Thread: Biofinity Tearing

Hello there,

I have been wearing the Biofinity now for about 4 weeks and have no luck with them. They are really comfortable, but I've been wearing a pair now for about a week and they both have alread torn. One right in the middle, the other a little divot out of the side.

I have been a contact wearer for years now and this is the first time this has happened to me so often. My old contacts were the Air Optix.

Anyone else have this issue? Any advice?

Thanks so much

Originally Posted by aribelle

Hello there,

I have been wearing the Biofinity now for about 4 weeks and have no luck with them. They are really comfortable, but I've been wearing a pair now for about a week and they both have alread torn. One right in the middle, the other a little divot out of the side.

I have been a contact wearer for years now and this is the first time this has happened to me so often. My old contacts were the Air Optix.

Anyone else have this issue? Any advice?

Thanks so much

Hello aribelle and welcome to the forum.

I wear RGP lenses at present, but did wear Biofinity for a while too. I agree they are very comfortable lenses and I would recommend them, but I did damage one after one week - a small sliver out of the side of the lens, which didn't actually affect the comfort.

When i discussed this with my optician, she asked if I used the barrel type lens case and I said yes. I think the problem with this type of case is that it is easy to catch the edge of the lens in the lids of the basket and if you shake the case thoroughly to get a good clean using a peroxide system, then you can damage the edge of the lens. The other type of case where there are two separate compartments side by side is probably safer.

The second issue is that I pinch the lens off the centre of my cornea. I used to wear the lenses for perhaps 15 hours/day and they could become a little dry, though did not enough to cause discomfort. But if you pinch out a dryish lens from your eye, they can develop a crease, which can start a tear in the lens. So, you can use a different technique to remove the lens usuing your fingers to make your eyelids squeeze the lens off the cornea (really need to have your optician show you how).

Alternatively, add a couple of drops of lens solution (wetting drops/saline/etc.) a few minutes before you remove your lenses. This will help rehydrate the lens and reduce the risk of damage.

One final point. I guess since you are an experienced contact lens wearer you will know all about keeping your finger nails smooth. If not, they can rapidly destroy a contact lens.

The Biofinity lenses are very flexible and only 0.08mm in the centre for a -3.00D lens, so very comfortable but need a little care when handling.

Let us know how you get on.

knotlob

Originally Posted by aribelle

Hello there,

I have been wearing the Biofinity now for about 4 weeks and have no luck with them. They are really comfortable, but I've been wearing a pair now for about a week and they both have alread torn. One right in the middle, the other a little divot out of the side.

I have been a contact wearer for years now and this is the first time this has happened to me so often. My old contacts were the Air Optix.

Anyone else have this issue? Any advice?

Thanks so much

I have not had this issue at all with the Biofinity. I am in my 3rd week of the trial pair, and it has yet to tear. Do you have long nails? When are they tearing...when you rub them or when you take them out?

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Hello aribelle and welcome to the forum.

I wear RGP lenses at present, but did wear Biofinity for a while too. I agree they are very comfortable lenses and I would recommend them, but I did damage one after one week - a small sliver out of the side of the lens, which didn't actually affect the comfort.

When i discussed this with my optician, she asked if I used the barrel type lens case and I said yes. I think the problem with this type of case is that it is easy to catch the edge of the lens in the lids of the basket and if you shake the case thoroughly to get a good clean using a peroxide system, then you can damage the edge of the lens. The other type of case where there are two separate compartments side by side is probably safer.

The second issue is that I pinch the lens off the centre of my cornea. I used to wear the lenses for perhaps 15 hours/day and they could become a little dry, though did not enough to cause discomfort. But if you pinch out a dryish lens from your eye, they can develop a crease, which can start a tear in the lens. So, you can use a different technique to remove the lens usuing your fingers to make your eyelids squeeze the lens off the cornea (really need to have your optician show you how).

Alternatively, add a couple of drops of lens solution (wetting drops/saline/etc.) a few minutes before you remove your lenses. This will help rehydrate the lens and reduce the risk of damage.

One final point. I guess since you are an experienced contact lens wearer you will know all about keeping your finger nails smooth. If not, they can rapidly destroy a contact lens.

The Biofinity lenses are very flexible and only 0.08mm in the centre for a -3.00D lens, so very comfortable but need a little care when handling.

Let us know how you get on.

knotlob

Excellent post, knotlob. Thank you. I hope it helps aribelle keep his/her lenses healthy a bit longer.

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Hello aribelle and welcome to the forum.

I wear RGP lenses at present, but did wear Biofinity for a while too. I agree they are very comfortable lenses and I would recommend them, but I did damage one after one week - a small sliver out of the side of the lens, which didn't actually affect the comfort.

When i discussed this with my optician, she asked if I used the barrel type lens case and I said yes. I think the problem with this type of case is that it is easy to catch the edge of the lens in the lids of the basket and if you shake the case thoroughly to get a good clean using a peroxide system, then you can damage the edge of the lens. The other type of case where there are two separate compartments side by side is probably safer.

The second issue is that I pinch the lens off the centre of my cornea. I used to wear the lenses for perhaps 15 hours/day and they could become a little dry, though did not enough to cause discomfort. But if you pinch out a dryish lens from your eye, they can develop a crease, which can start a tear in the lens. So, you can use a different technique to remove the lens usuing your fingers to make your eyelids squeeze the lens off the cornea (really need to have your optician show you how).

Alternatively, add a couple of drops of lens solution (wetting drops/saline/etc.) a few minutes before you remove your lenses. This will help rehydrate the lens and reduce the risk of damage.

One final point. I guess since you are an experienced contact lens wearer you will know all about keeping your finger nails smooth. If not, they can rapidly destroy a contact lens.

The Biofinity lenses are very flexible and only 0.08mm in the centre for a -3.00D lens, so very comfortable but need a little care when handling.

Let us know how you get on.

knotlob

This isn't the first time I've heard of problems with Biofinity lenses being overly fragile. Does anyone know if CooperVision has addressed this issue?

Originally Posted by MaraJade

This isn't the first time I've heard of problems with Biofinity lenses being overly fragile. Does anyone know if CooperVision has addressed this issue?

I have been using Biofinities now since June of 2010. At first i had no problems with tearing, however it has repeatedly become an issue. Because Biofinities are monthly's, i had to spend a month using my glasses to regulate my schedule because i bought a year supply and i am quickly running out.
I began using a new set last week and today when i was putting my contacts in they felt wierd, and i checked them both to see if they had a tear in them. Neither of them did. During the day however, my left eye was really uncumfortable, like something was scratching my eye. When i got home, and removed my contacts, I realized that my left contact had a tear in it.
My nails are short, and i was instructed by my Ophthalmologist to pinch my contact when removing it.
I really don't know what to do. If my contacts continue to act this way, my year supply will be up before the year itself is !
Has anyone else been experiencing this? What do i do?!

Originally Posted by medeirosgabriela

I have been using Biofinities now since June of 2010. At first i had no problems with tearing, however it has repeatedly become an issue. Because Biofinities are monthly's, i had to spend a month using my glasses to regulate my schedule because i bought a year supply and i am quickly running out.
I began using a new set last week and today when i was putting my contacts in they felt wierd, and i checked them both to see if they had a tear in them. Neither of them did. During the day however, my left eye was really uncumfortable, like something was scratching my eye. When i got home, and removed my contacts, I realized that my left contact had a tear in it.
My nails are short, and i was instructed by my Ophthalmologist to pinch my contact when removing it.
I really don't know what to do. If my contacts continue to act this way, my year supply will be up before the year itself is !
Has anyone else been experiencing this? What do i do?!

Please see my reply to your other post on this problem .

knotlob

Originally Posted by MaraJade

This isn't the first time I've heard of problems with Biofinity lenses being overly fragile. Does anyone know if CooperVision has addressed this issue?

I'd like to know what Coopervision has done about reports of fragile contact lenses too. What have you heard, Lens 101 People?

Originally Posted by timetraveler

I'd like to know what Coopervision has done about reports of fragile contact lenses too. What have you heard, Lens 101 People?

I haven't heard anything. Perhaps they're ignoring such reports.

Originally Posted by MaraJade

I haven't heard anything. Perhaps they're ignoring such reports.

I hope not. I checked the website, but I didn't find anything about this issue. Of course, I didn't find a search window on the site, so maybe the information was there, I just couldn't find it.

Originally Posted by aribelle

Hello there,

I have been wearing the Biofinity now for about 4 weeks and have no luck with them. They are really comfortable, but I've been wearing a pair now for about a week and they both have already torn. One right in the middle, the other a little divot out of the side.

I have been a contact wearer for years now and this is the first time this has happened to me so often. My old contacts were the Air Optix.

Anyone else have this issue? Any advice?

Thanks so much

Okay, so when you wrote that posting up there, you had been wearing Biofinity lenses for about a month, and that one particular pair for a week, right. They seem to have a tendency to rip, you say? I wonder if maybe you're pinching them in the lid of the container you store them in as I see Knotlob has suggested? Could that be it?

Originally Posted by timetraveler

I hope not. I checked the website, but I didn't find anything about this issue. Of course, I didn't find a search window on the site, so maybe the information was there, I just couldn't find it.

Yeah it's hard to search without a search window.

Originally Posted by Goldar

Okay, so when you wrote that posting up there, you had been wearing Biofinity lenses for about a month, and that one particular pair for a week, right. They seem to have a tendency to rip, you say? I wonder if maybe you're pinching them in the lid of the container you store them in as I see Knotlob has suggested? Could that be it?

That might just explain the ripped lenses, Goldar.

I've been wearing Biofinity and Biofinity Toric for just about 3 weeks and I have had NO issues with Biofinity tearing, and I'm a contacts newbie to boot.

Take the common-sense precautions like

1) use re-wetting drops before taking lenses out, especially after a long day of contacts wear

2) make sure not to clip your lenses while storing them in lens cases

3) make sure to keep your nails short

and I don't think anyone should have a problem with Biofinities tearing.

Originally Posted by ilove

I've been wearing Biofinity and Biofinity Toric for just about 3 weeks and I have had NO issues with Biofinity tearing, and I'm a contacts newbie to boot.

Take the common-sense precautions like

1) use re-wetting drops before taking lenses out, especially after a long day of contacts wear

2) make sure not to clip your lenses while storing them in lens cases

3) make sure to keep your nails short

and I don't think anyone should have a problem with Biofinities tearing.

Thanks for those tips, ilove. That's just the kind of thing that I find most helpful at Lens 101.

Originally Posted by ilove

I've been wearing Biofinity and Biofinity Toric for just about 3 weeks and I have had NO issues with Biofinity tearing, and I'm a contacts newbie to boot.

Take the common-sense precautions like

1) use re-wetting drops before taking lenses out, especially after a long day of contacts wear

2) make sure not to clip your lenses while storing them in lens cases

3) make sure to keep your nails short

and I don't think anyone should have a problem with Biofinities tearing.

So remember kids--clip your nails, not your contacts.

Originally Posted by MaraJade

So remember kids--clip your nails, not your contacts.

Yes, based on ilove's post, that is very sound advice.

Originally Posted by ilove

I've been wearing Biofinity and Biofinity Toric for just about 3 weeks and I have had NO issues with Biofinity tearing, and I'm a contacts newbie to boot.

Take the common-sense precautions like

1) use re-wetting drops before taking lenses out, especially after a long day of contacts wear

2) make sure not to clip your lenses while storing them in lens cases

3) make sure to keep your nails short

and I don't think anyone should have a problem with Biofinities tearing.

Are contact lenses harder to take out after a long day? Do the eye drops really help?

Originally Posted by ilove

I've been wearing Biofinity and Biofinity Toric for just about 3 weeks and I have had NO issues with Biofinity tearing, and I'm a contacts newbie to boot.

Take the common-sense precautions like

1) use re-wetting drops before taking lenses out, especially after a long day of contacts wear

2) make sure not to clip your lenses while storing them in lens cases

3) make sure to keep your nails short

and I don't think anyone should have a problem with Biofinities tearing.

Thank you ilove. "I love" that list of helpful tips. Wasn't it Will Rogers who said that "Common sense isn't so common any more"?

Originally Posted by Tonythetiger

That might just explain the ripped lenses, Goldar.

Maybe, Tony. All we need now is confirmation from aribelle.

Originally Posted by timetraveler

Thank you ilove. "I love" that list of helpful tips. Wasn't it Will Rogers who said that "Common sense isn't so common any more"?

keeping nails short is a biggee!

Originally Posted by aribelle

Hello there,

I have been wearing the Biofinity now for about 4 weeks and have no luck with them. They are really comfortable, but I've been wearing a pair now for about a week and they both have alread torn. One right in the middle, the other a little divot out of the side.

I have been a contact wearer for years now and this is the first time this has happened to me so often. My old contacts were the Air Optix.

Anyone else have this issue? Any advice?

Thanks so much

Air optix aqua's are thicker lenses so they resist rough treatment but biofinity are thin lenses....u have to be more gentler in your removal technique!

Originally Posted by aribelle

Hello there,

I have been wearing the Biofinity now for about 4 weeks and have no luck with them. They are really comfortable, but I've been wearing a pair now for about a week and they both have alread torn. One right in the middle, the other a little divot out of the side.

I have been a contact wearer for years now and this is the first time this has happened to me so often. My old contacts were the Air Optix.

Anyone else have this issue? Any advice?

Thanks so much

So why did you switch from Air Optix to Biofinity? I'm not saying you shouldn't have done that, I'm just wondering if you can switch back.

Originally Posted by aribelle

Hello there,

I have been wearing the Biofinity now for about 4 weeks and have no luck with them. They are really comfortable, but I've been wearing a pair now for about a week and they both have alread torn. One right in the middle, the other a little divot out of the side.

I have been a contact wearer for years now and this is the first time this has happened to me so often. My old contacts were the Air Optix.

Anyone else have this issue? Any advice?

Thanks so much

You started a whole entire thread here, aribelle. Did it help? Did these helpful tips help you prevent another torn lens?

Originally Posted by MaraJade

You started a whole entire thread here, aribelle. Did it help? Did these helpful tips help you prevent another torn lens?

Maybe you should have said "help" one more time in your post, MaraJade.

Originally Posted by Goldar

Maybe you should have said "help" one more time in your post, MaraJade.

Aw come on. Leave MaraJade alone.

I had a similar problem: my trial Biofinity lens tore after only a few days of wear. It had what looked like a little notch out of the outer rim and unfortunately, I think it scratched my eye. After double checking my steps, I think the Clear Care lens container was the culprit. I noticed once the lens is in place, the cover kind of "snaps" over it, which could easily lend to tearing.

I do agree that re-wetting before removal is the way to go!

Just my .02 cents! I hope you are able to prevent tearing in the future...these lenses are not cheap. =)

I'm having a problem with my Biofinity Torics chipping and tearing as well.

On one occasion, my eyes felt dry and when I pinched my right eye to remove the contact, it seems like the lens tore in the middle where it folded. To prevent this, I wet by contacts before I remove them to get them moist and flexible.

More troubling and frequent which I can't seem to prevent is the tiny chips I get on the edge of the contact, these seemingly develop when I wear them as I don't notice any chips when I insert them. I detect them after removing the lens. I've had this happen 3 times so far, each time I find a chip I replace the lens with a new one. They have occurred after 10 days of wear, 11 days, and 4 days. It's only occurred on the right eye strangely enough.

I've worn these Biofinity Torics for about 1.5 years. I only noticed this great increase in tearing/chipping crop up only in the past couple months. I did make a change to my solutions so perhaps that's the cause. I used Miraflow cleaner (rub/rinse) followed by ClearCare for the longest time, I recall my Biofinity lenses chipped once in awhile but not multiple times a month like they do now. I couldn't find Miraflow anywhere so I switched to Lobob Extra Strength cleaner. The increase in tearing/chipping followed that switch. I'm going to look for another cleaning solution to see if that helps my problem.

July 2014 UPDATE:
Due to persisting problems with my Biofinity Torics getting chips or tearing, I made a major change in my cleaning procedure. Rather than do the traditional rub with cleaning solution followed by rinse, I no longer rub the lenses, I just use an ultrasonic contact lens cleaner machine which I picked up from ebay to do the cleaning (I use the same cleaning solution, I place a few drops on each lens, then put them in the cleaning machine which is filled with saline). Since eliminating rubbing the lens, I have not experienced a single chip or tear since then!

IMO the issue with Biofinity lenses tearing is due to a combination of how thin they are and dry eyes. Thinner material will rip easier, the constant rubbing of a lens weakens it over time so chips may form. When the lens isn't moist, such chips/tears develop more easily since the lens is much less flexible when dry.

Thanks for sharing your feedback around our Biofinity lenses. We ask that you contact our consumer care group at CC@CVLens.com so that we can assist you and learn more about your issues with our product. Please retain your lenses if you can so that we can inspect them.

Just saw this post after some time, but I am having trouble with biofinity lenses tearing within 2 -3 weeks. Ive been wearing soft contacts for 40 years an never had this problem. Wearing biofinitys for 4 years and they tear quickly now. Are they making them cheaper/poor qauility?