Air Optix fits one eye, not so much on the other...

babyfaces · #1 (**permalink**) 02-15-2011, 11:12 PM

I have been wearing contacts for a year now, and in January I was switched from Oasys multifocal Rt eye only to Air Optix multifocal Rt +1.50 and +.50 left eye. My problem is that for almost 3 weeks now, the lenses get very dry, and I have to re-wet about every 2 hours. The left one pops out of my eye if I don't re-wet frequently. When I am at work, I have not been able to focus on putting drops in often enough. I work in a very busy medical office (sometimes 10 hour days in clinic) and don't know what to do. The eye doc's office wants me to keep wearing the Air Optix, and I feel bad about calling them so much this last month. (It took 2 weeks to get the rx right so I could see well). I don't feel that my eyes are dry without contacts, but I do with these lenses! Could one eye be shaped differently than the other? Should I make another appointment with the doc or just keep calling the office? Should I just ask to go back to the Oasys? There are 2 of us wearing contacts in my house, and I am hearing that the Air Optix are expensive, though I have not checked on that yet. I hate to break the bank paying for contacts for the 2 of us every 3 months. What to do? I hate being a problem patient...

Jesterhester · #2 (**permalink**) 02-16-2011, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyfaces

I have been wearing contacts for a year now, and in January I was switched from Oasys multifocal Rt eye only to Air Optix multifocal Rt +1.50 and +.50 left eye. My problem is that for almost 3 weeks now, the lenses get very dry, and I have to re-wet about every 2 hours. The left one pops out of my eye if I don't re-wet frequently. When I am at work, I have not been able to focus on putting drops in often enough. I work in a very busy medical office (sometimes 10 hour days in clinic) and don't know what to do. The eye doc's office wants me to keep wearing the Air Optix, and I feel bad about calling them so much this last month. (It took 2 weeks to get the rx right so I could see well). I don't feel that my eyes are dry without contacts, but I do with these lenses! Could one eye be shaped differently than the other? Should I make another appointment with the doc or just keep calling the office? Should I just ask to go back to the Oasys? There are 2 of us wearing contacts in my house, and I am hearing that the Air Optix are expensive, though I have not checked on that yet. I hate to break the bank paying for contacts for the 2 of us every 3 months. What to do? I hate being a problem patient...

Hello babyfaces, and welcome to the forum. I'm sorry you're having such a hard time, but hopefully you can find some help here.
Since you've already called your doctor's office several times and they haven't been able to help you over the phone, you probably should make an appointment to see the doctor. I don't think that they consider you a "problem patient." At least I hope not. I hope that they feel bad for not finding something that works for you.
I checked prices at Lens.com and they sell a box of six Oasys lenses for $25.95 and a box of six Air Optix Aqua lenses is $33.95, so they're a little bit more expensive, but not ridiculously so.
I hope that helps.

babyfaces · #3 (**permalink**) 02-16-2011, 12:44 PM

Thanks, Jesterhester. I did check Lens.com today, and you are right, except I need a multifocal lens for 1 eye. I have never ordered online for either myself or my son, but it sounds like the way to go! Their price for Air Optix multifocal is 49.95/box, with regular pricing being $76 (which is the price I had heard). I had also been told that there were only 3 lenses per box for the multifocal. (Lens.com says 6 per box). That would have been $300 per year for 1 eye. Lens.com info and pricing for the multifocal is much more appealing! Thanks for the tip.

Garfield21 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-16-2011, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyfaces

Thanks, Jesterhester. I did check Lens.com today, and you are right, except I need a multifocal lens for 1 eye. I have never ordered online for either myself or my son, but it sounds like the way to go! Their price for Air Optix multifocal is 49.95/box, with regular pricing being $76 (which is the price I had heard). I had also been told that there were only 3 lenses per box for the multifocal. (Lens.com says 6 per box). That would have been $300 per year for 1 eye. Lens.com info and pricing for the multifocal is much more appealing! Thanks for the tip.

I'm glad Jesterhester could give you some information that you found useful, babyfaces. Ordering online is easy, just make sure you have your prescription handy and a way for Lens.com to contact your doctor to conform it.
I checked on all the multifocal lenses they had and they all had six lenses in each box.
If you decide to order from Lens.com, I'd be curious to know if the lenses arrive quickly and correctly. Would you be willing to report on that, babyfaces?

babyfaces · #5 (**permalink**) 02-16-2011, 01:03 PM

Garfield21, I would be glad to. I expect I will have to decide as soon as I get my left eye figured out.

HVAC · #6 (**permalink**) 02-16-2011, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyfaces

Garfield21, I would be glad to. I expect I will have to decide as soon as I get my left eye figured out.

If your contacts are causing you trouble at work, would you be able to wear glasses until you get the contacts sorted out? I think I'd rather do that than worry about my contacts drying and falling out.
As far as one eye being shaped differently than the other, it's quite possible. The human body is rarely as symmetrical as it seems at first glance.

babyfaces · #7 (**permalink**) 02-16-2011, 03:48 PM

HVAC, Absolutely, glasses are an option. I can actually get through the work day reasonably well with just readers. Because of that, I have waited to get prescription glasses until I see how the contact issues go. I have been encouraged by the office staff to keep trying the contacts until somebody figures out the solution for me. I can always take them out at work and switch to my old reading glasses for now.
The problem originally was that my vision is changing with age, and I do ultrasound. The optimal location for me distance-wise from my monitor hits in a mid vision area that has begun to cause me problems. Equipment placement in the room I use is limited because of where I must stand. To go from a dark room with a nice sized monitor to the bright office area outside to check charts write notes had become tiring. The 3x5 images printed out have info on them that I look at and write notes about. The font size is pretty small, and there are 2 images on each page.
I thought contacts might be easy. When I started wearing them last year, it was. That was with the Oasys multifocal, one eye only. This year my vision worsened, and I was changed to Air Optix multifocal for one eye, and a +.50 Air Optix for my other eye. The addition of the .50 really helped my vision, but the Air Optix so far have been a bother. The eye doc really wants me in the Air Optix. Is if for my eyes or for his pocket? I think I am just going to call them and say switch me back to Oasys to see how they do for me.

BettyBoop · #8 (**permalink**) 02-16-2011, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyfaces

HVAC, Absolutely, glasses are an option. I can actually get through the work day reasonably well with just readers. Because of that, I have waited to get prescription glasses until I see how the contact issues go. I have been encouraged by the office staff to keep trying the contacts until somebody figures out the solution for me. I can always take them out at work and switch to my old reading glasses for now.
The problem originally was that my vision is changing with age, and I do ultrasound. The optimal location for me distance-wise from my monitor hits in a mid vision area that has begun to cause me problems. Equipment placement in the room I use is limited because of where I must stand. To go from a dark room with a nice sized monitor to the bright office area outside to check charts write notes had become tiring. The 3x5 images printed out have info on them that I look at and write notes about. The font size is pretty small, and there are 2 images on each page.
I thought contacts might be easy. When I started wearing them last year, it was. That was with the Oasys multifocal, one eye only. This year my vision worsened, and I was changed to Air Optix multifocal for one eye, and a +.50 Air Optix for my other eye. The addition of the .50 really helped my vision, but the Air Optix so far have been a bother. The eye doc really wants me in the Air Optix. Is if for my eyes or for his pocket? I think I am just going to call them and say switch me back to Oasys to see how they do for me.

When your vision got worse this year, did you notice it before you saw the doctor? Did you think "I can't see as well as I used to. I should make an appointment with my eye doctor," or did you go in for an exam and your doctor said "I'd like you to try Air Optix"? Was it your idea or the doctor's? If it wasn't your idea to switch, then maybe you should stay with the Oasys lenses. Do you think your doctor will cooperate?

babyfaces · #9 (**permalink**) 02-16-2011, 04:32 PM

I just talked to a very nice lady at the office who read back through all the notes from the last 3 weeks. Since I started this new rx with a change from Oasys to A O, then changed back to Oasys after 5 days then back to A O a few days later, she thinks I need to give the A O another week or so to settle in. (The right eye was new to A O and the left eye has never had contacts at all). She even asked me to call her back Friday and tell her how tomorrow at work turns out. Keeping my fingers crossed!

babyfaces · #10 (**permalink**) 02-16-2011, 04:40 PM

BettyBoop, I am seeing a new doc, but I knew my vision had changed. I was unsure whether it was age or a greatly increased stress level last year. He said he wanted me to try the AO because that was what he wears, and he thinks my vision/age related changes are much like his own. I shouldn't have thrown that statement in about his pocket. Sorry 'bout that. I am just frustrated. I do think they are trying to work with me, especially after today's call. I can wait it out for another week or so to see if my left eye just needs to acclimate.

MopJockey · #11 (**permalink**) 02-16-2011, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyfaces

BettyBoop, I am seeing a new doc, but I knew my vision had changed. I was unsure whether it was age or a greatly increased stress level last year. He said he wanted me to try the AO because that was what he wears, and he thinks my vision/age related changes are much like his own. I shouldn't have thrown that statement in about his pocket. Sorry 'bout that. I am just frustrated. I do think they are trying to work with me, especially after today's call. I can wait it out for another week or so to see if my left eye just needs to acclimate.

It sounds like that "very nice lady at the office" should get a raise.

I'm glad that things are working out better for you and your Air Optix lenses. Keep us posted on your progress. Until then, I wish you good seeing.

babyfaces · #12 (**permalink**) 02-25-2011, 04:53 PM

Today I returned to get everything checked again. The assistant, Lori, told me that I was not the only one who had had the problem with the lenses popping out, and we changed to PureVision lenses. They changed my left eye to a multifocal as well, but we sort of anticipate needing just a spherical lens again. (They didn't have the rx I needed, but will have it in Monday). My vision was good in the office, a little fuzzy here at home. I will be anxious to see how these lenses settle in.

coconutoil · #13 (**permalink**) 02-25-2011, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyfaces

Today I returned to get everything checked again. The assistant, Lori, told me that I was not the only one who had had the problem with the lenses popping out, and we changed to PureVision lenses. They changed my left eye to a multifocal as well, but we sort of anticipate needing just a spherical lens again. (They didn't have the rx I needed, but will have it in Monday). My vision was good in the office, a little fuzzy here at home. I will be anxious to see how these lenses settle in.

We're anxious too, babyfaces. Keep us posted.

Jesterhester · #14 (**permalink**) 04-06-2011, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyfaces

Today I returned to get everything checked again. The assistant, Lori, told me that I was not the only one who had had the problem with the lenses popping out, and we changed to PureVision lenses. They changed my left eye to a multifocal as well, but we sort of anticipate needing just a spherical lens again. (They didn't have the rx I needed, but will have it in Monday). My vision was good in the office, a little fuzzy here at home. I will be anxious to see how these lenses settle in.

How do those Purevision contact lenses feel now? Have they settled in by now?

babyfaces · #15 (**permalink**) 04-06-2011, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesterhester

How do those Purevision contact lenses feel now? Have they settled in by now?

We switched my left eye last week to a .75 multifocal just to see if it helped my intermediate vision. I expect I will know by the weekend if it will work. Right now, it is not as good as the .50. Rt eye settling in okay. Patience is definitely necessary, and not one of my strong suits...haha. This has been much more involved than I ever thought it would. 10 weeks so far, 5 adjustments.
In reality, the Air Optix in my right eye was better for intermediate vision, but the PureVision is better for reading. Hopefully the future technology will improve so that no one has to have these trade-offs!
Thanks for checking on me!

Garfield21 · #16 (**permalink**) 04-07-2011, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyfaces

We switched my left eye last week to a .75 multifocal just to see if it helped my intermediate vision. I expect I will know by the weekend if it will work. Right now, it is not as good as the .50. Rt eye settling in okay. Patience is definitely necessary, and not one of my strong suits...haha. This has been much more involved than I ever thought it would. 10 weeks so far, 5 adjustments.
In reality, the Air Optix in my right eye was better for intermediate vision, but the PureVision is better for reading. Hopefully the future technology will improve so that no one has to have these trade-offs!
Thanks for checking on me!

Hang in there babyfaces. It gets better.

babyfaces · #17 (**permalink**) 04-08-2011, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garfield21

Hang in there babyfaces. It gets better.

Okay, today I committed to the Pure Vision lenses. My latest rx is ready to pick up Friday. Thanks to everyone for their input these last few weeks!

Nutradude · #18 (**permalink**) 04-08-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyfaces

Okay, today I committed to the Pure Vision lenses. My latest rx is ready to pick up Friday. Thanks to everyone for their input these last few weeks!

Thanks for the update, babyfaces. I'm glad that the people of Lens 101 could help you. I'm eager to hear how it goes with the PureVision contact lenses.

JTKirk · #19 (**permalink**) 09-30-2011, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyfaces

Okay, today I committed to the Pure Vision lenses. My latest rx is ready to pick up Friday. Thanks to everyone for their input these last few weeks!

"Friday" was six months ago. How are things going with you and your PureVision lenses? Did you post something in the PureVision section?

HVAC · #20 (**permalink**) 11-03-2011, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyfaces

Okay, today I committed to the Pure Vision lenses. My latest rx is ready to pick up Friday. Thanks to everyone for their input these last few weeks!

So what was it about PureVision that made you commit to them? Was it they way the felt when you were wearing them? Maybe they don't fit so great but the price is right? At any rate, I hope you're happy with them.

BettyBoop · #21 (**permalink**) 11-08-2011, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyfaces

Okay, today I committed to the Pure Vision lenses. My latest rx is ready to pick up Friday. Thanks to everyone for their input these last few weeks!

How are those PureVison lenses working out for you? We haven't heard from you in over six months, babyfaces.

MopJockey · #22 (**permalink**) 11-10-2011, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyfaces

Okay, today I committed to the Pure Vision lenses. My latest rx is ready to pick up Friday. Thanks to everyone for their input these last few weeks!

Does anyone know what happened to babyfaces? It's been several weeks.

HVAC · #23 (**permalink**) 01-10-2012, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MopJockey

Does anyone know what happened to babyfaces? It's been several weeks.

It's been nine months now. My guess is that the PureVision lenses are working out well. It's human nature to complain when things aren't going right, but when things are, we keep quiet and enjoy.

BettyBoop · #24 (**permalink**) 01-13-2012, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HVAC

It's been nine months now. My guess is that the PureVision lenses are working out well. It's human nature to complain when things aren't going right, but when things are, we keep quiet and enjoy.

"I want to complain."
You want to complain? Look at these shoes... I've only had them three weeks and the heels are worn right through."--Monty Python, "The Argument Clinic."