One eye/contact goes blurry between blinks - different brands/BC, same issue.

jbrinker · #1 (**permalink**) 04-01-2010, 08:40 AM

I have been trying to be fitted for contacts for months now. I have tried literally a dozen pairs. I've had various problems with some of them (most being ruled out due to my large pupils and resulting horrible evening/night vision, or just not working right on my astigmatic eye - left one, NOT the one with the issue below).

However, there have been a couple lenses that pass the vision test, only to have each of them have the following problem:

In my RIGHT eye (only) the lens will go "blurry" in between blinks. I can "Watch" it happen, if I blink real good a few times, then stare without blinking, within 0.5-3 seconds the lens will start to blur, ending up (after perhaps 3 seconds) completely cloudy. This is especially noticeable when working on the computer or reading.

My left eye, with the same contacts, will not do it. I can hold it open for 15 seconds at least and never see it go blurry.

Dr has checked the fit, and says its good. I have tried larger base curve, and no real difference. Adding artificial tears will make it go away for a little while.

I had worn contacts in the past with no issues (1-day acuvue). These new ones are all silicone hydrogels (Oasis, AirOptix, etc). I tried some of my old Acuvue 1-day, and I now seem to have the problem with them too! Never noticed it before, but didnt wear them every day, and haven't really worn them in 3+ years.

Dr is accommodating, but doesn't seem to really take the time to understand/diagnose this issue. Just keeps handing me new trial lenses and is now charging me every visit (I have insurance). I would quit him and go somewhere else, but now it would be 100% on my dime.

Any ideas/help? Do any Drs post on here, or is there a forum where they do?

Mondas2 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-15-2010, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbrinker

I have been trying to be fitted for contacts for months now. I have tried literally a dozen pairs. I've had various problems with some of them (most being ruled out due to my large pupils and resulting horrible evening/night vision, or just not working right on my astigmatic eye - left one, NOT the one with the issue below).

However, there have been a couple lenses that pass the vision test, only to have each of them have the following problem:

In my RIGHT eye (only) the lens will go "blurry" in between blinks. I can "Watch" it happen, if I blink real good a few times, then stare without blinking, within 0.5-3 seconds the lens will start to blur, ending up (after perhaps 3 seconds) completely cloudy. This is especially noticeable when working on the computer or reading.

My left eye, with the same contacts, will not do it. I can hold it open for 15 seconds at least and never see it go blurry.

Dr has checked the fit, and says its good. I have tried larger base curve, and no real difference. Adding artificial tears will make it go away for a little while.

I had worn contacts in the past with no issues (1-day acuvue). These new ones are all silicone hydrogels (Oasis, AirOptix, etc). I tried some of my old acuvue 1-day, and I now seem to have the problem with them too! Never noticed it before, but didnt wear them every day, and haven't really worn them in 3+ years.

Dr is accommodating, but doesn't seem to really take the time to understand/diagnose this issue. Just keeps handing me new trial lenses and is now charging me every visit (I have insurance). I would quit him and go somewhere else, but now it would be 100% on my dime.

Any ideas/help? Do any Drs post on here, or is there a forum where they do?

Hi there jbrinker. Welcome to Lens 101.

Without looking at your eyes myself, it's hard to say what the problem is. Judging from your description, it sounds like your contact lenses bay be developing some kind of deposits. When you take the lenses out and look at them, do they seem cloudy?

Zenec · #3 (**permalink**) 11-12-2010, 06:21 PM

I am using Biofinity lenses and I have developed exactly the same issue! And just like you - only in my right eye!

I am planning to change my contact lens solution to Alcon Opti-free or a peroxide based one. I am also suspecting that it has something to do with the lens being dirty. I can't explain why it affects just my right eye, though. Are peroxide solutions good in removing protein deposits and other 'dirt'?

Just now I tried to take out the lens, give it a rinse + rub with my current solution (Sauflon All in One Light). It doesn't seem to make the blurriness much better. Maybe the lens is not a good fit then? It's strange because I have worn various lenses previously and have never had such issue.

Also, if I stare at one point and move my head around (right to left, up and down) the vision also gets blurry at certain positions. Maybe Mondas2 can comment on this?

Bondjamesbond · #4 (**permalink**) 11-15-2010, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zenec

I am using Biofinity lenses and I have developed exactly the same issue! And just like you - only in my right eye!

I am planning to change my contact lens solution to Alcon Opti-free or a peroxide based one. I am also suspecting that it has something to do with the lens being dirty. I can't explain why it affects just my right eye, though. Are peroxide solutions good in removing protein deposits and other 'dirt'?

Please let us know how this works out for you, Zenec. Welcome to Lens 101 too, by the way.

To answer your question about peroxide solutions, I've never used one, but based on what I've read here on Lens 101, it sounds like a pretty good way to go.

Zenec · #5 (**permalink**) 11-15-2010, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bondjamesbond

Please let us know how this works out for you, Zenec. Welcome to Lens 101 too, by the way.

To answer your question about peroxide solutions, I've never used one, but based on what I've read here on Lens 101, it sounds like a pretty good way to go.

Keeping the lens in overnight didn't make it better nor did it make it worse.

Then I bought alcon optifree express - someone on the forum suggested it might help. I've used it in the past and it is really good. Actually, I even found one presentation for optometrists by alcon and amongst other things it was talking about "previously successful contact lens wearers (me!!) who suddenly are not satisfied with the new lens... for example, developing discomfort blurriness etc. few hours after insertion of the lens (me!!

)". And alcon, of course, was saying that optifree express is the way to go in such scenarios.

Long story short, I tried out alcon, gave my lenses a really good rub and left them soak overnight. The next day was perfect - no blurriness or anything!

Last night I gave my lens a really quick rub and let them soak overnight. Today was fine until afternoon when the blurriness came back. Yes, only in my right lens!

So I guess I have narrowed it down to lens getting dirty. Why it happens just with the right lens I have no clue.

I am not giving up yet, though. I will keep on using alcon (I've got one now anyway) and I will get a new pair of the lenses. I will keep you posted!

jbrinker - any updates?

Zenec · #6 (**permalink**) 11-15-2010, 01:13 PM

Another update. So my lens has been blurry all afternoon. I just took it out, gave it a good rub. After taking out my eye felt a bit dry. After putting it back in, the eye feels just fine but the vision still is blurry. So maybe it's not dirt after all? I am massively confused.. What is wrong with these lenses/my eye?!?

321contacts · #7 (**permalink**) 11-15-2010, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zenec

Another update. So my lens has been blurry all afternoon. I just took it out, gave it a good rub. After taking out my eye felt a bit dry. After putting it back in, the eye feels just fine but the vision still is blurry. So maybe it's not dirt after all? I am massively confused.. What is wrong with these lenses/my eye?!?

I'm sorry you're having trouble with your contacts Zenec. I wish there was some kind of chart on line that would tell you the next best lens to the one that's not working for you. A chart that would tell you "If you're not comfortable wearing Acuvue Oasys contact lenses, try ______ lenses because they're made out of the same material, but have a slightly higher water content" or something.

Or how about this. Categorize them by different properties. "Here's a list of all the contact lenses that are made of etafilcon A, and here's a list of all the contact lenses that have 50-60% water content, all these contact lenses here have a base curve between 8 and 9" and so on.

Are you getting all this, Webmasters?

Zenec · #8 (**permalink**) 11-21-2010, 02:04 PM

Quick update - I decided to sleep wearing my lens for few nights and the blurriness has disappeared. The lens is very comfortable, there's no dryness or anything. Seems like one has to be really careful in choosing contact lens solution to use with Biofinity lenses. For me using none works the best

So far it seems like my problem has been solved.

Knotlob · #9 (**permalink**) 11-21-2010, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zenec

Quick update - I decided to sleep wearing my lens for few nights and the blurriness has disappeared. The lens is very comfortable, there's no dryness or anything. Seems like one has to be really careful in choosing contact lens solution to use with Biofinity lenses. For me using none works the best

So far it seems like my problem has been solved.

It is possible that you have a minor adverse reaction to the lens solutions you have been using and this is causing excess secretions in your tears and making the lenses dirty.

I think you really need to gently rub your lenses with cleaning solution when you take them out at night. No rub systems by all accounts do not work very well (see posts by Lurker2010).

I am not a fan of wearing contact lenses during sleep in view of the recent research on this subject, which has found increased risk of keratitis/corneal ulcers.

ContactLensFitter sometimes recommends Opti-Clean for cleaning off deposits as it is compatible with most other lens solutions and contains microscopic beads, which clean the lens without damaging it.

I am a fan of preservative free hydrogen peroxide based systems as these are better for folks with sensitive eyes.

Eye Care Professionals on this forum include DoctorG, Robbill and ContactLensFitter. All are very helpful, though I think probably ContactLensFitter is currently the only regular poster of the three. You can always PM him (assuming he doesn't see and respond to this thread), as he is very knowledgeable and willing to help.

knotlob

Zenec · #10 (**permalink**) 11-21-2010, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

I am not a fan of wearing contact lenses during sleep in view of the recent research on this subject, which has found increased risk of keratitis/corneal ulcers.

I would be interested in reading into this. Can you please post me either links or just full titles for the articles of the research you are talking about? Thanks!

Knotlob · #11 (**permalink**) 11-21-2010, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zenec

I would be interested in reading into this. Can you please post me either links or just full titles for the articles of the research you are talking about? Thanks!

Hello Zenec

A lot of the research is published in journals like Contact Lens Spectrum. However, I have pasted here some links from my Bookmarks. You should find some other links by Googling Corneal Ulcers/Ulceration or Microbial Keratitis.

http://justinbazan.wordpress.com/2007/09/02/extended-wear-contacts-gambling-with-your-eyes/

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/798100-overview

http://www.siliconehydrogels.org/editorials/apr_07.asp

http://www.acuvue.co.uk/sites/default/files/content/pdf/1424_AAH_PIG-outer-HI.pdf (read the section entitled "Warnings - what you should know about
contact lens wear"

There are many more research papers on the Internet.

knotlob

KSCbase · #12 (**permalink**) 11-22-2010, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbrinker

I have been trying to be fitted for contacts for months now. I have tried literally a dozen pairs. I've had various problems with some of them (most being ruled out due to my large pupils and resulting horrible evening/night vision, or just not working right on my astigmatic eye - left one, NOT the one with the issue below).

However, there have been a couple lenses that pass the vision test, only to have each of them have the following problem:

In my RIGHT eye (only) the lens will go "blurry" in between blinks. I can "Watch" it happen, if I blink real good a few times, then stare without blinking, within 0.5-3 seconds the lens will start to blur, ending up (after perhaps 3 seconds) completely cloudy. This is especially noticeable when working on the computer or reading.

My left eye, with the same contacts, will not do it. I can hold it open for 15 seconds at least and never see it go blurry.

Dr has checked the fit, and says its good. I have tried larger base curve, and no real difference. Adding artificial tears will make it go away for a little while.

I had worn contacts in the past with no issues (1-day acuvue). These new ones are all silicone hydrogels (Oasis, AirOptix, etc). I tried some of my old acuvue 1-day, and I now seem to have the problem with them too! Never noticed it before, but didnt wear them every day, and haven't really worn them in 3+ years.

Dr is accommodating, but doesn't seem to really take the time to understand/diagnose this issue. Just keeps handing me new trial lenses and is now charging me every visit (I have insurance). I would quit him and go somewhere else, but now it would be 100% on my dime.

Any ideas/help? Do any Drs post on here, or is there a forum where they do?

How are you doing lately, jbrinker? Are you seeing better?

Reading your description of your vision being good right after a blink and then slowly degrades from there, it sounds to me like your lens might be drying out. The fact that eye drops seem to help makes me suspect dry eye even more. There's probably a brand of eye drops out there that will help you, if you haven't found it yourself by now.

Mondas2 · #13 (**permalink**) 11-23-2010, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbrinker

I have been trying to be fitted for contacts for months now. I have tried literally a dozen pairs. I've had various problems with some of them (most being ruled out due to my large pupils and resulting horrible evening/night vision, or just not working right on my astigmatic eye - left one, NOT the one with the issue below).

However, there have been a couple lenses that pass the vision test, only to have each of them have the following problem:

In my RIGHT eye (only) the lens will go "blurry" in between blinks. I can "Watch" it happen, if I blink real good a few times, then stare without blinking, within 0.5-3 seconds the lens will start to blur, ending up (after perhaps 3 seconds) completely cloudy. This is especially noticeable when working on the computer or reading.

My left eye, with the same contacts, will not do it. I can hold it open for 15 seconds at least and never see it go blurry.

Dr has checked the fit, and says its good. I have tried larger base curve, and no real difference. Adding artificial tears will make it go away for a little while.

I had worn contacts in the past with no issues (1-day acuvue). These new ones are all silicone hydrogels (Oasis, AirOptix, etc). I tried some of my old acuvue 1-day, and I now seem to have the problem with them too! Never noticed it before, but didnt wear them every day, and haven't really worn them in 3+ years.

Dr is accommodating, but doesn't seem to really take the time to understand/diagnose this issue. Just keeps handing me new trial lenses and is now charging me every visit (I have insurance). I would quit him and go somewhere else, but now it would be 100% on my dime.

Any ideas/help? Do any Drs post on here, or is there a forum where they do?

Are you wearing contact lenses right now, jbrinker, or have you taken a break from your contact lens shopping?