Getting used to these lenses

chele519 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-06-2011, 05:45 PM

I hope someone can help me, sorry this is so long. It's been a frustrating week.

I've been wearing Acuvue Advance for years. I have astigmatism in my left eye that needs correction and mild astigmatism in my right eye ithat s not bad uncorrected. For years I've been able to get by without the astigmatism but now it's getting more difficult. I went to my eye dr last week because the vision in my left eye was bad and i thought my prescription had changed. My prescription hadn't changed and he said it was just from the astigmatism not being corrected.

So, he tried a few different lenses in the office but I didn't like the Avaira right away. He put in some B&L Soflens and they weren't comfortable in the office but he sent me home with them to see if I could get used to them. I got about 1/2 mile down the road and turned my head and lost all focus. They got out of place and wouldn't go back. I called an hour later and said I needed something else. I went back the next day and got the PureVision 2. They were much better comfort wise initially and the vision wasn't bad. I had trouble after a couple days though. I was using Renu but after the first night I went and got some Clear care. They were cleaner the next day but it didn't help any when it came to comfort. They weren't too bad but my left eye started getting irritated with them in the afternoon. I ended up having to buy some Aquify rewetting drops which I havent' had to use in years. Those didn't really help for long, the only thing that seemed to temporarily help was putting plain saline in.

After a couple days I had to start taking them out and rinsing them with saline or flushing my eye but by early evening they were horrible. I was at a function last night and took the left out and then put it back in an hour later and it was fine for a while but not long.

Today I went back and got the Oasys for astigmatism. My vision is much better but after only a few hours I am having the same trouble. It just doesn't feel comfortable. It's not pain but it is irritated. It feels like there is something in my eye, not quite as bad as an eyelash but like a speck of dust. I feel like I need to rub my eyelid. I tried taking it out and these are horrible to take out so my eye is really irritated now. i've put in some lubricant drops and will leave them out tonight and try again tomorrow.

I'm just wondering if I need to get used to these even though I have worn lenses for 25 years? I've never had hard contacts, always soft lenses. My regular Acuvue Advance had not been bothering me comfort wise but now when I try to put one in, it bothers me the same as these. I'm thinking my eye is just irritated now and needs some time without a lens in it but I'm getting concerned. I don't think the Advance I had been wearing are silicone hydrogel so I don't know if I also need to adjust to that as well as the astigmatism lens. The Purevision are not for astigmatism but I guess they are not spherical which is why they corrected by vision better than the Advance.

Juicer · #2 (**permalink**) 05-09-2011, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chele519

I hope someone can help me, sorry this is so long. It's been a frustrating week.

I've been wearing Acuvue Advance for years. I have astigmatism in my left eye that needs correction and mild astigmatism in my right eye that's not bad uncorrected. For years I've been able to get by without the astigmatism but now it's getting more difficult. I went to my eye dr last week because the vision in my left eye was bad and i thought my prescription had changed. My prescription hadn't changed and he said it was just from the astigmatism not being corrected.

So, he tried a few different lenses in the office but I didn't like the Avaira right away. He put in some B&L Soflens and they weren't comfortable in the office but he sent me home with them to see if I could get used to them. I got about 1/2 mile down the road and turned my head and lost all focus. They got out of place and wouldn't go back. I called an hour later and said I needed something else. I went back the next day and got the Purevision 2. They were much better comfort wise initially and the vision wasn't bad. I had trouble after a couple days though. I was using Renu but after the first night I went and got some Clear care. They were cleaner the next day but it didn't help any when it came to comfort. They weren't too bad but my left eye started getting irritated with them in the afternoon. I ended up having to buy some Aquify rewetting drops which I havent' had to use in years. Those didn't really help for long, the only thing that seemed to temporarily help was putting plain saline in.

After a couple days I had to start taking them out and rinsing them with saline or flushing my eye but by early evening they were horrible. I was at a function last night and took the left out and then put it back in an hour later and it was fine for a while but not long.

Today I went back and got the Oasys for astigmatism. My vision is much better but after only a few hours I am having the same trouble. It just doesn't feel comfortable. It's not pain but it is irritated. It feels like there is something in my eye, not quite as bad as an eyelash but like a speck of dust. I feel like I need to rub my eyelid. I tried taking it out and these are horrible to take out so my eye is really irritated now. i've put in some lubricant drops and will leave them out tonight and try again tomorrow.

I'm just wondering if I need to get used to these even though I have worn lenses for 25 years? I've never had hard contacts, always soft lenses. My regular Acuvue Advance had not been bothering me comfort wise but now when I try to put one in, it bothers me the same as these. I'm thinking my eye is just irritated now and needs some time without a lens in it but I'm getting concerned. I don't think the Advance I had been wearing are silicone hydrogel so I don't know if I also need to adjust to that as well as the astigmatism lens. The Purevision are not for astigmatism but I guess they are not spherical which is why they corrected by vision better than the Advance.

Wow, sorry you're having so much trouble. Let me see if I can help.

First I'll give you some factual information. According to this article I found, there are only two toric lenses that are silicone hydrogel, and they are PureVision Toric and Acuvue Advance For Astigmatism. So you're right. Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism are not silicone hydrogel lenses.

I did a search for what they call "foreign body sensation," for what you described as "something in my eye . . . like a speck of dust." I found an article about dry eyes and contact lens wear. They recommended a product called AOsept. Here's part of that article:

Some clinical studies have indicated that preservatives used in multipurpose solutions can contribute to discomfort and dryness in contact lens wearers. One study specifically evaluated dry eye contact lens wearers who compared AOSept, which has no added preservatives, to OptiFree, Renu, Solocare, and Complete. It was found that the majority of the subjects experienced increased comfort and reduced symptoms of dryness with the AOSept as compared to the multipurpose solutions.

Here's where you can read the article for yourself. I hope this helps you:

http://www.aclens.com/dry-eyes.asp

Let me know, okay? If it doesn't help you, maybe I can find a more helpful article.

Teddikitty · #3 (**permalink**) 05-09-2011, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chele519

I hope someone can help me, sorry this is so long. It's been a frustrating week.

I've been wearing Acuvue Advance for years. I have astigmatism in my left eye that needs correction and mild astigmatism in my right eye ithat s not bad uncorrected. For years I've been able to get by without the astigmatism but now it's getting more difficult. I went to my eye dr last week because the vision in my left eye was bad and i thought my prescription had changed. My prescription hadn't changed and he said it was just from the astigmatism not being corrected.

So, he tried a few different lenses in the office but I didn't like the Avaira right away. He put in some B&L Soflens and they weren't comfortable in the office but he sent me home with them to see if I could get used to them. I got about 1/2 mile down the road and turned my head and lost all focus. They got out of place and wouldn't go back. I called an hour later and said I needed something else. I went back the next day and got the Purevision 2. They were much better comfort wise initially and the vision wasn't bad. I had trouble after a couple days though. I was using Renu but after the first night I went and got some Clear care. They were cleaner the next day but it didn't help any when it came to comfort. They weren't too bad but my left eye started getting irritated with them in the afternoon. I ended up having to buy some Aquify rewetting drops which I havent' had to use in years. Those didn't really help for long, the only thing that seemed to temporarily help was putting plain saline in.

After a couple days I had to start taking them out and rinsing them with saline or flushing my eye but by early evening they were horrible. I was at a function last night and took the left out and then put it back in an hour later and it was fine for a while but not long.

Today I went back and got the Oasys for astigmatism. My vision is much better but after only a few hours I am having the same trouble. It just doesn't feel comfortable. It's not pain but it is irritated. It feels like there is something in my eye, not quite as bad as an eyelash but like a speck of dust. I feel like I need to rub my eyelid. I tried taking it out and these are horrible to take out so my eye is really irritated now. i've put in some lubricant drops and will leave them out tonight and try again tomorrow.

I'm just wondering if I need to get used to these even though I have worn lenses for 25 years? I've never had hard contacts, always soft lenses. My regular Acuvue Advance had not been bothering me comfort wise but now when I try to put one in, it bothers me the same as these. I'm thinking my eye is just irritated now and needs some time without a lens in it but I'm getting concerned. I don't think the Advance I had been wearing are silicone hydrogel so I don't know if I also need to adjust to that as well as the astigmatism lens. The Purevision are not for astigmatism but I guess they are not spherical which is why they corrected by vision better than the Advance.

I think I would go with Juicer's suggestion that it might have to do with what you're using to clean your contacts.

chele519 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-10-2011, 04:30 AM

Thanks for the link. I had already read a few articles about multi purpose solutions which is why I bought Clear Care after the first day. I think that is similar to AOSept.

It seems it is just getting used to the astigmatism lens. The right is unnoticeable but the left is getting better. I'm using the rewetting drops less each day.

Shade Maiden · #5 (**permalink**) 05-10-2011, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chele519

Thanks for the link. I had already read a few articles about multi purpose solutions which is why I bought Clear Care after the first day. I think that is similar to AOSept.

It seems it is just getting used to the astigmatism lens. The right is unnoticeable but the left is getting better. I'm using the rewetting drops less each day.

I'm glad that you're seeing improvements. I hope that link from Juicer was useful to you. Let us know how things are going with you. I'd like to see you find a solution to this issue.

chele519 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-14-2011, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shade Maiden

I'm glad that you're seeing improvements. I hope that link from Juicer was useful to you. Let us know how things are going with you. I'd like to see you find a solution to this issue.

They are much better now so I went ahead and ordered some online. The first couple days I had the lenses I used Celluvisc at night which helped with my eyes the next day. I had such a hard time getting these lenses out at night, I was rubbing my eye raw. I didn't really think I needed it after a couple days so after the contacts felt better, I stopped using it. I had 2 really bad days with the lenses but as soon as I went back to using the Celluvisc at night, they were much better the next day.

I also was getting irritation and stinging from the Aquify drops so I got some Refresh Contacts drops instead and those are much better. I had to go back to the dr for the 4th time and found out I have the problem where the oil glands are blocked so he told me some things to do to help unblock those and he said that should help. Eventually I will probably not need the Celluvisc or the rewetting drops. Of course the pollen level where I am has been very high this week so that contributed some also.

But, they are definitely better, especially with the Refresh. I was using the Aquify a lot more often but I only used the Refresh this morning when I put them in and it's been 4 hours and they feel great.

I would suggest to anyone with astigmatism that if you are avoiding the astigmatism lenses because they used to be so uncomfortable, it is worth trying the newer, different ones. The change in my vision is like going from VHS to Blu Ray.

Carly · #7 (**permalink**) 05-14-2011, 04:13 PM

I wear Oasys for astigmatism in my right eye, and normal in my left. I find both really comfortable and keep them in continously for a whole week. I use drops now and then, and always before I sleep and when I wake up.

I used 'blink contacts' and find they are the best eye drops I've tried.

HVAC · #8 (**permalink**) 05-16-2011, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chele519

They are much better now so I went ahead and ordered some online. The first couple days I had the lenses I used Celluvisc at night which helped with my eyes the next day. I had such a hard time getting these lenses out at night, I was rubbing my eye raw. I didn't really think I needed it after a couple days so after the contacts felt better, I stopped using it. I had 2 really bad days with the lenses but as soon as I went back to using the Celluvisc at night, they were much better the next day.

I also was getting irritation and stinging from the Aquify drops so I got some Refresh Contacts drops instead and those are much better. I had to go back to the dr for the 4th time and found out I have the problem where the oil glands are blocked so he told me some things to do to help unblock those and he said that should help. Eventually I will probably not need the Celluvisc or the re-wetting drops. Of course the pollen level where I am has been very high this week so that contributed some also.

But, they are definitely better, especially with the Refresh. I was using the Aquify a lot more often but I only used the Refresh this morning when I put them in and it's been 4 hours and they feel great.

I would suggest to anyone with astigmatism that if you are avoiding the astigmatism lenses because they used to be so uncomfortable, it is worth trying the newer, different ones. The change in my vision is like going from VHS to Blu Ray.

Thanks for that suggestion about toric lenses. I hope that helps people.

Juicer · #9 (**permalink**) 12-28-2011, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chele519

They are much better now so I went ahead and ordered some online. The first couple days I had the lenses I used Celluvisc at night which helped with my eyes the next day. I had such a hard time getting these lenses out at night, I was rubbing my eye raw. I didn't really think I needed it after a couple days so after the contacts felt better, I stopped using it. I had 2 really bad days with the lenses but as soon as I went back to using the Celluvisc at night, they were much better the next day.

I also was getting irritation and stinging from the Aquify drops so I got some Refresh Contacts drops instead and those are much better. I had to go back to the dr for the 4th time and found out I have the problem where the oil glands are blocked so he told me some things to do to help unblock those and he said that should help. Eventually I will probably not need the Celluvisc or the rewetting drops. Of course the pollen level where I am has been very high this week so that contributed some also.

But, they are definitely better, especially with the Refresh. I was using the Aquify a lot more often but I only used the Refresh this morning when I put them in and it's been 4 hours and they feel great.

I would suggest to anyone with astigmatism that if you are avoiding the astigmatism lenses because they used to be so uncomfortable, it is worth trying the newer, different ones. The change in my vision is like going from VHS to Blu Ray.

Good, I'm glad you found some lenses that work out for you.