2 contact lens questions

1- Do both lenses have to be the same type? My wife has a toic lens to
correct asigmatism in one eye, but why does she have a toric lens for the
other eye? Are we getting screwed?

2- With soft disposible lenses is there really any risk to different BCs
other than fit? My Dr is thinking of switching me from a 8.7 to a 8.2, and
maybe to a different brand with a 8.4. It seems pretty hap-hazerd.

"Mike Tyner" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:_a6re.3447$(E-Mail Removed) nk.net...
>
> "GuyPaul Thibault" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote
>
>> 1- Do both lenses have to be the same type? My wife has a toic lens to
>> correct asigmatism in one eye, but why does she have a toric lens for the
>> other eye? Are we getting screwed?
>
> It's hard to be sure about this without seeing her eyeglass prescription.
> Most of the time there's similar astigmatism in the other eye, though it
> may be less.
>
> Exceptions exist, but astigmatism isn't usually significant in soft lenses
> if her "cylinder" (the second column in the the eyeglass prescription) is
> 0.50 or less.
>
>> 2- With soft disposible lenses is there really any risk to different BCs
>> other than fit? My Dr is thinking of switching me from a 8.7 to a 8.2,
>> and maybe to a different brand with a 8.4. It seems pretty hap-hazerd.
>
> Fitting too tight has its risks, but that's why we inspect the fit in the
> microscope each time the base curve is changed. Tighter base curves (like
> 8.3 and 8.4) can help comfort, and the stability of torics.
>



Are there risks with being fitted too loose or i sthat just a comfort thing?





> Trying several, and inspecting each one, is the _best_ service you can
> get. At the other end of the spectrum are the (apparently very competent)
> doctors who read numbers off an instrument, write a prescription and then
> say "Torics just don't work for you" or the favorite "Your eyes are just
> dry. Get used to it."
>
> -MT
>
>

There is perhaps the risk of developing giant papillary conjunctivitis
from the constant rubbing of the edge of the contact lens against the
superior palpebral conjunctiva....

DrG

....which ultimately happens with GPC. The lens adheres to and moves up
with the lid. I don't know about your experience, but in the presence
of GPC, I always go steeper. Actually, I go in the direction of less
edge-lift, which does not necessarily mean steeper.

DrG