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Re: Contact Lens Trials
Andrea wrote:
Hi I have been doing contact lens trials. I have narrowed down my choice to dailies but am not sure of which brand / size to pick. My trials range from BC 8.5-8.7 and diameter 14-14.2; the strength is 1.5+. Before I commit to a year supply, I want to make sure that I am getting the best size and brand combination for my eye (I only need a lens for my right eye). Shouldn't I be comparing lens with the same measurements instead of variation in brand, diameter and base curvature? How do I know if the issue is the fit vs. lens brand? For example, if the Logic 1 day (14, 8.6) feels like a better fit than 1 day Acuvue moist (14.2, 8.5) and Ciba Daily (8.7) should I try the Acuvue and Daily with the same measurements as the Logic before deciding? I find the logic 1 day least noticeable when wearing (14, 8.6). The Ciba Daily (8.7) moves around and has fallen out. The Acuvue moist is comfortable for the first 10 hours. I won't be able to see my optometrist for 1 1/2 weeks and only a few trials left. Hopefully I can get a few more trial lenses before making a decision. Thanks in advance.
Dr Carol Doman's response:
Andrea, Each brand of disposable contact lenses comes in certain parameters. Basically the lens brand determines the fit as each brand of daily disposable usually only has one base curve and one diameter. To explain further you cannot try an Acuvue or Ciba daily disposable in the same parameters as the Logic 1 day because they do not exist. The diameter and base curvature with soft contact lenses, especially daily disposables have little effect on the fit in most cases. It’s kind of like one size fits all. An 8.5 vs. 8.6 vs. 8.7 are of negligible difference with this type of lens. For most people any of these base curves will fit well. The thing that will determine the comfort is the type of material and the coatings/solution the lenses have been sitting in. For some people one brand may be more comfortable and for others a different brand may give the best comfort. As long as your optometrist says that they all fit well on your eye and that your vision is good, it is up to you to decide which one feels the best. It is quite possible that more than one of them may feel good and give excellent vision. In that case either one will be a good choice for you. Dr. Carol Doman
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Re: Contact Lens Prescription and Fitting
Serdar wrote:
Hi, I have a question regarding legality. This is my first time I'm buying contact lenses. My opto told me that I need a training period. I did this 2 months ago and I paid $55 for this training since my lenses are customized toric. Then I had to go out of town for about 1.5 months. When I came back and I asked the price of lenses for 6 boxes, they told me a higher number. So, I asked them for my lens prescription in order to get advice from another opto but they didn’t give me my lens prescription. I only have my eyeglasses prescription, which I know little bit different than contact lens prescription. Are they allowed not to give me my prescription? Do I have to buy from that optometrist? Thanks
Dr Carol Doman's response:
Hi Serdar, Customized toric lenses are a specialized product and do cost more than regular disposable contact lenses. Generally if the contact lens fitting is completed then the prescription for contact lenses can be released. However if the fitting was not completed then the contact lens prescription is not released as there is no final prescription. To have the fitting complete all of the follow up visits must be attended to and the contact lens fit and vision through them need to be satisfactory to the optometrist. If all of these things were not completed the fit is not finalized. If you are going to visit another optometrist they are likely going to do a new fitting on you, as they will want to ensure that everything is satisfactory with the contact lenses before you purchase them. You would just need your glasses prescription in that case. Dr. Doman
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Re: Changing to Acuvue Oasys Contacts & Buying via the Internet
Joebecca wrote:
Hi! My eye doctor suggested changing from Focus monthly lenses to Acuvue Oasys because of the many hours per day that I wear my lenses and my significant myopia (-11.5). I looked into changing, but my previous base curve of 8.6 doesn`t appear in the options for the Acuvue lenses (they carry only 8.4 and 8.8). I hesitate to go back to the doctor's office because since moving to Quebec, I`ve been argued with twice for buying contact lenses on the internet (as I`ve done for the past 8 years at least!) Can you help me know what`s best? Thanks very much,
Dr Langis Michaud's response:
Dear Joebecca, It is not a good idea to look for contact lenses, a medical device that can impact your ocular health, sometimes for life, without professional advice and follow-up. There are so many published cases of patients that had a corneal ulcer following a misuse of their contact lenses, bought through internet. Some even after a single use of their lenses. Even if you try to save a few bucks per year by skipping the professional fees related to contact lens prescription and delivery, I think that your eyes worth more than that! Would you buy medication through the internet without consulting a doctor? The answer is obviously no. When an optometrist prescribes a contact lens, after a proper trial, he takes the full professional responsability. He selects the most appropriate materials to keep a good ocular health in a long term basis. This is why your doctor is right to recommend you an upgrade from Focus to Oasys. It is like coming from a regular rabbit-ear TV to a HD plasma one. These lenses are up-to-date in technology and offer the best protection against UV rays in the market. I recommend strongly this type of contact lens for a regular wearer. As you saw, there are 2 base curves available in this material. That means that the lens has to be fitted on your eye to alleviate any mechanical problem in the future. This is why I strongly recommend that you see your optometrist again to finalize his prescription. Ask about the year-supply offered in offices and the manufacturer’s rebate offers that comes with this annual supply. Also ask to have your lenses delivered to your home by Purolator, free of charge, if your optometrist asks the company to do so. In the end, you will pay probably the same amount as with internet but you will have the big plus of being fitted and followed by a competent eye care practitionner. This has no price. Good luck, Dr. Langis Michaud, Associate Professor, U de Montréal
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