Newly dianosed Asigmatism

mousebg · #1 (**permalink**) 04-02-2011, 01:16 PM

I am almost 60 years old. I have been wearing O2 Optix mono-vision for years. I have recently moved, so had to find a new Ophthalmologist . He feels that I would see clearer with a toric lens in my right eye(distance eye). I told him no one has ever told me before I have an astigmatism. He said, "Well these things happen". I would like some advice - first of all,

1. Are you not born with astigmatism? Can it show up late in life?

2. If I go for the toric, I would like some reviews on who likes which brand, and why.

Thanks for your help.

Superschwin · #2 (**permalink**) 04-04-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mousebg

I am almost 60 years old. I have been wearing O2 Optix mono-vision for years. I have recently moved, so had to find a new Ophthalmologist . He feels that I would see clearer with a toric lens in my right eye(distance eye). I told him no one has ever told me before I have an astigmatism. He said, "Well these things happen". I would like some advice - first of all,

1. Are you not born with astigmatism? Can it show up late in life?

2. If I go for the toric, I would like some reviews on who likes which brand, and why.

Thanks for your help.

Hello mousebg. Welcome to Lens 101. To answer some of your questions, no, you are not necessarily born with astigmatism. I never needed glasses until I was in seventh grade, and even then I don't know if I had astigmatism at that time, but I do now. From what I understand that sort of thing tends to show up in the teen years when things are going haywire and you've got small hands but ginormous feet.

I'm afraid I don't know all that much about toric contact lenses as far as brands. They're all pretty much the same for me. Check out the forum though. One thing it's very useful for is to answer questions like yours.

mousebg · #3 (**permalink**) 04-04-2011, 04:18 PM

Thanks for your reply Superschwin. I did think teen years would be common for asigmatism to show up, but I am long past that. Like I said - I am almost 60 years old! I am wondering if this eye doctor is any good since it is the first time I have gone to him. I am a Type I diabetic, so I see an Opthamologist yearly. I have never been told I have astigmatism. I guess I will just have to go to see another doctor and get a second opinion.

Deepurple · #4 (**permalink**) 04-04-2011, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mousebg

Thanks for your reply Superschwin. I did think teen years would be common for asigmatism to show up, but I am long past that. Like I said - I am almost 60 years old! I am wondering if this eye doctor is any good since it is the first time I have gone to him. I am a Type I diabetic, so I see an Opthamologist yearly. I have never been told I have astigmatism. I guess I will just have to go to see another doctor and get a second opinion.

I think the second opinion is a good idea. Have you noticed any blur that can't be explained by anything else but astigmatism?

mousebg · #5 (**permalink**) 04-05-2011, 05:17 AM

No - no unusual blur. Only the blur from the Monovision - which I thought was sort of normal. When you have one contact for distance and one for close up, your vision is cystal clear anyway. If he is right, and I do have an astigmatism, I would be happy to see clearly. Just don't want to throw good money after bad if he is incorrect.

That's why I am so interested to hear from other toric wearers. I would be soooooo excited to have clearer vision. That's what the doctor told me - I would have much better clarity!

Carly · #6 (**permalink**) 04-05-2011, 06:10 AM

Perhaps you had a very slight astigmatism that has gradually gotten worse? Mine seems to change? Or at least my prscription does? It's been -1.25 before, at the moment I'm wearing -0.75.

I wear a toric in my right eye only, without the toric my toric the vision in that eye is quite blurry - I have tried non torics. So it sounds like you could do with a toric lens.

I think getting a second opinion would be a good plan. I canged opticians after my previous one seemed to always push a daily lens and I am much happier with monthlies.

With regards to toric lenses, I think what suits one does not always suit another, so I can only give you my experience with lenses.

I've tried -
Acuve 1 day - I used these for a long time, as I said my optician pushed these and I didn't really question it. The vision was good, but I couldn't wear them for longer than 8 hours (bit of a pain seeing as I work an 8 hour day!).
Acuve Advanced - Vision was great, but comfort wise I did not get on with them at all. I tried them a number of times, just did not work for me.
Air Optix - Nice lens, great vision and fairly comfortable - Could wear them 10 hours +.
Acuve Oasys - Trialing them at the mo, have had them since Thurs last week, so far the best lens I've tried. Have kept them in 48 hours and still comfortabe. Love that I can sleep in them. At first the vision wasn't as good as the others I have tried, but it seems to be getting better. Really happy with them, so far.....

thecure · #7 (**permalink**) 04-05-2011, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deepurple

I think the second opinion is a good idea. Have you noticed any blur that can't be explained by anything else but astigmatism?

I second the opinion that a second opinion is a good idea.

mousebg · #8 (**permalink**) 04-06-2011, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carly

I've tried -
Acuve 1 day - I used these for a long time, as I said my optician pushed these and I didn't really question it. The vision was good, but I couldn't wear them for longer than 8 hours (bit of a pain seeing as I work an 8 hour day!).
Acuve Advanced - Vision was great, but comfort wise I did not get on with them at all. I tried them a number of times, just did not work for me.
Air Optix - Nice lens, great vision and fairly comfortable - Could wear them 10 hours +.
Acuve Oasys - Trialing them at the mo, have had them since Thurs last week, so far the best lens I've tried. Have kept them in 48 hours and still comfortabe. Love that I can sleep in them. At first the vision wasn't as good as the others I have tried, but it seems to be getting better. Really happy with them, so far.....

Thanks Carly!! You have given me the feedback I need. I know that we are all individuals, but still you have given me a starting point. It seems like you have the exact same problem I do. The Doc took my prescription from -3.25 to -2.75. That seems like a big jump, but he assures me I will see better with a less stronger lens. I think I will go for it this summer - have to save up a bit of money.

FaceofBoe · #9 (**permalink**) 04-06-2011, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carly

Perhaps you had a very slight astigmatism that has gradually gotten worse? Mine seems to change? Or at least my prscription does? It's been -1.25 before, at the moment I'm wearing -0.75.

I wear a toric in my right eye only, without the toric my toric the vision in that eye is quite blurry - I have tried non torics. So it sounds like you could do with a toric lens.

I think getting a second opinion would be a good plan. I canged opticians after my previous one seemed to always push a daily lens and I am much happier with monthlies.

With regards to toric lenses, I think what suits one does not always suit another, so I can only give you my experience with lenses.

I've tried -
Acuve 1 day - I used these for a long time, as I said my optician pushed these and I didn't really question it. The vision was good, but I couldn't wear them for longer than 8 hours (bit of a pain seeing as I work an 8 hour day!).
Acuve Advanced - Vision was great, but comfort wise I did not get on with them at all. I tried them a number of times, just did not work for me.
Air Optix - Nice lens, great vision and fairly comfortable - Could wear them 10 hours +.
Acuve Oasys - Trialing them at the mo, have had them since Thurs last week, so far the best lens I've tried. Have kept them in 48 hours and still comfortabe. Love that I can sleep in them. At first the vision wasn't as good as the others I have tried, but it seems to be getting better. Really happy with them, so far.....

What a great post. Thanks for trying so many different kinds of contact lenses, Carly, and then telling us so succinctly what you thought.

Carly · #10 (**permalink**) 04-06-2011, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mousebg

Thanks Carly!! You have given me the feedback I need. I know that we are all individuals, but still you have given me a starting point. It seems like you have the exact same problem I do. The Doc took my prescription from -3.25 to -2.75. That seems like a big jump, but he assures me I will see better with a less stronger lens. I think I will go for it this summer - have to save up a bit of money.

No problem!

Yes it is similar. In my dailies my I wore -1.25. My new optician said the reason I wasn't having great vision in them was because the lens was rotating too far, so he tried me on -1.00 in the Air Optix but it was still rotating so I tried -0.75 which he said was a great fit.

I also have -0.75 in the Oasys. The vision is good 90% of the time, it does blur from time to time on blinking, but you can't expect miracles can you.

Does your optician make you pay for trial lenses then? I've not paid for any of them! I've had 5 pairs and not paid a penny yet, they only charge you when you find a pair you're happy with and buy a supply.

Eyebrowze · #11 (**permalink**) 04-06-2011, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carly

No problem!

Yes it is similar. In my dailies my I wore -1.25. My new optician said the reason I wasn't having great vision in them was because the lens was rotating too far, so he tried me on -1.00 in the Air Optix but it was still rotating so I tried -0.75 which he said was a great fit.

I also have -0.75 in the Oasys. The vision is good 90% of the time, it does blur from time to time on blinking, but you can't expect miracles can you.

Does your optician make you pay for trial lenses then? I've not paid for any of them! I've had 5 pairs and not paid a penny yet, they only charge you when you find a pair you're happy with and buy a supply.

Wow, you're fortunate that your doctor doesn't charge for the trial lenses. I don't think you should pay for contact lenses that don't fit properly. Still, some eye doctors do charge for the trials.

Carly · #12 (**permalink**) 04-06-2011, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eyebrowze

Wow, you're fortunate that your doctor doesn't charge for the trial lenses. I don't think you should pay for contact lenses that don't fit properly. Still, some eye doctors do charge for the trials.

Hmm none of mine ever have! Maybe it's a Uk thing.

Garfield21 · #13 (**permalink**) 04-07-2011, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carly

Hmm none of mine ever have! Maybe it's a Uk thing.

What's a UK thing? Paying for trial lenses or not paying for them?

Carly · #14 (**permalink**) 04-07-2011, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garfield21

What's a UK thing? Paying for trial lenses or not paying for them?

Not paying for them. I've never paid. Yey for me. Lol

My sister popped in today to pick up a second set of Oasys for me as I couldn't get an appoint before the first pair ran out, and I don't have to pay for them either.

Well in fact they gave her 10 non torics for my left eye and 2 toric lenses lol But I think they made a mistake there! I only needed 1 pair.

OzzieG · #15 (**permalink**) 04-07-2011, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carly

Not paying for them. I've never paid. Yey for me. Lol

My sister popped in today to pick up a second set of Oasys for me as I couldn't get an appoint before the first pair ran out, and I don't have to pay for them either.

Well in fact they gave her 10 non torics for my left eye and 2 toric lenses lol But I think they made a mistake there! I only needed 1 pair.

I guess you're all set for a while, huh?

I hope all those contacts fit you.

Carly · #16 (**permalink**) 04-08-2011, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OzzieG

I guess you're all set for a while, huh?

I hope all those contacts fit you.

They're all my prescription.

But I will let them know. What they've done is given me the whole box, when they were meant to give me just one out of each to trail. Ooops.

I got a whole month of Acuve dailes free once from another opticians by mistake! But I never told them though!

I must just get lucky!

Nutradude · #17 (**permalink**) 04-08-2011, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carly

They're all my prescription.

But I will let them know. What they've done is given me the whole box, when they were meant to give me just one out of each to trail. Ooops.

I got a whole month of Acuve dailes free once from another opticians by mistake! But I never told them though!

I must just get lucky!

You don't flirt with the eye doctors, do you? Give them a little smile and a wink while they're examining your pupils or something?

Maybe they just made a mistake. It reminds me of Billy Crystal talking about traveling to foreign countries. He's not familiar with the local currency, so he hands someone a tip, they look at the money and say "Thank you, sir!"

So did you look at the box of lenses when you expected a single pair and say "Thank you, doctor!"? If not, perhaps you should have.

Carly · #18 (**permalink**) 04-09-2011, 08:26 AM

LOL! You could be on to something there! He did only charge me 20 instead of 45 for my check up, and commented my eyes were striking!!

Oh well, if it gets me stuff for free......

Lol

RacerX · #19 (**permalink**) 04-11-2011, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carly

LOL! You could be on to something there! He did only charge me 20 instead of 45 for my check up, and commented my eyes were striking!!

Oh well, if it gets me stuff for free......

Lol

That's no fair. What are us ugly people supposed to do?

Carly · #20 (**permalink**) 04-13-2011, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacerX

That's no fair. What are us ugly people supposed to do?

I don't know, I don't have that problem!

I guess it helps I'm probably one of the few people under 50 my optician sees!!

pathfinder · #21 (**permalink**) 04-13-2011, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carly

I don't know, I don't have that problem!

I guess it helps I'm probably one of the few people under 50 my optician sees!!

Yeah, I bet that does help to have youth on your side.

Of course, now that you've made those comments Carly, you have to post pictures of your beautiful self so we can all enjoy the view. Wear your contacts, of course. We wouldn't want to just have gratuitous pictures on the forum, Like this one:

Carly · #22 (**permalink**) 04-13-2011, 07:39 PM

Haha! Not a chance, you'll just have to take my word for it!!

lol

Hottchick · #23 (**permalink**) 04-14-2011, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carly

Haha! Not a chance, you'll just have to take my word for it!!

lol

Why not? RacerX said something about being ugly, and you said you didn't have that problem, so why not let your friends on Lens 101 see your not-ugly face with your contacts in?

Carly · #24 (**permalink**) 04-14-2011, 02:33 PM

Oh, did you really think I meant that comment?'

It was meant in jest, a little tongue in cheek, you know? That's why the silly faces!

I wouldn't say something like that seriously!! LOL Who would!?

babyblues · #25 (**permalink**) 04-14-2011, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carly

Oh, did you really think I meant that comment?'

It was meant in jest, a little tongue in cheek, you know? That's why the silly faces!

I wouldn't say something like that seriously!! LOL Who would!?

I guess the silly faces should have been a clue, but there are some people on this site that have an unnatural fear of posting pictures. Some have pretty much said the same thing you did, only they weren't kidding! I'm glad you're not opposed to letting the world see your face--or at least your eyes--on this forum. I hope you'll put some pictures up soon. I like pictures.

pathfinder · #26 (**permalink**) 09-12-2011, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyblues

I guess the silly faces should have been a clue, but there are some people on this site that have an unnatural fear of posting pictures. Some have pretty much said the same thing you did, only they weren't kidding! I'm glad you're not opposed to letting the world see your face--or at least your eyes--on this forum. I hope you'll put some pictures up soon. I like pictures.

Lookit the baby with the glasses. It's kinda cute and kinda sad at the same time.

thecure · #27 (**permalink**) 10-12-2011, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pathfinder

Lookit the baby with the glasses. It's kinda cute and kinda sad at the same time.

She seems comfortable. She's looking at her alphabet book instead of clawing at her glasses. Maybe she's able to read already.

OzzieG · #28 (**permalink**) 10-21-2011, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecure

She seems comfortable. She's looking at her alphabet book instead of clawing at her glasses.

Yeah, she seems pretty content.

Garfield21 · #29 (**permalink**) 10-27-2011, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pathfinder

Lookit the baby with the glasses. It's kinda cute and kinda sad at the same time.

I wonder how long ago that picture was taken and if she still wears glasses today?

Eyebrowze · #30 (**permalink**) 11-09-2011, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garfield21

I wonder how long ago that picture was taken and if she still wears glasses today?

Good question, Garfield. Did you ever know someone who wore glasses at one time, and now that not only wear contacts, but their hair and clothes are different too?

Ladies and Gentlmen . . . . Molly Webber, before and after the Marcia Brady makeover.

OzzieG · #31 (**permalink**) 11-15-2011, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eyebrowze

Good question, Garfield. Did you ever know someone who wore glasses at one time, and now that not only wear contacts, but their hair and clothes are different too?

See what a big difference contact lenses can make? Go buy some, everybody!