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Thread ID: 121568	2011-11-01 02:19:00	Anyone know much about contact lenses?	DeSade (984)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1241163	2011-11-01 02:19:00	I know I pay a lot for mine and I have been investigating other avenues such as online. Trouble is one of my contacts has always been custom made and because of this I haven't been able to get it in a monthly leave-in type. My optom has finally given me a leave-in to try which got me thinking, if they are available now to cover my prescription perhaps I can find them elsewhere and save some cash also. So the question is, is it critical that all the numbers match?	DeSade (984)
1241164	2011-11-01 03:50:00	which numbers don't match? BC = base curve, this effects the fit and comfort. it needs to be right. Dia = Diameter, this can be off by a tiny bit. power or sphere = the strength of the lens, this should be with 0.1 Cyl or Cylinder = is the about of Astigmatism correction. most often the custom bit. Axis = is the angle of the Astigmatism correction. most often the custom bit brand of lens is also a big part of the prescription, this effects the material the lens is made of and the fit. the BC is also effected by the material, and so a different brand can require a different BC. the power and Cyl is effected by a change to the BC. so a new brand = a new material = new BC = new power and Cyl. this is why getting a correct fit and prescription can be hard. most importantly a wrong prescription in fitting/material can damage your eyes.	robsonde (120)
1241165	2011-11-01 03:56:00	It sounds like you are going for long term (permanent) or longer term disposables? What I can say from experience is that fitting is quite important. I had them done in NZ for a couple hundred bucks but my first pair end up shifting, happened more on one eye maybe they got dried. Like when you blink you get an abrupt shifting of the lens. With disposables, you can get them done good in NZ and then order the same exact ones off the Internet ....... But these days I prefer spectacles :D They can be a trend and fashionable, like designer brands. I find that my vision is better with spectacles given my astigmatism. Less eye fatigue as well but in NZ you don't get that high humidity as you do in the tropical countries so they don't fog up when you go from indoors to outdoors, and I don't get into contact sports well cannot anyway, due to a medical event.	Nomad (952)
1241166	2011-11-01 04:37:00	I already have a prescription that I can match perfectly (done a little more digging) but little worried about the new brand. Cost is more than 50% cheaper thou.	DeSade (984)
1241167	2011-11-01 04:47:00	Could you not just get your current brand? With the new brand, there might be fitting issues who knows ... However some companies offer a free trial if you look thru the Internet.	Nomad (952)
1241168	2011-11-01 04:55:00	I can't find my current brand in monthly leave-ins	DeSade (984)
1241169	2011-11-01 07:13:00	Re: Anyone know much about contact lenses? - Yeah, me. I'm an optom when I'm not killing time in here. Firstly to you guys, you're taking awful risks when you substitute different brands or materials which have matching numbers. Consider the numbers as a guide only. An 8.6 in one brand might act like an 8.8 in another brand. Likewise the diameter. These days the numbers are used more as a means for manufacturers to differentiate their new lenses from old designs, by making the new model carry a different curve on the packet (in reality, the curve stated might not match the actual curve!!!) All the components combined (base curve BC, Diameter, Sphere, Cylinder, Axis ALL contribute to the final fit, and the fit, as well as the material properties are vital for safe longterm use. A lens of BC 8.5 Diam 14.0 Sph -1.00 will look, feel and perform differently from a lens of 8.5 14.0 -2.00 most important bit: If you plan continuous (overnight) wear DO NOT MESS AROUND WITH ALTERNATE BRANDS OR PARAMETERS without the knowledge and approval of your optometrist. It used to be that the water content of the lens material was a guide to how safe (O2 and CO2 permeable) the lens would be for the stresses of long hours or overnight wear. Now the more modern Silicon Hydrogel materials have blown that rule of thumb away, and water content is not really a good yardstick any longer. There are other yardsticks known as Dk, and the more relevant Dk/L that offer another measure of permeability, but this permeability is dependant on how thick the lens design is, which in turn is also influenced by how much power is built into the lens (so a lens with 120 Dk/L in -1.00 will not be as permeable as the identical brand in -2.00) To cut it short, by all means buy online, and save $. But NEVER substitute different brands / models / materials / parameters without your optoms prior trial, assessment and approval. You only ever get two good, clear corneas. Getting replacement corneas stitched in is not ever a good option (except for the disabled, who are still disabled after corneal grafts), so don't assume you can take chances with them.	Paul.Cov (425)
1241170	2011-11-01 07:15:00	I'm happy to answer questions. PM me if you want to keep them confidential. Regards.	Paul.Cov (425)
1241171	2011-11-01 07:21:00	Hey, I just have a question for you then :p I had permanent soft toric contents before glasses but find glasses better - less fatigue and clearer image and my contacts shifted maybe due to dryness but it happened more on one eye and as soon as 3hr of wearing doing normal stuff (not work/computer). Had 2 sets, the 2nd set was better, both had them done in NZ with follow up appts etc. I had some monthly contacts as well before they were somewhat better but still got the shift and the feeling of a bruised eye ie., a bruised mark on my arm - that kinda numb feeling. And when I say lens shifting. I mean that if you were in a movie theatre. If you blink and it shifts, you could feel and see your vision change as the lens slowly falls back into place ...... Thinking of going to disposables and for toric lenses they only do weekly's not dailies as for J and J's. Question - would they suit me or am I just the few that might not suit that well or just put up with them :confused:	Nomad (952)
1241172	2011-11-01 07:22:00	double	Nomad (952)
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