Best contacts for astigmatism and dry eyes reddit

It was difficult for me to find contacts that were comfortable. I found an optometrist who specialized in contact lenses. Most optometrists have just a few brands for you to try, this guy had many more. He prescribed a relatively obscure brand of reusable lenses (meaning non-disposable) that were comfortable for me.

They seem expensive when you first buy them, but not when you factor in how long they last. I usually buy two pair at a time and then swap between those for a couple of years. They're supposed to last about 6 months, and I'm getting more than double that. I don't know if the brand I use would be appropriate for your eyes, but I have mild astigmatism and they give me good vision.

I use a heat disinfection unit that I got second hand on ebay. It's cheaper than chemical cleaners.

I buy my lenses from one of the big online vendors. I would share the name of the brand, but what worked for my eyes may not be right for yours. I had to try 3 brands to find the one that was both comfortable and gave good vision correction.

Hi everyone,

I have worn glasses since the age of 4 and contacts since around 18 on and off (now 28).

I've never found a contact lense that felt comfortable to me. I've tried Acuvue Oasys, Air Optix, Biofinity, Focus, Proclear and Bausch and Lombe. I settled on Biofinity, not really because they're good but because they're slightly less bad than the rest.

My eyes are dry from pretty much the minute I put my contacts in - I have no dry eye issues otherwise. I survive with eye drops and really only wear contact lenses on weekends.

Glasses are a real detriment and I find it very difficult to drive with them, so I'm thinking of switching to contacts every day because my new job will involve more driving.

I've heard a lot about Dailies Total 1 but unfortunately they have no toric offering at the moment and I have astigmatism in both eyes.

Does anyone have any advice on how to make contact lenses more comfortable?

EDIT: Thanks for all the replies! Definitely one of the most helpful subs on Reddit

UPDATE: Updating for anyone who finds this from Google or Reddit search in future... /u/Eiyran suggested I try Clear Care (I actually used the European equivalent, AO Sept) which is a peroxide based cleaner that neutralises overnight through a catalyst. In the morning, your lenses are sitting in (sterile) salt water, and ready to put in your eye.

The difference (for me at least) was incredible. I still have slight dry eye, but no pain or itching. It has totally changed how I feel about contacts. Its still early days but I am really hopeful that this is the answer for me.

I'd really like to thank everyone who gave their input and advice. I'm sure it will all help a lot of people in future!!

Dailies Total 1 are supposed to be specially made for those with dry eye. I'm waiting for samples for those because of back-ordering, but I just got to try the Precision 1 - same parent company (Alcon) and are like the sibling lens to the Dailies Total 1- and they've been the most comfortable I've tried so far. I work at an ophthalmologist office so I'm getting to sample a lot. The Precision 1 didn't start feeling slightly dry until the 4-5hr mark, and rewetting drops were enough to extend that to 7-8hr where I was at the point were I was definitely more aware of my contacts but not painfully irritated by them. They're also the most stable toric lens I've worn. I didn't feel any rotation, so I didn't get the vision distortion that can happen with toric lenses sometimes.

I had an old sample of the Acuvue Oasys 1 day with hydroluxe and though the prescription was wrong, for the short time I had it in it was comfortable. I was just wanting to see more if my eyes were ready to handle trials again. But, I think my issue was more the other brand they were trying to fit me in originally, the Clariti 1 days. My left eye (drier) absolutely hates them. I think because they're thicker than the Precision/Acuvue it caused more issues with my dryness and within 5 minutes I was ready to take those lenses out.

Hope that gave you some options to ask about!

Hello, I have some questions regarding contact lenses.

I am 25 and my current prescription is:

OD: -2.75, -1.25x180

OS: -3.25, -2.75x175

My prescription has been steadily increasing over the years, no signs of stopping yet, especially my left eye astigmatism (half a diopter increase every year). Before my left eye astigmatism got so high, when I could still use -1.75 (and then -2.25) lenses for my left eye astigmatism, I trialed some contact lenses: Acuvue Oasys, 1-Day Acuvue, Biofinity Toric and Bausch&Lomb Ultra. My eyes are dry, mostly because I spend most of my day in front of the computer because of my work. Acuvue Oasys were ok in terms of dryness, but the lenses were not very stable on my eyes and tended to twist a lot. Biofinity was more stable, but drier. I couldn't wear the Ultra at all, barely tolerated them for 30 minutes, no amount of drops helped. The winner was the 1-Day Acuvue, which was the most comfortable, but, just like the Acuvue Oasys, they were not that stable. I still wore those for a while. With my current prescription I cannot get them anymore. I can either switch back to Acuvue Oasys, or Biofinity Toric XR. My doctor told me to completely give up on the idea of wearing contacts because my eyes are dry and my astigmatism is high and "these two + contact lenses = no, forget about it". Is that right? I... I kinda wanted to try RGPs (for which I have to find another clinic which actually does them), but my current doctor never even mentioned them and I'd rather not spend a lot of time and money (I'd have to go to another city, get a consult etc.) if they are not an option.

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