WHAT'S BEST FOR ME? TORIC LENSES OR NON-TORIC LENSES?

FOR THE PAST 6 YEARS I HAVE BEEN PUTTING UP WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE CORRECTLY WITH TORIC CONTACT LENSES. I HAVE SEVERE ASTIGMATISM AND I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND A PAIR OF CONTACTS THAT I CAN SEE NORMAL WITH.  THIS IS WHERE THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST COMES IN...I HAVE A COUSIN THAT ALSO SUFFERS FROM ASTIGMATISM. BEING THAT WE BOTH SHARE ALMOST THE SAME PRESCRIPTION ON BOTH EYES SHE GAVE ME SOME ADVICE.  SHE SAID SHE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM FOR YEARS UNTIL ONE DOCTOR FINALLY TOLD HER THAT MAYBE JUST WEARING NONTORIC LENSES MIGHT ACTUALY ALLOW HER TO SEE BETTER.  SHE TRIED THEM AND LIKED THEM BETTER. RECENTLY SHE GAVE ME A PAIR AND THEY ACTUALLY DID FIT ME BETTER AND I SAW BETTER THAN THE TORIC LENSES I WEAR NOW.  DO YOU THINK THIS IS POSSIBLE?  I DID TELL MY EYE DOCTOR ABOUT THIS BUT HE DIDN'T TAKE IT SERIOUSLY.   SHOULD I BE MORE PERSISTANT OR DO YOU THINK THIS IS NOT A GOOD IDEA TO WEAR NONTORIC CONTACT LENSES?

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Thanks.

MJK MD

[JodieJ]

I'm guessing that you have a problem with your toric contacts rotating in your eyes.  Some brands of toric contacts tend to rotate more than others.  I suggest that you try consulting a different eye care provider--preferably someone who specializes in fitting contacts.  RGP contacts also correct astigmatism and don't have a problem with rotation.

I'm not sure what you mean by "severe astigmatism."  If you can see better wearing your cousin's contacts (hopefully, disposables which were given to you and not shared), it's time to find a new eye care provider (IMO).