Is This Normal, Or Do I Have To Get Used To...

MissHousewife · #1 (**permalink**) 01-04-2010, 09:07 AM

Hi!

Pleased to meet everybody. I am new here, but have been lurking since the start of the weekend.

Here is my situation, and if anybody could provide insight that would be excellent:

I wore Acuvue 2 contacts for years. I never had any problems other than that I have dry eyes. I always needed rewetting drops...I just am a dry eye gal.

I have not worn contacts for a few years and decided to get an exam and purchase some.

I heard about Oasys and how they are for folks with dry eyes.

I placed an order at the shop for a 4 month supply.

They gave me a pair to try out in the meantime.

Yesterday I put them in for the first time. I wore them for maybe 7 hours approximately.
They were very uncomfortable. They were also dry.

I had *some* irritation after removing them and upon waking this morning my eyes were very slightly irritated/itchy.

I inserted them this morning. I used Visine tears drops beforehand, and put a drop of rewetting drops in each lens prior to insertion.

My eyes are doing somewhat better, but feel slightly irritated, as if around the edges it were rough. I do not feel a need for rewetting drops as badly, and my eyes feel "airy".

The vision seems "different" a little, and a lot of this is hard to explain.

What I am wondering is: do I need to give these lenses a few days and get used to them? Or could I just be setting myself up for infection?

Thanks in advance!

nakedeyes · #2 (**permalink**) 01-04-2010, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissHousewife

Hi!

Pleased to meet everybody. I am new here, but have been lurking since the start of the weekend.

Here is my situation, and if anybody could provide insight that would be excellent:

I wore Acuvue 2 contacts for years. I never had any problems other than that I have dry eyes. I always needed rewetting drops...I just am a dry eye gal.

I have not worn contacts for a few years and decided to get an exam and purchase some.

I heard about Oasys and how they are for folks with dry eyes.

I placed an order at the shop for a 4 month supply.

They gave me a pair to try out in the meantime.

Yesterday I put them in for the first time. I wore them for maybe 7 hours approximately.
They were very uncomfortable. They were also dry.

I had *some* irritation after removing them and upon waking this morning my eyes were very slightly irritated/itchy.

I inserted them this morning. I used Visine tears drops beforehand, and put a drop of rewetting drops in each lens prior to insertion.

My eyes are doing somewhat better, but feel slightly irritated, as if around the edges it were rough. I do not feel a need for rewetting drops as badly, and my eyes feel "airy".

The vision seems "different" a little, and a lot of this is hard to explain.

What I am wondering is: do I need to give these lenses a few days and get used to them? Or could I just be setting myself up for infection?

Thanks in advance!

Hello MissHousewife. Welcome to Lens 101.

I'm sorry you're having problems with your Acuvue Oasys contacts. Tell me this. How does your current experience compare to when you first starting wearing contacts lenses? I'm guessing you had a lot less trouble the first time.

I don't think you have to worry about infection as long as you keep the Oasys contacts clean. Give it a few days, and if they don't feel any better, call your doctor, because as soon as you do he/she will ask you to go in. Maybe you need to go back to the Acuvue 2 contacts.

If you were able to wear the Oasys contacts for seven hours even though they were "dry" and "very uncomfortable," it shouldn't take long for you to adjust to them. I wish you well and I hope to hear about your progress.

MissHousewife · #3 (**permalink**) 01-05-2010, 02:44 PM

Thanks for your replay,Nakedeyes.
This is day 3 of my wearing Oasys, and I have to say they are *better* than Acuvue 2. I did not need rewetting drops every 10 minutes. Sometimes it feels as if the edge of the lens is abrasive or rubbing- in my right eye I have a *slight* astigmastism. I do not want to pay even MORE for a toric lens for that eye. I never did with Acuvue 2's and never had an issue. I am wondering if I will now need a toric lens if the scratchy feeling is from my astigmatism?
Does anybody know how much more toric Oasys lenses run on average?

I have Visine Long Lasting Dry Eye Relief tears drops. I think I should be able to use them with these contacts.

Soooo anyone with astigmastim and Oasys? Do you wear regular lens or a toric?

Quote:

Originally Posted by nakedeyes

Hello MissHousewife. Welcome to Lens 101.

I'm sorry you're having problems with your Acuvue Oasys contacts. Tell me this. How does your current experience compare to when you first starting wearing contacts lenses? I'm guessing you had a lot less trouble the first time.

I don't think you have to worry about infection as long as you keep the Oasys contacts clean. Give it a few days, and if they don't feel any better, call your doctor, because as soon as you do he/she will ask you to go in. Maybe you need to go back to the Acuvue 2 contacts.

If you were able to wear the Oasys contacts for seven hours even though they were "dry" and "very uncomfortable," it shouldn't take long for you to adjust to them. I wish you well and I hope to hear about your progress.

naturallygood · #4 (**permalink**) 01-05-2010, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissHousewife

Thanks for your replay,Nakedeyes.
This is day 3 of my wearing Oasys, and I have to say they are *better* than Acuvue 2. I did not need rewetting drops every 10 minutes. Sometimes it feels as if the edge of the lens is abrasive or rubbing- in my right eye I have a *slight* astigmastism. I do not want to pay even MORE for a toric lens for that eye. I never did with Acuvue 2's and never had an issue. I am wondering if I will now need a toric lens if the scratchy feeling is from my astigmatism?
Does anybody know how much more toric Oasys lenses run on average?

I have Visine Long Lasting Dry Eye Relief tears drops. I think I should be able to use them with these contacts.

Soooo anyone with astigmastim and Oasys? Do you wear regular lens or a toric?

Hello Miss Housewife.

How "slight" is your astigmatism? Do you know your prescription? I could be wrong, but I don't think that scratchy feeling you describe is due to the astigmatism. You probably just need to wear the contacts a little longer.

Lens.com has Acuve Oasys for Astigmatism contacts for $37.95 for a box of 6. If you buy two or more boxes for each eye, they'll drop the price to $31.50 per box. Here's the website: http://www.lens.com/contact-lenses/lens551.asp

I checked on the Visine Long Lasting Dry Eye Relief and the website says to remove your contacts before you use they eye drops. That's pretty much standard procedure with eye drops and contact lenses.

I hope that answers your questions, but if you need more information, don't hesitate to ask. We've got some pretty smart people in this forum.

MissHousewife · #5 (**permalink**) 01-05-2010, 04:41 PM

Hi and thanks for replaying,

I do not actually know the exact measurements of the degree of astigmatism that I have.

Stupid me put the Visine tears in with my contacts! They feel so good, but hopefully I did not damage them LOL...I have my pairs ordered from an optical, but would like to order online when I run out.

Do I have to fax in a copy of my prescription?

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by naturallygood

Hello Miss Housewife.

How "slight" is your astigmatism? Do you know your prescription? I could be wrong, but I don't think that scratchy feeling you describe is due to the astigmatism. You probably just need to wear the contacts a little longer.

Lens.com has Acuve Oasys for Astigmatism contacts for $37.95 for a box of 6. If you buy two or more boxes for each eye, they'll drop the price to $31.50 per box. Here's the website: http://www.lens.com/contact-lenses/lens551.asp

I checked on the Visine Long Lasting Dry Eye Relief and the website says to remove your contacts before you use they eye drops. That's pretty much standard procedure with eye drops and contact lenses.

I hope that answers your questions, but if you need more information, don't hesitate to ask. We've got some pretty smart people in this forum.

Knotlob · #6 (**permalink**) 01-05-2010, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissHousewife

Hi and thanks for replaying,

I do not actually know the exact measurements of the degree of astigmatism that I have.

Stupid me put the Visine tears in with my contacts! They feel so good, but hopefully I did not damage them LOL...I have my pairs ordered from an optical, but would like to order online when I run out.

Do I have to fax in a copy of my prescription?

Thanks!

Hello MissHousewife

They sometimes say on the website to FAX in the prescription or they may just phone your eye care specialist to check, or just not bother.

I have bought contact lenses Mail Order from the UK and recently from Germany. The UK site asked me to FAX the data I think, but I didn't have a FAX handy, so didn't bother. Just send us the money! They sent the lenses without further questions.

In the German site, they had some sort of statement like, 'by buying from this site, you declare that you are an experienced contact lens wearer and are fully aware of the risks, blah , blah, blah'

So, although I had the prescription from the optician, I never actually sent a written copy in either case. Obviously it's in your own interest to have a recent eye check/current prescription and of course you will have to fill in your own prescription details when you order on-line. I think your doctor has to give you your prescription on request, by law.

You should have the prescription details on the lens blister packs, but would need the actual doctor's prescription/signature for some of the on-line Mail order sites.

EDIT:
But see this link (post by Sbam, #45) from an Air Optix Post on this forum:

http://www.lens101.com/focus-night-day/64173-air-optix-night-day-vs-old-focus-night-day.html#post111927

knotlob

Walkaway · #7 (**permalink**) 01-06-2010, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Hello MissHousewife

They sometimes say on the website to FAX in the prescription or they may just phone your eye care specialist to check, or just not bother.

I have bought contact lenses Mail Order from the UK and recently from Germany. The UK site asked me to FAX the data I think, but I didn't have a FAX handy, so didn't bother. Just send us the money! They sent the lenses without further questions.

In the German site, they had some sort of statement like, 'by buying from this site, you declare that you are an experienced contact lens wearer and are fully aware of the risks, blah , blah, blah'

So, although I had the prescription from the optician, I never actually sent a written copy in either case. Obviously it's in your own interest to have a recent eye check/current prescription and of course you will have to fill in your own prescription details when you order on-line. I think your doctor has to give you your prescription on request, by law.

You should have the prescription details on the lens blister packs, but would need the actual doctor's prescription/signature for some of the on-line Mail order sites.

EDIT:
But see this link (post by Sbam, #45) from an Air Optix Post on this forum:

http://www.lens101.com/focus-night-day/64173-air-optix-night-day-vs-old-focus-night-day.html#post111927

knotlob

Hi Knotlob. Have you tried ordering contact lenses without a current prescription from a US company? I'm told that they have stricter rules than their European counterparts.

Knotlob · #8 (**permalink**) 01-06-2010, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walkaway

Hi Knotlob. Have you tried ordering contact lenses without a current prescription from a US company? I'm told that they have stricter rules than their European counterparts.

No. Although the US$ is weak against the Euro, the postage makes US lens purchase uncompetitive.

You may well be correct about how strict the US laws are, but I edited an earlier post here, which seemed to suggest that it was enough for the Mail Order company to merely try and contact the doctor, not to get an actual reply. Doesn't sound too effective, but at least would stop an eye doctor using delaying tactics to keep clients buying from his/her own practice.

knotlob

Healinghands2 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-06-2010, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

No. Although the US$ is weak against the Euro, the postage makes US lens purchase uncompetitive.

You may well be correct about how strict the US laws are, but I edited an earlier post here, which seemed to suggest that it was enough for the Mail Order company to merely try and contact the doctor, not to get an actual reply. Doesn't sound too effective, but at least would stop an eye doctor using delaying tactics to keep clients buying from his/her own practice.

knotlob

That "merely try and contact the doctor, not to get an actual reply" reminds me of Return of the Jedi when C-3PO barely tapped on the massive metal door of Jabba's palace and, after waiting about two seconds, decided there would be no answer.

rfriel · #10 (**permalink**) 01-07-2010, 02:15 PM

I used to order different types of contact lens online to try, and the online lens distributor would post that a valid prescription was required AND that prescription would be verified, but they never did, this was 3 years ago. NOW, in the last 2 months, i have tried to get different types of contact lens, but 3 onliine distributors have attempted to verify the prescription.......so something has changed in the US. if i want to try a different lens, i have to visit walmart OD for $40 and get a trial pair of lens, wear for a week, then return and have them checked. if the return visit shows the lens are ok, then a valid prescription can be provided. so, its not a large cost but a real pain in the butt to have to pay $40 for a trial pair of different lens.

Knotlob · #11 (**permalink**) 01-07-2010, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfriel

I used to order different types of contact lens online to try, and the online lens distributor would post that a valid prescription was required AND that prescription would be verified, but they never did, this was 3 years ago. NOW, in the last 2 months, i have tried to get different types of contact lens, but 3 onliine distributors have attempted to verify the prescription.......so something has changed in the US. if i want to try a different lens, i have to visit walmart OD for $40 and get a trial pair of lens, wear for a week, then return and have them checked. if the return visit shows the lens are ok, then a valid prescription can be provided. so, its not a large cost but a real pain in the butt to have to pay $40 for a trial pair of different lens.

But the prescription would be valid for one year - you could then order several lenses?? Or is the prescription valid for only one specific model of lens?

It sounds like 'Jobs for the Boys', but I suppose the law was brought in (in the US) to protect the stupid people who know nothing about contact lenses and just stick them in their eyes with no clue about disinfection, wearing rules, yearly check ups, etc. etc.

knotlob

rfriel · #12 (**permalink**) 01-07-2010, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

But the prescription would be valid for one year - you could then order several lenses?? Or is the prescription valid for only one specific model of lens?

It sounds like 'Jobs for the Boys', but I suppose the law was brought in (in the US) to protect the stupid people who know nothing about contact lenses and just stick them in their eyes with no clue about disinfection, wearing rules, yearly check ups, etc. etc.

knotlob

valid for only one specific type of lens only, if i want to try a different type of lens, its another $40, even with the same parameters.

Bensica · #13 (**permalink**) 01-08-2010, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfriel

valid for only one specific type of lens only, if i want to try a different type of lens, its another $40, even with the same parameters.

Isn't that how a prescription is written, with the brand name of the lenses as part of it?

Knotlob · #14 (**permalink**) 01-08-2010, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bensica

Isn't that how a prescription is written, with the brand name of the lenses as part of it?

Well I don't think I ever had a prescription written for contact lenses, only for spectacles, but was given the CL prescription verbally by the optician.

Still, rfriel could presumably order different colours of the same lens with the one prescription if desired.

Because soft lenses are so tolerant of fit, I would have thought most people would have been OK with the same prescription for different makes of contact lens, but then maybe it's like buying shoes and the manufacturer just seems to pick a size at random and stick it on the shoe regardless

knotlob

nakedeyes · #15 (**permalink**) 02-05-2010, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Well I don't think I ever had a prescription written for contact lenses, only for spectacles, but was given the CL prescription verbally by the optician.

knotlob

Really? No prescription for contact lenses? Is that a European Thing? I always thought a prescription was a must for contact lenses, at least here in the Colonies.

In your opinion knotlob, is requiring a prescription for contact lenses a good idea?

rfriel · #16 (**permalink**) 02-05-2010, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Well I don't think I ever had a prescription written for contact lenses, only for spectacles, but was given the CL prescription verbally by the optician.

Still, rfriel could presumably order different colours of the same lens with the one prescription if desired.

Because soft lenses are so tolerant of fit, I would have thought most people would have been OK with the same prescription for different makes of contact lens, but then maybe it's like buying shoes and the manufacturer just seems to pick a size at random and stick it on the shoe regardless

knotlob

yeah, my OD gave me a prescription for SiH48 only, not for comfilcon A or biofinity, so if he package doesnt say SiH48, i cant get the lens.

walmart only has trial lens of Sih48, not comfilcon A, so all i can get are trial lens.

lurker2010 · #17 (**permalink**) 02-06-2010, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfriel

yeah, my OD gave me a prescription for SiH48 only, not for comfilcon A or biofinity, so if he package doesnt say SiH48, i cant get the lens.

walmart only has trial lens of Sih48, not comfilcon A, so all i can get are trial lens.

I don't know what country you're from Sih48 is another name for biofinity--exact same lens. Information is per Copper Vision's application with the FDA. US prescription would allow substitution. My guessis you could find a place willing to substitute. Comiflcon A is the material of the material. Other lenses are made of the material.

I suspect if you try enough mail order vendors you'll find at least one that will take care of you.

Knotlob · #18 (**permalink**) 02-06-2010, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nakedeyes

Really? No prescription for contact lenses? Is that a European Thing? I always thought a prescription was a must for contact lenses, at least here in the Colonies.

In your opinion knotlob, is requiring a prescription for contact lenses a good idea?

I think it is sensible to require a prescription for contact lenses so that a new user will have the opportunity of being taught how to take care of the lenses (and their own eyes of course). Of course you would need a prescription if the lenses were for eye sight correction and not plano coloured lenses because the spectacle correction is not the same as the contact lens correction (Vertex correction).

However, because you can do serious damage to your eyes with ordinary coloured plano lenses if you are not educated about them, a prescription should be necessary for them also.

But, I don't really see that it is so essential for an experienced user to have a prescription, which only applies to one particular name of lens (e.g. SiH48, etc).

The problems is how can Mail Order companies differentiate between an experienced contact lens wearer and a novice wearer?

(P.S. I do now have a formal prescription for my RGP lenses, but they do require special fitting).

Maybe some opticians don't automatically give out prescriptions because they assume you are going to buy your lenses from them?

knotlob

rfriel · #19 (**permalink**) 02-06-2010, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lurker2010

I don't know what country you're from Sih48 is another name for biofinity--exact same lens. Information is per Copper Vision's application with the FDA. US prescription would allow substitution. My guessis you could find a place willing to substitute. Comiflcon A is the material of the material. Other lenses are made of the material.

I suspect if you try enough mail order vendors you'll find at least one that will take care of you.

i was being facetious, comfilcon A is biofinity, AKA, SiH48, but there was such a big deal on this forum about prescriptions for the exact labeling that i thought i'd make a big deal about it too. if your prescription does not have the EXACT name brand for the lenses, you cant get the lenses, doesnt matter if the lens are the same or not. get it?

lurker2010 · #20 (**permalink**) 02-06-2010, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfriel

i was being facetious, comfilcon A is biofinity, AKA, SiH48, but there was such a big deal on this forum about prescriptions for the exact labeling that i thought i'd make a big deal about it too. if your prescription does not have the EXACT name brand for the lenses, you cant get the lenses, doesnt matter if the lens are the same or not. get it?

From the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act.

Quote:

A seller may not alter a contact lens prescription. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the same contact lens is manufactured by the same company and sold under multiple labels to individual providers, the seller may fill the prescription with a contact lens manufactured by that company under another label

I get it, with respect to prescriptions filled in the United State your information is wrong. Your post is wrong, and rude. GET IT??

Go to the website for internet vendors. They'll tell what lens will be dispensed if your script is for Target brand lenses.

BTW Comfilcon A is the material used for Bioinfity lenses. It can't be used in a script since there is no reason why CV couldn't use the material in other lenses.

BusDriver · #21 (**permalink**) 02-08-2010, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfriel

i was being facetious, comfilcon A is biofinity, AKA, SiH48, but there was such a big deal on this forum about prescriptions for the exact labeling that i thought i'd make a big deal about it too. if your prescription does not have the EXACT name brand for the lenses, you cant get the lenses, doesnt matter if the lens are the same or not. get it?

Oooooo . . . double angry face.

BusDriver · #22 (**permalink**) 02-08-2010, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lurker2010

From the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act.

[b]

So wait, is that talking about store brands? For example if Wal-Mart sells Acuvue Oasys under a different name, they can sell you the Wal-Mart brand even though the prescription clearly says "Acuvue Oasys" because they really are the same lenses?

That sounds to me like the pharmacist giving you the generic equivalent of the medicine you were prescribed in order to save you money. Your prescription may say "Vicodin" but your pharmacist can still give you "hydrocodone" which is generic name for Vicodin. It happens all the time and is perfectly legal and ethical. Are store brand contact lenses a similar concept?

lurker2010 · #23 (**permalink**) 02-08-2010, 10:22 AM

Similar but not the same. Generic drugs are generally not mfg by the same company that mfg the brand name drug. Contacts are are mfg by the same company but the lenses are put in different packages with different brand names. Cooper Vision is the main company that does this so you're not likely to see this happening with an Acuvue lens
http://www.1800contacts.com/lens/Target-38-Target-Optical.htm

Quote:

Originally Posted by BusDriver

So wait, is that talking about store brands? For example if Wal-Mart sells Acuvue Oasys under a different name, they can sell you the Wal-Mart brand even though the prescription clearly says "Acuvue Oasys" because they really are the same lenses?

That sounds to me like the pharmacist giving you the generic equivalent of the medicine you were prescribed in order to save you money. Your prescription may say "Vicodin" but your pharmacist can still give you "hydrocodone" which is generic name for Vicodin. It happens all the time and is perfectly legal and ethical. Are store brand contact lenses a similar concept?

rfriel · #24 (**permalink**) 02-08-2010, 11:16 AM

Comfilcon A, when walmart repackages it and sells it under the walmart brand, ultraflex = comfilcon A, but hold it, maybe not, lotrafilcon B could be disguised as comfilcon A, when walmart sells it?? No? this is all very confusing to me. when is comfilcon A really comfilcon A and not lotrafilcon B or vice versa?

lurker2010 · #25 (**permalink**) 02-08-2010, 11:50 AM

Your previous post was incorrect.

Quote:

if your prescription does not have the EXACT name brand for the lenses, you cant get the lenses, doesn't matter if the lens are the same or not. get it?

Your most recent post is not comprehensible. I guess it's easier for you to pretend you're confused then to admit you didn't post correct information in your prevous post.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfriel

Comfilcon A, when walmart repackages it and sells it under the walmart brand, ultraflex = comfilcon A, but hold it, maybe not, lotrafilcon B could be disguised as comfilcon A, when walmart sells it?? No? this is all very confusing to me. when is comfilcon A really comfilcon A and not lotrafilcon B or vice versa?

rfriel · #26 (**permalink**) 02-08-2010, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lurker2010

Your previous post was incorrect.

Your most recent post is not comprehensible. I guess it's easier for you to pretend you're confused then to admit you didn't post correct information in your prevous post.

just answer the stupid question, that's all, answer the question, if not, leave it alone.

lurker2010 · #27 (**permalink**) 02-08-2010, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfriel

just answer the stupid question, that's all, answer the question, if not, leave it alone.

I previously answered the question

Quote:

the same contact lens is manufactured by the same company and sold under multiple labels to individual providers, the seller may fill the prescription with a contact lens manufactured by that company under another label

Two lenses are not the same contact lens manufactured by the same company if they're made of different materials. Only a stupid person (or a trouble maker) would claim otherwise.

Your question is stupid because it was already answered.

I don't know if all the mail order contct lens companies know SiH48 is the exact same lens as bionfinity. A customer in that position would have decide if it's easier to educate a seller or simply find a seller that already knows the lenses are the exact same.

Occular Science (now part of CV) has made private label lenses for years. The mail order companies know which of the older lenses are identical.

naturallygood · #28 (**permalink**) 02-11-2010, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissHousewife

Stupid me put the Visine tears in with my contacts! They feel so good, but hopefully I did not damage them LOL.

I found the website for Visine Tears and they have a warning to take your contacts out before you use it. Obviously they haven't destroyed your contact lenses or your eyes if you can LOL about it. Did you notice any ill effects? Did your contact lenses get stained or anything?

naturallygood · #29 (**permalink**) 02-11-2010, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lurker2010

Your question is stupid because it was already answered.

Lurker, you'd better be careful. Administrators do not like forum members to call other members' questions "stupid." Can we just play nice? The idea here is to help people. If you can't do that then maybe you should find another forum. This isn't one of those boards where the members insult one another.