What's the best contact lens out there for me?

April 18, 2007 7:47 PM

Eye Contacts Advice: I have tried Frequency 55 Toric. They often feel like they are suffocating my eye balls and the astigmatism correction is just as bad.

I've been wearing Frequency 55 for about a year now. It was time to update my prescription, so my eye doctor ordered a test pair of a new type of contact that allows more oxygen through (I don't know the name of the brand yet). They feel exactly the same after the first day of wearing them and the astigmatism correction is the same.

I know my eye doctor wants me to order contacts through him to make $. But, what I need to know is a brand that feels truly comfortable (can't even feel them in) and corrects the astigmatism better. So that I can order them from Canada and bypass the whole prescription monopoly.

Also, one of my friends recommended O2 Optix. He says they feel like they aren't in, does anyone else agree?

Also, the astigmatism correction I feel is mostly the lens fault. I've had two different prescriptions from two different doctors and the astigmatism correction was that same. I think the contact lens is just rotating crappy every time I blink.

posted by stlboi to Health & Fitness (10 answers total)

I actually had the O2 Optix and stopped using them because they were uncomfortable. The most comfortable lenses I've had so far are CIBA night and day's (30 day extended wear) and Acuvue Oasys (I wear one in each eye - don't ask long story). I can honestly say - I do not think about my contacts until I get my reminder email that I set up to change them once a month. So either of those are awesome.
posted by jourman2 at 8:24 PM on April 18, 2007

I like Preference Toric a lot. I've been wearing them about 8 years.
posted by radioamy at 8:35 PM on April 18, 2007

I wore various torics for a few years and with my astigmatism (I'm about -2 CYL -5 SPH) I was bothered by the rotation no matter how hard my doctor tried to fix it. I'm envious of the spherical folks with dirt-cheap disposable contacts. I reverted to glasses and have been happier. I think contacts just don't work very well for us, sorry to say. I think you cannot expect the astigmatism correction to be as good as glasses or you'll just be disappointed. (Small frames are in, so it's easy for us thick-glasses folks right now).
posted by putril at 8:42 PM on April 18, 2007

yes - i should note that I have astigmatism as well - so my doctor gave me a pair of glasses to wear over my contacts while driving (or in a situation where I need to see very well - back of a lecture hall or the like) and that does the trick, as my contacts do not correct for astigmatism. 99% of the time I just wear the contacts though. It's something to think about - I don't have 20/20 vision, but it's close, and the glasses can correct in times of need.
posted by jourman2 at 8:48 PM on April 18, 2007

Where do you live? Humidity is a factor.
posted by Totally Zanzibarin' Ya at 11:08 PM on April 18, 2007

You might try AcuVue Torics. I have a slight astigmatism--not enough to warrant the use of toric lenses--but I have used AcuVue's before and I can safely say that nothing else comes close to them. They're so soft you can't even feel them in your eyes and they stay hydrated. Definitely check them out if you can.
posted by Aanidaani at 1:05 AM on April 19, 2007

I used Softlens66 for the better part of a year with no complaints often wearing them for 12-15 hours at a time without drops or eye-rubbing. They're being discontinued so you can find them pretty cheap.

My new doctor has prescribed A Focus Night&Day which I like a lot and you can wear them all day long (and sleep in 'em too if that's your bag) and they're super comfortable.

I have a terrible astigmatism so much so that I've appparently developed a freak eye disease (self-link) which she recommends I wear hard contacts for - so that might be something to look into as well.
posted by heartquake at 5:20 AM on April 19, 2007

When I went for my eye exam I hadn't been tested in many years, but I just figured my eyesight had gotten slightly worse. Turns out I now have astigmatism on top of myopia.

I've been comfortably wearing contacts since I was 10, but the high-maintenance factor of toric lenses came as a shock to me. My doc was really supportive though, she gave me trial lens after trial lens until we found something that was the most comfortable for me: Bausch & Lomb PureVision Torics.

Just like every other brand suggestion on here, ymmv, but my point is, you should make sure your doc is having you try out every brand until you find something suitable. Sometimes, like in my case, that can take a while. If he's unable to provide this simple service for you, it's time to find a new optometrist.
posted by Menomena at 6:34 AM on April 19, 2007

Response by poster: I live in Phoenix, AZ. No humidity. :-/
posted by stlboi at 7:41 AM on April 19, 2007

I second the B&L PureVision Torics. I just switched over to them a little more than a month ago. It was a little freaky to leave them in at night, but after about a week they were fine as long as I have eye drops handy when I first wake up or I'll go into the bathroom, wash my hands well and pop them out for a saline solution rinse in my palm.

The PureVision really do provide a much sharper vision and astigmatism correction and I've found night vision improved noticeably as well (previously I'd been wearing B&L SofLens Toric 66 and they were awful by comparison). As far as comfort goes, frankly they are the best contacts I've had in that regard. I never notice I'm wearing them, except late in the evenings they get a little sticky, but again, eye drops or just blinking a few times will clear them up.

I highly recommend PureVison! And do what I did ... even though my eye doctor sells lenses, I simply asked for my prescription at the end of the exam, telling him truthfully that I am able to order them on the Web at a significant savings with excellent customer service. Asking for a prescription is not out of the ordinary and should be a part of the service for which you pay.
posted by kuppajava at 9:34 AM on April 19, 2007