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So does anyone here have experience using contact lenses while painting/modelling? You see, I've just started wearing them about a week, I'm past the trial period and aiming to wear consistantly for next few days to get used to them. What I'm worried about are the fumes of various paints, and more importantly, glues, and if they affect my eyes. If anyone has any words to spare on the matter, please share!

I dont wear them anymore now that I have laser eyes, but I can tell you that anything painful to the eyes like superglue vapor, teargas, etc will hurt whether you have contacts in or not. But remember, contacts arent just floating on top of your eye, they are protecting by the same fluid film as your cornea would be, so I wouldnt be too concerned about paints...contacts are pretty impressive these days.

 Zach wrote:
I dont wear them anymore now that I have laser eyes, but I can tell you that anything painful to the eyes like superglue vapor, teargas, etc will hurt whether you have contacts in or not. But remember, contacts arent just floating on top of your eye, they are protecting by the same fluid film as your cornea would be, so I wouldnt be too concerned about paints...contacts are pretty impressive these days.

Aww... I want laser eyes, too...

PRK: Better than lasik, more expensive, more painful, but totally worth it.

Yeah I've been wearing lenses for years with no problems, I wear all day all night lenses so I don't even have to take them out at bed time

I wear contacts on occasion, but more for sportsy activities. The problem with corrective lenses (for nearsightednesss; ie the inability to see things far away) and painting miniatures is that by definition, they move the focal point such that the image through the lens is smaller than the original image. So at a very minimum, the model looks (slightly) smaller than if I have my glasses off.

Another problem has been that through my 20's and 30's, my prescription got slightly stronger. As the prescription gets stronger, it becomes progressively hard to focus on things as well when they are really close.

So as a result, I normally just take my glasses off (or contacts out) when I paint, or at least when I do any hobby that requires precision.

Fumes? Acrylics should not be an issue.

Ya, I find myself looking under my glasses myself when painting from time to time. Getting old is fun! Well, it is better than the alternative.

 SQRT(-2) wrote:
Fumes? Acrylics should not be an issue.

Ya, I find myself looking under my glasses myself when painting from time to time. Getting old is fun! Well, it is better than the alternative.

I dunno. Getting young could be fun too!

I wear contacts all day and if I am doing a marathon (ie 5 plus hours of building) building session the only thing I get are headaches so no you should be fine

 Talys wrote:
I wear contacts on occasion, but more for sportsy activities. The problem with corrective lenses (for nearsightednesss; ie the inability to see things far away) and painting miniatures is that by definition, they move the focal point such that the image through the lens is smaller than the original image. So at a very minimum, the model looks (slightly) smaller than if I have my glasses off.

Another problem has been that through my 20's and 30's, my prescription got slightly stronger. As the prescription gets stronger, it becomes progressively hard to focus on things as well when they are really close.

So as a result, I normally just take my glasses off (or contacts out) when I paint, or at least when I do any hobby that requires precision.

at least yours is only slightly stronger

RE: original question, I don't wear contacts anymore, they bother my eyes now.

<mom mode> But I would note, if you've been wearing glasses a really long time, and you're doing anything that might splash, you'll want to be aware of it even more so than usual - because, if you've been wearing glasses a really really long time, you have a tendancy to not blink as much as a non-glasses wearer and it can lead to getting stuff in your eyes. Not saying it's a huge issue! Just something you might want to take into account and make sure to wear eye protection (which granted for the most part, you should be wearing anyway when spray painting etc!) </mom mode>

Hello. I tried wearing contacts for a while, but I have an allergy that makes the insanely strong correction I need almost impossible. So I gave up and just wear my glasses. I also often look over them, especially when painting very small details.

One of my other friends who had 24/7 contacts did tell me about one thing you want to watch out for: superglue. If the fumes are too thick, they can cause thinner or lower quality contacts to melt. Not pleasant. And, if you are friction-fitting a model together, and some super glue comes squirting out, you will need to go to the hospital if it gets in your eye since it might adhere the contact.

But he was a bit of a clutz and did not take care of his contacts very well. So it might be a lesson that few people will ever need to know about.

Thanks for everyone's comments, I really appreciate the help as I am still getting used to having contacts. All the different information here has been really helpful, thanks!

I wear contacts all the time. No issue.

I use contacts most days, and the only thing I have noticed is that my eyes become maybe a bit more dry during an extended session (compared to when I am using glasses). But that is easily remidied by keeping hydrated - I always hava a glass of water next to me to remind me that I need to drink regularily.

 Talys wrote:

 SQRT(-2) wrote:
Fumes? Acrylics should not be an issue.

Ya, I find myself looking under my glasses myself when painting from time to time. Getting old is fun! Well, it is better than the alternative.

I dunno. Getting young could be fun too!

YOUTH IS WASTED ON THE YOUNG!
Now get off my lawn! =)

Yep, it happens to me too when I paint without my glasses, so it makes sense if the substances irritate your eyes. My advice is to use glasses instead or put them farther from you, on the worst case.