Contact lenses and double vision

I'm experiencing a bit of double vision in my left eye while wearing my
contact lenses. My right eye is OK, so I think that this could be an
astigmatism related problem... I have 0.5 (uncorrected) in my left eye
and none in my right eye. Myopia prescription is -4.0L/-3.5R.

It isn't double vision in the sense that I can see two copies of
everything. What happens is that, with black items on white
backgrounds such as on a computer monitor, a second "copy" of the black
item appears above where the "real copy" is. And I think that these
copies are always vertically displaced. It also happens with light
items on black backgrounds.

I had the same problem with other contacts... then I don't think that
it's a fitting problem. And my right eye vision is always perfect.

I have a few questions. Is my astigmatism causing this double vision?

If this double vision is due to it, why don't I have this double vision
problem with my old glasses? They don't have any astigmatism
correction.

Why aren't there contacts with 0.5 astigmatism correction if it can be
so annoying?

My OD says that my lenses are OK and this double vision should
disappear...

Thanks a lot!

jorgito wrote:

> I'm experiencing a bit of double vision in my left eye while wearing my
> contact lenses. My right eye is OK, so I think that this could be an
> astigmatism related problem... I have 0.5 (uncorrected) in my left eye
> and none in my right eye. Myopia prescription is -4.0L/-3.5R.
>
> It isn't double vision in the sense that I can see two copies of
> everything. What happens is that, with black items on white
> backgrounds such as on a computer monitor, a second "copy" of the black
> item appears above where the "real copy" is. And I think that these
> copies are always vertically displaced. It also happens with light
> items on black backgrounds.
>
> I had the same problem with other contacts... then I don't think that
> it's a fitting problem. And my right eye vision is always perfect.
>
> I have a few questions. Is my astigmatism causing this double vision?

Almost certainly.

> If this double vision is due to it, why don't I have this double vision
> problem with my old glasses? They don't have any astigmatism
> correction.
>

Are you sure? How do you know that? And if it's not corrected, why not?
Does someone have something against correcting astigmatism???


> Why aren't there contacts with 0.5 astigmatism correction if it can be
> so annoying?
>

There are a few manufacturers of those, and it might be worth it to you.

> My OD says that my lenses are OK and this double vision should
> disappear...

Maybe so, but don't count on it. It should be more like "you'll get
used to it". Whatever...

w.stacy, o.d.

Because they are my OLD glasses, they ware made before I had this
astigmatism. I have two glasses, one with astigmatism correction and
other without it. I don't experience double vision with anyone.

Why the problem only appears with contact lenses?

Thanks

I must assume that you are talking about soft lenses here, most likely
a thin soft lens or disposable. If your cornea has high points and low
points, the soft lens can drape between the two and give you that
secondary image or ghost. There are two possible solutions. The first
would be wearing rigid gas permeable lenses, as they can give you
simply stunning vision when they are fit well. Another option is to
wear a soft lens on the left eye that has an aspheric curve on it.
These lenses really work well on low cylinders like -.50. I really
like the Ultraflex Premiere 55% aspheric disposable lens, which is now
owned by Coopervision.

Yes, I'm talking about monthly disposable lenses. I think I can live
with this double vision, it's only really noticeable when I'm using my
computer. Just I wanted to know what is causing the problem and if
these lenses could be damaging my eye :S

I'll talk my OD about those Ultraflex contacts.

Thanks

BTW, aren't Focus Dailies aspheric lenses? I used to wear them and I
had the same problem in my left eye.

jorgito ha escrito:
> Yes, I'm talking about monthly disposable lenses. I think I can live
> with this double vision, it's only really noticeable when I'm using my
> computer. Just I wanted to know what is causing the problem and if
> these lenses could be damaging my eye :S
>
> I'll talk my OD about those Ultraflex contacts.
>
> Thanks

jorgito wrote:
> Because they are my OLD glasses, they ware made before I had this
> astigmatism. I have two glasses, one with astigmatism correction and
> other without it. I don't experience double vision with anyone.

Sorry, but the only way you can be sure is to have somebody put the lens
on a lensometer. Lots and lots of people are walking around with
astigmatism corrections and don't know it. Like an Rx -5.00 -.50 x 180
Most docs woudn't even mention the .5 cyl to the patient, or mention
that the patient even has astigmatism. They would just say the person
is a 5 D. myope. And astigmatism ususally doesn't *happen* like that,
one day you don't have it the next day you do. It is pretty much there
for good, since it is the shape of your eye that determines it.

>
> Why the problem only appears with contact lenses?
>

My guess is that in fact it is corrected in your glasses (have anyone
put them on a lensometer, it probably won't even cost you anything), but
there are other, more exotic explanations. But certainly, a spherical
soft lens will not correct your astigmatism, if that is what is causing
the doubling, and a half D. toric soft lens will, as will an RGP
(usually), as will a pair of glasses.

w.stacy, o.d.

Nope. Focus Dailies, and all other Focus products are not aspheric.

jorgito wrote:
> BTW, aren't Focus Dailies aspheric lenses? I used to wear them and I
> had the same problem in my left eye.
>
> jorgito ha escrito:
> > Yes, I'm talking about monthly disposable lenses. I think I can live
> > with this double vision, it's only really noticeable when I'm using my
> > computer. Just I wanted to know what is causing the problem and if
> > these lenses could be damaging my eye :S
> >
> > I'll talk my OD about those Ultraflex contacts.
> >
> > Thanks

OK, I'll try to know it for sure. I'm doubting now. But I remember my
OD saying something like "you have developed astigmatism" two years
ago, my other glasses where 4 or 5 years old by then. So I'm thinking
that my old glasses don't correct my astigmatism.

But you are right, I cannot know it for sure if someone doesn't put my
glasses on a lensometer

BTW, why the double vision disappears at some moments (my vision is
perfect then, even when I look at my computer LCD)?

Thanks a lot.

William Stacy wrote:
> jorgito wrote:
> > Because they are my OLD glasses, they ware made before I had this
> > astigmatism. I have two glasses, one with astigmatism correction and
> > other without it. I don't experience double vision with anyone.
>
> Sorry, but the only way you can be sure is to have somebody put the lens
> on a lensometer. Lots and lots of people are walking around with
> astigmatism corrections and don't know it. Like an Rx -5.00 -.50 x 180
> Most docs woudn't even mention the .5 cyl to the patient, or mention
> that the patient even has astigmatism. They would just say the person
> is a 5 D. myope. And astigmatism ususally doesn't *happen* like that,
> one day you don't have it the next day you do. It is pretty much there
> for good, since it is the shape of your eye that determines it.
>
> >
> > Why the problem only appears with contact lenses?
> >
>
> My guess is that in fact it is corrected in your glasses (have anyone
> put them on a lensometer, it probably won't even cost you anything), but
> there are other, more exotic explanations. But certainly, a spherical
> soft lens will not correct your astigmatism, if that is what is causing
> the doubling, and a half D. toric soft lens will, as will an RGP
> (usually), as will a pair of glasses.
>
> w.stacy, o.d.

OK, I thought I read it in some message of this gruop.

Thanks