Monday, December 21, 2009

Acuvue Oasys Contact Lenses

Among the current selection of soft contacts, the Acuvue Oasys family of lenses is taking their place in the ‘neighborhood’ and is rapidly growing in popularity. They have stepped to the forefront, becoming a leading brand prescribed by eye doctors.

Acuvue Oasys, Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism, and Acuvue Oasys for Presbyopia all share features that contribute to the ongoing improvement in comfort and extended wear desired by contact users.

The trademarked Hydraclear Plus technology approximates the way eyes naturally stay wet, with a delivery of moisture that lasts all day even in environments and conditions that rapidly produce dryness. The use of senofilcon A (a silicone hydrogel material) facilitates a high flow of oxygen through the lens--a necessary process to maintain eye health. This unbeatable combination gets you as close to that feeling of ‘not wearing any contacts at all’ as any soft lens can.

The Acuvue Oasys family has also forged ahead in the area of UV protection, blocking 96% of UV-A radiation and 99% of UV-B radiation from reaching the covered portion of the eye*. These numbers put Acuvue Oasys at the top of the list in this regard, gaining seals of acceptance for ultraviolet absorbing contact lenses from both the American Optometric Association and the World Council of Optometry.

In addition to the comfort and UV protection, Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism delivers constant, crisp vision due to its four-point Accelerated Stabilization Design that keeps the lens from rotating (and causing a loss of focus). Acuvue Oasys for Presbyopia employs Stereo Precision Technology to achieve clear sight at all distances.

Many contact users who are introduced to the Acuvue Oasys family are happy with the results, and there are others who are switching from their prior contacts to get this same satisfaction. One such individual, age 60, has spent much of her forty-four ‘contact years’ settling for just three hours of comfortable lens wear a day. After recently discovering Acuvue Oasys, she now experiences several days of wear without discomfort. Another turned away from ‘old’ Acuvue Oasys after an initial trial only to come back and embrace the improved brand.

Acuvue Oasys is FDA approved for two-week daily wear or six nights of extended wear. Ask your eye doctor about the Acuvue Oasys family member best suited for you.



*All other areas of the eye still need to be protected from ultraviolet radiation. These lenses are no substitute for UV-protecting eyewear such as sunglasses, goggles, etc.
UV-A radiation damages collagen fibers (which support cell structure) and destroys Vitamin A in the skin.
UV-B radiation does direct DNA damage that leads to skin cancer.

Friday, December 18, 2009

O2 Optix Contact Lenses

The news is out. Contact lens wearers with busy, daylong activities can now enjoy finding new freedom and confidence with O2 Optix.

In the past, insufficient oxygen flow to the eyes--related to materials in the manufacture of many contact lenses--caused redness, irritation, and dryness before the day was done. Any enjoyment of lengthy activities was marred by having to switch out of contacts and/or wear glasses.

Recently, all that has changed thanks to the introduction of silicone hydrogels. These innovative materials have allowed contact lenses to be made with an amazing improvement in the rate of oxygen flow to the eyes. Among these lenses is Ciba Vision’s O2 Optix, rapidly becoming popular among soft contact wearers who have been looking for that safe ‘all-day’ lens.

Prescribed for the correction of myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness), O2 Optix is designed to provide the highest levels of moisture and oxygen permeability possible with a soft contact lens. Also, the surface of the O2 Optix is specially treated to resist protein and other deposits naturally produced by the eye or come from handling the lens. All this technology helps to minimize common symptoms associated with Corneal Oxygen Deficiency, e.g., irritation, blurred vision, dryness and redness. Since these complaints can shorten contact wear-time, the revolutionary features of O2 Optix are a welcome contribution to ongoing eye health for those wearing their lenses for longer periods during the day.

All-day activities become easier and can be enjoyed fully without having to remove contacts because of ‘tired’ eyes and dryness. So go ahead with that hike or excursion, the healthy and fresh feeling you have with O2 Optix will continue for hours.

Other features of the O2 Optix are the blue tint and tiny ‘Ciba Vision’ lettering applied to the lenses, as an assist in seeing the contacts better within solution (or if they’re dropped or lost and you need to retrieve them) and in orientation before insertion.

Satisfied wearers describe O2 Optix as “desirable”, “(of) high quality”, and “an easy choice”. They also suffer less from ‘eye fatigue’ and see their eyes maintain a ‘healthy whiteness’. As the popularity of these lenses grows, many patients are asking eye care professionals about them.

O2 Optix, a 1-2 week disposable lens, is FDA approved for daily and extended wear up to six nights.

As always, consult your eye doctor in determining what the best lens and care regimen is for you.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Convincing Your Parents About Contacts

You are a teen (or pre-teen) with a vision problem that needs correction, but the thought of having to wear glasses turns you off. You would love to be able to wear contacts, but your parents may not think it’s a good idea. How do you convince them otherwise?

First, make sure your motivations for having contacts are practical. Peer pressure should not be an overriding factor in your decision. The argument “but all my friends wear them” is not a winning one in this case. Yes, contact lenses are ‘cool’, they make you look more attractive, and you won’t be called ‘four-eyes’, but more importantly they also allow you to better participate in sports and other activities, tend to bolster your self-esteem and give you more confidence in social interactions. Contact lenses also eliminate the obstruction to peripheral (or side) vision caused by eyeglass frames and make it less awkward when having to don sport or safety goggles. Improvements in technology and manufacture have made lenses more convenient and comfortable.

The major concern of parents is that their children may be too young for contacts. For many years, the prevailing notion was that the constant changes in kids’ eyes as they matured excluded them from wearing contact lenses until adulthood. This idea has been disproved in recent studies conducted with children ranging from 17 down to as young as eight being successfully fitted with contacts*. So now, ‘too young’ becomes less a matter about age and more about responsibility.

In this regard, you are dealing with the perception that young people are somewhat irresponsible, especially in cases where follow-through and continued diligence are necessary. The fact is people are able to assume responsibility at different ages, and this is to your advantage if you have shown mature behavior in the past. It is best to remember that contacts are medical devices, so you must be prepared to have more frequent visits with your eye doctor. Beyond initial fitting and instruction on how to insert and remove your contacts, there are appointments to monitor changes in your prescription and prevent possible problems concerning eye health. Obviously, your doctor’s instructions must be obeyed faithfully. Depending on what type of contact you wear, there are regimens for care and cleaning that are to be strictly followed. If you successfully prove your ability to make these adjustments, obtaining contacts will become much easier.


*CLIP (Contact Lenses in Pediatrics), jointly conducted by colleges of optometry in Ohio, Massachusetts, and Texas; and PREP (Pediatric Refractive Error Profile), a three-year study at five US clinical facilities.