Dear Contact Lens Guy:
I have keratoconus with astigmatism and myopia. Also, I have scar tissue on my right eye and it is only correctable to 20/50. My left eye is corrected to 20/25, which I feel is not bad.
Yesterday, I received my new hybrid lens for the first time. The fitting technician had me take my right eye in and take it out. I had very minor problems doing this and I thought it was normal for the first time. Her instructions to me were to look up (continuously during the process), slide the lens down my eye and pinch the plastic part until I could grab it and take it out. Since I’ve had most of my problems with my right eye in the past, I thought this would be the most difficult eye and my left eye would
be a “piece of cake.”
WRONG!!!!
Last night, my right eye came out pretty fast – only minor problems. My left eye, however, gave me a fit. Read the rest of this entry »
I am trying to go back to wearing contacts but am having a lot of difficulty. I will admit my last pair of contacts was back in the late 80s early 90s. much has changed. my eye Dr had me try several different brands of ‘toric’ in soft disposable lenses. but for some reason I was having a rotation problem. (the little weight or whatever would not stay in place, and my vision was very fuzzy.) one brand that I could see in, just not see well, would get a ‘cloudy’ spot and I was trashing them in less than a week. we changed cleaning products and my Dr said I have ‘dry eyes’, and that was part of the problem. we are now trying rpg (hard) contacts. but he said they are ‘floating” a bit also, and I have a ‘halo’ when I blink, and occasionlly a teary view when I blink. I guess is from them not wanting to stay centered? I am still on my first adjustment week with the rgp kind, have appointment next week for Dr to look at them. is this really the vision I can get? I dont know anyone with rpg, everyone I know uses the disposables. I’m afraid I cant wear contacts now that they are so improved and my astigmatism has gotten worse. thank you for you time. and btw, nice info site you have, will be recommending it to others. Read the rest of this entry »
I am attempting to wear soft contact lenses again after several years. However, I am having some difficulties. I have myopia, astigmatism, and large pupils. The problem that I am having is with the Toric soft lenses. I have tried several different brands and I can see the edges of the Toric center when I am in normal lighting conditions. I was told this is because my pupils dilate larger than most people. Regular soft lenses don’t give me the crisp vision that I prefer. I am hoping that you may know of a soft Toric lens that is made for people who have large pupils. I lenses that I can remember trying are the Acuvue Torics and the Biomedics Torics. There were a couple of others, but I don’t remember what they were called. I am leaning towards the soft lenses because I was told that the RGP lenses and even the hybrid lenses would cause the same issue.
Astigmatism, large pupils, and soft lenses definitely makes for a more challenging contact lens fit. There are two solutions I would say are worth evaluating for your case.
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If you want to stay with soft lenses, you are going to find that most any disposable soft lens, like the types you mentioned, will have about the same size optical zone.
It is possible to have custom made soft contact lenses where the optic zone can be larger. Labs like Unilens, alden, marrietta, and a bunch of others custom manufacture toric soft lenses. Your contact lens fitter may be able to get some made in a larger diameter, and in turn with a larger optic zone. That should improve centration and decrease distortion effect you notice from the edge of the optic zone.
My second resolution would be a gas permeable lens. Gas permeable lenses are all 100% custom manufactured and the specifications, including optic zone size, can be designed by your contact lens fitter.
I often fit gas permeable lenses on patients that experience glare caused after lasik surgery. Fitting post lasik corneas leaves us with the same situation, we require as large of an optic zone as we can get. In this case I always go towards a gas permeable lens. Depending on the type of astigmatism you have (if it is on the surface of the cornea or not) gas permeable lenses will also provide the clearest and most consistent vision.
The comment about the hybrid lens is absolutely correct. You will probably end up with the same issue, but that is not the case with regular gas permeable lenses. RGP lenses can be made in pretty much any design, size, specification, material, etc.. that a lens fitter can communicate with the manufacturing lab.
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Furthermore, when it comes to best vision, gas permeable contact lenses outperform soft lenses about 95% of the time.
So don’t despair, there is a solution to your lens issues. The only difference is that will probably not be disposable soft lenses.
I hope that helped to clear up some of your issues and good luck finding the right lens!
Steve
You mention that you can piggy back a hard lens onto a soft lens. How, then, are the lenses removed. Can you just pop them both out at one time? My problem is I have Softperm lenses and they dry out in my eye and are difficult to remove. I have scratched my cornea on two occasions just trying to get them out. My ophthalmologist says the fit is perfect, but an optometrist friend of mind says that they probably do not fit correctly if I have this problem. Please advise. Thanks! Read the rest of this entry »
Question:
Hi, I’m italian and I have keratoconus. I’m extremly interested in synergeyes lenses because I pratice agonistic sport and I need a stable, soft-like lens.
Here in Italy synergeyes aren’t yet avabile, and would be avaiable in 2008 at best.
I have a friend with a brother in the USA … Is it possibile having the right prescription from an eye doctor to get these lenses in the USA through my friend’s brother or is just too dangerous ?
Answer:
Unfortunately, this would be way too dangerous and unpredictable. As I am sure you know from your past lens experience, fitting a contact lens on keratoconus can be a challenge in and of itself. The same goes for fitting synergeyes. While they are great and promising lenses, they absolutely need to be fit, especially with keratoconus.
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I also like to stress that the synergeyes hybrid contact lens does not work for every eye. With keratoconus, it works best for central to inferior central cones. If your keratoconus is more inferior, or is actually pellucid marginal degeneration, synergeyes will not work as well.
If you are in a truly dire situation, and you really want to try the synergeyes, you can always take a trip to the states and visit your friend. Depending on the final lens needed, some synergeyes may take a couple weeks to manufacture. however, If you fall in to their "stock" parameters, lenses can be available for immediate shipment.
Another alternative you may want to consider in Italy is a piggyback lens system. Think of this as your eye care provider manufacturing their own hybrid contact lens. We usually use a high oxygen permeable silicone hydrogel soft lens like the Ciba Night and Day or Acuvue Oasys as a base lens. The soft lens only acts as a cushion and provides no visual effect. On top of the soft lens, a high oxygen permeable GP lens is fit.
The combination leaves you with comfortable, stable vision. Great for sports because the lenses should be stable and nothing will get under them.
You may also consider a semi-scleral gas permeable lens. These are gas permeable lenses that are the size of soft lenses. When fit properly, semi-scleral contact lenses are incredibly comfortable and also great for sports.
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In short, even though the synergeyes is not yet available in your area, don’t worry. You still have plenty of viable contact lens solutions to correct your keratoconus so you can play sports. And when you can evaluate a synergeyes, check them out.
