Standard Disclaimer

It's REALLY hard to review contact lenses. It's not just about the lens. It's about the lens and your body. It's about polymer. But it's also about edge design, optical zone, etc. It's about biocompatibility. It's about YOU. With that said, some lenses are better for most than others. My experience is one of millions. Find out what you can and go to an optometrist who's open to trying things and working with you!

For what it's worth, I'm a 22 year old male with moderate myopia and very mild astigmatism. My spectacle Rx is as follows:

O.D. -3.00 sph. -0.50 cyl. 173 axis.
O.S. -3.00 sph. -0.75cyl. 006 axis.

In Oasys I wear a -3.00D spherical with the only B.C. (8.4) and diameter (14.0) offered.

If you don't have a clue what that means, read on. I just included it thinking it might make my experience of greater interest to the O.D.s out there!

My saga

Contact lenses were always a physical difficulty and when I finally could get them in I couldn't see well enough to be worth it or to not make me sick. Last year, I was SO mad at my glasses I was determined to get contacts. So I did. I got http://www1.epinions.com/content_260306669188. and I hated them! They made me sick because of the poor vision and they dried my eyes out. But over the course of a year I got to where they at least didn't make me sick and I could wear them for 8 hours before my eyes were too dry to take it - even longer some days. Time for a new prescription, and for certain occasions the contacts were okay so I wanted some more. But I couldn't understand how people could wear them full-time!

Off to the optometrist

I went to the optometrist, and my usual doc was gone so I saw a lady filling in for him. She was great and when I explained things she suggested I consider trying Vistakon (Johnson and Johnson)'s Acuvue Oasys. I decided to. WOW. The instant I put the lenses in it was the world through new eyes. Soft smooth and unnoticeable I had crisper vision than ever. I've been wearing them full time the last week and I've been loving them.

What's the same as other lenses?

The Acuvue Oasys is one of the most modern contact lenses out there. Like the O2Optix I used before, it's a modern silicone hydrogel lens. This means it lets a TON of oxygen through to your eyes (though not quite as much as the O2Optix).

Like most lenses prescribed today, these are a two-week disposable lens. This is a very popular market category, because they're very convenient and very healthy - there's no time for lenses to get super dirty or worn out! They are approved for up to 6 nights of extended wear when appropriate, but this isn't the healthiest thing you can do for your eyes. Talk to your doctor before you do this! It does mean it's OK to nap in them (which I do all the time) or to sleep in them once in a rare while (very convenient).

What's different?

Oasys is unique in Vistakon's Hydroclear Plus technology. This makes the lenses very comfortable and wettable. They're really thin, floppy things compared to the O2Optix - the material is far softer. They're also as smooth as you can imagine - silky smooth with far less friction on the surface.

This equals a super comfortable lens you can't tell you're wearing!

What's even better?

The vision! With the same -3.00D power as the O2Optix, my vision with these is far sharper and crisper than I've ever imagined possible. I have mild astigmatism - too mild for special contacts but strong enough it drove me insane uncorrected in the o2optix. I can't even tell with the Oasys! They're perfectly sharp and they rarely dry my eyes! It's a beautiful thing! Somehow the design of the Oasys lens masks over the astigmatism in my eyes, and I can't begin to descibe how great that is!

Are they for you?

The Oasys lens is available in a rather limited range of parameters. There is a single base curve (8.4mm) and diameter (14.0mm). They are available from -0.50D to -6.00D in 0.25D steps, from -6.50D to -12.00D in 0.50D steps, from +0.50D to +6.00D in 0.25D steps, and from +6.50D to +8.00D in 0.50D steps

Only your optometrist or other eye care specialist can prescribe these. Contact lenses are a prescription medical device. However, if you've been unhappy with your comfort or vision in another soft lens and your current lenses fit within or close to the powers above (ignore base curve and diameter - they vary between brands and lens types - only your O.D. can determine if these are appropriate values for you) I would strongly suggest asking your doctor about Vistakon's Acuvue Oasys. I can't say enough good things about these lenses. It's literally like seeing the world through new eyes. They're amazing. As always, and especially for a product like this, email me if you have any questions! americanbear@markuhde.com

Recommended: Yes