A problem with the Air Optix for A.

sylvanillo · #1 (**permalink**) 12-13-2011, 08:06 AM

I have been using toric lenses for 1.5 years, that's the Air Optix for Astigmatism. They were prescribed by an eye doctor. My goal was to use them for outdoor activities only, since I broke 3 pairs of glasses in 2 years (and I can tell you that when you break Silhouette ones, that's like throwing money through the window

)

During the first year, the vision with the Air Optix was awesome.
Although the axis for my left eye was 175 and can't be achieved by these lenses, I tried 170 and 180, and 180 did the trick.

It gives lots of comfort comparing to glasses, even at the office, because having astigmatism the glasses change the vision when I move the head. When driving by night glasses also give reflection problems.
With lenses, I move the eyes not the head... and therefore no more pain in the neck, headache etc.
I used them 8-10 hours per day, 5 days a week.

However in the last months I am no more comfortable with them. I still use them for outdoor activities without any problem, but when working (on a computer all the day), the vision is blur. At first it was the right eye only, now both of them.

It's not blur anymore just after putting eye drops (I use Optrex refreshing drops), but the good vision lasts 30 seconds....
So I have to use the glasses again

Any idea of the cause? Is it because the eye shape has changed?...
Do you advise an alternative type of lenses like the Biofinity with have the same base curve and diameter?

I was getting the lenses from Optical Express and had an eye check included but since their service was so bad I cancelled the contract and now buy the lenses online.

Thank you in advance
Sylvain

Railfan · #2 (**permalink**) 12-13-2011, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sylvanillo

I have been using toric lenses for 1.5 years, that's the Air Optix for Astigmatism. They were prescribed by an eye doctor. My goal was to use them for outdoor activities only, since I broke 3 pairs of glasses in 2 years (and I can tell you that when you break Silhouette ones, that's like throwing money through the window

)

During the first year, the vision with the Air Optix was awesome.
Although the axis for my left eye was 175 and can't be achieved by these lenses, I tried 170 and 180, and 180 did the trick.

It gives lots of comfort comparing to glasses, even at the office, because having astigmatism the glasses change the vision when I move the head. When driving by night glasses also give reflection problems.
With lenses, I move the eyes not the head... and therefore no more pain in the neck, headache etc.
I used them 8-10 hours per day, 5 days a week.

However in the last months I am no more comfortable with them. I still use them for outdoor activities without any problem, but when working (on a computer all the day), the vision is blur. At first it was the right eye only, now both of them.

It's not blur anymore just after putting eye drops (I use Optrex refreshing drops), but the good vision lasts 30 seconds....
So I have to use the glasses again

Any idea of the cause? Is it because the eye shape has changed?...
Do you advise an alternative type of lenses like the Biofinity with have the same base curve and diameter?

I was getting the lenses from Optical Express and had an eye check included but since their service was so bad I cancelled the contract and now buy the lenses online.

Thank you in advance
Sylvain

Hi there, Sylvain. Welcome to Lens 101.

I'm sorry that you're having trouble seeing out of your contact lenses. It's kind of a mystery. So when was the last time you were fitted for contacts? If it's been more then a year, it's probably time for another fitting.
Also, if you're either a teenager or someone who's over 40, your eyes may be going through some rapid changed that your contacts can't keep up with.

Those are just a couple of my theories. I could be completely wrong, but I thought I'd at least get the party started. I hope you're able to get this sorted out quickly.

sylvanillo · #3 (**permalink**) 12-13-2011, 10:28 AM

Thank you for your quick reply.
I am 33.
The lenses give a blur vision just after fitting them, contrary to before.

I think I'm going to try the Biofinity Toric and if it doesn't improve I'll search for a new Optician and have a new fitting as you suggest.

Thank you anyway.

ElaineKramer · #4 (**permalink**) 12-13-2011, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sylvanillo

Thank you for your quick reply.
I am 33.
The lenses give a blur vision just after fitting them, contrary to before.

I think I'm going to try the Biofinity Toric and if it doesn't improve I'll search for a new Optician and have a new fitting as you suggest.

Thank you anyway.

That sounds like a pretty good plan, getting fitted again, but I'm not sure you need to see a new doctor. Are you unhappy with your current doctor, or just the current lenses? Sometimes it takes a while to find the right contact lenses, even with a very skilled eye doctor.

luvbostonxo2's · #5 (**permalink**) 12-13-2011, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sylvanillo

I have been using toric lenses for 1.5 years, that's the Air Optix for Astigmatism. They were prescribed by an eye doctor. My goal was to use them for outdoor activities only, since I broke 3 pairs of glasses in 2 years (and I can tell you that when you break Silhouette ones, that's like throwing money through the window

)

During the first year, the vision with the Air Optix was awesome.
Although the axis for my left eye was 175 and can't be achieved by these lenses, I tried 170 and 180, and 180 did the trick.

It gives lots of comfort comparing to glasses, even at the office, because having astigmatism the glasses change the vision when I move the head. When driving by night glasses also give reflection problems.
With lenses, I move the eyes not the head... and therefore no more pain in the neck, headache etc.
I used them 8-10 hours per day, 5 days a week.

However in the last months I am no more comfortable with them. I still use them for outdoor activities without any problem, but when working (on a computer all the day), the vision is blur. At first it was the right eye only, now both of them.

It's not blur anymore just after putting eye drops (I use Optrex refreshing drops), but the good vision lasts 30 seconds....
So I have to use the glasses again

Any idea of the cause? Is it because the eye shape has changed?...
Do you advise an alternative type of lenses like the Biofinity with have the same base curve and diameter?

I was getting the lenses from Optical Express and had an eye check included but since their service was so bad I cancelled the contract and now buy the lenses online.

Thank you in advance
Sylvain

unfortunately even if u have a slight dry eye issue...staring or a fixed stare while working on a computer can dramatically dry out any soft contact lenses.

Have u ever thought about rgp lenses which dont require moisture and do not dry out.

Im an ecp and I have been on my computer working for 3 hours with my rgp's on with none of the dry scratchy feeling with my sensitive dry eyes.

age hormone medications etc can cause drye eyes with a soft contact lens on the eye.

pathfinder · #6 (**permalink**) 12-13-2011, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvbostonxo2's

unfortunately even if u have a slight dry eye issue...staring or a fixed stare while working on a computer can dramatically dry out any soft contact lenses.

There are some posts here on Lens 101 about how to prevent dry, tired eyes while working on a computer. Have you seen them? Can you add anything to the advice given there?

sylvanillo · #7 (**permalink**) 12-14-2011, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElaineKramer

That sounds like a pretty good plan, getting fitted again, but I'm not sure you need to see a new doctor. Are you unhappy with your current doctor, or just the current lenses? Sometimes it takes a while to find the right contact lenses, even with a very skilled eye doctor.

The eye doctors I have seen were good I think, the problem was the chain of stores itself (appointments cancelled without notice, delays, wrong lenses requested etc). This is why I have started to get the lenses from an internet shop.

sylvanillo · #8 (**permalink**) 12-14-2011, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvbostonxo2's

unfortunately even if u have a slight dry eye issue...staring or a fixed stare while working on a computer can dramatically dry out any soft contact lenses.

Well I had no problem during the first year. Anyway the blur vision problem appears right away after having put the lenses, not after some time using a computer. It's the same if I put them and go running..., it's just that I notice it less.

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvbostonxo2's

Have u ever thought about rgp lenses which dont require moisture and do not dry out.

Im an ecp and I have been on my computer working for 3 hours with my rgp's on with none of the dry scratchy feeling with my sensitive dry eyes.

age hormone medications etc can cause drye eyes with a soft contact lens on the eye.

I believe RGP stands for rigid lenses? No I haven't. The doctor told me the vision would be even better, the thing is I think it's a one-year pair of lenses and if you lose them...

Spongebob · #9 (**permalink**) 12-14-2011, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sylvanillo

I believe RGP stands for rigid lenses? No I haven't. The doctor told me the vision would be even better, the thing is I think it's a one-year pair of lenses and if you lose them...

Yes, "RGP" stands for "Rigid Gas Permeable." I don't wear them myself, but several people in this forum have said that the vision with RGP lenses is much clearer than it is with the soft lenses. It's also true that they last a long time and they're not even that expensive. On Lens.com you can buy Boston 7 lenses for $70 a pair. Not bad for lenses that could last for a year, and if you lose them, you're not out hundreds of dollars. I think also that if you're reasonably careful you won't lose them.

ElaineKramer · #10 (**permalink**) 12-27-2011, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spongebob

I think also that if you're reasonably careful you won't lose them.

Has anyone here ever lost an RGP lens?

sylvanillo · #11 (**permalink**) 04-17-2012, 05:06 AM

Hello back,

I hadn't forgotten this forum, but was waiting for a reasonable time before putting an honest feedback on the Biofinity Toric. I have just posted it in the Biofinity Toric section ("Review of Biofinity Toric lenses").

Apart from that, I did find the origin of the constant problems with the AOFO. because I work on a computer screen so many hours, I sometimes use eye drops called "Refreshing eye drops" from Optrex. The problem is they seem to damage soft lenses, the brand's website mentions, in small letters...., to leave at least 15 minutes between the drops and fitting soft lenses.
Now I use the "Dry eye drops" from the same brand (the package mentions "safe for soft lenses") and I don't have any more problem.

So basically I have switched to the Biofinity although the problem was probably not the lenses. However I think I will continue using the Biofinity because I have a better feeling and less dryness.

In the future I might try RGP as you suggested, to see if it is even better, but for the moment I am satisfied enough...

Thank you anyway for this great forum.

Wookiee74 · #12 (**permalink**) 04-17-2012, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sylvanillo

Hello back,

I hadn't forgotten this forum, but was waiting for a reasonable time before putting an honest feedback on the Biofinity Toric. I have just posted it in the Biofinity Toric section ("Review of Biofinity Toric lenses").

Apart from that, I did find the origin of the constant problems with the AOFO. because I work on a computer screen so many hours, I sometimes use eye drops called "Refreshing eye drops" from Optrex. The problem is they seem to damage soft lenses, the brand's website mentions, in small letters...., to leave at least 15 minutes between the drops and fitting soft lenses.
Now I use the "Dry eye drops" from the same brand (the package mentions "safe for soft lenses") and I don't have any more problem.

So basically I have switched to the Biofinity although the problem was probably not the lenses. However I think I will continue using the Biofinity because I have a better feeling and less dryness.

In the future I might try RGP as you suggested, to see if it is even better, but for the moment I am satisfied enough...

Thank you anyway for this great forum.

Thank you for telling us how you fixed your contact lens problems. That's what makes this forum so great.

So now that you've gained contact lens wisdom, feel free to look around for any questions you can help out with.