Non-Disposable soft contact lenses

Hi,

I have been wearing non-disposable soft contact lenses for almost
10 years now (changing it every year or so).

I went to a doctor recently to get new lenses. He persuaded me to try
daily disposables. I tried two premier brands each for a period of a couple
of weeks. But neither was as comfortable as my original non disposables.
My non-disposables are so comfortable that I practically don't feel them at all.

However with the daily disposables, I felt they were pinching my eyes.
The doctor examined my eyes with me wearing the disposables & said it looks
fine from his end - but I wasn't very comfortable with them.

My non-disposable's have a B.C. of 8.9
The disposables had B.C.'s of 8.6 (or 8.6 & 8.7),
I think. The doctor didn't have any disposables with a higher B.C.
I checked websites etc & saw that no disposables aren't made with
B.C. 8.9

I feel this is the main reason for my discomfort.
When doctors examine my eyes they always prescribe 8.6 or 8.7 but
it never works for me - not even in non-disposables - I have tried
non-disposables with B.C. 8.7 & they weren't comfortable either.

So finally, the doctor represcribed my old non-disposables & I am
again very comfortable.

However, the doctor was very unfortable with me going back to
non-disposables - he said that they aren't as healthy as disposables.
He said that protein deposits build up & also they dehydrate & cause
damage to the eyes for most people. However, he did examine my eyes
& say that there is no damage at all to my eyes even after 10 years
of wearing them & said that maybe next year when I come back, I could
try 2week disposables to see if they work for me.

Now, I am worried - are non-disposables really so bad.
I wear contact lens for maybe a total of 15 hours in a week
(not continuously). Sometimes it's more 25-30 hours, but mostly
it never crosses 15 hours in any week.

What is the best way of caring for the lens so that problems
don't happen ?

I usually, put it back in Kirkland Signature Multipurpose Solution
when I am not wearing them - sometimes when I don't wear the lens
for 2-3 days, they just lie there in the solution.

Once in a month or once in 6 weeks,I use the enzyme tablets to
deproteinize (once a month, not once a week, because, mine isn't heavy use and
also because the Kirkland solution says "no separate protein removal
neccessary")

Any suggestions etc ?

 

If you want to broadly generalize, then I agree with your doc that
disposable lenses are overall best for most people. However, if you like
standard annual replacement lenses and you can keep them clean and not
overwear them, they are probably fine for you. Do not worry. Enzyme them
as you are doing (I would recommend weekly enzyming though).

-------------

 

There are many, many brands of disposable lenses. I know of at least one
brand that is available in an 8.9 base curve. Disposables were invented
for a reason. Since the advent of disposable lenses, I have seen far fewer
contact lens related problems, especially those related to dirty lenses
with deposits. A soft lens is porous, much like a sponge. And, much like a
sponge, it will attract and retain soil from the tear lipids and proteins.
And, much as a sponge cannot be cleaned after awhile, a soft contact lens
cannot be completely cleaned. Then there is the matter of torn lenses,
unit replacement costs, convenience, etc., etc., etc. To top it off, any
new lens technology is introduced in the disposable modality. Any of the
new silicone-hydrogel lenses are disposables.

Ask your practitioner about the Biomedics 55 2-week disposable lens in the
8.9 base curve. The old Acuvue is available in an 8.8 base, and the One
Day Acuvue in the 9.0 base. Also, don't sell the 8.6 Focus N&D short, as
its smaller diameter makes it fit much flatter than most 8.6's.

DrG


(Throw Away) wrote in

 

In general, disposables are healthier than non disposables as your doctor
said. However, some individuals have very good quality tears and are
successful with non disposables. If your vision is clear and your corneas
and lids are healthy, then, for your individual case, there is not a problem
in continuing with your original type of lens and care system.

Dr Judy

 

If I were your doctor, I would be nagging you considerably to change your
habits, which I consider poor. These lenses aren't so costly that you need
to preserve them for 8 years. Not only are these lenses made of a low Dk
polymer, they are further compromised in terms of their O2 permeability by
their thickness if they are torics. They should not be worn overnight.
One of the potential side-effects of a lack of oxygen to the cornea is
something called "pannus," or "neo-vascularization," which is the
appearance of blood vessels growing into the clear cornea in a vain attempt
to supply more oxygen from the blood. I would like to assume that this
would be noted by your ophthalmologist during your ANNUAL examination, that
is if you are going regularly.

Incidentally, the Durasoft lens material was widely known "in the day" as
being extremely "durable." It is, however, classified as an ionic
material, and therefore tends to attract protein deposits more.

DrG