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Fran asked:

> Could listmates please elaborate on what a *toric* contact lens is?

A toric lens is a soft contact lens that is used for people who have an
astigmatism. It has taken manufacturers years to perfect this so that
people with an astigmatism could see adequately through soft contact
lenses.

> just how expensive would that be (compared to regular contacts)?

My toric contact lenses are disposable (every 30 days) and cost $17.00
per pair (or $8.50 each). That totals $204 a year for contacts which is
more costly that gas permeables that you can wear for several years if
you vision doesn't change. The thing was we with me, I couldn't wear the
gas perms anymore because of discomfort. I perfer contacts because my
vision is much better than with glasses. I was getting my gas perms
changed about every year anyway and the cost was between $200-250, so
for me it was toss up.

> can you waer them for extended periods?

You can but any doctor I have had prefers that you don't, because it
increases the risk of infection. There is really no need to wear
contacts when you sleep.

> any cautions because of the diabetes?

Not that I am aware of, but remember I am not a diabetic (I am a celiac)
and my daughter does not wear contacts. She only wear glasses for
reading.

> I would love to lose the glasses if I could, once again
> they now have corrective laser surgery, but it is expensive ($2000 per
> eye) & a certain % still have to wear corrective lenses, post surgery.

I would just like to make a comment on this corrective laser surgery.
When my husband has laser surgery for snoring, obviously we went to the
Laser Surgery Center in town. This was in June of this year. I was
floored and 95% of the people in that waiting room were there for
corrective laser eye surgery. They were handing over their credit cards
for amounts from $2,500 to $4,000 depending upon whether they were
getting one or both eyes done. I guess what amazed me the most is that
they went to the back for the surgery and were out in ten minutes. I
would say there is a lot of money being made in this area. Especially
when this is considered cosmetic by insurance companies unless you have
a medical reason. That's why all these people were paying up front.
They were cranking people through that laser center like you wouldn't
believe. That morning I think my husband was the only one there for
snoring. By the way the snoring surgery helped tremendously.

Pam