On Contacts
I've worn contacts since 7th grade. After a couple years of soft, daily wear contacts (the non-disposable kind that come in a vial), I switched to 1-2 week disposables. This was a great boon for the young partial_reality, who lost contacts at a rate comparable to that which other teens lost their virginity.
Anyhoooo, I've worn Focus 1-2 Weeks (formally called CibaVision NewViews) for well over a decade now. After a recent eye doctor visit, it was suggested I try something new. Apparently, contact lens technology has improved significantly over the past few years. The new lens of choice is the silicone hydrogel, which boasts a much higher oxygen permeability than the previous conventional hydrogels. You'll find the new material in the "premium" contact lenses such as the Acuvue Advance, Acuvue Oasys, and Ciba Night & Days.
The doctor had to practically beg me to try the Oasys (I was strongly of the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it mentality), but I gave it a shot. I have to say, I've been pretty pleased. They felt immediately comfortable from the moment I put them on. I'll sleep in my lenses on occasion, and I always woke up with them feeling much less dry than the Focus. They also seem to give me a slightly better visual acuity, though that may be psychological.
The biggest shock though has been putting back on my Focus lenses after only a 2 week trial of Oasys. I can totally feel the difference. I'm aware the Focus are in my eyes in a way I wasn't with the Oasys. That's strange since 2 weeks ago I would have told you that most of the time I'm barely aware of my contacts.
So I'm going to buy a batch of Oasys and give it a longer test out period. So far so good, but I'll withhold final judgement for a couple more months. I bring all this up for those of you who have tried contacts in the past and failed. Or those of you who have trouble with contacts due to dry eyes. You may want to give the Oasys a shot. The biggest downside, of course, is the price. They run me about $26-27/box (before rebate), whereas Focus were $20/box. From the research I've done, it looks likely the Oasys may eventually replace the Advance, given the problems people have had with the latter. Time will tell if this lens is really worth the added expense.
Anyhoooo, I've worn Focus 1-2 Weeks (formally called CibaVision NewViews) for well over a decade now. After a recent eye doctor visit, it was suggested I try something new. Apparently, contact lens technology has improved significantly over the past few years. The new lens of choice is the silicone hydrogel, which boasts a much higher oxygen permeability than the previous conventional hydrogels. You'll find the new material in the "premium" contact lenses such as the Acuvue Advance, Acuvue Oasys, and Ciba Night & Days.
The doctor had to practically beg me to try the Oasys (I was strongly of the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it mentality), but I gave it a shot. I have to say, I've been pretty pleased. They felt immediately comfortable from the moment I put them on. I'll sleep in my lenses on occasion, and I always woke up with them feeling much less dry than the Focus. They also seem to give me a slightly better visual acuity, though that may be psychological.
The biggest shock though has been putting back on my Focus lenses after only a 2 week trial of Oasys. I can totally feel the difference. I'm aware the Focus are in my eyes in a way I wasn't with the Oasys. That's strange since 2 weeks ago I would have told you that most of the time I'm barely aware of my contacts.
So I'm going to buy a batch of Oasys and give it a longer test out period. So far so good, but I'll withhold final judgement for a couple more months. I bring all this up for those of you who have tried contacts in the past and failed. Or those of you who have trouble with contacts due to dry eyes. You may want to give the Oasys a shot. The biggest downside, of course, is the price. They run me about $26-27/box (before rebate), whereas Focus were $20/box. From the research I've done, it looks likely the Oasys may eventually replace the Advance, given the problems people have had with the latter. Time will tell if this lens is really worth the added expense.