Contact lens dummy

Just Rachel · #1 (**permalink**) 08-04-2010, 08:30 PM

Hi! This is my first post here. Glad to find this site.

I am a contact lens dummy and I have a few questions.

I wore contacts many years ago...probably close to 20 years. I had to wear gas permeable lenses as that was all that I could handle due to extremely dry eyes.

Last week I asked my eye doctor if there had been any improvements in lenses and he said that he thought I'd be able to wear Biofinity Toric lenses.

My questions:

1. Are any of you able to successfully wear these with extremely dry eyes? I'm thinking that I'll only want to wear them maybe 4 days a week maximum. I have astigmatism, amblyopia, and just plain rotten eyes.

2. What are the "trial" lenses? From reading here, it seems that they are a monthly lens...does that mean that you wear one single pair for a month (taking them out every night, I presume)?

3. Do most of you buy your first contacts from your doctor and then search online for better prices? Seems to me that would be the way to go.

Thanks in advance and excuse my ignorance.

Knotlob · #2 (**permalink**) 08-05-2010, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Rachel

Hi! This is my first post here. Glad to find this site.

I am a contact lens dummy and I have a few questions.

I wore contacts many years ago...probably close to 20 years. I had to wear gas permeable lenses as that was all that I could handle due to extremely dry eyes.

Last week I asked my eye doctor if there had been any improvements in lenses and he said that he thought I'd be able to wear Biofinity Toric lenses.

My questions:

1. Are any of you able to successfully wear these with extremely dry eyes? I'm thinking that I'll only want to wear them maybe 4 days a week maximum. I have astigmatism, amblyopia, and just plain rotten eyes.

2. What are the "trial" lenses? From reading here, it seems that they are a monthly lens...does that mean that you wear one single pair for a month (taking them out every night, I presume)?

3. Do most of you buy your first contacts from your doctor and then search online for better prices? Seems to me that would be the way to go.

Thanks in advance and excuse my ignorance.

Hello Just Rachel

Welcome to the wonderful world of Lens101

I don't think I have very dry eyes, but I have worn Biofinity (non-toric) and now wear Menicon Z alpha RGP lenses (to correct astigmatism without the hassle of torics).

For me, Biofinity were very comfortable, so a good lens to try with your optician.

Trial lenses are usually free from your optician (I guess they are supplied free by the manufacturer as a promotional thing). Your optician will examine your eyes, determine a suitable prescription and usually should be able to supply a pair of trial lenses. In my case Biofinity monthly lenses. You wear these for a week and then revisit your optician for a check on vision acuity, fit, comfort and any other problems. Continue to wear the lenses for the month, then buy a new pair. The trial lenses will be identical to the ones you have to pay for.

(Although some manufacturers claim you can wear their high end contact lenses over night for a week or a month (extended wear), this is generally not a good idea, as this will raise the risk of suffering corneal infections/ulceration by about 5 times and more if you are a smoker).

If you find these work for you, you can buy a 6 month or yearly supply from your optician or look on line (you will need the prescription from your optician) and probably be able to buy the lenses for maybe half the optician's price. You still need to pay for the optician's services, eye exam and maybe you will buy your lens solutions there, as postage on things like solutions maybe unattractive for Mail Order?

I hope that other forum members can give you some of their thoughts on dry eye with Biofinity Toric or one of the other modern silicone hydrogel contact lenses like Air Optix for Astigmatism, etc.

knotlob

MopJockey · #3 (**permalink**) 08-05-2010, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Rachel

Hi! This is my first post here. Glad to find this site.

I am a contact lens dummy and I have a few questions.

I wore contacts many years ago...probably close to 20 years. I had to wear gas permeable lenses as that was all that I could handle due to extremely dry eyes.

Last week I asked my eye doctor if there had been any improvements in lenses and he said that he thought I'd be able to wear Biofinity Toric lenses.

My questions:

1. Are any of you able to successfully wear these with extremely dry eyes? I'm thinking that I'll only want to wear them maybe 4 days a week maximum. I have astigmatism, amblyopia, and just plain rotten eyes.

2. What are the "trial" lenses? From reading here, it seems that they are a monthly lens...does that mean that you wear one single pair for a month (taking them out every night, I presume)?

3. Do most of you buy your first contacts from your doctor and then search online for better prices? Seems to me that would be the way to go.

Thanks in advance and excuse my ignorance.

Greetings Just Rachel. Welcome to Lens 101. It's always fun to welcome new members.

Let me just say first off that anyone who is clever enough to sign on to Lens 101 is not a dummy!

Now, I found a website where people are giving customer reviews of their Biofinity contact lenses. Not everyone like them, but here are some of the more helpful reviews:

"For daily use, Biofinity is a great option. They are easy to handle and durable. I feel comfortable wearing them for over 16 hours/day. I can tell when the 30-days is getting close, as with any contact they feel ready to replace. Excellent product."

"I use to wear the Biomedics for years. They started to become very drying so my doctor recommended the Bioinfity. I have worn them for about a year and I really like them. My eyes stay hydrated even when I sleep in them, which happens 3 or 4 days a week!"

"I had severely dry eyes. My doctor recommended these lenses and they are great!"

You can find these customer reviews and more at www.walgreens.com/reviews/pwr/product-reviews/Contact-Lenses/Lenses/CooperVision/Biofinity/p/prod3898670-Biofinity-Biofinity-6pk-6pk.html

Just Rachel · #4 (**permalink**) 08-05-2010, 07:29 PM

Thank you for the replies and reviews. I am getting just a little bit excited to think that I may be able to wear contacts again!! I'll let y'all know how they work out.

Knotlob · #5 (**permalink**) 08-06-2010, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Rachel

Thank you for the replies and reviews. I am getting just a little bit excited to think that I may be able to wear contacts again!! I'll let y'all know how they work out.

Hello Just Rachel

I wish you luck with the lenses.

You may also wish to talk with your eye doctor about Punctal Plugs, which can be inserted into the tear ducts to improve the dry eye problem. I don't think it's a major procedure, but see how you do get on with the new lenses first.

knotlob

ElaineKramer · #6 (**permalink**) 08-06-2010, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MopJockey

Greetings Just Rachel. Welcome to Lens 101. It's always fun to welcome new members.

Let me just say first off that anyone who is clever enough to sign on to Lens 101 is not a dummy!

Now, I found a website where people are giving customer reviews of their Biofinity contact lenses. Not everyone like them, but here are some of the more helpful reviews:

"For daily use, Biofinity is a great option. They are easy to handle and durable. I feel comfortable wearing them for over 16 hours/day. I can tell when the 30-days is getting close, as with any contact they feel ready to replace. Excellent product."

"I use to wear the Biomedics for years. They started to become very drying so my doctor recommended the Bioinfity. I have worn them for about a year and I really like them. My eyes stay hydrated even when I sleep in them, which happens 3 or 4 days a week!"

"I had severely dry eyes. My doctor recommended these lenses and they are great!"

You can find these customer reviews and more at www.walgreens.com/reviews/pwr/product-reviews/Contact-Lenses/Lenses/CooperVision/Biofinity/p/prod3898670-Biofinity-Biofinity-6pk-6pk.html

Wow, thanks for those customer reviews, MopJockey. I found them to be very helpful, and I hope others will too.