Hi all,

I've had astigmatism for quite some time and I finally went to an
opticians to get something sorted as was starting to get headaches
using my PC at work and I'd noticed my vision had deteriorated quite
badly in my left eye.

I cannot get along with glasses and probably never will (I find them
extremely annoying to wear for some reason) so decided to go for
contact lenses as my brother (who has the same condition) wears them
without issue.

Off I pop to Specsavers (UK opticians) and had a terrible time (due to
them just being poor in a lot of departments) and walked away with RGP
lenses.

My vision with them is great but I have a few questions if anyone can
help:

1)  I've had them for approximately a month now and my left eye lens
slips off and needs re-centering approx 2-5 times a week.  I've read
that it's normal to have it slip at first while you become used to
them but after a month?  Is this normal?  It's *very* irritating when
it happens.  :-)

2)  I still find them uncomfortable.  I have lens awareness mostly all
of the time.  Would considered opinion be that by this time, a month,
I should find them comfortable or at least on the road to being
comfortable by now?  I'm worrying that they aren't going to suit me in
comfort terms you see.

3)  My brother has recommended I look at soft contact lenses for the
comfort issue.  He said my astigmatism is only slightly worse than his
and that soft lenses are much more comfortable than RGP's.  My lens
prescription is:

Left Eye
BCOR - 8.20X7.45
DIAM - 9.30
POWER - 0.50f/-4.25s

Right Eye
BCOR - 8.10X7.50
DIAM - 9.30
POWER +0.00f/-3.00s

I have no idea what the above means.  I wonder if anyone here does and
if they do, do you know if I can wear soft lenses and would anyone
recommend them over RGP's?

4)  Last question!  I suspect I may try soft lenses.  Is my lens
prescription all I need to bring with me to another UK optician?

If anyone can help, thanks in advance.  :-)

Mark Whelan