Non-Toric Air Optix for Astigmatism?

Klingons4Peace · #1 (**permalink**) 10-17-2008, 08:56 AM

If you have a mild case of astigmatism, can you get Air Optix for Astigmatism, but without the "for astigmatism" part? Would that be harmful? Would that be possible?

jacklsw86 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-31-2010, 11:46 AM

for mild astigmatism, you could use a normal contact lens.

Knotlob · #3 (**permalink**) 01-31-2010, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klingons4Peace

If you a mild case of astigmatism, san you get Air Optix for Astigmatism, but without the "for astigmatism" part? Would that be harmful? Would that be possible?

The minimum cylinder value for Air Optix for Astigmatism appears to be -0.75D. With less than that astigmatism in your eye, you don't normally correct it. You could if desired use Rigid Gas Permeable lenses and use the tear film to correct the astigmatism, without the hassle of a toric lens design.

An Air Optix for Astigmatism with zero cylindrical correction would just be your regular Air Optix lens (without the astigmatism name). It would not be harmful to wear these with mild astigmatism.

knotlob

Eldradmustlive · #4 (**permalink**) 02-01-2010, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

The minimum cylinder value for Air Optix for Astigmatism appears to be -0.75D. With less than that astigmatism in your eye, you don't normally correct it. You could if desired use Rigid Gas Permeable lenses and use the tear film to correct the astigmatism, without the hassle of a toric lens design.

An Air Optix for Astigmatism with zero cylindrical correction would just be your regular Air Optix lens (without the astigmatism name). It would not be harmful to wear these with mild astigmatism.

knotlob

According to Lens.com, they don't have something called just "Air Optix." The closest would be "Air Optix Aqua." Thanks for you help in this thread Knotlob.

Knotlob · #5 (**permalink**) 02-03-2010, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eldradmustlive

According to Lens.com, they don't have something called just "Air Optix." The closest would be "Air Optix Aqua." Thanks for you help in this thread Knotlob.

Sorry about that. I took my data from the UK's LensBase website and they list Air Optix. However, that seems to have been discontinued (once stocks run out) and probably being replaced with Air Optix Aqua. Seems to be same lens material and a Monthly Replacement lens.

Sorry about the confusion and thanks for highlighting this.

knotlob

Railfan · #6 (**permalink**) 02-03-2010, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eldradmustlive

According to Lens.com, they don't have something called just "Air Optix." The closest would be "Air Optix Aqua." Thanks for you help in this thread Knotlob.

So if you like Air Optix contacts, but have very mild astigmatism, you'd go with Air Optix Aqua, is that right?

Knotlob · #7 (**permalink**) 02-03-2010, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Railfan

So if you like Air Optix contacts, but have very mild astigmatism, you'd go with Air Optix Aqua, is that right?

I think that would be a fairly safe and sensible option.

knotlob

thecure · #8 (**permalink**) 02-03-2010, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

I think that would be a fairly safe and sensible option.

knotlob

Consult with your physician before switching contact lens brands. Lens 101 is not responsible for any discomfort associated with Air Optix Aqua contact lenses. Void where prohibited. Some assembly required.

I guess I was channeling my inner lawyer there.

Um . . . uummm . . . . . . don't talk with your mouth full.

Knotlob · #9 (**permalink**) 02-03-2010, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecure

Consult with your physician before switching contact lens brands. Lens 101 is not responsible for any discomfort associated with Air Optix Aqua contact lenses. Void where prohibited. Some assembly required.

I guess I was channeling my inner lawyer there.

Um . . . uummm . . . . . . don't talk with your mouth full.

Yes, it is best to discuss with your optician, but if in the US, you would need to do that anyway for the prescription. It should though, be reasonable to consider switching from one type of Air Optix to another Air Optix as a starting point, when you like an existing Air Optix lens. i.e. lens material, coating, etc. in relation to possible allergies, etc.

It's a bit like buying shoes. The size is likely to be the size you know from another pair from that same manufacturer. Other shoe manufacturers seem to use an entirely different shoe size scale. Standards? Yes, we have lots of them!

knotlob

Juniorgerbil · #10 (**permalink**) 02-04-2010, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klingons4Peace

If you a mild case of astigmatism, san you get Air Optix for Astigmatism, but without the "for astigmatism" part? Would that be harmful? Would that be possible?

This question has been answered fairly well in this thread, but it brings up another one. How likely is your eye doctor to write you a prescription for Air Optix Aqua if you have a slight case of astigmatism?

Knotlob · #11 (**permalink**) 02-04-2010, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juniorgerbil

This question has been answered fairly well in this thread, but it brings up another one. How likely is your eye doctor to write you a prescription for Air Optix Aqua if you have a slight case of astigmatism?

If you have mild astigmatism, say 0.75D, then chances are the eye doc is not going to fit you with toric lenses unless you absolutely insist. They might increase the spherical correction by half of the astigmatism correction in mild cases.

A lot of toric lenses don't start with a cylindrical correction of less than 0.75 to 1.0 D anyway.

knotlob

Klingons4Peace · #12 (**permalink**) 02-10-2010, 04:37 PM

Hey everybody. I came across this thread today and realized I didn't say thank you to everybody who contributed to it. It's nice to ask a question and get ten replies to it. It's a good feeling.

Eldradmustlive · #13 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klingons4Peace

Hey everybody. I came across this thread today and realized I didn't say thank you to everybody who contributed to it. It's nice to ask a question and get ten replies to it. It's a good feeling.

I'm glad I could be of some use, although Knotob deserves most of the credit for this thread.

Knotlob · #14 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eldradmustlive

I'm glad I could be of some use, although Knotob deserves most of the credit for this thread.

I'm glad to try and help, but everybody played a part.

knotlob

Railfan · #15 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Yes, it is best to discuss with your optician, but if in the US, you would need to do that anyway for the prescription.

knotlob

So does that mean that outside the US you do not have to get a new prescription if you want to switch brands?

thecure · #16 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eldradmustlive

I'm glad I could be of some use, although Knotob deserves most of the credit for this thread.

Yes, I believe that this forum would have a lot less credibility were it not for knotlob's well-researched and intelligent answers.

Knotlob · #17 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Railfan

So does that mean that outside the US you do not have to get a new prescription if you want to switch brands?

Yes, in Germany and maybe France you don't need a doc's prescription to buy contact lenses. I read that on one of the Admin's News Posts yesterday, under new posts.

However, I'm sure the EU Parliament will soon put a stop to that with yet more legislation - Nanny state. I don't disagree with the necessity to have annual eye checks and certainly an initial check before starting to wear contacts, but there are times when, if you need to get a pair of contacts in an emergency (vacation in small village/lost lenses/ cannot get exactly your own brand lens, etc). the US system would make this difficult or impossible.

knotlob

bettydaviseyes · #18 (**permalink**) 03-19-2010, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Yes, in Germany and maybe France you don't need a doc's prescription to buy contact lenses. I read that on one of the Admin's News Posts yesterday, under new posts.

However, I'm sure the EU Parliament will soon put a stop to that with yet more legislation - Nanny state. I don't disagree with the necessity to have annual eye checks and certainly an initial check before starting to wear contacts, but there are times when, if you need to get a pair of contacts in an emergency (vacation in small village/lost lenses/ cannot get exactly your own brand lens, etc). the US system would make this difficult or impossible.

knotlob

You bring up a good point, Knotlob. Basically, you're saying that it would be nice to pick up a pair of contact lenses in an emergency without a prescription. Is that right?

Perhaps Lens 101 members can write their Congressmen (and women) to make an exception to this rule for one pair of emergency contacts, or maybe a week's supply of daily disposables. That sounds reasonable, doesn't it?

Knotlob · #19 (**permalink**) 03-19-2010, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bettydaviseyes

You bring up a good point, Knotlob. Basically, you're saying that it would be nice to pick up a pair of contact lenses in an emergency without a prescription. Is that right?

Perhaps Lens 101 members can write their Congressmen (and women) to make an exception to this rule for one pair of emergency contacts, or maybe a week's supply of daily disposables. That sounds reasonable, doesn't it?

Yes, that is my point exactly. If the system had a little flexibility, that would be more acceptable to most genuine sensible CL wearers.

knotlob

Shade Maiden · #20 (**permalink**) 03-19-2010, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bettydaviseyes

You bring up a good point, Knotlob. Basically, you're saying that it would be nice to pick up a pair of contact lenses in an emergency without a prescription. Is that right?

Perhaps Lens 101 members can write their Congressmen (and women) to make an exception to this rule for one pair of emergency contacts, or maybe a week's supply of daily disposables. That sounds reasonable, doesn't it?

I take prescription medication, and my prescriptions have a number of refills on them, so I don't have to go back to my doctor and get another prescription each month. When the refills run out, they just call my doctor and get more refills. Can that be done with contact lens prescriptions?

Knotlob · #21 (**permalink**) 03-19-2010, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shade Maiden

I take prescription medication, and my prescriptions have a number of refills on them, so I don't have to go back to my doctor and get another prescription each month. When the refills run out, they just call my doctor and get more refills. Can that be done with contact lens prescriptions?

As I understand the US System, the Contact Lens prescription is valid for one year. The name of the lens, plus the spherical power, base curve and diameter are specified, plus the cylinder power, axis and add power if appropriate.

So if you loose a lens or otherwise need to buy a new set, you can FAX or give a copy of your prescription to the seller. However, the problem comes where, in my case I was on holiday in Madeira - Portuguese Island in the Canaries Group and I tore a yearly lens at the end of my holiday. For some reason I did not have a spare lens with me, so the hotel directed me to a small pharmacy, which was open on the Sunday (it was a tourist area) and they had some contact lenses in my prescription power. I only needed a couple of disposables but of course had to buy 30 in a pack.

They were daily disposable by a different manufacturer as opposed to yearly lenses. If I had to have an exact prescription as in the N American system, I would have to call my eye care specialist - long distance and of course they would not be there on a Sunday and I was travelling on the Monday. So effectively I would have been in trouble.

The problem is that each model of contact lens is potentially slightly different to the others and would have to be checked for fit by the eye care professional, usually after a week or so. Wearing a temporary pair of disposables that are the same prescription for a couple of days is unlikely to cause problems.

The Tylenol prescription example is a little different. If the chemist doesn't have that in stock, he/she might offer paracetamol (same as Tylenol), aspirin, ibuprofen, etc. based on his/her knowledge of your problem/need, though they would not be able to give you a full strength prescription drug without your doctor's prescription.

knotlob

Juniorgerbil · #22 (**permalink**) 04-07-2010, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

As I understand the US System, the Contact Lens prescription is valid for one year. The name of the lens, plus the spherical power, base curve and diameter are specified, plus the cylinder power, axis and add power if appropriate.

So if you loose a lens or otherwise need to buy a new set, you can FAX or give a copy of your prescription to the seller. However, the problem comes where, in my case I was on holiday in Madeira - Portuguese Island in the Canaries Group and I tore a yearly lens at the end of my holiday. For some reason I did not have a spare lens with me, so the hotel directed me to a small pharmacy, which was open on the Sunday (it was a tourist area) and they had some contact lenses in my prescription power. I only needed a couple of disposables but of course had to buy 30 in a pack.

They were daily disposable by a different manufacturer as opposed to yearly lenses. If I had to have an exact prescription as in the N American system, I would have to call my eye care specialist - long distance and of course they would not be there on a Sunday and I was travelling on the Monday. So effectively I would have been in trouble.

The problem is that each model of contact lens is potentially slightly different to the others and would have to be checked for fit by the eye care professional, usually after a week or so. Wearing a temporary pair of disposables that are the same prescription for a couple of days is unlikely to cause problems.

The Tylenol prescription example is a little different. If the chemist doesn't have that in stock, he/she might offer paracetamol (same as Tylenol), aspirin, ibuprofen, etc. based on his/her knowledge of your problem/need, though they would not be able to give you a full strength prescription drug without your doctor's prescription.

knotlob

Thanks for that post, knotlob. It has a lot of valuable information that people can really use. I hope you're none the worse for wear after your Madeira adventure.

Knotlob · #23 (**permalink**) 04-07-2010, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juniorgerbil

Thanks for that post, knotlob. It has a lot of valuable information that people can really use. I hope you're none the worse for wear after your Madeira adventure.

Thanks Juniorgerbil

The temporary contact lenses (Bausch & Lomb SofLens Daily Disposable) were excellent and fulfilled the need until I reached home.

knotlob

Klingons4Peace · #24 (**permalink**) 08-02-2010, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Thanks Juniorgerbil

The temporary contact lenses (Bausch & Lomb SofLens Daily Disposable) were excellent and fulfilled the need until I reached home.

knotlob

Oh, good. A happy ending.

bettydaviseyes · #25 (**permalink**) 08-10-2010, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

As I understand the US System, the Contact Lens prescription is valid for one year. The name of the lens, plus the spherical power, base curve and diameter are specified, plus the cylinder power, axis and add power if appropriate.

So if you loose a lens or otherwise need to buy a new set, you can FAX or give a copy of your prescription to the seller. However, the problem comes where, in my case I was on holiday in Madeira - Portuguese Island in the Canaries Group and I tore a yearly lens at the end of my holiday. For some reason I did not have a spare lens with me, so the hotel directed me to a small pharmacy, which was open on the Sunday (it was a tourist area) and they had some contact lenses in my prescription power. I only needed a couple of disposables but of course had to buy 30 in a pack.

They were daily disposable by a different manufacturer as opposed to yearly lenses. If I had to have an exact prescription as in the N American system, I would have to call my eye care specialist - long distance and of course they would not be there on a Sunday and I was travelling on the Monday. So effectively I would have been in trouble.

knotlob

I suppose with some vendors you can get pretty much whatever you want as long as you have cash on hand.

Knotlob · #26 (**permalink**) 08-10-2010, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bettydaviseyes

I suppose with some vendors you can get pretty much whatever you want as long as you have cash on hand.

I don't think Europe has quite the same prescription only ordering system of contact lenses as you do in the US. UK ask for the prescription, but Germany seem more relaxed about it (uncharacteristically!!). I think it's just a matter of time before the EU Government in Brussels make it prescription only ordering across the whole of the EU.

knotlob

Blueyedblond · #27 (**permalink**) 08-10-2010, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bettydaviseyes

I suppose with some vendors you can get pretty much whatever you want as long as you have cash on hand.

"Do you accept . . . cash?" Cha-ching!

Juniorgerbil · #28 (**permalink**) 09-09-2010, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

I don't think Europe has quite the same prescription only ordering system of contact lenses as you do in the US. UK ask for the prescription, but Germany seem more relaxed about it (uncharacteristically!!).

knotlob

Are you saying the Germans are uptight?

That title is supposed to mean "Don't worry, be happy." I'm afraid my knowledge of the German language is sehr kleine.