The Student Room Group

Does anyone wear O2 Optix contact lenses??

I used to wear these lenses and they were the only ones that suit me. Now I've been told that they've been discontinued for a 3 months or so, due to manufacturing issues, so they're offering everyone Acuvue Advance instead. However, I had a really bad reaction to these lenses, so don't know what to do! I've been given some daily disposables to try, but as I have dry eyes, I doubt they'll be ok for me. Anyhow, I guess I don't really have a clear question!! I just wanted to know if anyone else has the same problem?? My eyes are still sooo painful (not just sore/uncomfortable..painful!!) and I tried the Acuvue Advance on Monday! :frown:
Hi,

I dont wear o2 optix myself but work at an opticians on a sat...lol :cool:
Are they the daily lenses you wear and also what opticians do you go to? (each has their own brand).....
Reply 2
Saskia-
Hi,

I dont wear o2 optix myself but work at an opticians on a sat...lol :cool:
Are they the daily lenses you wear and also what opticians do you go to? (each has their own brand).....


Ohh cool job..what exactly do you do?

O2 Optix are monthly lenses..and they're the ones that are unavailable for a while. The daily ones that they've given me to try are just normal Specsavers dailies??
Reply 3
no
Saskia-
Hi,

I dont wear o2 optix myself but work at an opticians on a sat...lol :cool:
Are they the daily lenses you wear and also what opticians do you go to? (each has their own brand).....


Each opticians does not have their "own" brand. They'll supply whatever they feel are the best and offer a range but not all opticians techinicially have their "own" brand belonging to them.
kazaa
I've been given some daily disposables to try, but as I have dry eyes, I doubt they'll be ok for me.... My eyes are still sooo painful (not just sore/uncomfortable..painful!!) and I tried the Acuvue Advance on Monday! :frown:


I doubt a reputable optician would have recommended dailies if they were not suited to you having dry eyes (I'm assuming you've told them this.)

Are you sure your eyes are hurting from the trial of Acuvue Advance on Monday? If that's the cause then I definitely suggesting ringing your opticians now and explaining and perhaps they'll arrange for you to go in and sort it out further.

If it's only a period of three months you're going to be without contacts, could you not wear glasses for this time?

Although it may be worth getting used to a different lens incase this happens in the future. I used to work at an opticians and one of the lenses or solutions (I've forgotten the name now) we used became discontiuned but everyone managed fine on a suitable replacement.
Reply 6
coloursonthetv
I doubt a reputable optician would have recommended dailies if they were not suited to you having dry eyes (I'm assuming you've told them this.)

Are you sure your eyes are hurting from the trial of Acuvue Advance on Monday? If that's the cause then I definitely suggesting ringing your opticians now and explaining and perhaps they'll arrange for you to go in and sort it out further.

If it's only a period of three months you're going to be without contacts, could you not wear glasses for this time?

Although it may be worth getting used to a different lens incase this happens in the future. I used to work at an opticians and one of the lenses or solutions (I've forgotten the name now) we used became discontiuned but everyone managed fine on a suitable replacement.


Thanks for the reply.

Are dailies not suitable for people with dry eyes at all?

Yes, I'm sure it was the Acuvue Advance that was causing the pain. I pretty sure because I tried them for one day about a month ago and had the same reaction. But then I thought perhaps it was just a coincidence, so tried them again on Monday and had the same reaction. My eyes were red, it was difficult to actually take them out, and the pain was almost unbearable :eek: These are the contacts they're giving everyone who were previously on O2 Optix, and apparently they're getting on even better with the Acuvue ones. It's just me! :frown:

I did go to see them yesterday and they said there's not much else I can try for now...:s-smilie: I've tried the day&night ones, but that wasn't a good option, because it took several hours for me to adapt to the lenses each day (i would feel them for about 4 hours) and I don't want to actually sleep in them..so at least 4 hours of my day would be uncomfortable. It seems as though no contacts suit me apart from the O2 Optix!! They're not even sure if they'll be available in 3 months..they said 3 months minimum! I'm so scared of even trying out the dailes..just in case they don't suit me and I'll have no option but to wear glasses..I know it's not the end of the world, but I've been wearing contacts for 4 years and really don't want to go back to glasses! :frown:
kazaa
Thanks for the reply.

Are dailies not suitable for people with dry eyes at all?


I'm not 100% sure but most contacts are designed to be really moisturised and dailies are a soft lens. I reckon you should try it at least. Don't you have any eye drops to help with the dryness?

What sort of lens is the 02 Optix? Monthly? Daily? Gas permeable? Do you have a simple or complex, high perscription? I'm sure there's plenty more contacts in whichever category yours are/were. If your optician can only suggest Acuvue Advance or Dailies perhaps try elsewhere?
Reply 8
coloursonthetv
I'm not 100% sure but most contacts are designed to be really moisturised and dailies are a soft lens. I reckon you should try it at least. Don't you have any eye drops to help with the dryness?

What sort of lens is the 02 Optix? Monthly? Daily? Gas permeable? Do you have a simple or complex, high perscription? I'm sure there's plenty more contacts in whichever category yours are/were. If your optician can only suggest Acuvue Advance or Dailies perhaps try elsewhere?


The eye drops help for about an hour or so, hmm. I got some gel tears the other day..tried them overnight. Although you can't use them with contacts, so that kind of defeats the point, right?

The O2 Optix are monthly silicon hydrogen lenses. The Acuvue Advance are also silicon hydrogels..hmm! They also said there'll be a new contact lens out soon, which should suit me (well, in theory). At the moment they're only available in minus powers..I'm plus 2.

Thanks!
coloursonthetv
Each opticians does not have their "own" brand. They'll supply whatever they feel are the best and offer a range but not all opticians techinicially have their "own" brand belonging to them.



^ Not strictly true of course they will prescribe what is best for the patients eyes first and foremost this is of utmost importance to the health of a patients eye. Not to mention the fact if an optometrist makes the wrong decision they can get into serious trouble. I would imagine that this is only applicable to chain opticians; VE, Specsavers etc etc, not say, a locally run optometrists

However, opticians such as specsavers offer 2 main brands <i.e the most commonly sold brands for average prescriptions(there are others) of daily lenses : acuvue (the more expensive, hypothetically Heinz beans if you will) or Easy Vision (manufactured by Ciba, Tesco's own baked beans if you will)........they do exactly the same job, but are a different brand. EV CL's are only available (as far as I know) at specsavers branches....

Kazaa: Im an opthalmic dispenser, I only work their on a saturday, but ive learnt a lot so its all good....If you have a problem with the "dryness" causing the discomfort, we would usually recommend that you stick to monthly lenses. THis is becase they have a higher water content and tend to be of a better quality. This is because 1 pair of dailies will obviously been worn less and hence do not need maintain moisture for as long a time as monthly lenses do.....
Or you could try the 2 week Acuvue II's....as a midway point between monthlies and dailies...

If you still have problems, the highest quality lenses (in terms of percentage water concentration)are considered to be Night and Days, as patients can sleep in these. They have the highest water content and so may be the most comfortable option. However, please note that extended wear CL's do slightly increase your chances of corneal ulcers due to an extended wear time....and you have already said that these do not suit you so perhaps not the best solution.... :rolleyes:lol

I hope this helps.....although if you are really having problems you need to speak to your qualified optometrist :smile: :biggrin:
Reply 10
Thanks a lot for the reply, Saskia.

So..the dailies probably won't suit me..great! I'll give it a go (have a pair to try), though..just in case. :frown:

They said I could also go back to EasyVision standard lenses...but they're not so healthy for the eyes?! That's what they said. Basically, when I got contacts 4 years ago, I got the EasyVision standard lenses, then the EasyVision Elite ones came out, then I finally got O2 Optix. They seem to be against me going back to EasyVision standard, for some reason...but I wore those for a year or two without problems. Hmm. They keep dismissing the idea...are they really that bad for you??

Ahh, opthalmic dispenser..cool! And you're only doing A-levels?? Wow..sounds like a good saturday job to have! I wish I could do something like that..sorry, I realise this is slightly off-topic!!
Reply 11
I am supposed to have the O2 Optix but because they are unavailable at the mo ive been given some other monthly lenses. Not entirely sure what they are though...although im only on a months trial which finishes nxt week so i'll pay more attention
Reply 12
Saskia-
EV CL's are only available (as far as I know) at specsavers branches....


Not strictly true. These exact lenses are sold by different companies, just under a different name. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name :frown:
kazaa
Thanks a lot for the reply, Saskia.

So..the dailies probably won't suit me..great! I'll give it a go (have a pair to try), though..just in case. :frown:

They said I could also go back to EasyVision standard lenses...but they're not so healthy for the eyes?! That's what they said. Basically, when I got contacts 4 years ago, I got the EasyVision standard lenses, then the EasyVision Elite ones came out, then I finally got O2 Optix. They seem to be against me going back to EasyVision standard, for some reason...but I wore those for a year or two without problems. Hmm. They keep dismissing the idea...are they really that bad for you??

Ahh, opthalmic dispenser..cool! And you're only doing A-levels?? Wow..sounds like a good saturday job to have! I wish I could do something like that..sorry, I realise this is slightly off-topic!!



^ hehe thanks :biggrin::biggrin::biggrin: yes it is a good job that I enjoy .......

Well, I dont know why your optometrist have disuaded you from EV standards. As this is nt the case where I work, but every optom has their own policy on CL's it can be quite subjective! So I cant comment from a professional point of view, as there may be a reason why your optom doesnt like EV standards....

However speaking from a personal point of view (I wear EV standard Daily CLs) I find them fine....I used to wear monthlies of the same brand and they were fine too... (I only changed to dailies for the convienience of the lack of solution)....the only way to find out is to give them a try, in consultation with your optom....

if u have worn them before though, I am surprised that they are not putting you on to those as opposed to giving you CLs that are not suitable if they are uncomfortable.....

:smile: if you have any more q's feel free to ask :biggrin:

EDIT: I havent heard anything as to when the O2 optix are returning, if indeed they are. However I would imagine they are being updated? The CL market is fast changing at the moment I believe....not very helpful if they temporarily discontinue the only lenses which seem to suit I know :rolleyes:.......murphy's law!!!
loopymeg
Not strictly true. These exact lenses are sold by different companies, just under a different name. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name :frown:



They are equivalent to Focus Dailies produced by a company called Ciba Vision.....however the new EV's are produced by Saufflon (theyre the same just with a handling tint and extra UV protection...)

So many different types of lenses lol!!! :rolleyes:
Reply 15
Thanks for the info. I'll definitely ask them to let me try the EV standard lenses again!!! I didn't have a problem with them for 2 or so years, so I don't see what the problem may be..hmm. You def. wear the standard ones, not Elite??
How many hours do you wear them for? Just curious..

Thank youuu, I can help out with the Russian if you want. :biggrin: haha!

P.S. I also use the orange, hydrogen peroxide solution instead of the mutipurpose..they think that's better for sensitive eyes (guess it's true!!), but it's soo inconvenient..I can never take out my contacts for an hour, etc..
kazaa
Thanks for the info. I'll definitely ask them to let me try the EV standard lenses again!!! I didn't have a problem with them for 2 or so years, so I don't see what the problem may be..hmm. You def. wear the standard ones, not Elite??
How many hours do you wear them for? Just curious..

Thank youuu, I can help out with the Russian if you want. :biggrin: haha!

P.S. I also use the orange, hydrogen peroxide solution instead of the mutipurpose..they think that's better for sensitive eyes (guess it's true!!), but it's soo inconvenient..I can never take out my contacts for an hour, etc..


I wear my CLs for round about 10-12 hours each day which is the recommended time I think.

You're Welcome, you speak/are russian? :biggrin:

saskia x