Re: Question about my contact lenses

On or about Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:31:11 -0800 (PST) did
donttalktome@xxxxxxxxx dribble thusly:

Two days ago I went to the optometrist to get new contact lenses. I
have not worn contacts in a while but I left off with the Acuvue
Oasys, which were very bothersome. I don't think they were fitted to
my eye properly.

Up until recently, Oasys came in a single size - 8.4 BC, 14.0mm
diameter. They now also come in 8.8 BC (the higher the BC, the
flatter the lens).

Base curve is not a precise thing with soft lenses. You can tolerate
a pretty big range. For example, I was initially given 8.7 BC Acuvue
Advance, since my eyes are a bit flat, but I can still wear 8.4 BC
Oasys (though I'll be trying the 8.8 when I next go back for an exam).

Most lenses come in only two sizes - a low-end base curve, and a
high-end base curve, with the same diameter.

Pair 1: When I put these in, I had the feeling like I had put them in
a bit wrong. They were mildly annoying, PROBABLY BECAUSE THEY WERE THE
WRONG DIMENSIONS, but my doc chopped this up to "sometimes ya gotta

You didn't say what they were, and I can only guess they are Oasys.

If that's the case, there are two sizes, and it's unlikely that you
were given the wrong one.

Either it works for you, or it doesn't.

The day after, I put in pair Pair 2.

Pair 2 is Acuvue 2 (my rX is -2 diopters btw) and these were
uncomfortable from the start. VERY. And right after I put them in I

My doctor has given me 4 lenses WITH DIFFERENT CURVATURES to evaluate
and see which one is more comfortable. HMMM, LET ME SEE, PROBABLY IT
WILL BE THE ONE THAT FITS BEST, seeing as they are all silicone
hydrogel lenses suited for continuous wear.

Acuvue 2 are not silocone hydrogel lenses, and are not suitable for
continuous wear.

The CIBA visions, which I have JUST put in, and find quite
comfortable, although not PERFECT, have a BC of 8.6 and a DIA of 14.2
The CIBA night and day's (the one's suited for 30 day wear...although
I would never have them in for more than a weak) have a BC of 8.4 and
a DIA of 13.8

8.4 to 8.6 BC is a very small range. The diameters are standard for
the lens in question.

I don't know what the first CIBA lens you're talking about is, and I'm
guessing the second is Focus Night & Day. I find the latter
intolerably uncomfortable, and Oasys extremely comfortable.

It all depends on your eyes.

So, I guess my question is:
Did my optometrist goof up big here, or do these lenses really come in
such different dimensions that the "personal preference" he was
talking about is actually just the sizes that the lenses come in
(which I find hard to believe...as they would try to fit as many
types of people as possible)?

He did not goof up. The main problem here is that you seem to have
educated yourself insufficiently about contact lenses. Enough so you
feel justified in lambasting your optometrist, but not enough to know
the reality of fitting soft lenses (i.e. you pick the existing sizes
that are close to your eyes' measurements).

You also don't seem to be considering the differences in material at
all.

Acuvue Advance and Oasys are made from very soft silicone hydrogel
with rounded edges, while Focus Night & Day is made from a stiffer
silocone hydrogel with unrounded sharp edges. I find the former two
very comfortable, and the latter intolerable.

Also, do you guys think I should try Bausch and Lomb Purevision? I
have read nothing but great reviews about them.

They are optically quite good. PureVision are much better for night
vision than Night & Day (ironically), as the latter have a small
optical zone, and unless you have tiny pupils, won't correct your
whole visual field in the dark (when your pupils reach their maximum
size). The materials feel much the same to me - the PureVision is a
tiny bit more comfortable than N&D, but still intolerable to me.
--
- Mike

Ignore the Python in me to send e-mail.
.

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