Contact lens wearers with astigmatism...

[3DisneyBuggs]

Come on down! I am thinking of getting contacts again. I haven't worn them for at least 7 years. I have bad astigmatism so when I wore them, it was hard to get them to fit good and get good vision. They were also very $$. So now I figure they should be more advanced and I should be able to get better vision than before. My questio is are htey all the disposable kind now? What can I expect to pay? I have an opthamologist appt the end of August. But I'm told I will have to make a separate appt afterwards for the contacts. So it may be a while and I'd like to kniow which brands are the best for vision and comfort. Thanks for sharing..

 

[NMAmy]

I have an astigmatism, too, that contacts don't correct so I still wear my glasses for part of the day. I have no idea why that helps but that's what the dr tells me. My prescription is incredibly strong (my eyes are a -8 if that means anything to you.)

Anyway--they do still sell contacts that are not disposable but they have to order them because not many places stock them anymore. I don't care for the disposable ones--they are too flimsy and I tend to tear them. I can wear the regular soft contacts and keep them clean and in great condition for up to a year or more so I like to stick with what I've been wearing for...oh, my heavens, I just figured it out and I've been wearing contacts for 27 years! Yikes.

Good luck with your new contacts!

 

[misskrystal]

I'm from the UK, so I'm not sure how helpful this will be to you, but they now make contacts to correct astigmatism. In the UK, they're called Toric lenses. They're weighted to correct the problem. I'm fairly certain their available as disposables too, but as someone already mentioned, they are more expensive.

 

[lemondog]

They do make disposable contacts for astigmatism...I wear them in my left eye. They are called Acuvue Toric, and they're not terribly expensive. They cost more than the regular Acuvue but not by much. I say go for it!

 

[arminnie]

I have quite a big of astigmatism and never found that the soft ones gave me sharp enough vision so I use the gas permeable ones. Now I haven't tried soft in about five years, but a friend did a year ago and went back to gas perm.

Gas permeable are expensive (mine were almost $500) but I can keep a pair for 5 years so honestly it is cheaper in the long run.

 

[rhanditresmom]

I have a pretty severe astigmatism and I wear disposables sometimes. However, they do get a little uncomfortable after awhile...I have other issues with eye muscles as well. Mine are a bit pricey...insurance pays for part of it though. Good luck!

 

[mickeyboat]

I have mild astigmatism, and wore the Acuvue Toric lenses (there are other companies besides Acuvue that make them now) for a couple of years. I had trouble with the Toric lens feeling very dry and have decided to wear contacts which do not correct for the astigmatism. The Toric lenses are quite a bit more expensive as well.

Your doctor should be able to give you all your options, and let you test drive a couple of lenses to see what will work for you.

Denae

 

[FergieTCat]

Ask your doctor about Acuvue for Astigmatism. I can't wear Toric lenses; my doctor fitted me with these and I am thrilled with the results.

 

[sk8belle]

I just got contacts to correct my astigmatism. They are disposible. The order hasn't come in yet, and I never saw the name of the box of the trial pair, so I can't tell you the name right now. But it's costing me $50/box for a 3 month supply. To be perfectly honest, while I noticed a difference between these and regular contacts, it was minor. Not sure it was worth the extra money, and I'm having a bit of buyer's remorse.

HTH,

sk8belle

 

[threeboysmom]

I have astigmatism pretty bad in both of my eyes and still manage to wear contact lenses. I wear the disposable (2 weeks, though I stretch it to a month) Accuvue Toric lenses.

I have to say though, that my eyesight is not nearly as good with the lenses as they are when wearing my eyeglasses. I think once you have astigmatism you cannot get a "perfect" fit with contacts... But I'm far too vain to wear my eyeglasses out in public. I wear my glasses around the house, then pop in my lenses when I have to go out somewhere.

 

[budbeerlady]

I also was trying to wear the toric lenses, but my vision was a mess with those things. I had gas permiables for many years but I had to stop. Now I am just down to these thick ole glasses but atleast I can see all the time!

With my torics I had to wear reading glasses at the computer and at home when reading at night. (i.e. when my eyes are doing something tiring) I figured then I might as well wear my glasses all the time (my reg glasses cost me $150 at Walmart) than to keep throwing money into the torics every 3 months!

 

[Microcell]

I'm from the UK, so I'm not sure how helpful this will be to you, but they now make contacts to correct astigmatism. In the UK, they're called Toric lenses. They're weighted to correct the problem. I'm fairly certain their available as disposables too, but as someone already mentioned, they are more expensive.

they are called toric here too. I work in the field, and you will be plesantly surprised at how great they are now. The shortest wearing time you could get is the two week lenses, but I am sure that dailies are just around the corner. They are more expensive, but not completely out of line compared to regular lenses.

 

[tinaluis]

I've worn gas permeable contact lenses for about 18 years now without incident. When they were first prescribed, disposable toric lenses were not available so the gas permeable were my only option. When I returned for a checkup and new lenses this past May, the optometrist said I should continue the gas permeable as long as they are a good fit for me (which they are). Mine cost about $79 a pair (gotta love America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses www.twopair.com) and they usually last about 3-4 years (or until I lose one and have to order a replacement lens).

 

[Hootiss]

I love my softlens 66 toric. They have a high water content, so they are very comfy. They are disposables and run about $25 a box.

 

[pajamommy]

I also wear toric lenses.....Cooper Vision Frequency 55.....love them! They are disposable, I wear pair for a month and then start a new pair. Good luck!

 

[Johnfish]

I just started wearing Acuvue advance for astigmatism. Im not sure how bad my astigmatism is but I can see fine MOST of the time. The doc said that as you move your eyes around the lens will readjust in your eye because of the weight. So far I am happy with them! I have never had any trouble with them irritating my eyes or drying out. Well they do irritate my eyes when I first put them in, I think I am still getting used to them. I have only been wearing them for about 2 weeks. I have never worn contacts before.

 

[kwdietrich1]

I have struggled with the same problem for many years. I wore gas perms for 5 years and hated them! Then I went into a pair of soft toric lenses that cost me $350 and were so thick that my eyes dried out, and I got eye infections. I never could see that well out of them. After a few years of being told that they couldn't get any contacts from any manufacturer with my prescription I gave up and went back to wearing glasses. Then, this June rolls around and I am finally wearing contacts again!

They are Bausch and Lomb toric lenses and I can see wonderfully out of them! It took 3 seperate lense fittings to finally find the right size and fit. If it is not a perfect fit, you will not see well out of the lenses. They need to position themselves correctly on your eyes or things will appear blurry.

Out of pocket I paid $11 for a 12 month supply. Insurance paid $150 towards the eye exam, lense fitting and the contacts. I couldn't believe this after paying so much before.

Good luck!

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

I wear Bausch & Lomb Soflens 66 Toric. I don't mind them usually, but after a few hours on the computer my eyes are "buggin'" and I need to add drops.

I suffer the expense of having two different prescriptions and must buy two separate boxes each time I need replacements. They are extended wear lenses, to be worn 2 weeks, but I'm able to stretch them to 4 weeks. I'd go broke buying more than that. I get a discount at work and the vision center has sale twice a year for greater savings. I spend about $45 for two boxes during the sale with my dicount.The torics are more $$ than regular lenses. I've priced them online and the price doesn't vary much.

 

[annegal]

I have quite a big of astigmatism and never found that the soft ones gave me sharp enough vision so I use the gas permeable ones. Gas permeable are expensive (mine were almost $500) but I can keep a pair for 5 years so honestly it is cheaper in the long run.

Me too. Mine cost in the $200 area & I'm blind as a bat!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Forget the contacts and get Lasik if you are a candidate. No more astigmatism or nearsightedness for me!