How Biofinity worked for me.

Deejayt · #1 (**permalink**) 11-28-2009, 08:14 PM

I have a very hard time with contacts. Every time I would try them they would hurt my eyes, I could always feel them, my eyes would dry out alot, and I would have to re-wet them all the time, sometimes they would even stick to my eye!! and I couldn't get them out!! So one day I went to the doctor's office, and i was wearing this target brand, target 55, (ultra-flex 55) or something. Then it changed to Biomedics 55 or something, and i ordered new ones and needed a trial to get me by till i got my new ones, and the doctor grabed some for me, i looked at them and it said, (Biofinity) I thought maybe it was another different name, but the same lens. I don't know if my doctor messed up on accident or what, but when i went to wear them, as soon as i put them in i said "these are sooo comfortable" they can't be the same lens. They feel soo different than the ones i had before. I couldn't really feel them in my eye! I was in shock and made sure to get fitted for those next time. But since I have been wearing them, it seems like my eyes are getting used to them and they aren't as comfortable anymore. Even a fresh pair. I don't know if its because I only wear them on the weekend and not every day and my eyes need to adjust to them?? like when you first start wearing them, you need to get use to them and wear them every day. But when I wear them at night I can't see at all!!! Its all foggy, and I get double vistion. its very strange. But anyway, thats my story. If you have dry eyes, and can't seem to find a contact lens that works, try them. they may work for you.

Knotlob · #2 (**permalink**) 11-29-2009, 05:35 AM

I am trying a 'Biofinity' lens at the moment. It's the Optician Chain's own named lens but I am 99.9% sure it is the Biofinity. I have worn lenses for about 34 years and normally wear yearly lenses with 70% water.

It did take me about a week to get used to the lenses, which surprised me, but there is a -0.25D error in one lens, so will see how it goes when I change to a slightly lower powered pair at beginning of December. The right eye doesn't feel as comfortable as the left (but that was the same with my other lenses and also some dailies I tried) though they are OK outside and most of the 'discomfort' is while using a computer.

There was no obvious problems when I had the follow up check on my eyes with my cornea or the lens itself and I am keen to persevere with these lenses due to the high Dk oxygen value. The lens material is fundamentally different to the conventional hydrogels, so maybe it takes more time. I don't intend to sleep in them - just for long daytime use.

One question Deejayt: When the optician gave you the Biofinity trial lenses, these were trial lenses - not for resale? The reason I ask is that I bought a pair of 'Biofinity' lenses from an eBay Optician Chain (I wanted to ensure that the lower power prescription was OK before buying a 6 or 12 month supply). This pair were not marked Biofinity, but were Comfilcon and were trial lenses 'not for resale'.

knotlob

Deejayt · #3 (**permalink**) 11-30-2009, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

I am trying a 'Biofinity' lens at the moment. It's the Optician Chain's own named lens but I am 99.9% sure it is the Biofinity. I have worn lenses for about 34 years and normally wear yearly lenses with 70% water.

It did take me about a week to get used to the lenses, which surprised me, but there is a -0.25D error in one lens, so will see how it goes when I change to a slightly lower powered pair at beginning of December. The right eye doesn't feel as comfortable as the left (but that was the same with my other lenses and also some dailies I tried) though they are OK outside and most of the 'discomfort' is while using a computer.

There was no obvious problems when I had the follow up check on my eyes with my cornea or the lens itself and I am keen to persevere with these lenses due to the high Dk oxygen value. The lens material is fundamentally different to the conventional hydrogels, so maybe it takes more time. I don't intend to sleep in them - just for long daytime use.

One question Deejayt: When the optician gave you the Biofinity trial lenses, these were trial lenses - not for resale? The reason I ask is that I bought a pair of 'Biofinity' lenses from an eBay Optician Chain (I wanted to ensure that the lower power prescription was OK before buying a 6 or 12 month supply). This pair were not marked Biofinity, but were Comfilcon and were trial lenses 'not for resale'.

knotlob

I think she took them out of a actaul box, and gave them to me as trial lenses. They do it kinda different at target i guess. But they did say Biofinity on them. I didnt know there was a generic biofinity... You may want to check into that.

Knotlob · #4 (**permalink**) 11-30-2009, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deejayt

I think she took them out of a actaul box, and gave them to me as trial lenses. They do it kinda different at target i guess. But they did say Biofinity on them. I didnt know there was a generic biofinity... You may want to check into that.

OK, thanks. If they were from a large box, then they would have the Biofinity name on them. Maybe trial lenses, which I guess the manufacturer supplies to the opticians' practices (I think free), are sometimes without the Biofinity name. In Germany, there are certainly other contact lenses, which I am pretty sure are Biofinity, but have a different name on them and are only supplied by the manufacturer Coopervision to certain individual chains of Eye Care Specialists, i.e. not available to the public for direct purchase.

e.g. my optician trialled me with Expert Premium S lenses, but they were almost twice the price of Biofinity lenses on the Internet, although on paper they were identical lenses. A search of the European forums throws up quite a number of different names for what people there believe are Biofinity lenses (same manufacturer, same material, lens parameters, etc). Unfortunately, this does lead to some customers possibly paying too much for a Biofinity lens.

knotlob

Trixie · #5 (**permalink**) 11-30-2009, 10:57 AM

Here's a picture of the Biofinity box. It seems like it would be hard to mistake the brand name on these. It's pretty prominent on the box.

Knotlob · #6 (**permalink**) 11-30-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trixie

Here's a picture of the Biofinity box. It seems like it would be hard to mistake the brand name on these. It's pretty prominent on the box.

Thanks Trixie, but when my Eye Care Specialist gave me the trial tenses to try, I don't think they were in a box. She just gave me the two lens sachets one at a time to put in my eyes there and then. I didn't check what name, if any, was on that pack.

I bought a second set of 'Trial Biofinity lenses (slightly lower power as recommended by my eye care professional) from a Mail Order source and when they arrived (two sealed lens sachets), they were marked 'not for resale, Comfilcon, lens prescription data but no Lens name. Maybe lenses packaged as trial lenses do not always have the lens name on them. Strange!

knotlob

MillersLastChance · #7 (**permalink**) 11-30-2009, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Thanks Trixie, but when my Eye Care Specialist gave me the trial lenses to try, I don't think they were in a box. She just gave me the two lens sachets one at a time to put in my eyes there and then. I didn't check what name, if any, was on that pack.

I bought a second set of 'Trial Biofinity lenses (slightly lower power as recommended by my eye care professional) from a Mail Order source and when they arrived (two sealed lens sachets), they were marked 'not for resale, Comfilcon, lens prescription data but no Lens name. Maybe lenses packaged as trial lenses do not always have the lens name on them. Strange!

knotlob

Okay, when you say that your eye doctor gave you "two lens sachets" do you mean two of those blisters that the contact lenses are in?

Knotlob · #8 (**permalink**) 11-30-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MillersLastChance

Okay, when you say that your eye doctor gave you "two lens sachets" do you mean two of those blisters that the contact lenses are in?

Hi MillersLastChance

Yes, you are correct. Blister pack is a more appropriate word for the packaging.

knotlob

PeriBrown · #9 (**permalink**) 11-30-2009, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Hi MillersLastChance

Yes, you are correct. Blister pack is a more appropriate word for the packaging.

knotlob

Thank you MillersLastChance and Knotlob for clearing this thing up. I was a bit confused by the word "sachet." I've never heard that before in this context. Is that pronounced "sashay"?

Anyway, this thread is about Biofinity contacts, not sachets. You said you found Biofinity lenses on line that were using "a number of different names for what people there believe are Biofinity lenses (same manufacturer, same material, lens parameters, etc)." What were some of the different names used, so we can be on the lookout?

Knotlob · #10 (**permalink**) 11-30-2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeriBrown

Thank you MillersLastChance and Knotlob for clearing this thing up. I was a bit confused by the word "sachet." I've never heard that before in this context. Is that pronounced "sashay"?
Anyway, this thread is about Biofinity contacts, not sachets. You said you found Biofinity lenses on line that were using "a number of different names for what people there believe are Biofinity lenses (same manufacturer, same material, lens parameters, etc)." What were some of the different names used, so we can be on the lookout?

Hi PeriBrown

'Sachet' would be pronounced 'sashay' - but I suppose it is really more appropriate to things like shampoo - just couldn't think of the best word for the contact lens packaging.

I listed the different names for Biofinity 'like' lenses in another post here and a lot of these have come from German or perhaps UK forum sources. It started off when my new optician gave me a lens called Expert Premium S made from Comfilcon. Now I tend nowadays to reach instinctively for the Mail Order directories on-line, but although I knew the lens was made by Coopervision I could not find it on-line. Initially it was suggested by the Opticians that the lens was too new to be available on-line, but of course that is rubbish. (I had told them up front, that I always bought my lenses Mail Order and would not buy the lenses from the new optician unless they were reasonably competitive).

The names that I have come across so far are:

Expert Premium S
SiH48
iWear XR Supreme
Medivue Premier
Vision Comfort Silikon Hydrogel
EasyVision Elite All Day - All Night
Eye Q 24

There are references to SiH48 on this forum. I stress that I have only personally checked out the Expert Premium S lens. It is very difficult to find some of these lenses on the Internet, for sale, as I think some are sold only to major Optician Chains, who then sell them onto their clients.

I don't know how widespread the practice of opticians selling 'own brand/shop brand' lenses is in N America, but it does seem to happen in Germany and in the UK. I did manage somehow to contact Coopervision and they confirmed that the Biofinity and the Expert Premium S lenses were 'similar' but that the Expert Premium S lens was only available to Private Buyers/Optician Chains.

I would suspect that the same may be the case for some of these other lenses I have named here.

knotlob

neveragain · #11 (**permalink**) 12-19-2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Thanks Trixie, but when my Eye Care Specialist gave me the trial tenses to try, I don't think they were in a box. She just gave me the two lens sachets one at a time to put in my eyes there and then. I didn't check what name, if any, was on that pack.

I bought a second set of 'Trial Biofinity lenses (slightly lower power as recommended by my eye care professional) from a Mail Order source and when they arrived (two sealed lens sachets), they were marked 'not for resale, Comfilcon, lens prescription data but no Lens name. Maybe lenses packaged as trial lenses do not always have the lens name on them. Strange!

knotlob

I had the same thing happen. When my eye doctor ordered my trials lens in they said Comfilcon. I just assumed he ordered a different pair. But when I ordered my actual lens from 1-800-contacts they arrived in the Biofinity box and clearly say Biofinity on the lens themselves. It doesn't really make sense! I too assumed my doctor oredred the wrong one. By the way the lens suck! They rip and tear more often then one can believe

Knotlob · #12 (**permalink**) 12-19-2009, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neveragain

I had the same thing happen. When my eye doctor ordered my trials lens in they said Comfilcon. I just assumed he ordered a different pair. But when I ordered my actual lens from 1-800-contacts they arrived in the Biofinity box and clearly say Biofinity on the lens themselves. It doesn't really make sense! I too assumed my doctor oredred the wrong one. By the way the lens suck! They rip and tear more often then one can believe

Hello Neveragain

Thanks for that info. It does sound like the trial lenses do not always carry the name Biofinity, in this particular case.

Actually, I found the second batch (the ones I bought after the ones supplied by the optician) were a lot more comfortable in my right eye and I felt that they also handled more like a very thin daily lens (but slightly less flexible than some dailies). I did contact the manufacturers and they gave me the centre thickness 0.08mm, which was thinner than a daily lens I had dabbled with, but they said the lenses that I had, should be the same as those from my optician - though there may have been differences within the normal manufacturing tolerances.

Interesting that you had problems with the lenses ripping/tearing. I also damaged one lens on the perimeter after only 6.5 days! I can still wear it as it doesn't cause significant discomfort, but it was disappointing for a monthly lens.

However, overall, I do like these Biofinity lenses. I just have to take care when cleaning them and putting them back into the case for sterilisation.

knotlob

Trixie · #13 (**permalink**) 12-29-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Interesting that you had problems with the lenses ripping/tearing. I also damaged one lens on the perimeter after only 6.5 days! I can still wear it as it doesn't cause significant discomfort, but it was disappointing for a monthly lens.
knotlob

Did you say you're wearing a ripped contact lens? Would you recommend this practice to our impressionable audience of Lens 101 readers?

Knotlob · #14 (**permalink**) 12-29-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trixie

Did you say you're wearing a ripped contact lens? Would you recommend this practice to our impressionable audience of Lens 101 readers?

Yes, I am still wearing the lens, as it is not causing significant discomfort. When I say ripped, there is a tiny, tiny sliver missing from the perimeter (you need to look very carefully to see it). May have damaged it with the contact lens case lid? With the yearly lens, if it ripped, it tended to be radially, from outside to centre and that would not be wearable. The lens, even slightly damaged, seems to be a lot more comfortable than some folks here find their existing lenses to wear, even new and undamaged.

I don't want to buy more Biofinity at present, as I will have a test for RGP lenses next week. If the Biofinity lens deteriorates further, I will revert to a stock of Bausch & Lomb Daily Soflens lenses (slightly underpowered prescription, but still OK to drive with, checked three months ago for a motor bike driving licence).

And no, I don't recommend Lens101 forum readers (or anyone else) to wear damaged lenses. However, your eyes will tell you pretty fast if they are wearable or not. Just so long as they are clean, sterile and free of deposits/scratches.

In case someone asks, I am quite happy with the Biofinity comfort, high oxygen permeability, etc. but I wish to check the RGP lenses for minor astigmatism correction and slightly better long distance eyesight. If they don't work out, then I will be a Biofinity lens wearer.

knotlob

Captainteneel · #15 (**permalink**) 12-29-2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Yes, I am still wearing the lens, as it is not causing significant discomfort. When I say ripped, there is a tiny, tiny sliver missing from the perimeter (you need to look very carefully to see it). May have damaged it with the contact lens case lid? With the yearly lens, if it ripped, it tended to be radially, from outside to centre and that would not be wearable. The lens, even slightly damaged, seems to be a lot more comfortable than some folks here find their existing lenses to wear, even new and undamaged.

I don't want to buy more Biofinity at present, as I will have a test for RGP lenses next week. If the Biofinity lens deteriorates further, I will revert to a stock of Bausch & Lomb Daily Soflens lenses (slightly underpowered prescription, but still OK to drive with, checked three months ago for a motor bike driving licence).

And no, I don't recommend Lens101 forum readers (or anyone else) to wear damaged lenses. However, your eyes will tell you pretty fast if they are wearable or not. Just so long as they are clean, sterile and free of deposits/scratches.

In case someone asks, I am quite happy with the Biofinity comfort, high oxygen permeability, etc. but I wish to check the RGP lenses for minor astigmatism correction and slightly better long distance eyesight. If they don't work out, then I will be a Biofinity lens wearer.

knotlob

Thank you for the explanation, knotlob. Like Trixie, I was a little concerned about that ripped lens, but the damage you described sounds minor. I think you're right about not being able to wear a badly damaged lens for very long.

Knotlob · #16 (**permalink**) 12-29-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captainteneel

Thank you for the expplanation, knotlob. Like Trixie, I was a little concerned about that ripped lens, but the damage you described sounds minor. I think you're right about not being able to wear a badly damaged lens for very long.

Hello Captainteneel

Yes, once a radial tear develops, the lens will disintegrate rapidly and of course, even a minor radial tear would probably fail catastrophically during the day. I don't normally carry glasses, spare lenses or even a lens case with me, so would be in trouble, especially if I wanted to drive, but even reading bus/train numbers, etc. is a problem with limited eyesight.

I was just a little surprised/disappointed when a monthly lens showed some signs of physical damage after only 6.5 days - but that is perhaps the trade off for superior comfort.

knotlob

knotlob

rfriel · #17 (**permalink**) 01-05-2010, 10:50 AM

so, knotlob, your defecting from soft lens to RGP's, please keep me updated as to the feel and comfort of RGP's, i have thought about doing it, but RGP's are such a small fraction of the total market, didnt see the advantage of doing it. anyway, keep me posted on your success with RGP's.

YES, biofinity lens are known for tearing easily, that is why i have my reservations about how good the lens is, i am trying them in a few days and will report back

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Hello Captainteneel

Yes, once a radial tear develops, the lens will disintegrate rapidly and of course, even a minor radial tear would probably fail catastrophically during the day. I don't normally carry glasses, spare lenses or even a lens case with me, so would be in trouble, especially if I wanted to drive, but even reading bus/train numbers, etc. is a problem with limited eyesight.

I was just a little surprised/disappointed when a monthly lens showed some signs of physical damage after only 6.5 days - but that is perhaps the trade off for superior comfort.

knotlob

knotlob

Knotlob · #18 (**permalink**) 01-05-2010, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfriel

so, knotlob, your defecting from soft lens to RGP's, please keep me updated as to the feel and comfort of RGP's, i have thought about doing it, but RGP's are such a small fraction of the total market, didnt see the advantage of doing it. anyway, keep me posted on your success with RGP's.

YES, biofinity lens are known for tearing easily, that is why i have my reservations about how good the lens is, i am trying them in a few days and will report back

Yes, maybe!

Went to see the optician yesterday and she has ordered some Menicon Z Alpha RGP lenses.

I asked her about the easily damaged Biofinity and she said the type of damage I described was due to the way I took them out of my eye and also wasn't helped by the type of lens case I use.

I pinch the lenses off the centre of my eye and if I had worn them say 17 hours they may be dryish and this can crease them. This eventually leads to perimeter damage. She said I could drop some lens solution into my eye before I take them out to moisten the lenses. She will demonstrate an alternative way next visit.

She said the lens case with the barrel twin basket was not so good (in fact I suspect this is the problem, not the way I take the lenses out) and that the twin side by side lens cases were (in her opinion) better. However I have been taking lenses out this way and using the barrel lens case for the last 30 years without any problems of this type.

More when I see the alternative method.

knotlob

dragongirl81 · #19 (**permalink**) 01-05-2010, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Yes, maybe!

Went to see the optician yesterday and she has ordered some Menicon Z Alpha RGP lenses.

I asked her about the easily damaged Biofinity and she said the type of damage I described was due to the way I took them out of my eye and also wasn't helped by the type of lens case I use.

I pinch the lenses off the centre of my eye and if I had worn them say 17 hours they may be dryish and this can crease them. This eventually leads to perimeter damage. She said I could drop some lens solution into my eye before I take them out to moisten the lenses. She will demonstrate an alternative way next visit.

She said the lens case with the barrel twin basket was not so good (in fact I suspect this is the problem, not the way I take the lenses out) and that the twin side by side lens cases were (in her opinion) better. However I have been taking lenses out this way and using the barrel lens case for the last 30 years without any problems of this type.

More when I see the alternative method.

knotlob

I'd be interesting in this "alternative method" too. Unless she's talking about sliding the contact lens off of your cornea before you pinch it, I don't know of any other way to remove contact lenses other than the way you described, knotlob.

Knotlob · #20 (**permalink**) 01-05-2010, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragongirl81

I'd be interesting in this "alternative method" too. Unless she's talking about sliding the contact lens off of your cornea before you pinch it, I don't know of any other way to remove contact lenses other than the way you described, knotlob.

Hello Dragongirl81

Yes, I thought about the sliding the lens off to the side of the eye, but I would probably still be pinching the lens. Anyway, will be back to see my optician next week so will ask.

knotlob

TELETINA500 · #21 (**permalink**) 01-08-2010, 02:04 AM

I have been wearing soft lenses for 35-40 years and I stopped pinching my lens out after a month or two all those years ago. I have always had long fingernails, so the pinch did not work for me. I taught myself a new method of using the sides of my middle fingers to pop the lens out. I use my left middle finger at my top lid and the right one on the bottom lid of my eye. I press both fingers very slightly in to my eye socket, top and bottom and then carefully press my fingers towards each other just a little. This causes the lens to easily pop out onto my hand. I have never had a lens rip or tear using this method. It only takes a time or two to figure out how much pressure to use to get the result you want. Using this method, I have never had an eye infection nor have I scratched my cornea, as several of my friends did using the pinch method. Try it, you just might like it!

Knotlob · #22 (**permalink**) 01-08-2010, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TELETINA500

I have been wearing soft lenses for 35-40 years and I stopped pinching my lens out after a month or two all those years ago. I have always had long fingernails, so the pinch did not work for me. I taught myself a new method of using the sides of my middle fingers to pop the lens out. I use my left middle finger at my top lid and the right one on the bottom lid of my eye. I press both fingers very slightly in to my eye socket, top and bottom and then carefully press my fingers towards each other just a little. This causes the lens to easily pop out onto my hand. I have never had a lens rip or tear using this method. It only takes a time or two to figure out how much pressure to use to get the result you want. Using this method, I have never had an eye infection nor have I scratched my cornea, as several of my friends did using the pinch method. Try it, you just might like it!

Hello TELETINA500

Welcome to the forum. That lens removal method sounds quite promising and is somewhat similar to the method used for RGP lens removal, in that your eyelids push the lens off the corneal surface.

It's a good point you make about long fingernails also. The enemy of contact lenses!

Thanks for posting your knowledge.

knotlob

dragongirl81 · #23 (**permalink**) 02-11-2010, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Hello Dragongirl81

Yes, I thought about the sliding the lens off to the side of the eye, but I would probably still be pinching the lens. Anyway, will be back to see my optician next week so will ask.

knotlob

Hi knotlob,

Did you talk to your optician about handling your contact lenses in a novel way? What kind of response did you get?

rfriel · #24 (**permalink**) 02-11-2010, 03:26 PM

very interesting way to take out lens, i'll have to try that "pop" method.

i've been using the same biofinity lens for about one month now with no tears, it seems the biofinity lens gets stronger and easier to handle as the month progresses. the lens dries out and loses the lower modulus properties, i may just end up wearing the month lens for 3 weeks instead of 4. KNOTLOB, are you finding the RGP's to be more comfortable than biofinities after you have successfully completed the break-in period of what, 6-8 weeks?

Knotlob · #25 (**permalink**) 02-11-2010, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfriel

very interesting way to take out lens, i'll have to try that "pop" method.

i've been using the same biofinity lens for about one month now with no tears, it seems the biofinity lens gets stronger and easier to handle as the month progresses. the lens dries out and loses the lower modulus properties, i may just end up wearing the month lens for 3 weeks instead of 4. KNOTLOB, are you finding the RGP's to be more comfortable than biofinities after you have successfully completed the break-in period of what, 6-8 weeks?

Re the RGP lenses, I am still getting used to them. I have worn them for 13 hours and am trying to increase that figure. I was told that RGP lenses will tell you in no uncertain terms when it is time to take them out - not like soft lenses.

I was at the opticians yesterday and they fitted me with a new pair of RGP lenses with a shallower base curve. The new ones seem a lot more comfortable. Astigmatism is fully corrected in my left eye but not in the right eye, but I don't think it is very much - possibly about 0.25D - it wasn't measured yesterday. Vision overall is pretty good.

I have probably worn them about two weeks with a one and a bit week break in the middle. They are at this stage a long way short of the comfort of Biofinity lenses, but the vision is sharper because of the partial astigmatism correction the standard spherical RGP lenses can give.

The eyes are a little itchy inside buildings, but outside they are fine and reading - looking down I guess, not too bad.

I seem to get dirt specks or grit occasionally under the lenses and I know RGP lenses are more susceptible to dust than soft lenses. However, I am wondering if the 'grit' is actually dried tear products. I am thinking of trying a different lens solution once I get the OK from the lens manufacturer and my regular optician (who was on vacation yesterday).

knotlob

Knotlob · #26 (**permalink**) 02-11-2010, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragongirl81

Hi knotlob,

Did you talk to your optician about handling your contact lenses in a novel way? What kind of response did you get?

Yes dragongirl81

My optician had mentioned an alternative way to remove the soft lenses when I commented on damage to the Biofinity lenses. During the next visit, my optician explained the method and in fact, it is the one explained by TELETINA500 above. It takes some practice I think, but it should lower the risk of lens damage, especially if you have long or rough fingernails.

I haven't been using that method as I am using the RGP lenses, but I think the critical thing with TELETINA500's method (as for RGP lens removal), is when you touch your eyelids, it is the very edge of the eye lid (i.e. almost the eyelashes) that you use to remove the contact lens.

knotlob

Trixie · #27 (**permalink**) 02-22-2010, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Thanks Trixie, but when my Eye Care Specialist gave me the trial tenses to try, I don't think they were in a box. She just gave me the two lens sachets one at a time to put in my eyes there and then. I didn't check what name, if any, was on that pack.

knotlob

Oh, well if they weren't in a box then how could you recognize it when you saw the picture that I posted in this forum? Silly me.

rfriel · #28 (**permalink**) 02-22-2010, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trixie

Here's a picture of the Biofinity box. It seems like it would be hard to mistake the brand name on these. It's pretty prominent on the box.

is that really?? biofinity or just an imitation? Comfilcon A = biofinity except when its not. now i'm really confused because the box is misleading, i think is says biofinity but how can I be sure?? someone please help!!

KITT · #29 (**permalink**) 02-22-2010, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfriel

is that really?? biofinity or just an imitation? Comfilcon A = biofinity except when its not. now i'm really confused because the box is misleading, i think is says biofinity but how can I be sure?? someone please help!!

I think if you were to read the rest of the thread after the one you quoted you'd be less confused. There are some pretty smart people in this thread and it seems to me that they did a good job explaining.

However, if you're still confused, by all means speak up. I'm told that the best students are the ones who refuse to accept an unclear answer.

dragongirl81 · #30 (**permalink**) 02-23-2010, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Yes dragongirl81

My optician had mentioned an alternative way to remove the soft lenses when I commented on damage to the Biofinity lenses. During the next visit, my optician explained the method and in fact, it is the one explained by TELETINA500 above. It takes some practice I think, but it should lower the risk of lens damage, especially if you have long or rough fingernails.

I haven't been using that method as I am using the RGP lenses, but I think the critical thing with TELETINA500's method (as for RGP lens removal), is when you touch your eyelids, it is the very edge of the eye lid (i.e. almost the eyelashes) that you use to remove the contact lens.

knotlob

Thanks for the update and the clarification, knotlob.

rfriel · #31 (**permalink**) 02-23-2010, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KITT

I think if you were to read the rest of the thread after the one you quoted you'd be less confused. There are some pretty smart people in this thread and it seems to me that they did a good job explaining.

However, if you're still confused, by all means speak up. I'm told that the best students are the ones who refuse to accept an unclear answer.

no matter how smart the people on this forum is, no one can tell me what's in the box of comfilcon A, no one knows if it's biofinity, oasys or FND, the only way to know if by determining the crystaline strucure of the material, if it matches comfilcon A, and if the structure is correct then it must be comfilcon A otherwise not, either way you dont know??

Knotlob · #32 (**permalink**) 02-23-2010, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfriel

no matter how smart the people on this forum is, no one can tell me what's in the box of comfilcon A, no one knows if it's biofinity, oasys or FND, the only way to know if by determining the crystaline strucure of the material, if it matches comfilcon A, and if the structure is correct then it must be comfilcon A otherwise not, either way you dont know??

But the lens bubble pack specifies the lens material (even if it does not specify the lens name). So if it says Comfilcon A, then it is Biofinity/SiH48/Aqua Clear/Expert Premium S, etc. by Coopervision.

They won't be FND or Oasys as these are made of a different lens material and by a different manufacturer.

knotlob

MillersLastChance · #33 (**permalink**) 02-24-2010, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Hi MillersLastChance

Yes, you are correct. Blister pack is a more appropriate word for the packaging.

knotlob

"Sachets." That's German, isn't it?

Knotlob · #34 (**permalink**) 02-24-2010, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MillersLastChance

"Sachets." That's German, isn't it?

No, I think it's more UK English (in use) though the word may have been borrowed from another language originally.

knotlob

Trixie · #35 (**permalink**) 03-08-2010, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MillersLastChance

"Sachets." That's German, isn't it?

If it's pronounced "sashays" I bet it's French. French is a great language for spelling a word with ten letters but only pronouncing two of them.

dragongirl81 · #36 (**permalink**) 03-10-2010, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TELETINA500

I have been wearing soft lenses for 35-40 years and I stopped pinching my lens out after a month or two all those years ago. I have always had long fingernails, so the pinch did not work for me. I taught myself a new method of using the sides of my middle fingers to pop the lens out. I use my left middle finger at my top lid and the right one on the bottom lid of my eye. I press both fingers very slightly in to my eye socket, top and bottom and then carefully press my fingers towards each other just a little. This causes the lens to easily pop out onto my hand. I have never had a lens rip or tear using this method. It only takes a time or two to figure out how much pressure to use to get the result you want. Using this method, I have never had an eye infection nor have I scratched my cornea, as several of my friends did using the pinch method. Try it, you just might like it!

That's something new. It sounds like a good way to get a contact lens out, but isn't it a disadvantage to use both hands?

Of course, most people aren't using one hand to put their contacts in while the other one is brushing their teeth or flying an F-16, so maybe you're got something there.

KITT · #37 (**permalink**) 03-12-2010, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trixie

If it's pronounced "sashays" I bet it's French. French is a great language for spelling a word with ten letters but only pronouncing two of them.

That's so true. Especially words that end in -eaux, which is pronounced "oh" as in "Bordeaux."

Trixie · #38 (**permalink**) 04-05-2010, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfriel

is that really?? biofinity or just an imitation? Comfilcon A = biofinity except when its not. now i'm really confused because the box is misleading, i think is says biofinity but how can I be sure?? someone please help!!

Why would a box of Biofinity contact lenses have anything else inside of it? If the box is factory sealed and it looks like the one above that says "Biofinity" on it, then I think you can be 99% sure that's what they contain.

Captainteneel · #39 (**permalink**) 04-08-2010, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Hello Captainteneel

Yes, once a radial tear develops, the lens will disintegrate rapidly and of course, even a minor radial tear would probably fail catastrophically during the day. I don't normally carry glasses, spare lenses or even a lens case with me, so would be in trouble, especially if I wanted to drive, but even reading bus/train numbers, etc. is a problem with limited eyesight.

I was just a little surprised/disappointed when a monthly lens showed some signs of physical damage after only 6.5 days - but that is perhaps the trade off for superior comfort.

knotlob

knotlob

So, have you changed your ways since posting this and started carrying emergency spare contacts and/or glasses?

Knotlob · #40 (**permalink**) 04-08-2010, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captainteneel

So, have you changed your ways since posting this and started carrying emergency spare contacts and/or glasses?

Yes and no! If I wear a soft lens like Biofinity, then I am very comfortable and don't ever carry a lens case, eye drops or other lens solutions.

But when I am wearing my RGP lenses, which are less comfortable and more prone to grit, then I usually carry a lens case for them and a bottle or eye drops/artificial tears. I don't carry spectacles as an alternative either - though, if on a long drive - vacation, etc. then I would probably have a pair packed, plus the soft lenses for swimming, etc. when I feel the risk of loosing the RGPs in a swimming pool is too high.

I am really still experimenting to find the best lens solution for the RGP lenses. I think the recommended solution for these lenses actually causes me a gritty feeling after a few hours - dried tear products? and I have also used peroxide/neutraliser as an alternative, but after a few days that seems to get a little uncomfortable. I do need to use the eye drops/artificial tears. The RGP lenses do however, give me superior vision.

knotlob

KITT · #41 (**permalink**) 04-27-2010, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Yes and no! If I wear a soft lens like Biofinity, then I am very comfortable and don't ever carry a lens case, eye drops or other lens solutions.

But when I am wearing my RGP lenses, which are less comfortable and more prone to grit, then I usually carry a lens case for them and a bottle or eye drops/artificial tears. I don't carry spectacles as an alternative either - though, if on a long drive - vacation, etc. then I would probably have a pair packed, plus the soft lenses for swimming, etc. when I feel the risk of loosing the RGPs in a swimming pool is too high.

knotlob

It sounds like you give your contacts some time off when you travel for vacation.

Knotlob · #42 (**permalink**) 04-27-2010, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KITT

It sounds like you give your contacts some time off when you travel for vacation.

Well I gave the RGP contacts a break for one or two days and switched to Biofinity or a Daily Disposable lens. I have been playing with the RGP lens solutions and hope to be find something more comfortable than the solutions I started out with. I think I am making some progress in that direction

.

knotlob

dragongirl81 · #43 (**permalink**) 05-04-2010, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

Well I gave the RGP contacts a break for one or two days and switched to Biofinity or a Daily Disposable lens. I have been playing with the RGP lens solutions and hope to be find something more comfortable than the solutions I started out with. I think I am making some progress in that direction

.

knotlob

It's nice to hear (Read?) that you are making progress in the comfort category. Please let us know when you find a combination you like so you can pass it on to other Lens 101 members.

Knotlob · #44 (**permalink**) 05-04-2010, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragongirl81

It's nice to hear (Read?) that you are making progress in the comfort category. Please let us know when you find a combination you like so you can pass it on to other Lens 101 members.

Yes, will do, but it will necessarily be European solutions, which may not be available, or the same, as in the US.

knotlob

MillersLastChance · #45 (**permalink**) 05-06-2010, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragongirl81

That's something new. It sounds like a good way to get a contact lens out, but isn't it a disadvantage to use both hands?

Of course, most people aren't using one hand to put their contacts in while the other one is brushing their teeth or flying an F-16, so maybe you're got something there.

I understand a certain singer can do quite a lot of things with the other hand while she has "one hand in her pocket."

PeriBrown · #46 (**permalink**) 05-10-2010, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragongirl81

That's something new. It sounds like a good way to get a contact lens out, but isn't it a disadvantage to use both hands?

Of course, most people aren't using one hand to put their contacts in while the other one is brushing their teeth or flying an F-16, so maybe you're got something there.

I think if you can remove a contact lens with one hand, then you should do so, but if you're out of practice, a two-handed technique is perfectly acceptable.

As for flying that F-16, it appears that you typically pilot one of those with one hand. I only see one control stick in this picture. If there are any F-16 pilots out there who can correct me, by all means, do so.

Ever fly an F-16 Knotlob?

Knotlob · #47 (**permalink**) 05-10-2010, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeriBrown

As for flying that F-16, it appears that you typically pilot one of those with one hand. I only see one control stick in this picture. If there are any F-16 pilots out there who can correct me, by all means, do so.

Ever fly an F-16 Knotlob?

Yes, well only in a Falcon F16 flight sim

There is normally also a left hand fly by wire joystick for the throttle and miscellaneous other controls.

knotlob

MillersLastChance · #48 (**permalink**) 05-10-2010, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeriBrown

I think if you can remove a contact lens with one hand, then you should do so, but if you're out of practice, a two-handed technique is perfectly acceptable.

As for flying that F-16, it appears that you typically pilot one of those with one hand. I only see one control stick in this picture. If there are any F-16 pilots out there who can correct me, by all means, do so.

Ever fly an F-16 Knotlob?

As far as I know, there's just the one control stick in an F-16 fighter plane. You have the stick and the pedals, and that's it I think.

So use as many hands as you want to insert your Biofinity contact lenses.

Knotlob · #49 (**permalink**) 05-10-2010, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MillersLastChance

As far as I know, there's just the one control stick in an F-16 fighter plane. You have the stick and the pedals, and that's it I think.

So use as many hands as you want to insert your Biofinity contact lenses.

There are two sticks (HOTAS). Hands on Stick & Throttle.

http://www.meriweather.com/16/left/throttle.html

Also in my F16 Flight Sim Manual the system allows twin Joysticks like the Thrustmaster TQS + FLCS sticks to be used. The F16 Throttle looks very like the TQS.

(But I guess you won't be allowed to fly and F16 wearing contacts anyway so it's a bit academic

)

knotlob

Banditcat · #50 (**permalink**) 05-10-2010, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

There are two sticks (HOTAS). Hands on Stick & Throttle.

http://www.meriweather.com/16/left/throttle.html

Also in my F16 Flight Sim Manual the system allows twin Joysticks like the Thrustmaster TQS + FLCS sticks to be used. The F16 Throttle looks very like the TQS.

(But I guess you won't be allowed to fly and F16 wearing contacts anyway so it's a bit academic

)

knotlob

That sounds pretty cool.

I think I should be playing F16 Flight Sim a little more instead of hanging out at Lens 101 so much. What do you think?