Airoptix Multifocals?????

Anyone reading tried these yet, either as patient or prescriber?

How well did they work? How do they compare with other soft multifocals?

 

As with all soft lens multifocals, individual patient factors are a
large factor in success. With some people the AirOptix works best,
for other people another one works best. You need to find a fitter
who does a lot of multifocal SCL fittings and who has a large trial
set. Be prepared for several visits and pairs of trials before
hitting the right combination.

All said, I try the PureVision Multifocal first and use the others
when that one doesn't work.

Judy

 

Thanks for the info, Dr. Judy.

I have tried the purevision mfs,. and did not have good results with them.

Currently wearing monovision, and not so happy with that either.

I know there are no perfect contact lens options for presbyopes, but hoping
to find something better than the current monovision. If I could find
multifocals that would work for me, that would be good.

I saw some promotional material online for the Airoptix multifocal. and it
sounds from that like it is a really new and different, more effective
design, but of course, that could just be advertising, and might not be
based in reality.

Do you (or anyone reading who might know) know if the design of the AO MFs
is significantly different than the pv mfs, so it might work, on people for
whom the pv mfs have not worked so well? (Of course the material is
different, but how different is the actual mf design?)

I agree, that it would be good to go to an eye doctor who has much
experience with mfs, knowledgeable about them, etc., and that it might
require several visits. The problem is--how to find a local fitter who has
that experience and knowledge. If I call an OD office and ask whether the
doctor has experience fitting multifocal lenses, they will all say "yes".
However, I find that many docs do not fit multifocals much, and are more
likely to steer patients towards monovision. Do you have any suggestions for
how to find a local fitter who is actually experienced in MFs, has the trial
sets, willing to spend the time, etc.?

Thank you.

As with all soft lens multifocals, individual patient factors are a
large factor in success. With some people the AirOptix works best,
for other people another one works best. You need to find a fitter
who does a lot of multifocal SCL fittings and who has a large trial
set. Be prepared for several visits and pairs of trials before
hitting the right combination.

All said, I try the PureVision Multifocal first and use the others
when that one doesn't work.

Judy

 

Have you tried modified monovision -- multifocal in one eye, single
vision in the other. The single vision lens is most often a single
vision far as the more common complaint is blur at far. Ask your
fitter for a trial with PV high add on the near eye instead of single
vision near.

Mostly hype as far as new and different bifocal design goes.

When calling ask if they have a trial set and how many different
companies. An experienced MF fitter will have a trial set, will not
be just be ordering trials in and should have the three main designs:
PureVision and Soflens 66, Proclear, Airoptix. May also have Acuvue.
Its fair to ask how many orders for MF SCL they fill in a month. Look
for at least 2-3, that may not seem like a high number but, given the
size and nature of the MG market, it does indicate experience.

Judy

 

I just got my trial pack, and I'm a disappointed. It's probably just
my particular case, though.

I started wearing contacts at 59 when I couldn't renew my driver's
license because of hyperopia. I had been using reading glasses.

I never did like even having reading glasses, so after doing my own
research, I learned of multifocal contacts. I located a DO who was
real encouraging for me to try them. He fitted both Ciba and B&L
multifocals. I started with Ciba's Focus Progressives, and after the
regular 1st time users getting used to inserting and removing
contacts, I got down to the vision adaptation.

It took a long time for my brain to figure out how sort out the
correct image (my guess of what was happening). I couldn't read the
print on an old dot matric printer without help. I was about to give
up on the whole process, when things started to improve. This took
several weeks, but I stayed with it them.

My DO suggested I try B&L multifocals with high add. I think they
were Purevision. The near to 10' was lots better than Ciba, but the
distant vision was terrible. I couldn't read street signs over a half
block.

I settled on Ciba FP and my prescription is +1.75OD +1.50OA. I did
not mention before, but I have slight astigmatism. I have about 20/25
with the Ciba's and I couldn't ask for better up close. I can read
the smallest printed on the smallest medicine bottles!

When I heard about the Air Optix Multifocals, I wanted to try them.
They are not working for me. I got same prescription with high add.
Just like B&L, the near is better but I distant is blurry.
I wasn't going to wear them 24/7, so that wasn't an important factor
for me. They do seem slightly more comfortable, but the FP's are very
comfortable, also.

As a side note, in my quest for better vision without glasses, I got
fitted with semi-rigid GP multifocals. The distant was a lot better.
I really couldn't ask for more, but I couldn't get enough from the
add. I had to use reading glasses again, so I'm still back with Ciba
Focus Progressives.

 

Yes, i tried modified monovision--toric single vision for far, and
multifocal in the near eye.

Near vision wasn't sufficient. Had to keep lowering the power on the near
eye, to the point where the difference between the eyes wasn't much
different from plain monovision--in that case, why multifocal? The point of
multifocal is for both eyes to see near and far.

If I found lenses that really worked that way for me, would be great!

Is the AO MF a similar design to PV MF?

The PV MF has two add powers, low and high. The AO MF has three-low medium,
and high. Is the high add of the AOs higher than the high add of the PVs?
Or--are the high and lows similar, with AO having the medium in between?

Thanks

Have you tried modified monovision -- multifocal in one eye, single
vision in the other. The single vision lens is most often a single
vision far as the more common complaint is blur at far. Ask your
fitter for a trial with PV high add on the near eye instead of single
vision near.

Mostly hype as far as new and different bifocal design goes.

When calling ask if they have a trial set and how many different
companies. An experienced MF fitter will have a trial set, will not
be just be ordering trials in and should have the three main designs:
PureVision and Soflens 66, Proclear, Airoptix. May also have Acuvue.
Its fair to ask how many orders for MF SCL they fill in a month. Look
for at least 2-3, that may not seem like a high number but, given the
size and nature of the MG market, it does indicate experience.

Judy