Toric contacts and using computer at work

I just got my first pair of contacts last year which are torics
because of my astigmatism. Problem is that when I use my computer my
vision is blured and no where near as clear as when I'm wearing my
glasses. As a result I have to wear my glasses which defeats the
purpose of why I wanted contacts. Is this normal with toric contacts
or are they not fitted appropriately?

Left eye: D: +0.50, Cyl: -1.25, Axis: 170, BC: 8.7, Dia: 14.4
Right eye: D: +0.00, Cyl: -0.75, Axis: 10, BC: 8.7, Dia: 14.4

 

You didn't mention your age or whether the blur is ony noticed
on the computer (ie. is your distance vision fine with the cl's ?).
In general, you shouldn't have problems with the cl's while on the
computer unless they're drying out or you're over 40. Sometimes
oan individual will stare at the monitor that can cause drying of the
lens. You might want to try a rewetting agent to see if this helps the
blur at all.

Other docs may have different experiences, but I've found correction
of low astigmats with no significant myopic/hyperopic refractive
errors with soft torics to be a more difficult population for success
than in other groups.

Obviously, you should discuss this problem with your cl provider to
see if there are any problems. Good luck.

frank

 

My distance vision with the contacts seems to fine. I'm 29 years old
so below the 40 threshold you mentioned above. What type of contacts
would you recommend? I'm just trying to get as much data as possible
so I can hold an informed conversation with my optomotrist. Thanks.

 

Hi,

I've always had an issue with contacts that I tend to only notice when
looking at a computer screen (which I do 10+ hours a day), so I'll
share my experience and you can see if you're having the same issue.

Basically, when I wear contacts I get somewhat of a ghosting effect
where I'll see a ghost image of an object 50-75% above the "real"
copy. I usually only notice it when I'm looking at something light on
a dark background, e.g. light computer text on a dark background
color. At first I thought it was just normal blurriness, but when I
looked closely I saw that the test was ghosting, and the ghost copy
blends in with both the original copy as well as adjacent lines of
text, etc. So the end result is basically the same as normal
blurriness.

The most common cause for this type of ghosting seems to be
astigmatism. The doctors that I've seen however say that I have only
a very slight astigmatism that normally they wouldn't even bother with
trying to correct via toric lenses. And when I've tried toric lenses
they haven't made things any better. So I don't know what the deal
is. I get the effect without contacts as well but since things are
blurry anyway I don't notice. I don't get the effect with glasses.

The easiest test for this is to look at a digital clock (with red
digits) in a dark room. I can very clearly see the "ghost digits" in
this case.

So, I haven't found a solution to this (maybe I just haven't seen a
good enough doctor) and am just "dealing with it". It's not so bad
that I *have* to wear glasses when I'm looking at a monitor - now I
just wear the contacts at work (where there is more lighting, hence I
don't notice the ghosting as much) and wear glasses at home where I
tend to keep the lights lower. It sucks but the 3 doctors I've seen
were dumbfounded and I don't have the time or money to see doctor
after doctor after doctor looking for a solution. If this is your
issue and you find a good solution let me know!

 

I am in a similar situation as you only a -4.5 and a computer user 10hrs
a day. And my eyes do get drier now with Torics than before and hence
blur my vision. The doc said that wihle working on the computer, our
blinking rate (what lubricates the eyes) goes down by two-thirds.

The other problem I've encourtered is that they turn on me - not
necessarily upside down, but perhaps 90 degrees, which is enough to
through them off. Your contacts might be a different design and not be
subject to that problem.

BTW - I've lived with .75 of astigmatism a long time without correction
and never complained about computer work because of it - only distance.

 

I just wonder if it's indeed a problem with your cl's drying out(your blink rate
is less while on the computer versus looking out at the distance); at your
age you should have ample accommodative (ie focusing) amplitude to handle
the duties at near. I would really be liberal with the rewetting agents to see
if that's the problem. Without knowing the material or brand of the toric lens
you're wearing, I'd suggest asking your doc to try another material - one that
wont dehydrate as much (ie. lose water content). Personally, I like the proclear
torics myself. Sometimes using punctal plugs (for dry eye patients ) does the trick
as well.

frank

 

Thanks Frank. FYI: I'm currently wearing Acuvue Torics.

 

My experience with computers and contacts is mainly with gaming, which
requires extremely rapid eye movement, this causes toric lenses that I
have used to constantly misalign and lose focus. I have taken drying
into account, and used endless amounts of rewetting drops to no
effect, I'm fairly sure it is the 'unnatural' speed of eye movement
involved in high intensity online gaming.

I would imagine that athletes deal with this also, and I'd be
interested in finding a contact lense that performed better than the
Acuvue2 Toric I'm using.

Anyway, from my experience, contacts not compatible with computer
gaming, at least not torics. Perhaps the orginal poster has an
application that causes similar rapid eye movements (porn? sorry,
couldn't help that one...) j/k!

 

My toric experience is exactly opposite. When I do things that involve
eye movement (computer, TV, reading) the focus stays OK. Freeway
driving, however, causes one lens to eventually go blurry and it takes a
while (and sometimes some eyedrops) to come back.

--
Cheers,
Bev
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