Quote:
Originally Posted by amy0901
Hi there! I'm Amy and new to the lense world. I'm 32 and started having vision problems many years ago. I finally went to the DR approx. 3-4 years ago and was prescribed reading glasses. I never wear them unless I'm at home on my computer. Needless to say, my vision was getting worse and I have been developing headaches. I'm currently layed off work so funds are tight but my boyfriend decided to buy me a 3 year eyecare club membership that provides 2 free exams each year after being tired of seeing me squint all the time. I went to the nearest Americas Best Contacts and Eyeglasses store the next day. It wasn't anything upscale my any means. It almost had the feel of a health clinic somewhat. I paid the extra $15 to have extra testing done for other things that I cannot remember but know that the results all came back normal. The Dr wasn't very sociable. I'm a person that wants to know anything and everything by asking all the questions I can if something is wrong with me and just had the feeling I was being rushed in and out. The following is the prescription for my eyes: Left = +2.75, -1.25, x90, Right = +2.25, -1.25, x90. I have astigmatism in addition to seeing farsighted. I understand the first part of this 3 step equation. I've looked up the next 2 parts and it provides an explanation of what they are but I'm still confused and want to know more than anything of how severe or not the last two numbers are. I then sat through the fitting of the contacts. After almost an hour I was able to get them in. I was then told that I needed to get used to them for the next week. I sat there another 45 minutes trying to get used to them before the dr would see me again, and it constantly felt like i had sand in my eys. From what I gathered these were called Soft Meds I thought, but after researching they may actually be spelled Sofmed? I couldn't tell a difference in my vision at all having these on. The Dr proceeds to tell me she didn't have the right lens prescription that I needed and that she would be ordering me Acuvue advance torics and they should arrive within 7 days. She advised me to wear these Sofmed lenses as much as possible to get used to putting them in and taking them out, cleaning, as so forth. So last night, before falling asleep, I decided to do some research on my own to better educate myself. That started at 10pm and I made myself put the computer down at 5am this morning! During that time I found lens101 with a wealth of information. I've been on again for the last 3 hours and decided to just join and I'm hoping to get some feedback about my eyesight and some questions that I have.
I'm assuming since I am being put in torics, I must have a severe enough astigmatism. It seems others are able to use regular silicone hyrdrogels even though they have astigmatism. I only see two torics on the market, PureVision Toric and Acuvue Advance (which is being ordered). What about Biofinity...not listed but they seem to be silicone hydrogels and also seem to be highly favored on this forum? What is also confusing is one would think the 3rd generation would be the latest and greatest material but neither of those contain the Comfilcon A or Enfilcon A. Is there a 4th generation out yet? I've picked up that ClearCare is highly recommended. I've tried everywhere to find a chart of each of these contacts listing there specs without any success. This may change but after the research thus far, I would be more comfortable with a disposable contact that allows the most oxygen to pass through whether this is weekly, biweekly, or monthly. I would like the option of occasionally wearing this overnight (which is why I didn't say daily disposables) but from my research do not believe this is a wise decision that I will make for my eyes on a daily bases. But I would like the comfort of knowing I can if needed. Plus, the ones that call for the longer wear allows more oxygen flow, so that could only be beneficial right? Even if you are taking them out every night? I would gradually increase my time of wearing contacts so know this seldom overnight wear wouldn't be an option for several months. Well I guess I've rambled enough and I apologize for the length. Any experiences and feedback that I may find beneficial is extremely appreciated. Thanks so much, Amy |
Whew! That's quite an introduction, Amy!
I'm glad you're here. It's so cool that you were surfing the `net, looking for information about
contact lenses and you found us. Now, let's see if we can pull the questions out of that paragraph up there and sort things out.
First of all, I haven't heard a lot of good things about places like America's Best and LensCrafters. You may have to wait until you get another job with insurance before you can find a proper eye doctor, but that would be the best way to go. For buying your contacts, I'd recommend Lens.com. They made this cool site possible and their prices are some of the best around. I got bored yesterday and did a side-by-side comparison, and there aren't may websites that have lower prices.
Okay, next section. Your prescription is not a strong one. If the numbers are less that 3 to 5, you're doing okay. Search this site and you'll find some prescriptions that are in double digits.
Prescriptions for
Toric Contact Lenses come in three parts. The first is what they call the "sphere." That's the actual correction part that sharpens your vision. In your case the first number has a "+" in front of it, which means you're far sighted, and you need help seeing things that are close to you, like reading material.
The second number tells how severe your astigmatism is. Again, in your case it's not bad.
The third number is called the "axis" and it also has to do with correcting astigmatism. When you have astigmatism, the lens of your eye is shaped like a football. Kind of an oval with pointy ends. Since your axis measurement is 90, that means that the lens of your eye is shaped like a football standing on end like it's on a tee ready for the kickoff. (Go Bears!) That's not good or bad, necessarily, but it's good information to know when you're buying contact lenses. When you have astigmatism your vision is corrected by special contact lenses called "toric" lenses. Those have to sit on your eyes a certain way, so they have one side that's a little bit thicker and that part goes on the bottom of your eyes. Since the thicker part is heavier, that part automatically "sinks" to the bottom. Does that make sense?
Whew. Okay let's see what's next. Biofinity lenses. Lens.com has those: http://www.lens.com/contact-lenses/lens548.asp
I don't know about those "generations" of which you speak, but I'm sure someone else will come along to help with that.
If you want a chart that shows you which solution works best with what lenses, there's something called the "Staining Grid." You can find that here: www.staininggrid.com. You just find Biofinity on the left side of the grid and match it up to the cleaning solution across the top. Confused? Just look at that site and you'll see what I mean.
If you want to wear your contact lenses overnight, most kinds will tell you that you can do that, as long as they're not daily disposable lenses. There's a guy on this site who calls himself "knotlob" who says you should never sleep in contact lenses period, and he sounds like he really knows his stuff. Best thing would be to discuss it with your eye doctor.
Okay, I think that about covers it. I hope you got the information you need but if you have any more questions (Or should I say
when you have more questions?) feel free to ask Lens 101. I may not be the one to answer you, but there are a lot of smart and helpful people here.
Here's to life with clear vision.
Welcome to the Contact Lenses Forum - Lens 101 forums. 
01-20-2011, 09:47 PM
Intro and help needed!
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