Thanks for thinking of me. I picked up the Proclear Multifocal Toric lenses last Friday, so I have had them nearly a week. The fitter ordered 2 near-center and 2 distance center lenses, which I highly recommend with these lenses.

My first trial was in the traditional way, with the near-distance lens in the dominant (right in my case) eye and the near-center lens in the left eye. The near-center lens gave me better vision near, far, and in between (the computer, where I spend sometimes 10 hours a day) from the start. The distance-center lens gave me very poor vision even at a distance. Usually later in the day it would finally seem to settle and stop moving, but it only gave me distance vision that was not much better than the near-center lens. The BC of this lens is 8.4, where the Soflens-66 torics I have worn for years is 8.5. It seemed that would not be much, but I am a bit worried. I did, however, stick out trying the combination until I realized that there was simply very poor vision on the computer. Having never tried monovision, I was not sure my left eye would ever take over and be able to fix that.

I decided to see if I could try two near-center lenses, especially since my distance vision was remarkably good in the near-center lens in my left eye (not what I expected at all and probably not the norm). I have only been trying the two near-center lenses since Wednesday, so this is my 2nd full day with them. My biggest issue has been getting the right lens to stay still. Every time I blinked or looked a direction, the lens would move off my eye and have to settle again. Essentially, my vision was blurring, clearing, blurring, clearing most of the day. I did recall reading that sometimes that is due to drying, and I have been told I have dry eyes. The fitter had given me samples of the Systane Ultra preservative-free vials to try when the Soflens Multifocals (no toric, of course) were giving me a drying feeling later in the day, but I had used them all. Today, I broke down and bought some. I took the lenses out, put a drop in each, placed them back in my eyes, and put one drop in each. Then, of course, I had to wait a while to let them settle again. I don't like that these lenses do seem to take up to 30 minutes to settle, but I am hoping that may shorten with time.

Well, the constant lifting up and down or rotation did seem to stop with the drops. After about 2 hours, I was able to see better out of my left eye, and I am begging to get a more even feel, though my vision in all fields is a bit worse in the right eye. The computer is not hurting my eyes now, but I do have some blurring when blinking or glancing. I am very hopeful that I can tolerate these lenses because, when the lenses are in place and not moving, they give me better vision than I have ever had. If they fail, I think I am going to feel quite disappointed, even though they are expensive.

I would say that my advice to those who want to try multifocal lenses would be to be prepared to be patient. Every person is different, and their priorities are different. I really was not happy about giving up computer vision, so I am stressing keeping that and the distance. Having to adjust where a book or fine print is in my field really does not bother me. Comfort is also important, since I wear the lenses so many hours and see better with contacts than with my glasses.

Has anyone here found that dryness of the eye can cause the problems with a lens moving? I worry that the right lens may be rotating some, causing the blurring from time to time. I plan to have the lens fitter check it, but I wanted to see if the drops would help the lens at least be rotated in the same place and stop having to move off the eye and then settle over and over. That seems to have helped, so I still have not lost hope.

My backup plan was to use the Soflens Multifocal lens with prescription glasses to correct my astigmatism on the computer if these failed. However, having the astigmatism corrected is so great in all fields that I fear that will really seem a disappointment. I remember thinking my vision was the best it could be before I ever wore a toric lens. Then, I was completely thrilled with the improvement of the toric until presbyopia came into the picture and messed things up. Now that I have been introduced to the multifocal world, it would be difficult to go back to wearing toric lenses with readers for the computer and half readers for seeing the dashboard when I drive.

I have read that there is a C-VUE Advanced Toric monthly lens that now has trials. I am not sure what the design is like, but you can order them in all types of base curves, axes, and strengths. I also have no information about how comfortable they are, but they say it offers advanced hydration. My fitter has not mentioned these lenses. I am wondering if they are very expensive or hard to fit or just so new that she has no experience with them. I might at least mention them, since they would be my last resort if both of these lenses cannot stay comfortable and in position.

I will keep you updated on my progress. I hope my journey helps someone else.