Contacts for Astigmatism

[VickiVM]

I am trying out contacts right now for my astigmatism. I am 44 and have all of the usual issues. I am near-sighted and have a pretty strong eye glass and contact lens prescription. I really don't like wearing my glasses daily because I can't see well up close. With my contacts, I have to wear two different strength readers depending on what kind of work I'm doing.

So I thought I would try bifocal contacts. The first pair seemed uncomfortable. My eyes are dry anyway, but they seemed drier with these (ProClear, I believe). So today she gave me mono vision contacts to try. My distance sight is really off though, but I seem to see better up close now with these.

It is so aggravating that I can't get good vision for both distance and up close.

Does anyone have a brand of contacts they really like??

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I have been using Focus Torics for years. They are pretty comfortable. I only have astigmatism in my left eye. I think. I can't remember. Anyway, my vision is horrible. I'm legally blind without contacts or glasses. I don't think I will ever be able to find contacts that I can wear for far and away. When I'm reading in bed, I have to take my contacts out because everything is blurry.

 

[klfrech]

I am 47, wear bifocal lenses and have an astigmatism as well. I use Bausch and Lomb Multifocal lenses.

 

[Master Mason]

Contacts can not correct my vision as well as glasses, end of story. So I just wear the glasses.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

I love, love my new contacts! Well, I've had them over a year so I guess they are not new anymore! I have very bad eyesight (-8) but just a slight astigmatism. I've had contacts for 25 years but just felt I wasn't seeing very well anymore. My doctor tried me on Bausch and Lomb PureVision Toric.

They were uncomfortable at first, but I could see so well and clear that I was determined to like them. Within two weeks and my follow up, they felt like nothing.

Really, I know contacts shouldn't make one excited, but I couldn't believe how much crisper things looked, especially letters on the computer monitor.

 

[Mom2Evie]

VersaFlex UV Torics

We tried two other brands with me and they were either uncomfortable or a bit blurry. These even were much easier to put in my eyes. I'm really happy with them. My doctor gave me samples of each kind to wear for a week or so before I made the ultimate decision.

 

[Golf4food]

I need a toric for my left eye and have had good success with Accuvue and Bausch and Lomb, though they are not bifocals.

As for the drying out bit, this time of year is always terrible for me anyway - the cooler and and lower humidity suck all the moisture from my contacts within minutes each morning, it seems. Just one of the many reasons I hate cold weather.

 

[MeetingMickeyin2006]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Biomedics Toric. Very comfortable!

 

[AndyLL]

PureVision.

They weren't allowed to sell in the US for a few years and I really missed them.

Now that they are back I use the torics and they are great.

 

[challer]

Some of my patients seem to like Acuvue Hydroclear for Astigmatism, especially those with dry eyes.

When you are presbyopic (need different prescription for distance & reading; happens after 40), contact lenses become a hairy situation. You can use bifocal/multifocal lenses (usually leaves things a bit blurred for both), monovision (some people can't tolerate this), or use over-the-counter reading glasses over contact lenses when needed.

Everyone has different needs and adjustments.

Do you know how much astigmatism you have?

 

[VickiVM]

Some of my patients seem to like Acuvue Hydroclear for Astigmatism, especially those with dry eyes.

When you are presbyopic (need different prescription for distance & reading; happens after 40), contact lenses become a hairy situation. You can use bifocal/multifocal lenses (usually leaves things a bit blurred for both), monovision (some people can't tolerate this), or use over-the-counter reading glasses over contact lenses when needed.

Everyone has different needs and adjustments.

Do you know how much astigmatism you have?

No, I don't - I've always addressed only my near-sightedness and just used readers.

What is the diff. between bifocal and monovision?

 

[challer]

No, I don't - I've always addressed only my near-sightedness and just used readers.

What is the diff. between bifocal and monovision?

Bifocal contact lenses have rings on them that bend light from both near vision and far vision onto your retina, and depending on your pupil size (and how your brain adjusts) your retina will either see more at distance or near. The problem is that (1) many people see a double image or blur & (2) every time you blink, the lens moves and can throw you out of whack. A lot of people can't stand bifocal/multifocal contact lenses. Whenever a new bifocal CL comes out on the market, I try it out on my mother and father - they haven't been able to use one yet. In the past five years I think I've sold bifocal lenses only once.

Monovision is where one eye has a prescription contact lens for distance and the other is set for near. The dominant eye tends to be the distance eye. The downside of this is that some people feel "out of balance" or cannot get used to it. Also, if you need great depth perception, this option is not for you. The good thing is that people that can handle it tend to love it. Plenty of people are walking around happily with this.

 

[VickiVM]

Bifocal contact lenses have rings on them that bend light from both near vision and far vision onto your retina, and depending on your pupil size (and how your brain adjusts) your retina will either see more at distance or near. The problem is that (1) many people see a double image or blur & (2) every time you blink, the lens moves and can throw you out of whack. A lot of people can't stand bifocal/multifocal contact lenses. Whenever a new bifocal CL comes out on the market, I try it out on my mother and father - they haven't been able to use one yet. In the past five years I think I've sold bifocal lenses only once.

Monovision is where one eye has a prescription contact lens for distance and the other is set for near. The dominant eye tends to be the distance eye. The downside of this is that some people feel "out of balance" or cannot get used to it. Also, if you need great depth perception, this option is not for you. The good thing is that people that can handle it tend to love it. Plenty of people are walking around happily with this.

Yep - everything you just said. The first pair I had - bifocal - I had trouble bouncing back and forth from my reports to the computer. I just couldn't focus fast enough. The pair I'm trying now - monovision - I just feel off. I'm seriously thinking of going back to reg. contacts w/ readers when I need them and get me a cool pair of bifocal glasses to wear at night.

I feel like I owe you money. I have Vision Care ins...

 

[Jeanne B]

I switched contacts last year in hopes I could get fit for some extended wear contacts but no such luck...I tried a couple different brands and they were both too dry and uncomfortable so I ended up having to go with the Pro Clear torics, I don't wear them on a regular basis but they're the most comfortable contacts I've ever had.

 

[ndelaware]

I use Acuvue Oasis for Astigmatism. I find these much more comfortable than the previous contacts I have worn, especially as far as dryness goes.

 

[taximomfor4]

I use Acuvue Oasis for Astigmatism. I find these much more comfortable than the previous contacts I have worn, especially as far as dryness goes.

I have the same. Problem is, the first day they are great. The second day, they cloud up on me all the time. I thought it was just me, until I found lots of reviews on line saying the same thing (and just as many saying we're crazy, they don't get cloudiness). Worth a try, though -- they ARE comfortable. If you are lucky, you won't be one of the people to develop cloudiness!

PS: I have not been successful in daily contact-wearing EVER. Been trying for 23 yrs now, on and off. My eyes were dry when I was 14, and are still dry now in my 30's. Bummer, since 8 yrs on a computer all day for work (data entry) took its toll on my vision, rapidly.

 

[ndelaware]

I don't get the cloudiness. Have you tried switching to a different solution or does it do it with all solutions?

 

[taximomfor4]

I don't get the cloudiness. Have you tried switching to a different solution or does it do it with all solutions?

If you are asking me (I mentioned cloudiness with Acuvue Oasys), it's both solutions I've tried. Doesn't seem to do it to everyone, but it happens with that particular contact lens with enough people that more than a few reviews mention it. But then just as many say "What?! I don't get any cloudiness at ALL!" My eye doc mentioned the possibility that I have a lot of protein in my tears or something. So I have to not just rinse and soak my lenses, I have to rub them as well. I do this, but it doesn't stop the cloudiness by day 2. So basically, these "1-2 week" disposables are daily disposables for me. I wear them only occasionally now, for special occasions, since I have to throw them away after 1 wearing.

 

[challer]

If you are asking me (I mentioned cloudiness with Acuvue Oasys), it's both solutions I've tried. Doesn't seem to do it to everyone, but it happens with that particular contact lens with enough people that more than a few reviews mention it. But then just as many say "What?! I don't get any cloudiness at ALL!" My eye doc mentioned the possibility that I have a lot of protein in my tears or something. So I have to not just rinse and soak my lenses, I have to rub them as well. I do this, but it doesn't stop the cloudiness by day 2. So basically, these "1-2 week" disposables are daily disposables for me. I wear them only occasionally now, for special occasions, since I have to throw them away after 1 wearing.

Have you ever heard of Restasis? It is an eye drop that helps better the quality of tears, and I've had alot of success with people who, due to dryness, either "cannot" wear CL's or have issues like yours. Consider it if you haven't tried it.

 

[challer]

I feel like I owe you money. I have Vision Care ins...

Leave your copay at the front desk.