Contact Lenses

[yellowduck]

OK, most of you probably won't be able to answer this but here goes: I have an astigmatism (rugby shaped eye ball) and really bad eyesight (properly bad!) and have been wearing gas permeable contacts for the last two years. My opticians gave me gas permeable to correct my astigmatism but I don't really like them cos I can't wear them for very long without getting uncomfortable and I always get stuff stuck in my eye. I'd quite like to change to soft contacts because they're meant to be more comfortable but they won't correct my astigmatism, but my question is (sorry this is so drawn out!) does that actually matter? - what will happen, will my eye sight get worse or what? I've asked my optician but not being racist or anything,  I really can't understand cos he's got a very strong accent so I end up just nodding at him and not actually finding out anything. Thanx (any suggestions at all!) x x x 

[jimmer]

check out this link:

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/en.asp?TopicID=42&AreaID=3958&LinkID=3033

could you try a different optician?

 

jim

[rojash]

"they won't correct my astigmatism, but my question is does that actually matter?"
Yes it matters a lot. If you have astigmatism then the primary purpose of spectacles or contact lenses is to correct it. The symptoms of astigamtism are much more noticeable (to the sufferer) than those of myopia. I have astigmatism in both eyes, and trying to see with it uncorrected is a bit like being drunk. I considered having laser surgery (the one where there cut a flap in the lens, laser underneath, then replace the flap), but when I saw the machine, I bottled out!

[Clanad]

You need to be aware that soft lenses are available in toric prescriptions which are specifically for correction of astigmatism.  They take a little getting used to since one side of the lens is actually slightly weighted so in orients itself on the eye to align with the astigmatism correction needed.  I've used them for many years with excellent results.  I use Baush and Lombe, Acuvue Disposable Lenses.  They're reasonably priced (U.S.)...

[Jules001]

I wore hard contact lenses for years and when I finally needed to update them, my optician said as I have astigmatism in both eyes, I would be better off with RGP lenses so while I was waiting for them to be made, he gave me some disposable soft lenses which I found a real nuisance (maybe I would have got used to putting them in and taking them out eventually) but also I noticed if I wanted to lie down to read or watch the tv the lenses would move and I either had to sit up or take them out and put specs on, they also tore very easily and I am glad that I don't wear them, sorry don't know if this helps or not.

[kalise25]

As an optometrist, I would always consider GP lenses as one of my first choices for every person who comes into my examination room. This is because they give the most stable vision and generally have a lower risk of eye infection than other lens types. (But I fit maybe 1 in 20 people with them.)

There are many other factors to consider when prescribing lenses - such as comfort.It may well be that your optometrist has had no other option but to go for a GP len for your eyes yellowduck - without examining you I can' t tell........but if you have problems with your lens comfort, go back and tell them! It 's what we're there for.

Soft toric lenses could be the solution, but only someone who has actually assessed your eyes can tell!

Do bear in mind that GP lenses are more difficult to fit - we fit more soft lenses than GPs because they're so much easier to do and more comfortable to wear in general.............so (sorry to repeat myself - it's Friday night and I've had a glass of wine) if your guy/gal has picked a GP lens, it's usually because it's going to give you the best vision, and that was probably your priority at the intial consultation - to get the best vision possible with the contacts. If your priority has changed, you need to tell them.

Hope this answers some questions for you (and makes some sense - I might try again tomorrow afternoon...)! Best of luck.

[kalise25]

I've spotted two (deliberate??) spelling mistakes in my last post......... damn the bordeaux!

 

Any q.'s yellowduck, just post on the board -I'll do my best. 

[yellowduck]

Thanx everyone - what a fab site this is x x x

[slimfandango]

Kalise, don't blame the bordeaux, "in vino veritas".

Go to your GP. It may be kerataconis.

[fairy!]

I have an astigmatism too & have been wearing soft Toric lenses for about 7 years... not as good vision as with glasses & they've strated to irritate me recently... but no probs for the first few years :-)

[kalise25]

In the unlikely event that it is keratoconus (see, I can spell that one slimfandango........) your optometrist would intially fit you with GP lenses anyway to slow the progression of the condition, and then refer you to the ophthalmology department at your local hospital if that was not helping. Your doctor, more often than not (and absolutely no offence intended here) will just send you back to your optometrist.

Best advice really is to go back to your practitioner - if he has any colleagues you might prefer to see, make an appointment with them instead (before you even contemplate changing practices). At least that way, they'll have all your case notes and history and will better understand the health of your eyes.

 

Best of luck now!

[AB Editor]

For all medical questions, we strongly advise you to seek professional advice from your optician or a healthcare professional.  Please do not rely on, or wait for, advice from Answerbank users.