New to contacts- Multifocals - Dumb Dr.

DaBrat · #1 (**permalink**) 01-31-2010, 02:58 PM

I went in on Friday to be fitted for multifocal lenses. Immediately after being fitted and inserting, I got a does of 'ghosting' or 3-D vision. Needless to say I was freaked out. I was immediately informed by the Optical tech that this should not happen (found out later from the manufacturer that this is not uncommon when first using multifocals). I spent the rest of the afternoon trying different lenses and walking out with two Left-Eye (wrong Rx) lenses I belive he said.

Ok, so now, the lenses are absolutely useless (both distance and near-vision sucks) and I wound up paying a second eye exam the following day at my regular DO (should have waited since is my regular eye doctor but the office was swamped).

I called the first DO back the following day only to learn that they never had the right eye prescription in stock

My regular doctor advised me that he did not have both lenses and allowed me to try single vision lenses.

I LOVE these things... My question is, once I get a 'good' pair of multifocals, does anyone have reccommendations for brand. I do have dry eyes due to excessive work on the comp. I sometimes get a bluish film over my eyes which the first set of lenses assisted in removing (great side effect).

I also purchased two pairs of glasses but am getting a permanent divot on the side of my nose from glasses which is one reason I wanted to try contacts. Is it possible to get the same vision from contacts as glasses?

I will admit to learning my lesson... Stay out of the Pay Less eye place!

Tiger · #2 (**permalink**) 02-01-2010, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBrat

I went in on Friday to be fitted for multifocal lenses. Immediately after being fitted and inserting, I got a does of 'ghosting' or 3-D vision. Needless to say I was freaked out. I was immediately informed by the Optical tech that this should not happen (found out later from the manufacturer that this is not uncommon when first using multifocals). I spent the rest of the afternoon trying different lenses and walking out with two Left-Eye (wrong Rx) lenses I belive he said.

Ok, so now, the lenses are absolutely useless (both distance and near-vision sucks) and I wound up paying a second eye exam the following day at my regular DO (should have waited since is my regular eye doctor but the office was swamped).

I called the first DO back the following day only to learn that they never had the right eye prescription in stock

My regular doctor advised me that he did not have both lenses and allowed me to try single vision lenses.

I LOVE these things... My question is, once I get a 'good' pair of multifocals, does anyone have reccommendations for brand. I do have dry eyes due to excessive work on the comp. I sometimes get a bluish film over my eyes which the first set of lenses assisted in removing (great side effect).

I also purchased two pairs of glasses but am getting a permanent divot on the side of my nose from glasses which is one reason I wanted to try contacts. Is it possible to get the same vision from contacts as glasses?

I will admit to learning my lesson... Stay out of the Pay Less eye place!

Hi DaBrat. Welcome to Lens 101.

Sorry to hear about the problems you've been having. I must admit I don't know very much about multifocals, but I can recommend Lens.com for buying them. By now you've probably noticed the red banners on this page advertising them. Give them a try and let me know what you think.

As for getting the same vision from contacts as glasses, it depends who you ask. Most people will tell you that glasses make things a little clearer than contacts. Then again, you have those few people that think contacts are clearer. I think to be realistic, though, don't expect to see through contacts as well as you do glasses.

HMBgal · #3 (**permalink**) 02-03-2010, 03:13 PM

So sorry for your bad experience, but stick with it and you'll get it all figured out. I'm a Proclear lens wearer...regular mulitfocal in one eye, and a multifocal toric in the other. I, too, was sick and tired of the divots on the bridge of my nose, the steaming up, and all of the other reasons. I also have a healthy dose of vanity and was just sick and tired of putting my make-up on, then the glasses over it. I also hated working out in glasses, but I absolutely had no choice.

The Proclears are very, very comfortable for me. I've been wearing them for about 10 months now. I did have more of the ghosting and starbursts while driving at night than I do now. I still have to use reading glasses for reading or if I'm on the computer for long periods of time. My prescription is the strongest add that Proclear makes and it's still not quite enough. I have moderately dry eyes, as well, and I can wear these lenses for about 15 hours most days. Mine are replaced monthly. I just made my first order from Lens.com and since I have such a tricky prescription, I had to call in to customer service. The woman was friendly, helpful, and efficient. Unfortunately, I can't actually order the lens that goes in my right eye because they don't carry them (Coopervision has to custom-manufacture them). I was able to order the one for my left eye from lens.com and saved 60% over the doctor's office prices.

You may not quite as good a vision as you can from your glasses, and it takes some motivation to be successful with them. The blue film over your eyes of which you speak...that's been checked out by an eye doc, right? Good Luck!

thecure · #4 (**permalink**) 02-03-2010, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HMBgal

So sorry for your bad experience, but stick with it and you'll get it all figured out. I'm a Proclear lens wearer...regular mulitfocal in one eye, and a multifocal toric in the other. I, too, was sick and tired of the divots on the bridge of my nose, the steaming up, and all of the other reasons. I also have a healthy dose of vanity and was just sick and tired of putting my make-up on, then the glasses over it. I also hated working out in glasses, but I absolutely had no choice.

The Proclears are very, very comfortable for me. I've been wearing them for about 10 months now. I did have more of the ghosting and starbursts while driving at night than I do now. I still have to use reading glasses for reading or if I'm on the computer for long periods of time. My prescription is the strongest add that Proclear makes and it's still not quite enough. I have moderately dry eyes, as well, and I can wear these lenses for about 15 hours most days. Mine are replaced monthly. I just made my first order from Lens.com and since I have such a tricky prescription, I had to call in to customer service. The woman was friendly, helpful, and efficient. Unfortunately, I can't actually order the lens that goes in my right eye because they don't carry them (Coopervision has to custom-manufacture them). I was able to order the one for my left eye from lens.com and saved 60% over the doctor's office prices.

You may not quite as good a vision as you can from your glasses, and it takes some motivation to be successful with them. The blue film over your eyes of which you speak...that's been checked out by an eye doc, right? Good Luck!

Thank you for sharing your experience HMBgal. It sounds like things are working out pretty well for you, and I'm glad. It's also nice to see another person on Lens 101 ordering from lens.com. Please keep us posted on your experience with them, too. Let us know if you get the correct lenses and they arrive in good condition and if you have any issues with customer service. It sounds like everything's peachy keen at this point.

HMBgal · #5 (**permalink**) 02-03-2010, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecure

Thank you for sharing your experience HMBgal. It sounds like things are working out pretty well for you, and I'm glad. It's also nice to see another person on Lens 101 ordering from lens.com. Please keep us posted on your experience with them, too. Let us know if you get the correct lenses and they arrive in good condition and if you have any issues with customer service. It sounds like everything's peachy keen at this point.

Will do. I was surprised at how easy it was. I was told to expect them in two weeks, but I ordered them on Friday, and I was today emailed that they have already shipped. Wow.

Juniorgerbil · #6 (**permalink**) 02-04-2010, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HMBgal

Will do. I was surprised at how easy it was. I was told to expect them in two weeks, but I ordered them on Friday, and I was today emailed that they have already shipped. Wow.

That's pretty fast service, HMBgal. I just hope that when your contacts arrive they're the right ones. Not that I expect them to send you the wrong ones, but you know, when something seems too good to be true . . .

HMBgal · #7 (**permalink**) 02-04-2010, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juniorgerbil

That's pretty fast service, HMBgal. I just hope that when your contacts arrive they're the right ones. Not that I expect them to send you the wrong ones, but you know, when something seems too good to be true . . .

I did have a little concern about the policy of sending out the lenses, even though the prescribing doctor doesn't respond within a certain amount of time. And since I go to one of those Site for Sore Eyes places, there was no response. I tried to be very careful about what I was reading right off the lens package itself. And my prescription hasn't expired. But, what if it had? I'm a big girl, so I'm all about taking responsibility, but I thought there was a back-up.

DaBrat · #8 (**permalink**) 02-04-2010, 08:18 PM

Thanks guys I had been trying to check back for days but could not access the site.

Yes the bluish film was just a result of working on the comp all day long and not blinking, thickening the mucous on my eyes. Trying blinking exercises now so I don;t forget. All clear now though. I also have arcus senilis which freaks some folks out. and they swear I am wearing colored contacts.

Finally went back to that eye doc and got a decent pair of contacts. I was able to read going out the door even though the left eye prescription is now wrong.

I am getting a bit more familiar with the adjust ment thing now. When I walked out of the office I could see fine, I could even read the small print. Within a few hours everything started going 3-D on me again. I assume that since I did get to the see fine point, I should be able to adjust to multis.... fingers crossed.

ForceBwitu · #9 (**permalink**) 02-05-2010, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBrat

I went in on Friday to be fitted for multifocal lenses. Immediately after being fitted and inserting, I got a does of 'ghosting' or 3-D vision. Needless to say I was freaked out. I was immediately informed by the Optical tech that this should not happen (found out later from the manufacturer that this is not uncommon when first using multifocals). I spent the rest of the afternoon trying different lenses and walking out with two Left-Eye (wrong Rx) lenses I belive he said.

I will admit to learning my lesson... Stay out of the Pay Less eye place!

Hi DaBrat. I've got a couple of questions about your postings in this thread. First of all what is this "arcus senilis" you mentioned that "freaks some folks out"?

Secondly, when you say "3-D vision" do you mean your vision looks like you're watching a 3-D movie without the glasses?

Guinness · #10 (**permalink**) 02-12-2010, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForceBwitu

Hi DaBrat. I've got a couple of questions about your postings in this thread. First of all what is this "arcus senilis" you mentioned that "freaks some folks out"?

Secondly, when you say "3-D vision" do you mean your vision looks like you're watching a 3-D movie without the glasses?

Woah. That looks like U2. I wonder if I could get the full effect if I wore some 3-D glasses?

Tiger · #11 (**permalink**) 03-09-2010, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guinness

Woah. That looks like U2. I wonder if I could get the full effect if I wore some 3-D glasses?

Hey! I recognize that guy with the 3-D glasses and the sneakers. Does anyone else know his name of the name of the character he plays on TV?

ForceBwitu · #12 (**permalink**) 03-15-2010, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiger

Hey! I recognize that guy with the 3-D glasses and the sneakers. Does anyone else know the name of the name of the character he plays on TV?

Is there a Doctor in the house? Perhaps he can tell give us a recommendation about multifocal contact lenses.

thecure · #13 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForceBwitu

Hi DaBrat. I've got a couple of questions about your postings in this thread. First of all what is this "arcus senilis" you mentioned that "freaks some folks out"?

Secondly, when you say "3-D vision" do you mean your vision looks like you're watching a 3-D movie without the glasses?

From Wikipedia.com:

"Arcus senilis (or arcus senilis corneae) is a white or gray opaque ring in the corneal margin (peripheral corneal opacity) present at birth or appearing later in life and becoming quite frequent after age 50."

Guinness · #14 (**permalink**) 04-05-2010, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecure

From Wikipedia.com:

"Arcus senilis (or arcus senilis corneae) is a white or gray opaque ring in the corneal margin (peripheral corneal opacity) present at birth or appearing later in life and becoming quite frequent after age 50."

Ah. Thanks for that, the cure. That does look a little freaky, but it's not really that bad.

Juniorgerbil · #15 (**permalink**) 04-07-2010, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guinness

Ah. Thanks for that, the cure. That does look a little freaky, but it's not really that bad.

That reminds me. What is the cure for arcus senilis?

Guinness · #16 (**permalink**) 05-12-2010, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juniorgerbil

That reminds me. What is the cure for arcus senilis?

According to the Mayo Clinic's website "arcus senilis doesn't affect vision, nor does it require treatment."

thecure · #17 (**permalink**) 05-19-2010, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guinness

According to the Mayo Clinic's website "arcus senilis doesn't affect vision, nor does it require treatment."

Ah. Well. That's all right, then, isn't it?

ForceBwitu · #18 (**permalink**) 05-26-2010, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecure

From Wikipedia.com:

"Arcus senilis (or arcus senilis corneae) is a white or gray opaque ring in the corneal margin (peripheral corneal opacity) present at birth or appearing later in life and becoming quite frequent after age 50."

That's sort of the opposite of the dark limbal ring that so many contact lenses feature, isn't it? Some lenses have no color but the limbal ring.