Are toric contacts usually less comfy than regular spherical ones?

[theeedude]

I have astigmatism. I used to have ProClear torics, and they made my eyes itchy.
I tried regular non-toric spherical Acuvue Oasys that was approximately my RX, and it was very comfortable to wear, but didn't correct astigmatism. So I got Acuvue Oasys for astigmatism, and my eyes are itchy again, even though it's supposed to be same hydro-clear plus compound.
Is there something specific about toric lenses that irritates the eyes, or is it just a coincidence? I thought the only thing different would be the curvature of the lens.

 

[giverson]

I'm very happy with my ProClear torics.

That said, the best thing I've ever done for lens comfort is when I switched to ClearCare for a cleaning solution. I still use a more traditional cleaner when I travel and I really notice the difference.

 

[theeedude]

I'll try clear care, someone else recommended it too.
Right now I have replenish

 

[rcpratt]

ClearCare is a bit annoying to use, but it definitely helps with comfort.

I never noticed a difference in comfort when I switched to soft toric lenses. Of course, due to the lovely kerataconus that I have developed, I now wear one dime-sized rigid gas-permeable lens and one quarter-sized scleral lens...so anything is comfortable compared to that.

 

[theeedude]

Called the optometrist, she scheduled follow up and also recommended I try a sample of Clear Care before then. So will be giving it a shot. I will ask her for some daily torics to try as well. Seems like between the time saved and solution cost, would be worth an extra buck or so if I can get a good fit.

 

[theeedude]

Hmm, Clear Care did help somewhat.

 

[Imp]

I use torics, and the only complain I have against them compared to regulars is that they sometimes go out of focus after blinking/closing your eyes. You get used to it though, and it's a small price to pay for the extra clarity. I wanted to kill myself after cheaping out a few years ago and getting regulars instead of toric; everything was a bit blurry.

I just to use some other Accuvue brand that felt pretty good. The new bottle of Replenish I started recently has been burning my eyes in the morning. Might be the cold weather and low humidity, might be the solution.

 

[Bateluer]

Ran into a similar problem when I wore contacts. Didn't wear them very often or for very long for several reasons. My astigmatism required torics, which, when combined with my tiny deep set eyes, because very hard to get in. I did like the not having to wear glasses though, so I ended up getting LASIK after a few months of not wearing them contacts.

 

[theeedude]

Unfortunately I am not a Lasik or PRK candidate, so contacts it is for me.

 

[iluvdeal]

Torics shouldn't be less comfy than regular spherical lens. I'll second the rec on ClearCare, that helped me out a lot in reducing irritation and the amount of time I could tolerate wearing contacts. ClearCare also cleans/disinfects better than MP solutions. Try rinsing your lenses with fresh saline before putting them on also.

For comfort, I recommend trying on as many different brand contacts as you can. I wear torics too and I'm pretty hard to fit, but my doc gives me as many trial pairs from as many different brands as I want until I find a pair that's right for me. There's no one brand that's right for everyone, you just have to search for the one that's right for your eyes.

 

[MotF Bane]

Called the optometrist, she scheduled follow up and also recommended I try a sample of Clear Care before then. So will be giving it a shot. I will ask her for some daily torics to try as well. Seems like between the time saved and solution cost, would be worth an extra buck or so if I can get a good fit.

That's the best route for it.

 

[Bateluer]

Unfortunately I am not a Lasik or PRK candidate, so contacts it is for me.

There are other vision correction options than glasses, contacts, LASIK, and PRK. There are other laser correction procedures. Have you heard of implantable lenses?

http://www.docshop.com/education/vision/refractive/icl/

 

[rcpratt]

I'm probably going to be trying a type of "intacts" soon. Unfortunately, I would still have to wear regular hard gas-perm lenses as well, but that will be better than living with a contact in only one eye (with a -7.25 prescription) like I have for the last three years.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I have an astigmatism and toric lenses are too uncomfortable for me. To compensate for the astigmatism my optometrist bumped up the prescription of my Acuvue Oasys lenses and I've been very happy with that.

 

[MotF Bane]

I have an astigmatism and toric lenses are too uncomfortable for me. To compensate for the astigmatism my optometrist bumped up the prescription of my Acuvue Oasys lenses and I've been very happy with that.

Strange, my optometrist tried the same thing with me, no effect at all.

 

[theeedude]

Strange, my optometrist tried the same thing with me, no effect at all.

It depends how much cylinder you have. I have -1.25 in one eye, and I wore plain non-toric contacts that were my sphere + 1/2 cylinder, and vision was OK for social things and sports that I used it for, a bit blurry for computer. You are obviously not going to get as good of a vision as with torics, but comfort factor may offset it.

 

[insect9]

Have you tried GP contact lenses?

A toric lens has two base curves and usually two powers to match the corneal and refractive cylinder of your eyes. If one curve is incorrect they may be uncomfortable.

<----- Makes contact lenses for a living (manufactured 8 pairs of new toric lenses less than two hours ago.)

 

[theeedude]

Actually I am starting to think that irritation I was experiencing may not even be due to contacts. Could be just allergies. It seemed a lot better after using Clear Care. I am going in for a follow up, going to also have them fit me for daily wears, just to try them out. I mountain bike a lot, so I am in dirt and dust quite a bit, it's kind of appealing to be able to throw away lenses and not worry about cleaning them properly.

 

[insect9]

We do have quite a difficult time with allergies and contact lenses (mostly coating with protein.) Also, some medications (especially thyroid medications) can REALLY affect lens comfort.

While disposable contacts are convenient, GP's can last a LONG time if properly cared for making them quite cost effective in a lot of cases. It's not at all odd to have a patient need a new pair after 5+ years with the same lenses, and being hard, they can be polished if they get a scratch and can even be modified if your prescription changes (usually by +/- .75 depending on the material).