is "Harmony" the same as biofinity?

cow6666 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 04:25 PM

i was given these SiH48 lenses to try, which is apparently the same as Biofinity. Then for purchase, they gave me "Harmony" from cooper vision. it's made from comfilcon A with aquaform comfort science. the dimensions are 8.6 and 14. This should be the same thing as biofinity, right?

RawBob · #2 (**permalink**) 08-09-2010, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cow6666

i was given these SiH48 lenses to try, which is apparently the same as biofinity. Then for purchase, they gave me "Harmony" from cooper vision. it's made from comfilcon A with aquaform comfort science. the dimensions are 8.6 and 14. This should be the same thing as biofinity, right?

I've never heard of "Harmony" contact lenses, and I couldn't find them with Google either.
Lens.com says that Biofinity contacts are made of 52% comfilcon A, and they come in a base curve of 8.4 and a diameter of 14. So far so good.

On another website I found, they describe Biofinity lenses as "premium spherical Silicone Hydrogel disposable lens utilising the AQUAFORM™ material for flexible overnight wear up for 29 nights."

So it sounds like the equation goes something like this: Biofinity=SiH48=Harmony.

Knotlob · #3 (**permalink**) 08-09-2010, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cow6666

i was given these SiH48 lenses to try, which is apparently the same as biofinity. Then for purchase, they gave me "Harmony" from cooper vision. it's made from comfilcon A with aquaform comfort science. the dimensions are 8.6 and 14. This should be the same thing as biofinity, right?

Hi cow666

Welcome to the forum.

CooperVision seem to allow companies to rebrand several of their products such as Biofinity. There are quite a list.

As far as I am aware, Comfilcon A is only used for Biofinity lenses, so it is pretty certain that Harmony is just another name for Biofinity lenses. It's just a way of helping some opticians make more money by tying clients into an 'unknown' brand of lenses and making it difficult/impossible for that client to buy that name of lens on line for the price of Biofinity.

In your case, your optician has been up front and told you that SiH48 and Biofinity (and Harmony) are the same.

knotlob

dontblink · #4 (**permalink**) 08-09-2010, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Hi cow666

It's just a way of helping some opticians make more money by tying clients into an 'unknown' brand of lenses and making it difficult/impossible for that client to buy that name of lens on line for the price of Biofinity.

knotlob

This sort of practice should be illegal. Do you know if any place (country, state, etc.) that doesn't allow this "re-branding"?

Knotlob · #5 (**permalink**) 08-10-2010, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dontblink

This sort of practice should be illegal. Do you know if any place (country, state, etc.) that doesn't allow this "re-branding"?

This practice seems to be more prevalent in Europe (especially Germany) than in the US. The opticians don't usually mention Biofinity. They just say words to the effect that you cannot by this ('our brand lens') anywhere else but ourselves.

I got suspicious when my optician said the lens was too new to be found on the Internet, so I did some research and found the other names. Needless to say I dropped that particular optician's chain like a hot potato and found another whose business ethics were more acceptable to me.

knotlob

Purpleiris · #6 (**permalink**) 08-10-2010, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

This practice seems to be more prevalent in Europe (especially Germany) than in the US. The opticians don't usually mention Biofinity. They just say words to the effect that you cannot by this ('our brand lens') anywhere else but ourselves.

I got suspicious when my optician said the lens was too new to be found on the Internet, so I did some research and found the other names. Needless to say I dropped that particular optician's chain like a hot potato and found another whose business ethics were more acceptable to me.

knotlob

All hail the mighty Internet!

I've thought about threatening people with my surfing skills. "Is that a fact? Well, I can use my friend Google and find out if that's really true in about ten minutes. Now, I'm going to ask you again. Is what you're telling me true?"

Knotlob · #7 (**permalink**) 08-10-2010, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purpleiris

All hail the mighty Internet!

I've thought about threatening people with my surfing skills. "Is that a fact? Well, I can use my friend Google and find out if that's really true in about ten minutes. Now, I'm going to ask you again. Is what you're telling me true?"

Problem is you will have difficulty finding these alternative brand names on the Internet! Easiest way is to ask CooperVision straight. They were honest enough to tell me the lenses I was offered and Biofinity were 'similar'.

knotlob

bettydaviseyes · #8 (**permalink**) 08-10-2010, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Problem is you will have difficulty finding these alternative brand names on the Internet! Easiest way is to ask CooperVision straight. They were honest enough to tell me the lenses I was offered and Biofinity were 'similar'.

knotlob

Well, that's easier still!

cow6666 · #9 (**permalink**) 08-13-2010, 07:29 PM

ah, that's exactly what i suspected regarding the re-branding for the opticians to make more money. hm so mine were about $45 cad per box, which is OK compared to clearlycontacts. also, he never told me sih48=biofinity. i googled it myself lol.

also, i think my optician tricked me!! My perscription was -4.5 before the eye exam. After the exam, he said it was 4.75. First, he wanted me to purchase daily lenses from him at 4.75. (I wore dailies before biofinity.) Then i told him i hated changing them everyday, and he said we should do a trial for monthly lenses, so he gave me biofinity. When i went for my trial check-up after a week, he did some testing or "adjustment," and then sold me these 4.5 harmony lenses as a result of the "adjustment" -- which is exactly my prescription before. Do you guys think he lied about my prescription to get me to buy lenses from him?

Knotlob · #10 (**permalink**) 08-14-2010, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cow6666

ah, that's exactly what i suspected regarding the re-branding for the opticians to make more money. hm so mine were about $45 cad per box, which is OK compared to clearlycontacts. also, he never told me sih48=biofinity. i googled it myself lol.

also, i think my optician tricked me!! My perscription was -4.5 before the eye exam. After the exam, he said it was 4.75. First, he wanted me to purchase daily lenses from him at 4.75. (I wore dailies before biofinity.) Then i told him i hated changing them everyday, and he said we should do a trial for monthly lenses, so he gave me biofinity. When i went for my trial check-up after a week, he did some testing or "adjustment," and then sold me these 4.5 harmony lenses as a result of the "adjustment" -- which is exactly my prescription before. Do you guys think he lied about my prescription to get me to buy lenses from him?

Hello cow6666

No, I don't think your optician lied about the prescription. They were different lenses and also I think eye sight tests are a little subjective, so can be 0.25 Dioptres out on either side. So, given the variables with the eye sight test and the different lenses, a 0.25D difference is not unusual. That is why the European opticians ask you to come back after a week to check the fit of the lens on your eye and the exact prescription you need, plus to check if there are any specific problems or queries with your lenses.

When I was measured for Biofinity with a new eye doctor/optician, they gave me different prescriptions for each eye but I knew I always had the same spherical power in each lens. When I wore them, I had terrible problems with the balance between the eyes, especially with reading glasses. I thought one lens was too weak, but in fact it turned out that it was the other that was too strong. When I had both lenses the same strength, my reading vision with readers was much easier.

Re the Daily versus Monthly, it is absolutely normal practice in my experience to have the optician push you towards wearing Daily Disposables, rather than Vial or Monthly lenses. (Of course you were already wearing Daily Disposables at that time). I was wearing 'annual' lenses and my (then) new optician tried to persuade me to wear daily disposables. I refused, as I think (for me) Daily Disposables are an unnecessary expense and extravagance. The main advantage for Daily Disposables is you don't need to clean them and there is less risk of protein build up on the lens. For me, that was never a problem, but for some contact lens wearers, Daily Disposables may be the only viable solution for protein build up.

Where you may have some mistrust in your optician is when they supply a rebranded Biofinity lens and don't tell you it is the same lens as a Biofinity. Then, if the optician is charging big bucks for the 'harmony' lens and leading you to believe that you can only buy that lens from them, then this is unethical in my view. My current optician sells SiH48 but freely admits they are the same as Biofinity. They are not concerned about loosing business, because they are extremely competitive and there probably would be little savings in buying on-line.

knotlob

Kyleden · #11 (**permalink**) 08-16-2010, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cow6666

ah, that's exactly what i suspected regarding the re-branding for the opticians to make more money. hm so mine were about $45 cad per box, which is OK compared to clearlycontacts. also, he never told me sih48=biofinity. i googled it myself lol.

also, i think my optician tricked me!! My perscription was -4.5 before the eye exam. After the exam, he said it was 4.75. First, he wanted me to purchase daily lenses from him at 4.75. (I wore dailies before biofinity.) Then i told him i hated changing them everyday, and he said we should do a trial for monthly lenses, so he gave me biofinity. When i went for my trial check-up after a week, he did some testing or "adjustment," and then sold me these 4.5 harmony lenses as a result of the "adjustment" -- which is exactly my prescription before. Do you guys think he lied about my prescription to get me to buy lenses from him?

Sorry to read about your problems with your eye doctor. Like knotlob, I don't think your eye doctor "tricked" you about your prescription. There are many factors that can affect the prescription number they come up with after the exam. If you are being given different prescription numbers, if the difference is less than 1, I don't think it's a big deal.

The best example would be that if one nurse took your temperature and got 98.6, and then another nurse took your temp and got a reading of 98.4. It's a very slight difference which could be explained by actual differences in your body temperature, differences in the thermometers used, the time the thermometer was in your mouth, etc. It doesn't mean that one of the nurses was lying.

dontblink · #12 (**permalink**) 09-23-2010, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Hello cow6666

No, I don't think your optician lied about the prescription. They were different lenses and also I think eye sight tests are a little subjective, so can be 0.25 Dioptres out on either side. So, given the variables with the eye sight test and the different lenses, a 0.25D difference is not unusual. That is why the European opticians ask you to come back after a week to check the fit of the lens on your eye and the exact prescription you need, plus to check if there are any specific problems or queries with your lenses.

When I was measured for Biofinity with a new eye doctor/optician, they gave me different prescriptions for each eye but I knew I always had the same spherical power in each lens. When I wore them, I had terrible problems with the balance between the eyes, especially with reading glasses. I thought one lens was too weak, but in fact it turned out that it was the other that was too strong. When I had both lenses the same strength, my reading vision with readers was much easier.

Re the Daily versus Monthly, it is absolutely normal practice in my experience to have the optician push you towards wearing Daily Disposables, rather than Vial or Monthly lenses. (Of course you were already wearing Daily Disposables at that time). I was wearing 'annual' lenses and my (then) new optician tried to persuade me to wear daily disposables. I refused, as I think (for me) Daily Disposables are an unnecessary expense and extravagance. The main advantage for Daily Disposables is you don't need to clean them and there is less risk of protein build up on the lens. For me, that was never a problem, but for some contact lens wearers, Daily Disposables may be the only viable solution for protein build up.

Where you may have some mistrust in your optician is when they supply a rebranded Biofinity lens and don't tell you it is the same lens as a Biofinity. Then, if the optician is charging big bucks for the 'harmony' lens and leading you to believe that you can only buy that lens from them, then this is unethical in my view. My current optician sells SiH48 but freely admits they are the same as Biofinity. They are not concerned about loosing business, because they are extremely competitive and there probably would be little savings in buying on-line.

knotlob

Good answer knotlob, thanks. I'm glad you supported what the doctor told "cow6666." I honestly think there are people on this site and certainly on others who are trying to make themselves look good by saying "your doctor is trying to cheat you. Everyone's trying to cheat you. Except me. You can believe in me!"

tee · #13 (**permalink**) 04-09-2011, 05:13 PM

I am having second thoughts about my optician...I have been on Acuue Oasys, Acuve True eyes, Optix night and day. Became allergic to Optix night and day and looking for an alternate. Went to my optician and got my eyes examined. I told him that oxygen permeability was very important to me, as I know my eyes and have tried many different lenses. I can tell when my eyes are oxygen deprived and the dryness sets in. Not the other way as he insisted, although it could be true for other people. I know, because I have tried so many "for dry eyes" lenses, like Proclear and Logic dailies I couldn't stand them by early evening after putting them in around 7 am. I did some research and wanted to try Biofinity He recomended SiH48. He said it was more "premium" than the lower grade Biofinity. After doing some research and finding this site, it confirmed what I suspected. I am disappointed with my optician.

RacerX · #14 (**permalink**) 04-11-2011, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tee

I am having second thoughts about my optician...I have been on Acuvue Oasys, Acuvue True eyes, Optix night and day. Became allergic to Optix night and day and looking for an alternate. Went to my optician and got my eyes examined. I told him that oxygen permeability was very important to me, as I know my eyes and have tried many different lenses. I can tell when my eyes are oxygen deprived and the dryness sets in. Not the other way as he insisted, although it could be true for other people. I know, because I have tried so many "for dry eyes" lenses, like Proclear and Logic dailies I couldn't stand them by early evening after putting them in around 7 am. I did some research and wanted to try Biofinity He recommended SiH48. He said it was more "premium" than the lower grade Biofinity. After doing some research and finding this site, it confirmed what I suspected. I am disappointed with my optician.

Welcome to Lens 101, tee. I'm sorry about your optician letting you down. Do you still want to try the Biofinity lenses? What about the SiH48? Did something you saw on Lens 101 tell you that Biofinity lenses would be better for you than SiH48? I think you should at least give them a try. How many times do things work out differently in life than they do on paper?

The Titanic looked good on paper . . .

tee · #15 (**permalink**) 04-12-2011, 07:09 PM

[quote=RacerX;172822]Welcome to Lens 101, tee. I'm sorry about your optician letting you down. Do you still want to try the Biofinity lenses? What about the SiH48? Did something you saw on Lens 101 tell you that Biofinity lenses would be better for you than SiH48? I think you should at least give them a try. How many times do things work out differently in life than they do on paper?

Yes. I am still trying them (SiH48). I know that these lenses exactly the same as Biofinity. But that is not what my optician had led me to believe...Conclusion, he wants to increase his profit margin at my expense. Now, we are at an awkward situation where I would have to let him know that I know that he wasn't completely honest with me and that have no intention of ordering from him.

So far, the lenses have been good. Very comfortable, but after day 5, with taking the lenses out every night and soaking in Clear Care solution, I noticed a significant decrease in the clarity and comfort. First night, the left lense was stuck to my eye. Had to "scrape" it off. Haven't had that problem ever since. I don't think that these lenses will last 30 days as packaged. At this rate, it will be the equivalent of 2-week lenses. My guess... We'll see.

Dragonslayer · #16 (**permalink**) 04-13-2011, 10:46 AM

[quote=tee;172970]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacerX

Welcome to Lens 101, tee. I'm sorry about your optician letting you down. Do you still want to try the Biofinity lenses? What about the SiH48? Did something you saw on Lens 101 tell you that Biofinity lenses would be better for you than SiH48? I think you should at least give them a try. How many times do things work out differently in life than they do on paper?

Yes. I am still trying them (SiH48). I know that these lenses exactly the same as Biofinity. But that is not what my optician had led me to believe...Conclusion, he wants to increase his profit margin at my expense. Now, we are at an awkward situation where I would have to let him know that I know that he wasn't completely honest with me and that have no intention of ordering from him.

Good luck with your eye doctor. I hope you can come to some kind of understanding and you won't have to find a new one.

There's a long thread in here about SiH48 contact lenses being identical to Biofinity. However, I'll advise you to quit reading at around post #20, because the participants kind of get off-topic at that point. Here's where to find that thread:

http://www.lens101.com/biofinity/15949-biofinity-aka-sih-48-a.html

redraidermommy · #17 (**permalink**) 04-15-2011, 05:49 PM

[quote=Dragonslayer;173026]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tee

Good luck with your eye doctor. I hope you can come to some kind of understanding and you won't have to find a new one.

There's a long thread in here about SiH48 contact lenses being identical to Biofinity. However, I'll advise you to quit reading at around post #20, because the participants kind of get off-topic at that point. Here's where to find that thread:

http://www.lens101.com/biofinity/15949-biofinity-aka-sih-48-a.html

does this mean the SIH 48 my doc gave me when I asked for "biofinities" are only sold at her practice? Like a generic versus name brand? So, if I really wanted the biofinity from online, I would have to call her out on it, and ask that the RX read Biofinity?

hmmmmmm.........

Raidernation11 · #18 (**permalink**) 04-18-2011, 03:05 PM

[quote=redraidermommy;173285]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragonslayer

does this mean the SIH 48 my doc gave me when I asked for "biofinities" are only sold at her practice? Like a generic versus name brand? So, if I really wanted the biofinity from online, I would have to call her out on it, and ask that the RX read Biofinity?

hmmmmmm.........

Does the fact that Google suggested "SiH 48 Biofinity" when I typed in "SiH" seem significant to anyone?

leodown2 · #19 (**permalink**) 04-22-2011, 03:18 AM

dsa das dsa

Aaroncablemom · #20 (**permalink**) 04-22-2011, 09:13 AM

[quote=Raidernation11;173404]

Quote:

Originally Posted by redraidermommy

Does the fact that Google suggested "SiH 48 Biofinity" when I typed in "SiH" seem significant to anyone?

It might be your computer, Raidernation11. Maybe you've searched for SiH 48 Biofinity before and Google remembers.

redraidermommy · #21 (**permalink**) 04-28-2011, 01:32 PM

[quote=Raidernation11;173404]

Quote:

Originally Posted by redraidermommy

Does the fact that Google suggested "SiH 48 Biofinity" when I typed in "SiH" seem significant to anyone?

I don't mean to be rude, but are u getting smart with me? I asked a valid question. No need for sarcasm, if that was your point.

dontblink · #22 (**permalink**) 04-28-2011, 02:18 PM

[quote=redraidermommy;174096]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raidernation11

I don't mean to be rude, but are u getting smart with me? I asked a valid question. No need for sarcasm, if that was your point.

I can't speak for Raidernation11, but on the face of the comment, I think he or she simply typed in "SiH" and right away Google suggested "SiH 48 Biofinity." I don't think any sarcasm was intended. This is a friendly forum in general.

To get back to your question, you asked "does this mean the SIH 48 my doc gave me when I asked for 'Biofinities' are only sold at her practice? Like a generic versus name brand? So, if I really wanted the biofinity from online, I would have to call her out on it, and ask that the RX read Biofinity?"

I Googled "SiH 48" and one of the search terms suggested was "sih 48 biofinity." That leads me to believe that the two are synonymous.

The first result on Google was a link to another thread here on Lens 101. A thread that has exactly 100 posts in it. They concluded that SiH 48 is the name of sort of a "sampler pack" of Biofinity lenses that are given free to patients. If they like the SiH 48 lenses, they are then sold some Biofinity contact lenses. The same lens, but with a brand name. I think your "generic versus name brand" analogy is accurate.

That is, if I didn't get confused among the other 99 posts. Here, have a look for yourself. You may want to make yourself a sandwich or something. Maybe you can start by just scrolling down to the bottom.

http://www.lens101.com/biofinity/15949-biofinity-aka-sih-48-a.html

redraidermommy · #23 (**permalink**) 04-28-2011, 05:24 PM

[quote=dontblink;174101]

Quote:

Originally Posted by redraidermommy

I can't speak for Raidernation11, but on the face of the comment, I think he or she simply typed in "SiH" and right away Google suggested "SiH 48 Biofinity." I don't think any sarcasm was intended. This is a friendly forum in general.

To get back to your question, you asked "does this mean the SIH 48 my doc gave me when I asked for 'Biofinities' are only sold at her practice? Like a generic versus name brand? So, if I really wanted the biofinity from online, I would have to call her out on it, and ask that the RX read Biofinity?"

I Googled "SiH 48" and one of the search terms suggested was "sih 48 biofinity." That leads me to believe that the two are synonymous.

The first result on Google was a link to another thread here on Lens 101. A thread that has exactly 100 posts in it. They concluded that SiH 48 is the name of sort of a "sampler pack" of Biofinity lenses that are given free to patients. If they like the SiH 48 lenses, they are then sold some Biofinity contact lenses. The same lens, but with a brand name. I think your "generic versus name brand" analogy is accurate.

That is, if I didn't get confused among the other 99 posts. Here, have a look for yourself. You may want to make yourself a sandwich or something. Maybe you can start by just scrolling down to the bottom.

http://www.lens101.com/biofinity/15949-biofinity-aka-sih-48-a.html

I just rather buy the lenses from online and not the doc. Thanks for your reply.

Red

redraidermommy · #24 (**permalink**) 04-28-2011, 06:59 PM

Oh, and thx dontblink. That's a long thread! I'm about to start reading it!
I just made my yummy vegetarian dinner, do I can eat and read

Red

Raidernation11 · #25 (**permalink**) 04-29-2011, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dontblink

I can't speak for Raidernation11, but on the face of the comment, I think he or she simply typed in "SiH" and right away Google suggested "SiH 48 Biofinity." I don't think any sarcasm was intended. This is a friendly forum in general.

Thanks dontblink. You're right, I did not intend my comment to be sarcastic. Like you said, this is a friendly forum and I'd like to keep it that way. It's hard when you only have words on a screen with no facial expressions or tone of voice. In most cases I try very hard not to take offense at what's written here. It sounds like Redraidermommy tried very hard not to take offense either.

Are we good then?

redraidermommy · #26 (**permalink**) 04-29-2011, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raidernation11

Thanks dontblink. You're right, I did not intend my comment to be sarcastic. Like you said, this is a friendly forum and I'd like to keep it that way. It's hard when you only have words on a screen with no facial expressions or tone of voice. In most cases I try very hard not to take offense at what's written here. It sounds like Redraidermommy tried very hard not to take offense either.

Are we good then?

Of course we're good. Just thought I "heard" a note of sarcasm. I
Was a bit grumpy yesterday...allergies r bad and due to drought conditions and wild fires
I'm miserable. We badly need some rain. I apologize for my
Grumpiness. I'm so bad today i have eye goop, gross! No lenses
For me today.

Red

Metsman · #27 (**permalink**) 04-29-2011, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redraidermommy

Of course we're good. Just thought I "heard" a note of sarcasm. I was a bit grumpy yesterday...allergies r bad and due to drought conditions and wild fires I'm miserable. We badly need some rain. I apologize for my
grumpiness. I'm so bad today i have eye goop, gross! No lenses for me today.

Red

Well, I'm glad you could get along. I just hope you feel better soon, Red. Is there anything you can take for your allergies? Some antihistamine tablets or something?

What part of the country do you live where there are wildfires and drought? I live in the Great Lakes area and it's a beautiful sunny day today.