; I figured if it were serious, they would have said something. I even went in for a prostate exam a few years back for other reasons, and the doctor didn't mention a thing... however, in the past, that pain would also show up after using the bathroom—more of a stinging sensation—and then it would vanish after a couple of days like nothing happened (I remember this from when I was a kid and my mom used to clean me up... I'm 25 now). Back then, there would be slight bleeding too, but it passed quickly. That's why I thought this was just the same old thing... but now, after a few days—and I THINK—the lump has grown slightly, the pain has intensified, and the bleeding has increased, which naturally means my anxiety has spiked too.

I won't even get into my lifestyle: I don't drink enough fluids because, by some miracle, I never feel thirsty. I'll eat lunch and not drink a single drop of anything... unbelievable, but true. My diet consists mostly of pizza, sandwiches, and junk like that; I probably have one hot meal a day at most. I'm sitting down 80% of the time since I work in IT and spend my time studying and stuff. So, I think we've pretty much pinpointed the cause 🙂

So, what do you guys recommend?