Those who appreciate and value the ability to wear contact lenses also know that there is a level of responsibility that must always be exercised due to the eye health factors involved.
The major reason people choose contact lenses is that they are the vision correction option that best approximates the natural free feeling of going without glasses. Contacts have become more convenient in recent years, due to advances in materials and technology that have extended wear times and widened the range of vision correction. Now that federal law requires that wearers have a copy of their lens prescription, obtaining contact lenses has become easier through online retailers and other sources.
And this is where personal responsibility in choosing lenses has become more important.
Despite the necessity of a valid prescription (renewed annually through an exam with your eye doctor), the increased ease of shopping for contact lenses and the introduction of many types of non-corrective cosmetic lenses has allowed them, in some people’s minds, to become more of a fashion accessory and not a medical device. Teens and young adult wearers have become susceptible to this mindset and have tended to lump contact lenses with t-shirts, shoes, jewelry and other trendy items that are sometimes shared with others. This is a dangerous practice. Nothing illustrates this more than the recent explosion in popularity of circle contact lenses among young girls in an effort to achieve the ‘enormous eyes’ sported by current pop singer Lady Gaga in a music video. These lenses (which give wearers a large-eyed look, much like what is seen in Japanese anime and manga) are illegal in the United States without prescription, but are nevertheless available for purchase on the Internet. Medical and legal warnings are being bypassed in favor of looking ‘cool’. Definitely not ‘cool’ are the results from irresponsible use of these lenses: pain, inflammation, corneal abrasions, and infections that can cause blindness.
It is not difficult to be a responsible contact lens wearer. Just stick to the basics that have proven healthy and effective for years. Only your eye doctor can properly prescribe and fit your contacts. Have regular eye exams to monitor any developments that can affect your ability to continue with your lenses. Discuss any voluntary changes in regards to lens brands or styles with your eye doctor. Follow all care, cleaning, and wear-time instructions from your doctor and contact lens manufacturer. Do not be swayed by fads until you investigate the latest ‘chic’ lens product to see if it can be prescribed safely.
When it comes to contact lenses, there is never any time when it is ‘okay’ to ignore the health concerns of these necessarily controlled medical devices. Responsible behavior in your approach to contacts is the best way to avoid damaging your vision, thus jeopardizing the freedom and convenience contacts add to your lifestyle.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Healthy Eyes Lead to Successful Contact Lens Wear
When it comes to acquiring and wearing contact lenses, a lot of thought and preparation goes into the selection and care of your contacts. It is right for you be concerned about getting the proper lens that fits correctly, and gives you the comfort and freedom that is important for your lifestyle. To support the success and longevity of contact lens wear, the best eye health possible should be maintained.
It is not difficult to give yourself an ‘edge’ against potential challenges that could endanger your ability to wear contacts. The following are a few things to consider in regard to being proactive when it comes to vision care.
The part of the eye most impacted by contact lenses is the cornea. Making sure that you follow the wear and care regimen of your contacts is a good first step to minimize problems that could stem from not properly cleaning or disposing of your lenses.
An appointment with your eye doctor is recommended to discover the state of your current eye health and determine if you are at risk for eye disease due to family history and other factors. Your regular physical exam is helpful to monitor potential conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, which also affect your eyes. These two culprits, if left unchecked, can lead to serious eye problems and a lessening of your ability to wear contacts. Even if you receive excellent health reports, do not fall into the trap of thinking you can do without that next exam; you do not want to be caught unawares by a rapid change in your health—both physically and visually.
Blood vessels that strengthen vision are helped by regular exercise and a healthy diet. Daily activity can lead to lower instances of inflammation in vessel walls. Foods rich in vitamins A, B-complex, C, D, and E aid in this regard, as well as fight other disorders connected to the cornea and retina. Vitamin supplements can help as well, but any changes in diet and supplement intake, as well as any substantive alterations to your exercise schedule, should be made in consultation with your doctor.
Overexposure to the sun can cause damage to the eyes, but do not be fooled into thinking that UV-blocking contact lenses will give you all the necessary protection. Lens wearers also need to have a pair of good quality sunglasses to protect the entire eye area against damaging rays because contacts—even the UV blocking kind—only cover the cornea.
If you smoke, consider giving up the habit immediately. The negative effects to eyes from both first- and secondhand cigarette smoke are significant. Conditions that smokers have to look forward to if they keep up the habit are dry eye; cornea irritation; blood vessel clots that affect retinal function; and glaucoma. By quitting sooner rather than later, risks for eye disease associated with smoking begin decreasing.
Successful contact lens wear depends on maintaining optimum eye health. Everything you can do to assure this, with the help of your physician and eye doctor, gives you the best chance possible to continue enjoying the enhanced lifestyle that come with contacts.
It is not difficult to give yourself an ‘edge’ against potential challenges that could endanger your ability to wear contacts. The following are a few things to consider in regard to being proactive when it comes to vision care.
The part of the eye most impacted by contact lenses is the cornea. Making sure that you follow the wear and care regimen of your contacts is a good first step to minimize problems that could stem from not properly cleaning or disposing of your lenses.
An appointment with your eye doctor is recommended to discover the state of your current eye health and determine if you are at risk for eye disease due to family history and other factors. Your regular physical exam is helpful to monitor potential conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, which also affect your eyes. These two culprits, if left unchecked, can lead to serious eye problems and a lessening of your ability to wear contacts. Even if you receive excellent health reports, do not fall into the trap of thinking you can do without that next exam; you do not want to be caught unawares by a rapid change in your health—both physically and visually.
Blood vessels that strengthen vision are helped by regular exercise and a healthy diet. Daily activity can lead to lower instances of inflammation in vessel walls. Foods rich in vitamins A, B-complex, C, D, and E aid in this regard, as well as fight other disorders connected to the cornea and retina. Vitamin supplements can help as well, but any changes in diet and supplement intake, as well as any substantive alterations to your exercise schedule, should be made in consultation with your doctor.
Overexposure to the sun can cause damage to the eyes, but do not be fooled into thinking that UV-blocking contact lenses will give you all the necessary protection. Lens wearers also need to have a pair of good quality sunglasses to protect the entire eye area against damaging rays because contacts—even the UV blocking kind—only cover the cornea.
If you smoke, consider giving up the habit immediately. The negative effects to eyes from both first- and secondhand cigarette smoke are significant. Conditions that smokers have to look forward to if they keep up the habit are dry eye; cornea irritation; blood vessel clots that affect retinal function; and glaucoma. By quitting sooner rather than later, risks for eye disease associated with smoking begin decreasing.
Successful contact lens wear depends on maintaining optimum eye health. Everything you can do to assure this, with the help of your physician and eye doctor, gives you the best chance possible to continue enjoying the enhanced lifestyle that come with contacts.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Take Advantage of Purchasing Contact Lenses Online
Are you one of the 35 million Americans who wear contact lenses? Where do you buy your replacement lenses? If you are not buying them online, then you are missing out on an economical and convenient way to shop for your lenses.
When the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act was enacted into law in 2004, contact lens wearers were empowered to ask for and obtain their contact lens prescription. This allowed them to seek out and shop for the most convenient supply option for their replacement lenses—thus putting the ability of finding the best deal squarely in the hands of the consumer. Online retailers were also provided the opportunity to become significant players in the contact lens business as long as they offered the consumer excellent pricing, service, and dependability.
Why are online retailers so successful? The answer is simple: they realize the fact that as a consumer, you are looking to make the best use of your time and to save the most money you can. Online retailers can save the consumer up to 70% on the prices generally offered by the eye doctor, optical chain or box store. To check on the best pricing available online, consumers may visit shopping sites that compare lens prices, discounts, shipping costs, and other information to help in selecting the site that offers the best prices.
Being able to buy your contact lenses from the comfort of your own home or office is a huge benefit when considering today’s world of busy schedules and hectic lifestyles. No more rushing to pick up your lenses during lunch time or battling traffic to pick up your lenses after work. Now you can purchase what you need in a matter of minutes. All of this practicality does not set aside your basic expectations of a business.
High quality customer service is not compromised online. Reputable online contact lens retailers provide a telephone number where you can call to ask questions or discuss concerns. Delivery time is short and lenses in stock will reach you in many cases within 5 business days.
Shopping online helps you save on two important personal commodities: time and money. Only by finding an online vendor best suited to your needs, will you begin to reap the benefits of price, convenience, and service that add up to the value you are looking for when buying contact lenses.
When the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act was enacted into law in 2004, contact lens wearers were empowered to ask for and obtain their contact lens prescription. This allowed them to seek out and shop for the most convenient supply option for their replacement lenses—thus putting the ability of finding the best deal squarely in the hands of the consumer. Online retailers were also provided the opportunity to become significant players in the contact lens business as long as they offered the consumer excellent pricing, service, and dependability.
Why are online retailers so successful? The answer is simple: they realize the fact that as a consumer, you are looking to make the best use of your time and to save the most money you can. Online retailers can save the consumer up to 70% on the prices generally offered by the eye doctor, optical chain or box store. To check on the best pricing available online, consumers may visit shopping sites that compare lens prices, discounts, shipping costs, and other information to help in selecting the site that offers the best prices.
Being able to buy your contact lenses from the comfort of your own home or office is a huge benefit when considering today’s world of busy schedules and hectic lifestyles. No more rushing to pick up your lenses during lunch time or battling traffic to pick up your lenses after work. Now you can purchase what you need in a matter of minutes. All of this practicality does not set aside your basic expectations of a business.
High quality customer service is not compromised online. Reputable online contact lens retailers provide a telephone number where you can call to ask questions or discuss concerns. Delivery time is short and lenses in stock will reach you in many cases within 5 business days.
Shopping online helps you save on two important personal commodities: time and money. Only by finding an online vendor best suited to your needs, will you begin to reap the benefits of price, convenience, and service that add up to the value you are looking for when buying contact lenses.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Reasons to Give Up Those Negative Notions about Contact Lenses
Are you one of those who feel you cannot wear contact lenses or are not inclined to explore this option based on things you have heard? Did you arrive at this decision years or even decades ago? If so, then it is time to take another look at the possibilities because there have been some significant changes made concerning styles, types, and comfort of contact lenses—many occurring in just the last few years.
It is easy to stick to the old prejudices against contact lenses when the only information you rely on is hearsay or based on old and outdated facts. Major advances have been made since the days when all contacts were rigid plastic. The most important has been the development of hydrogel soft contact lenses, which allow much-needed oxygen to permeate to the cornea. They also retain the moisture required to provide longer and healthier wear.
Improvements in comfort have lessened the difficulty during the initial ‘breaking in’ period of getting used to the lenses. This adaptation period is usually brief and, once completed, most feel as if they are not wearing contacts at all. In most cases, any discomfort beyond adaptation is quickly remedied when the cause is determined. Other concerns such as lenses ‘popping out’ (minimized to near zero due to lens improvements and innovations) or ‘sticking’ to the eyes (lenses can always be removed) are groundless. Eye doctors and staff are expert in teaching simple methods to insert and remove contact lenses—millions of satisfied wearers attest to it. In addition, mindfully following doctors’ instructions in regards to use and care significantly reduce chances of any serious eye problems. Among the safest and convenient lines of contacts promoting eye health are daily disposables, which are discarded at the end of day and replaced the next morning.
Today, you are not limited to buying contact lenses through your eye doctor. Now you have the right to know your lens prescription and the freedom to purchase contacts where you wish. So, if cost is one of your worries, then quick surfing of Internet contact lens retailers will put your mind at ease almost immediately. There is an online vendor that will satisfy any budget—no matter what type or brand of contact lens you are looking for.
And do not feel that you have grown ‘too old’ to wear contact lenses because you may have put off exploring this option for so long. There are contacts that can be prescribed for almost any condition, including those associated with age (i.e. presbyopia, dry eye, astigmatism, etc.). At the other end of the spectrum, studies have recently shown that conscientious pre-teens can also successfully wear contacts.
Begin the process of enjoying the benefits that come with wearing contacts by scheduling a consultation with your eye doctor. Now that some misconceptions have been cleared up, there is no reason not to give contact lenses a second look.
It is easy to stick to the old prejudices against contact lenses when the only information you rely on is hearsay or based on old and outdated facts. Major advances have been made since the days when all contacts were rigid plastic. The most important has been the development of hydrogel soft contact lenses, which allow much-needed oxygen to permeate to the cornea. They also retain the moisture required to provide longer and healthier wear.
Improvements in comfort have lessened the difficulty during the initial ‘breaking in’ period of getting used to the lenses. This adaptation period is usually brief and, once completed, most feel as if they are not wearing contacts at all. In most cases, any discomfort beyond adaptation is quickly remedied when the cause is determined. Other concerns such as lenses ‘popping out’ (minimized to near zero due to lens improvements and innovations) or ‘sticking’ to the eyes (lenses can always be removed) are groundless. Eye doctors and staff are expert in teaching simple methods to insert and remove contact lenses—millions of satisfied wearers attest to it. In addition, mindfully following doctors’ instructions in regards to use and care significantly reduce chances of any serious eye problems. Among the safest and convenient lines of contacts promoting eye health are daily disposables, which are discarded at the end of day and replaced the next morning.
Today, you are not limited to buying contact lenses through your eye doctor. Now you have the right to know your lens prescription and the freedom to purchase contacts where you wish. So, if cost is one of your worries, then quick surfing of Internet contact lens retailers will put your mind at ease almost immediately. There is an online vendor that will satisfy any budget—no matter what type or brand of contact lens you are looking for.
And do not feel that you have grown ‘too old’ to wear contact lenses because you may have put off exploring this option for so long. There are contacts that can be prescribed for almost any condition, including those associated with age (i.e. presbyopia, dry eye, astigmatism, etc.). At the other end of the spectrum, studies have recently shown that conscientious pre-teens can also successfully wear contacts.
Begin the process of enjoying the benefits that come with wearing contacts by scheduling a consultation with your eye doctor. Now that some misconceptions have been cleared up, there is no reason not to give contact lenses a second look.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Color Contact Lenses—Fun and Functional
For many years, contact lenses have been prescribed and used strictly for vision correction purposes. But lens technology has improved on the functionality of lenses these past decades. It also allowed lenses to become a true cosmetic device, bringing attractive fashion color options to the wearer.
Color contact lenses came onto the market in the mid 1980s and have seen an increase in popularity in recent years. With the freedom to source their contacts at whatever venue they choose (with a valid prescription), wearers have also begun to think beyond just the corrective nature of lenses. They have discovered, through Internet surfing and media advertising, that contact lenses have a stylish factor and can be used to enhance or change their appearance.
There are three basic types of color contacts. A visibility tint does not affect eye color but instead carries a light blue or green hue as a means to see it better as you insert or remove it. This tinting also helps to locate the lens if you should happen to drop it. An enhancement tint is darker and is designed to amplify the natural appearance of light-colored eyes. Opaque color tints are the deepest in hue and can completely change someone’s eye color, especially those with dark eyes.
Another line of contact lenses that fall within the category of opaque color tints is the costume, or theatrical, lens. Until recently, these contacts were used primarily in the film and television industry to help transform actors into aliens, demons, or vampires. Now, these ‘fun’ contact lenses are widely available to general consumers. Eyes can have the look of jaguars, werewolves, zebras, and any number of other effects for Halloween, costume parties, and the like.
Color contact lenses appeal to a wide segment of consumers because of their cosmetic nature, but their corrective value is just as important. Color contacts are available not just in plano (non-powered), but also for near- and farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia. They also come in convenient disposable brands.
Much enjoyment can be had with color contact lenses, but always keep in mind that they remain controlled medical devices. Do not let the fun factor cause you to think of them just as accessories, which may lead you to relax your caution and care. They must be prescribed by an eye doctor and, like other contacts, are not to be shared or traded. Do not even think about purchasing them in beauty salons, novelty stores, or at flea markets—which, aside from being extremely unsafe, is illegal. In addition to providing proper fit and prescription, many eye doctors will also help you in selecting the color contact lens that will best accentuate your look.
Color contact lenses came onto the market in the mid 1980s and have seen an increase in popularity in recent years. With the freedom to source their contacts at whatever venue they choose (with a valid prescription), wearers have also begun to think beyond just the corrective nature of lenses. They have discovered, through Internet surfing and media advertising, that contact lenses have a stylish factor and can be used to enhance or change their appearance.
There are three basic types of color contacts. A visibility tint does not affect eye color but instead carries a light blue or green hue as a means to see it better as you insert or remove it. This tinting also helps to locate the lens if you should happen to drop it. An enhancement tint is darker and is designed to amplify the natural appearance of light-colored eyes. Opaque color tints are the deepest in hue and can completely change someone’s eye color, especially those with dark eyes.
Another line of contact lenses that fall within the category of opaque color tints is the costume, or theatrical, lens. Until recently, these contacts were used primarily in the film and television industry to help transform actors into aliens, demons, or vampires. Now, these ‘fun’ contact lenses are widely available to general consumers. Eyes can have the look of jaguars, werewolves, zebras, and any number of other effects for Halloween, costume parties, and the like.
Color contact lenses appeal to a wide segment of consumers because of their cosmetic nature, but their corrective value is just as important. Color contacts are available not just in plano (non-powered), but also for near- and farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia. They also come in convenient disposable brands.
Much enjoyment can be had with color contact lenses, but always keep in mind that they remain controlled medical devices. Do not let the fun factor cause you to think of them just as accessories, which may lead you to relax your caution and care. They must be prescribed by an eye doctor and, like other contacts, are not to be shared or traded. Do not even think about purchasing them in beauty salons, novelty stores, or at flea markets—which, aside from being extremely unsafe, is illegal. In addition to providing proper fit and prescription, many eye doctors will also help you in selecting the color contact lens that will best accentuate your look.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Tips for Buying Contact Lenses Online
You have decided to buy your contact lenses online and have quickly discovered that there are a large variety of vendors out there. Now you need a process to narrow the field so you can choose the best site for you.
Locating a seller with the best prices becomes easier with the use of price-comparison websites. The most common are those aligned with the popular search engines such as Google and Yahoo! (Google Product Search, Yahoo! Shopping), but there are others: BizRate, MySimon, Shopping.com, etc. Besides offering the obvious price match-ups, these sites also can make you aware of vendors you may not have found otherwise. In many cases, they also provide reviews of sellers posted by customers.
Beyond the pricing issue, there are other aspects of an online vendor’s service that need to be addressed before you commit. Great prices? Fantastic. But will you get what you want when you want it? If you have a complaint, will it be answered to your satisfaction? Let’s take a look at some things you can check for in order to select or discard an online seller.
A vendor who also takes telephone orders is indicative of a company that has service staff and is truly a mail order entity, as opposed to one individual with a website. Also, being able to talk to an actual customer service representative has reassurance value even in today’s online shopping atmosphere.
Receiving your order when you need it is important, so ask about shipping time and what may affect it. Reliable sellers should be able to tell you if the desired product is in stock and when it will ship. Some outfits will have fewer contact lenses on hand, so first they may have to order what you want before being able to ship it to you. Keep in mind if you have a complicated prescription there is a greater likelihood that those lenses will need to be backordered, even by larger companies. Also factor in the requirement by law that contact lens sellers must verify your prescription with your eye doctor. This, too, will affect processing and shipping time.
If problems occur with your order, you need to be assured that your complaint will be received and addressed. Reputable vendors offer contact information, including a toll-free number for customer service. As a rule of thumb, try the toll-free numbers to see if you get an answering machine—these are sellers you may want to avoid. Learn any company’s return policy; if your contact lens prescription changes, you will want a vendor who will take back any unopened boxes and credit you accordingly. Also, ask what they will do in the case of a shipment damaged in transit.
Of course, you are the final judge. No one is perfect, so in the end you will balance any contact lens seller’s flaws against their overall prices and service and choose accordingly. Employing the above tips will make your selection process easier.
Locating a seller with the best prices becomes easier with the use of price-comparison websites. The most common are those aligned with the popular search engines such as Google and Yahoo! (Google Product Search, Yahoo! Shopping), but there are others: BizRate, MySimon, Shopping.com, etc. Besides offering the obvious price match-ups, these sites also can make you aware of vendors you may not have found otherwise. In many cases, they also provide reviews of sellers posted by customers.
Beyond the pricing issue, there are other aspects of an online vendor’s service that need to be addressed before you commit. Great prices? Fantastic. But will you get what you want when you want it? If you have a complaint, will it be answered to your satisfaction? Let’s take a look at some things you can check for in order to select or discard an online seller.
A vendor who also takes telephone orders is indicative of a company that has service staff and is truly a mail order entity, as opposed to one individual with a website. Also, being able to talk to an actual customer service representative has reassurance value even in today’s online shopping atmosphere.
Receiving your order when you need it is important, so ask about shipping time and what may affect it. Reliable sellers should be able to tell you if the desired product is in stock and when it will ship. Some outfits will have fewer contact lenses on hand, so first they may have to order what you want before being able to ship it to you. Keep in mind if you have a complicated prescription there is a greater likelihood that those lenses will need to be backordered, even by larger companies. Also factor in the requirement by law that contact lens sellers must verify your prescription with your eye doctor. This, too, will affect processing and shipping time.
If problems occur with your order, you need to be assured that your complaint will be received and addressed. Reputable vendors offer contact information, including a toll-free number for customer service. As a rule of thumb, try the toll-free numbers to see if you get an answering machine—these are sellers you may want to avoid. Learn any company’s return policy; if your contact lens prescription changes, you will want a vendor who will take back any unopened boxes and credit you accordingly. Also, ask what they will do in the case of a shipment damaged in transit.
Of course, you are the final judge. No one is perfect, so in the end you will balance any contact lens seller’s flaws against their overall prices and service and choose accordingly. Employing the above tips will make your selection process easier.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Tackling Eye Problems As We Get Older
As we get older, the search for a ‘fountain of youth’ can become more than just a fanciful notion. There is no such thing, of course, but there are approximations that we have managed to achieve through exercise, diet, and an overall healthy lifestyle to maintain our physical vigor.
But what are our options when it comes to aging eyes? Certain types of changes are inevitable as ‘maturity’ advances upon us, so what can be expected and how do we handle it?
One of the first changes is the onset of presbyopia, the loss of near-focusing ability that occurs around the age of 40. This is the point in life where the need for bifocals causes some distress because the adoption of eyeglasses is equated with the perception of looking older. Fortunately, there are contact lenses that can help presbyopes improve their vision and maintain a youthful appearance. Bifocal and multifocal lenses have become available to address vision correction at all distances.
Dry eye is something that can develop with age, which is a result of decreased level of tear production. Women nearing menopause can experience dry eye as an increase in hormones occurs. Such remedies as artificial tears, a change in medication (some can cause dry eye), and the use of oxygen-permeable contact lenses with lower water content (to minimize rapid evaporation) can battle dry eye symptoms.
Another condition that takes place is the lessening in nighttime vision. Sometimes this is due to the forming of cataracts, vitamin deficiencies and, to a degree, decrease in the muscle strength of the pupil. Since the most common activity affected by this is driving after dark, any measure taken to maximize night vision increases your safety as well as others’. Proper levels of vitamins A and zinc are essential to eye health and are found in yellow and leafy green vegetables (A), beef, poultry, beans and nuts (zinc). Also wear sunglasses during the day (or avoid the sun when planning night driving) as prolonged exposure to sunlight can affect night vision for up to 48 hours.
Other steps that can be taken to cope with aging eyes include further modification of your diet to add foods rich in the alphabet vitamins (the aforementioned A, C, and E); getting plenty of sleep; ensure proper lighting for reading, watching TV, computer use, and other close work; and not smoking. Most importantly, keep those regularly scheduled exam appointments with your eye doctor to stay ahead of potential issues such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy.
Many equate being young with being active; as we get older, assuming a proactive and responsible stance when it comes to tackling these problems gives you a truly youthful vision when it comes to eye health.
But what are our options when it comes to aging eyes? Certain types of changes are inevitable as ‘maturity’ advances upon us, so what can be expected and how do we handle it?
One of the first changes is the onset of presbyopia, the loss of near-focusing ability that occurs around the age of 40. This is the point in life where the need for bifocals causes some distress because the adoption of eyeglasses is equated with the perception of looking older. Fortunately, there are contact lenses that can help presbyopes improve their vision and maintain a youthful appearance. Bifocal and multifocal lenses have become available to address vision correction at all distances.
Dry eye is something that can develop with age, which is a result of decreased level of tear production. Women nearing menopause can experience dry eye as an increase in hormones occurs. Such remedies as artificial tears, a change in medication (some can cause dry eye), and the use of oxygen-permeable contact lenses with lower water content (to minimize rapid evaporation) can battle dry eye symptoms.
Another condition that takes place is the lessening in nighttime vision. Sometimes this is due to the forming of cataracts, vitamin deficiencies and, to a degree, decrease in the muscle strength of the pupil. Since the most common activity affected by this is driving after dark, any measure taken to maximize night vision increases your safety as well as others’. Proper levels of vitamins A and zinc are essential to eye health and are found in yellow and leafy green vegetables (A), beef, poultry, beans and nuts (zinc). Also wear sunglasses during the day (or avoid the sun when planning night driving) as prolonged exposure to sunlight can affect night vision for up to 48 hours.
Other steps that can be taken to cope with aging eyes include further modification of your diet to add foods rich in the alphabet vitamins (the aforementioned A, C, and E); getting plenty of sleep; ensure proper lighting for reading, watching TV, computer use, and other close work; and not smoking. Most importantly, keep those regularly scheduled exam appointments with your eye doctor to stay ahead of potential issues such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy.
Many equate being young with being active; as we get older, assuming a proactive and responsible stance when it comes to tackling these problems gives you a truly youthful vision when it comes to eye health.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Can I Wear My Contacts…?
Contact lenses have been proven great lifestyle enhancers and now come in various kinds and styles to accommodate almost any vision condition. Yet, with all the information available concerning contacts, there are times when questions pop up in regard to whether or not a person should wear them in certain situations. The following will hopefully answer some of these questions and clarify any uncertainty.
Can I wear my contact lenses while applying eye makeup? Yes, in fact it is preferable that you insert your contacts before the application if makeup products as a means to minimize the contamination of the lenses. Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your contacts. Use only non-allergenic makeup; water-based cream eye shadows are recommended instead of oil-based and powders. If you are a stickler for powder, keep your eyes closed during application and brush away any excess before opening them. Keep eyeliner away from the part of the lashes that are closest to the eye. When removing makeup, wash and dry your hands and take out your lenses first—always being careful not to bring them into contact with any makeup.
What about beach and water activities, or sunbathing? Care must be taken when wearing your contacts in lakes, pools, hot tubs, or the ocean. Water in the eyes leaves your lenses subject to infection-causing pathogens. It is recommended that you remove your contacts before going into the water or protect them by wearing swim goggles. Lenses that are splashed with water must be removed immediately and thoroughly cleaned, rinsed, and stored using proper solution. For water activities, daily disposable contact lenses are the best option since they can be removed, thrown away, and replaced with a fresh pair. As for sunbathing, since the corneas may swell, the tighter lens fit could cause temporary irritation and redness. If you insist on wearing your lenses, put a safe lubricating drop in yours eyes before lying in the sun (your eye doctor can help you choose the right kind). Whether your contacts are in or out during tanning, always use a good pair of UV-blocking sunglasses to protect all portions of your eyes.
Can contact lenses be worn in airplanes? Are solutions barred from carry-on items? The air in plane cabins tends to be of lower humidity, which can lead to dry eye issues. Lubricating eye drops may help, but in the event of persistent symptoms it is best to do without lenses and wear eyeglasses during flights. But of course individual comfort levels vary. The Transportation Security Administration’s rules for carry-on liquids* require that saline solutions and eye drops must be in 3-ounce or smaller containers carried in a 1-quart zip-top clear plastic bag. Any amounts larger than three ounces or not in the 1-quart bag must be declared to security officers at airport checkpoints.
Never feel uncomfortable about asking questions concerning your contact lenses or their wear. Consulting your eye doctor can provide you with the best and most complete information regarding your personal eye health.
*Website found at www.tsa.gov.
Can I wear my contact lenses while applying eye makeup? Yes, in fact it is preferable that you insert your contacts before the application if makeup products as a means to minimize the contamination of the lenses. Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your contacts. Use only non-allergenic makeup; water-based cream eye shadows are recommended instead of oil-based and powders. If you are a stickler for powder, keep your eyes closed during application and brush away any excess before opening them. Keep eyeliner away from the part of the lashes that are closest to the eye. When removing makeup, wash and dry your hands and take out your lenses first—always being careful not to bring them into contact with any makeup.
What about beach and water activities, or sunbathing? Care must be taken when wearing your contacts in lakes, pools, hot tubs, or the ocean. Water in the eyes leaves your lenses subject to infection-causing pathogens. It is recommended that you remove your contacts before going into the water or protect them by wearing swim goggles. Lenses that are splashed with water must be removed immediately and thoroughly cleaned, rinsed, and stored using proper solution. For water activities, daily disposable contact lenses are the best option since they can be removed, thrown away, and replaced with a fresh pair. As for sunbathing, since the corneas may swell, the tighter lens fit could cause temporary irritation and redness. If you insist on wearing your lenses, put a safe lubricating drop in yours eyes before lying in the sun (your eye doctor can help you choose the right kind). Whether your contacts are in or out during tanning, always use a good pair of UV-blocking sunglasses to protect all portions of your eyes.
Can contact lenses be worn in airplanes? Are solutions barred from carry-on items? The air in plane cabins tends to be of lower humidity, which can lead to dry eye issues. Lubricating eye drops may help, but in the event of persistent symptoms it is best to do without lenses and wear eyeglasses during flights. But of course individual comfort levels vary. The Transportation Security Administration’s rules for carry-on liquids* require that saline solutions and eye drops must be in 3-ounce or smaller containers carried in a 1-quart zip-top clear plastic bag. Any amounts larger than three ounces or not in the 1-quart bag must be declared to security officers at airport checkpoints.
Never feel uncomfortable about asking questions concerning your contact lenses or their wear. Consulting your eye doctor can provide you with the best and most complete information regarding your personal eye health.
*Website found at www.tsa.gov.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Back to School: Pencils, Books, Backpacks, and an Eye Exam
Kids will be starting or returning to school in a few days and the hurried activity to get them ready with all their needed supplies is well underway. But have parents thought about one ‘item’ that can really help a child’s classroom performance—an eye exam?
Now is an ideal time to schedule an appointment with the eye doctor and establish a regular schedule of exams. In today’s classroom, a child’s eyes are confronted with all sorts of visual stimuli: overhead projectors, blackboards and whiteboards, text and workbooks, computers, and participation in school activities and sports. Reading and studying levels increase. Since school age children are at the stage where eyes change rapidly as they encounter normal growth patterns, a preventive stance certainly makes sense.
When experiencing a vision problem, a child may not say anything about it, as at their young age they will assume that is how everyone sees. In this situation the effects of dealing with an undiagnosed condition such as hyperopia (farsightedness) or myopia (nearsightedness) on the part of the child can lead to short attention spans, frustration, and avoidance of schoolwork. Amblyopia (lazy eye) is a condition that must be treated early (by the age of seven) or chances of good vision in the affected eye are considerably lessened. Unfortunately, there are times when an undiagnosed eye problem may be mistakenly labeled as a learning disability or behavioral issue. This unnecessary complication can be avoided by proactive eye exams, which allow problems to be detected and addressed before they hamper performance in the classroom.
Leaving the detection of eye trouble up to school screenings alone may not be a good idea. Many of these tests are based on evaluating clarity and distance; a child passing them could still have a vision problem. Necessary eye functions that allow for recognition, comprehension, and eye-hand coordination need to be monitored as well.
If the time comes for a child’s vision correction, eyeglasses are usually thought of first, but contact lenses are just as viable an option. Recent studies have shown that children as young as eight can be successfully introduced to contacts, especially in cases where the child’s sense of responsibility and follow-through allows them to satisfactorily assume the care regimen that comes with certain types of contacts. Once a child demonstrates the skill to handle contact lenses, then a consultation can take place with an eye doctor who will prescribe, fit, and monitor the proper lens. Positive results from contact lenses, other than vision correction, include perception of an improved appearance that heightens self-esteem and being able to better cope with sports and activities that are hindered by eyeglasses.
An important fact is that 80% of a child’s learning comes visually; so scheduling an eye exam now is not only a smart decision, but a necessary preventive approach when it comes to minimizing eye health problems.
Now is an ideal time to schedule an appointment with the eye doctor and establish a regular schedule of exams. In today’s classroom, a child’s eyes are confronted with all sorts of visual stimuli: overhead projectors, blackboards and whiteboards, text and workbooks, computers, and participation in school activities and sports. Reading and studying levels increase. Since school age children are at the stage where eyes change rapidly as they encounter normal growth patterns, a preventive stance certainly makes sense.
When experiencing a vision problem, a child may not say anything about it, as at their young age they will assume that is how everyone sees. In this situation the effects of dealing with an undiagnosed condition such as hyperopia (farsightedness) or myopia (nearsightedness) on the part of the child can lead to short attention spans, frustration, and avoidance of schoolwork. Amblyopia (lazy eye) is a condition that must be treated early (by the age of seven) or chances of good vision in the affected eye are considerably lessened. Unfortunately, there are times when an undiagnosed eye problem may be mistakenly labeled as a learning disability or behavioral issue. This unnecessary complication can be avoided by proactive eye exams, which allow problems to be detected and addressed before they hamper performance in the classroom.
Leaving the detection of eye trouble up to school screenings alone may not be a good idea. Many of these tests are based on evaluating clarity and distance; a child passing them could still have a vision problem. Necessary eye functions that allow for recognition, comprehension, and eye-hand coordination need to be monitored as well.
If the time comes for a child’s vision correction, eyeglasses are usually thought of first, but contact lenses are just as viable an option. Recent studies have shown that children as young as eight can be successfully introduced to contacts, especially in cases where the child’s sense of responsibility and follow-through allows them to satisfactorily assume the care regimen that comes with certain types of contacts. Once a child demonstrates the skill to handle contact lenses, then a consultation can take place with an eye doctor who will prescribe, fit, and monitor the proper lens. Positive results from contact lenses, other than vision correction, include perception of an improved appearance that heightens self-esteem and being able to better cope with sports and activities that are hindered by eyeglasses.
An important fact is that 80% of a child’s learning comes visually; so scheduling an eye exam now is not only a smart decision, but a necessary preventive approach when it comes to minimizing eye health problems.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Computers and Contact Lenses
The use of home and office computers has become so prevalent in just the last generation that we find it hard to believe how we ever got along without them. While they have been a definite boon to our quality of life and work, they have also handed us a whole new hurdle when it comes to eye care.
An outgrowth of extended computer use has been what the doctors term Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), an increasingly common occurrence defined by tired or burning dry eyes and headaches caused by the strain of focusing on the screen over long periods of time. The eyes work differently when viewing a computer screen as opposed to regular day-to-day vision requirements. Constant and focused concentration on the computer screen changes the rate of blinking, which leads to dryer eye tissues. As a consequence the contact lens wearer focused on a computer screen will feel that their lenses are drying faster and causing some level of discomfort, or even perhaps poorer vision quality.
Just like other industries that have provided other types of long-term solutions for computer workers, the optical industry has made its own contributions. As an example, there is eyewear available with specialized lenses that work to reduce glare and assist users in enjoying a more comfortable visual experience at the computer. The contact lens industry proposed silicone hydrogel lenses, made of a new material that binds less water than the older polymers with higher water content. These may also have specialized wetting agents bound to their surface or incorporated into their polymer matrix in order to preserve the desired hydration for longer periods—even in difficult situations. Silicone hydrogel lenses also provide the highest oxygenation levels in the industry and remain moist. In fact, these lenses transmit oxygen an average of six times more than prior lenses, allowing for optimum eye and cornea health.
For those entering the world of presbyopia (the decreased accommodation at different fields of vision that usually occurs after the age of 40), multifocal contact lenses provide a progression of corrective powers from far, intermediate to near vision. This smooth flow of vision while working at the computer is less jarring than the effect of bifocals, which can leave you bobbing your head up and down adjusting to the abrupt change from far to near lens power. By having an intermediate range, multifocals allow you to keep your head in one position while your eyes scan the screen through the mid and near portions of your lens.
Your eye doctor can diagnose for CVS and help you choose a contact lens that can compliment your computer work. Once you have a valid lens prescription, an online retailer can easily be found who will provide you with a money-saving and convenient avenue for purchasing your contact lenses.
With the kinds of innovations seen in the contact lens industry through each passing year, efforts shall continue to yield improvements that will give eager lens wearers the best possible contact lens for easing and enhancing our hours at the computer.
An outgrowth of extended computer use has been what the doctors term Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), an increasingly common occurrence defined by tired or burning dry eyes and headaches caused by the strain of focusing on the screen over long periods of time. The eyes work differently when viewing a computer screen as opposed to regular day-to-day vision requirements. Constant and focused concentration on the computer screen changes the rate of blinking, which leads to dryer eye tissues. As a consequence the contact lens wearer focused on a computer screen will feel that their lenses are drying faster and causing some level of discomfort, or even perhaps poorer vision quality.
Just like other industries that have provided other types of long-term solutions for computer workers, the optical industry has made its own contributions. As an example, there is eyewear available with specialized lenses that work to reduce glare and assist users in enjoying a more comfortable visual experience at the computer. The contact lens industry proposed silicone hydrogel lenses, made of a new material that binds less water than the older polymers with higher water content. These may also have specialized wetting agents bound to their surface or incorporated into their polymer matrix in order to preserve the desired hydration for longer periods—even in difficult situations. Silicone hydrogel lenses also provide the highest oxygenation levels in the industry and remain moist. In fact, these lenses transmit oxygen an average of six times more than prior lenses, allowing for optimum eye and cornea health.
For those entering the world of presbyopia (the decreased accommodation at different fields of vision that usually occurs after the age of 40), multifocal contact lenses provide a progression of corrective powers from far, intermediate to near vision. This smooth flow of vision while working at the computer is less jarring than the effect of bifocals, which can leave you bobbing your head up and down adjusting to the abrupt change from far to near lens power. By having an intermediate range, multifocals allow you to keep your head in one position while your eyes scan the screen through the mid and near portions of your lens.
Your eye doctor can diagnose for CVS and help you choose a contact lens that can compliment your computer work. Once you have a valid lens prescription, an online retailer can easily be found who will provide you with a money-saving and convenient avenue for purchasing your contact lenses.
With the kinds of innovations seen in the contact lens industry through each passing year, efforts shall continue to yield improvements that will give eager lens wearers the best possible contact lens for easing and enhancing our hours at the computer.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Daily Disposables—The Convenient Contact Lens Americans Aren’t Using
Daily disposable contact lenses were first approved for use in the United States in 1994. Yet, sixteen years later, only 10 to 15 per cent of American contacts wearers use them regularly. This is a surprising statistic*, especially in the face of their convenience and availability.
Daily disposables are contacts that are worn once, removed before bedtime, and replaced with a fresh pair the next day. While Americans have been slow to fully embrace daily disposables, other countries have not. For example, Scandinavian countries and Japan are seeing use of these contact lenses at 50 per cent and above. They are also the leading modality of lens wear in Europe and the rest of Asia.
Why is the market share so low in the US? Cost is a factor that weighs against using daily disposables, especially if you rely solely on your eye doctor to get them. However, if you have a valid prescription and go online to source them, you will discover these lenses can be quite affordable--especially as they are available in boxes of 30 and 90 and may be purchased in yearly supplies. Depending on where you shop, discounts and rebates allow you in some instances to have daily disposables for around $1 a day. Since you do not have to buy solutions or lens cases, those expenses are eliminated from the cost calculation for daily disposables. As manufacturers continue to improve on their production efficiencies, product costs for disposables will continue to trend towards a more economical option for consumers.
Daily disposable contact lens wear provides the consumer with a safer option for their ocular health. The day-to-day build-up of protein, lipids, and other substances that occur with other types of contact lenses (even 2-week and 30-day disposables) increases the risk of infection. The replacement frequency inherent with daily disposables reduces this risk. The once-a-day use also provides comfort for those plagued by allergy season, as deposits that trigger those symptoms have less chance to accumulate on the lenses. In addition to the standard correction for near- and farsightedness, there are now daily disposable torics for astigmatism, multifocals for presbyopia, and UV blocking lenses that protect the cornea.
When daily disposables were first approved for use, only one manufacturer (Johnson & Johnson/Vistakon) made them. Today, all the major contact lens companies offer lenses in this modality, including Bausch & Lomb, CIBA Vision, and CooperVision.
Ask your eye doctor whether you are a candidate for daily disposable contact lenses. The rest of the world has already discovered their convenience and comfort, why not you?
*According to Dr. Renee Reeder, OD, Associate Professor and Chief of the Cornea Center for Clinical Excellence at the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago.
Daily disposables are contacts that are worn once, removed before bedtime, and replaced with a fresh pair the next day. While Americans have been slow to fully embrace daily disposables, other countries have not. For example, Scandinavian countries and Japan are seeing use of these contact lenses at 50 per cent and above. They are also the leading modality of lens wear in Europe and the rest of Asia.
Why is the market share so low in the US? Cost is a factor that weighs against using daily disposables, especially if you rely solely on your eye doctor to get them. However, if you have a valid prescription and go online to source them, you will discover these lenses can be quite affordable--especially as they are available in boxes of 30 and 90 and may be purchased in yearly supplies. Depending on where you shop, discounts and rebates allow you in some instances to have daily disposables for around $1 a day. Since you do not have to buy solutions or lens cases, those expenses are eliminated from the cost calculation for daily disposables. As manufacturers continue to improve on their production efficiencies, product costs for disposables will continue to trend towards a more economical option for consumers.
Daily disposable contact lens wear provides the consumer with a safer option for their ocular health. The day-to-day build-up of protein, lipids, and other substances that occur with other types of contact lenses (even 2-week and 30-day disposables) increases the risk of infection. The replacement frequency inherent with daily disposables reduces this risk. The once-a-day use also provides comfort for those plagued by allergy season, as deposits that trigger those symptoms have less chance to accumulate on the lenses. In addition to the standard correction for near- and farsightedness, there are now daily disposable torics for astigmatism, multifocals for presbyopia, and UV blocking lenses that protect the cornea.
When daily disposables were first approved for use, only one manufacturer (Johnson & Johnson/Vistakon) made them. Today, all the major contact lens companies offer lenses in this modality, including Bausch & Lomb, CIBA Vision, and CooperVision.
Ask your eye doctor whether you are a candidate for daily disposable contact lenses. The rest of the world has already discovered their convenience and comfort, why not you?
*According to Dr. Renee Reeder, OD, Associate Professor and Chief of the Cornea Center for Clinical Excellence at the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Shopping Online for Contacts: Security and Privacy
The Fairness to Contact Lens Consumer Act, signed into law in 2004, empowered lens wearers with the right to obtain a copy of their contact lens prescription from their eye doctor. After years of anticipation, contact lens wearers were finally free to purchase their contact lens replacements wherever they felt was appropriate for them. Although mail order companies had sold contact lenses for years, online contact lens replacement providers were growing in popularity and using popular search engines to market their services to consumers.
Today, more and more consumers find that online shopping saves them money and is convenient, but how do you determine which sites are safe to deal with? Everyone is looking for great prices, but the overriding concern is to find vendors who have secure websites that protect your privacy.
How does one go about finding a secure shopping site? There are two indicators you can check to determine if a website is properly safeguarded. The first is by looking at the URL, or web page address, at the top of your web browser. As you may have noticed during your Internet surfing experience, most begin with “http”. However, a secure site will have an address that begins “https”. Be sure the latter prefix exists when you arrive at a web page on which you will be actually entering sensitive information. The added ‘s’ is a signal to users that information (e.g. names and passwords) will be encrypted as it is transmitted. The second check for a safe site is to search for the padlock icon, usually located at the bottom of the screen. If the padlock is closed, the site is secure. Make sure this icon is in the browser window and not in the web page area. A click (or double-click) on a legitimate padlock icon will display a website’s security information.
Reputable shopping sites also have privacy policies posted that can be easily found and understood. This is where you will learn if the contact lens vendor shares your information with affiliated companies or other third parties. If they do, there is an almost certain likelihood you will receive unsolicited e-mail (‘spam’)—unless the vendor expressly restricts these parties from marketing in this manner. Also look to see if the site belongs to a ‘seal of approval’ program administered by the Better Business Bureau or others whose job it is to set guidelines for privacy practices.
Keep in mind that policies can change, especially if the website happens to be sold to or purchased by other companies. Review the policies at websites you do business with at regular intervals so any sudden ‘switches’ will not surprise you. This will allow you to take timely action to stop your information from being misused.
Since there are never any guarantees, care and research is necessary in selecting a legitimate online contact lens seller. However, this should not deter you from taking advantage of the convenience offered by online shopping. Remember, a responsible shopper will always be in a better position to take advantage of new opportunities. Take the time to locate responsible vendors that will safeguard their customers’ security and privacy.
Today, more and more consumers find that online shopping saves them money and is convenient, but how do you determine which sites are safe to deal with? Everyone is looking for great prices, but the overriding concern is to find vendors who have secure websites that protect your privacy.
How does one go about finding a secure shopping site? There are two indicators you can check to determine if a website is properly safeguarded. The first is by looking at the URL, or web page address, at the top of your web browser. As you may have noticed during your Internet surfing experience, most begin with “http”. However, a secure site will have an address that begins “https”. Be sure the latter prefix exists when you arrive at a web page on which you will be actually entering sensitive information. The added ‘s’ is a signal to users that information (e.g. names and passwords) will be encrypted as it is transmitted. The second check for a safe site is to search for the padlock icon, usually located at the bottom of the screen. If the padlock is closed, the site is secure. Make sure this icon is in the browser window and not in the web page area. A click (or double-click) on a legitimate padlock icon will display a website’s security information.
Reputable shopping sites also have privacy policies posted that can be easily found and understood. This is where you will learn if the contact lens vendor shares your information with affiliated companies or other third parties. If they do, there is an almost certain likelihood you will receive unsolicited e-mail (‘spam’)—unless the vendor expressly restricts these parties from marketing in this manner. Also look to see if the site belongs to a ‘seal of approval’ program administered by the Better Business Bureau or others whose job it is to set guidelines for privacy practices.
Keep in mind that policies can change, especially if the website happens to be sold to or purchased by other companies. Review the policies at websites you do business with at regular intervals so any sudden ‘switches’ will not surprise you. This will allow you to take timely action to stop your information from being misused.
Since there are never any guarantees, care and research is necessary in selecting a legitimate online contact lens seller. However, this should not deter you from taking advantage of the convenience offered by online shopping. Remember, a responsible shopper will always be in a better position to take advantage of new opportunities. Take the time to locate responsible vendors that will safeguard their customers’ security and privacy.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Summer Fun and Contact Lenses
The summer months are the most active for those who enjoy outdoor activities and are certainly the most comfortable. Dashing out the door without having to burden yourself with extra clothing after a long winter is a liberating feeling, especially for those who wear contact lenses instead of glasses.
Not only are contact lenses convenient, they are also more practical. How many times have eyeglasses gotten in the way of enjoying outdoor games and pastimes because of decreased peripheral vision and slipping frames? Contacts eliminate both of those problems. If you still wear specs and continue to struggle through warm weather activities, then it is time to seriously consider switching to contacts.
The selection of contact lenses has never been greater, due to ongoing improvements and innovations targeted to enhance comfort and convenience. Soft contacts (including silicone hydrogels) have come along to extend wear time and maximize moisture for healthy eyes. Multifocal and toric lenses are available for those with presbyopia and astigmatism, so all ages can enjoy the benefits these contacts give. Many of these offer UV blocking* as an added measure of protection against the sun.
With the introduction of daily disposables water sports have become less of a problem. Whether one is swimming in lake water, municipal pool, or a familiar private swimming pool, water splashed in the eyes while wearing contact lenses increases the chances of infection and other eye damage caused by microorganisms in the water. These incidences are minimized when the affected contacts are promptly removed and replaced with a fresh pair. Daily disposables also mean you no longer have to carry cleaning and solution kits to disinfect your lenses.
Today there are online retailers that make it very convenient to purchase contact lenses inexpensively and in a timely manner. Quick surfing of the Internet will give you a list of vendors who will meet your needs. All that is required is a valid prescription provided by your eye doctor. Purchasing lenses online cuts down on traveling to box store lens sellers and wasting valuable time that is better spent enjoying your summer.
Consult with your eye doctor who will assist you in choosing and fitting the appropriate contact lens for your needs. Nothing defines ‘carefree summer days’ more than the ability to leave your eyeglasses behind and enjoy the natural feel of wearing contacts during warm weather activities.
*Keep in mind that contact lenses that block UV radiation only protect the cornea—that part of the eye covered by the lenses. For full eye protection from UV rays, appropriate sunglasses that shield the entire eye area are needed.
Not only are contact lenses convenient, they are also more practical. How many times have eyeglasses gotten in the way of enjoying outdoor games and pastimes because of decreased peripheral vision and slipping frames? Contacts eliminate both of those problems. If you still wear specs and continue to struggle through warm weather activities, then it is time to seriously consider switching to contacts.
The selection of contact lenses has never been greater, due to ongoing improvements and innovations targeted to enhance comfort and convenience. Soft contacts (including silicone hydrogels) have come along to extend wear time and maximize moisture for healthy eyes. Multifocal and toric lenses are available for those with presbyopia and astigmatism, so all ages can enjoy the benefits these contacts give. Many of these offer UV blocking* as an added measure of protection against the sun.
With the introduction of daily disposables water sports have become less of a problem. Whether one is swimming in lake water, municipal pool, or a familiar private swimming pool, water splashed in the eyes while wearing contact lenses increases the chances of infection and other eye damage caused by microorganisms in the water. These incidences are minimized when the affected contacts are promptly removed and replaced with a fresh pair. Daily disposables also mean you no longer have to carry cleaning and solution kits to disinfect your lenses.
Today there are online retailers that make it very convenient to purchase contact lenses inexpensively and in a timely manner. Quick surfing of the Internet will give you a list of vendors who will meet your needs. All that is required is a valid prescription provided by your eye doctor. Purchasing lenses online cuts down on traveling to box store lens sellers and wasting valuable time that is better spent enjoying your summer.
Consult with your eye doctor who will assist you in choosing and fitting the appropriate contact lens for your needs. Nothing defines ‘carefree summer days’ more than the ability to leave your eyeglasses behind and enjoy the natural feel of wearing contacts during warm weather activities.
*Keep in mind that contact lenses that block UV radiation only protect the cornea—that part of the eye covered by the lenses. For full eye protection from UV rays, appropriate sunglasses that shield the entire eye area are needed.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
‘Piggybacking’ and ‘Vaulting’ Contact Lenses for Keratoconus
The cornea of the eye is the ‘window’ that allows light to be reflected onto the retina to enable our sight. One of the irregularities that can afflict the cornea is the disease called keratoconus.
Keratoconus occurs most frequently during the teen years or early 20s. It causes the naturally rounded cornea to become more cone-shaped, resulting in nearsightedness, astigmatism, and light sensitivity. Changes in eyeglass prescriptions tend to be necessary upon each visit with the eye doctor and, for many years, patients were told they could not wear contact lenses. Fortunately, some excellent options have been developed and marketed. These options can provide keratoconus patients with a contact lens option in various lens materials and designs.
Initially, rigid gas permeable (RGP or GP) lenses were the only type of contact used because their firmness restored a symmetrical window, correcting the focus of light into the eye. However, there were cases where keratoconus made the eye so sensitive that GP lenses could not be worn due to pressure exerted on corneal tissue. A solution called ‘piggybacking’ was developed.
In ‘piggybacking’ eyes that cannot tolerate GP contact lenses are first fitted with a soft lens that is intended to act as a cushion. Then, a GP is fitted over the soft lens. This achieves both the comfort and correction needed to overcome the effects of keratoconus. The one concern with this method is the issue of oxygen permeability necessary to keep the eye healthy. Fortunately, the advance of hydrogel and silicone hydrogel lenses has greatly increased oxygen flow for their wearers; GPs have also improved in oxygen transmission by way of new materials development in that segment. Despite this advantage, ‘piggyback’ patients need to be monitored by their eye doctor to prevent any problems that might occur.
One other innovation is the hybrid lens, which combines features of GP and soft contacts. Unlike the ‘piggyback’ lens option where two different lenses are used, with the hybrid lens there exists a center portion, made of a non-pliable material, while the outer skirt is made of a soft hydrogel material. This type of contact lens performs a function in which the corrective window ‘vaults’ over the cornea, eliminating any uncomfortable pressure. This is closer to the fit wearers have come to expect from current lenses.
Being diagnosed with keratoconus is not an automatic sentence to eyeglasses. It may take some patience and close consultation and visits with your eye doctor, but the options available give lens users good opportunities to keep the freedom and comfort of contact lenses.
Keratoconus occurs most frequently during the teen years or early 20s. It causes the naturally rounded cornea to become more cone-shaped, resulting in nearsightedness, astigmatism, and light sensitivity. Changes in eyeglass prescriptions tend to be necessary upon each visit with the eye doctor and, for many years, patients were told they could not wear contact lenses. Fortunately, some excellent options have been developed and marketed. These options can provide keratoconus patients with a contact lens option in various lens materials and designs.
Initially, rigid gas permeable (RGP or GP) lenses were the only type of contact used because their firmness restored a symmetrical window, correcting the focus of light into the eye. However, there were cases where keratoconus made the eye so sensitive that GP lenses could not be worn due to pressure exerted on corneal tissue. A solution called ‘piggybacking’ was developed.
In ‘piggybacking’ eyes that cannot tolerate GP contact lenses are first fitted with a soft lens that is intended to act as a cushion. Then, a GP is fitted over the soft lens. This achieves both the comfort and correction needed to overcome the effects of keratoconus. The one concern with this method is the issue of oxygen permeability necessary to keep the eye healthy. Fortunately, the advance of hydrogel and silicone hydrogel lenses has greatly increased oxygen flow for their wearers; GPs have also improved in oxygen transmission by way of new materials development in that segment. Despite this advantage, ‘piggyback’ patients need to be monitored by their eye doctor to prevent any problems that might occur.
One other innovation is the hybrid lens, which combines features of GP and soft contacts. Unlike the ‘piggyback’ lens option where two different lenses are used, with the hybrid lens there exists a center portion, made of a non-pliable material, while the outer skirt is made of a soft hydrogel material. This type of contact lens performs a function in which the corrective window ‘vaults’ over the cornea, eliminating any uncomfortable pressure. This is closer to the fit wearers have come to expect from current lenses.
Being diagnosed with keratoconus is not an automatic sentence to eyeglasses. It may take some patience and close consultation and visits with your eye doctor, but the options available give lens users good opportunities to keep the freedom and comfort of contact lenses.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Water and Contact Lenses
Water is one of the most plentiful substances on Earth, and its relationship to man’s survival is vital. However, when it comes to contact lenses, water holds both risks and benefits depending on its source.
Water has always been thought of as a cleanser, and in most instances that is true, but not so in the case of contacts. Water should not be used to clean or store lenses because it contains bacteria and microorganisms that transfer first to the lenses and then to your eyes. The serious infections and eye damage that result can cause vision loss, and even blindness. It does not matter whether the water comes from a filtered tap or is bottled or distilled, those harmful organisms remain. Use nothing but approved contact solutions to clean and store your lenses.
If you are the type of person who enjoys water sports or leisure activities, care must be taken when wearing your contacts in lakes, pools, hot tubs, or the ocean. Water splashed in the eyes will leave your lenses vulnerable to the same type of pathogens found in tap water. It is recommended that you remove your contacts before going into the water, or protect them with swim goggles. If water does get in to your eyes while wearing your lenses, remove them immediately. Thoroughly rinse them in solution and store them overnight. Daily disposable lenses are very convenient in this regard as they can be removed and replaced with a fresh pair right away. This is handy in situations when you find yourself without contact solution, e.g. at a park, lake, or resort.
On the other hand, the water that forms our tears is essential for comfortable contact lens wear. Not only do tears keep the eye healthy by flushing out dust and debris, they also minimize the growth of naturally occurring microorganisms that can appear on the eye’s surface. Tears are also important in keeping the cornea supplied with oxygen while contacts are in place, and blinking allows the tears to be continually replenished.
In addition, a recent innovation in contact lens manufacture has allowed water to become a component in silicone hydrogels, a soft lens that can deliver more oxygen to the cornea because of the water content in the plastic that makes up the lens. As a result, these contacts have become some of the most popular types on the market.
So, water has a two-fold relationship with contact lenses—one harmful, the other beneficial. Being mindful of the differences will keep your experience with lens wear a pleasant, comfortable, and healthy one.
Water has always been thought of as a cleanser, and in most instances that is true, but not so in the case of contacts. Water should not be used to clean or store lenses because it contains bacteria and microorganisms that transfer first to the lenses and then to your eyes. The serious infections and eye damage that result can cause vision loss, and even blindness. It does not matter whether the water comes from a filtered tap or is bottled or distilled, those harmful organisms remain. Use nothing but approved contact solutions to clean and store your lenses.
If you are the type of person who enjoys water sports or leisure activities, care must be taken when wearing your contacts in lakes, pools, hot tubs, or the ocean. Water splashed in the eyes will leave your lenses vulnerable to the same type of pathogens found in tap water. It is recommended that you remove your contacts before going into the water, or protect them with swim goggles. If water does get in to your eyes while wearing your lenses, remove them immediately. Thoroughly rinse them in solution and store them overnight. Daily disposable lenses are very convenient in this regard as they can be removed and replaced with a fresh pair right away. This is handy in situations when you find yourself without contact solution, e.g. at a park, lake, or resort.
On the other hand, the water that forms our tears is essential for comfortable contact lens wear. Not only do tears keep the eye healthy by flushing out dust and debris, they also minimize the growth of naturally occurring microorganisms that can appear on the eye’s surface. Tears are also important in keeping the cornea supplied with oxygen while contacts are in place, and blinking allows the tears to be continually replenished.
In addition, a recent innovation in contact lens manufacture has allowed water to become a component in silicone hydrogels, a soft lens that can deliver more oxygen to the cornea because of the water content in the plastic that makes up the lens. As a result, these contacts have become some of the most popular types on the market.
So, water has a two-fold relationship with contact lenses—one harmful, the other beneficial. Being mindful of the differences will keep your experience with lens wear a pleasant, comfortable, and healthy one.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Coming to Terms with Contact Lenses’ Prescriptions and Their Expiration
Despite all the information available about contact lenses, there is still one area where misconceptions crop up concerning the nature of contacts and their use: prescriptions and their expirations.
Eye doctors and contact lens sellers remain surprised that a good number of people continue to ask why they need a prescription to wear contact lenses. In cases like these, the prevailing notion seems to be that contacts are somehow just a fashion accessory and not the controlled medical devices that they are. It is true that patients have been given greater freedom to shop around for their lenses since the federal government required that contact wearers have a copy of their prescription. However, this freedom may have fostered assumptions that contacts have become less controlled. No one would think of taking a medication to treat a serious illness without benefit of a doctor’s prescription because that medication must be monitored so it will do no harm. The same holds true for contacts. A lens that fits poorly, is not perfectly matched to your vision power, or is made from material not best suited for your eyes will cause problems. Not only is discomfort a most likely result, but inflammation, infection, and permanent damage to eye tissue are also risks.
Once you have the proper prescription it is important to remember that it is subject to expiration, in most cases after one year. Your eyes may continue to feel good and lens wear remains comfortable, but there could be microscopic changes in your eye health that are not noticeable. An annual exam with your eye doctor assures that any potential problems with your eyes are caught and corrected before they become serious. These regular exams also keep up with how your lenses are performing and allows for any required updates in regards to power, size, material, or design.
In addition to prescription expiration, soft contact lenses themselves have a time limit placed on them. Despite the airtight packaging used on most brands of soft contacts, the passage of time may weaken or compromise the seal. This leads to contamination of the sterile saline solution and the lens inside. Expiration dates can be found on the box and on the lens’ foil wrapper. Dates are printed in a year-month format, meaning the contacts within can be used until the last day of the month in the calendar year indicated (e.g. 2014/12 means you can use the lenses until December 31, 2014). Once an expiration date has been reached, discard the lenses immediately and obtain fresh ones.
Contact lenses provide great convenience and comfort regarding vision correction, but it is important to remember that they also impact a most sensitive part of our bodies, the eyes. Regular and timely visits with your eye doctor are necessary to maintain eye health and to make sure they are enhanced--not harmed--by the contacts we choose.
Eye doctors and contact lens sellers remain surprised that a good number of people continue to ask why they need a prescription to wear contact lenses. In cases like these, the prevailing notion seems to be that contacts are somehow just a fashion accessory and not the controlled medical devices that they are. It is true that patients have been given greater freedom to shop around for their lenses since the federal government required that contact wearers have a copy of their prescription. However, this freedom may have fostered assumptions that contacts have become less controlled. No one would think of taking a medication to treat a serious illness without benefit of a doctor’s prescription because that medication must be monitored so it will do no harm. The same holds true for contacts. A lens that fits poorly, is not perfectly matched to your vision power, or is made from material not best suited for your eyes will cause problems. Not only is discomfort a most likely result, but inflammation, infection, and permanent damage to eye tissue are also risks.
Once you have the proper prescription it is important to remember that it is subject to expiration, in most cases after one year. Your eyes may continue to feel good and lens wear remains comfortable, but there could be microscopic changes in your eye health that are not noticeable. An annual exam with your eye doctor assures that any potential problems with your eyes are caught and corrected before they become serious. These regular exams also keep up with how your lenses are performing and allows for any required updates in regards to power, size, material, or design.
In addition to prescription expiration, soft contact lenses themselves have a time limit placed on them. Despite the airtight packaging used on most brands of soft contacts, the passage of time may weaken or compromise the seal. This leads to contamination of the sterile saline solution and the lens inside. Expiration dates can be found on the box and on the lens’ foil wrapper. Dates are printed in a year-month format, meaning the contacts within can be used until the last day of the month in the calendar year indicated (e.g. 2014/12 means you can use the lenses until December 31, 2014). Once an expiration date has been reached, discard the lenses immediately and obtain fresh ones.
Contact lenses provide great convenience and comfort regarding vision correction, but it is important to remember that they also impact a most sensitive part of our bodies, the eyes. Regular and timely visits with your eye doctor are necessary to maintain eye health and to make sure they are enhanced--not harmed--by the contacts we choose.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Ending Discomfort Associated with Contact Lenses
The ongoing advance of contact lens technology in recent years has made the wearing and enjoyment of contacts more widespread. Nevertheless, there may be instances where discomfort may occur in some people’s use of lenses. In most situations where this is an issue, there are relatively simple solutions.
Eyes that burn when contacts are inserted are many times due to substances that get on the lenses through handling. Skin lotions, cosmetics, food oils, and soaps with additives (e.g. moisturizers and perfumes) can easily find their way onto your contact lenses. Search out ‘basic’ or ‘all natural’ soaps for use and make sure your hands are thoroughly dried with a lint-free towel before handling your contacts. Daily disposable lenses go a long way to cut down on contamination because you use them once and then throw them away.
Foreign body sensation (the feeling that something is in the eye) when wearing contacts could be a sign that your lens fit may not be just right. This cause may be as simple as inverted lenses, a nick at the edge of the lens, a torn lens or an incorrect base curve or diameter. Lipids and natural deposits left on lenses due to tear production is another factor, and can be removed with the proper cleaning solution. Your eye doctor can help you with the correct fitting and care regimen necessary.
Dry eyes while using contact lenses can possibly be solved by having your current lens fitting reevaluated by your eye doctor. A switch to contacts better suited for dry eye symptoms (silicone hydrogels are one type) may be recommended. Certain eye drops used for dryness in conjunction with lenses are available. High intakes of caffeine and alcohol contribute to the problem, so a moderation in their consumption may help.
Silicone hydrogels have also come to the rescue of those who find they cannot wear their lenses as long as they would like each day. These soft lenses have increased wear time due to their high rate of oxygen flow to the cornea, which also promotes good eye health in addition to comfort.
Other factors that affect contact lens comfort are the presence of allergies, medical problems, and the use of some prescription medications. Smoking raises a whole host of health complications associated with vision.
The most important thing to remember is that discomfort in most cases does not mean having to give up your contact lenses. Meetings with your eye doctor will very likely result in greater satisfaction and enhanced visual freedom.
Eyes that burn when contacts are inserted are many times due to substances that get on the lenses through handling. Skin lotions, cosmetics, food oils, and soaps with additives (e.g. moisturizers and perfumes) can easily find their way onto your contact lenses. Search out ‘basic’ or ‘all natural’ soaps for use and make sure your hands are thoroughly dried with a lint-free towel before handling your contacts. Daily disposable lenses go a long way to cut down on contamination because you use them once and then throw them away.
Foreign body sensation (the feeling that something is in the eye) when wearing contacts could be a sign that your lens fit may not be just right. This cause may be as simple as inverted lenses, a nick at the edge of the lens, a torn lens or an incorrect base curve or diameter. Lipids and natural deposits left on lenses due to tear production is another factor, and can be removed with the proper cleaning solution. Your eye doctor can help you with the correct fitting and care regimen necessary.
Dry eyes while using contact lenses can possibly be solved by having your current lens fitting reevaluated by your eye doctor. A switch to contacts better suited for dry eye symptoms (silicone hydrogels are one type) may be recommended. Certain eye drops used for dryness in conjunction with lenses are available. High intakes of caffeine and alcohol contribute to the problem, so a moderation in their consumption may help.
Silicone hydrogels have also come to the rescue of those who find they cannot wear their lenses as long as they would like each day. These soft lenses have increased wear time due to their high rate of oxygen flow to the cornea, which also promotes good eye health in addition to comfort.
Other factors that affect contact lens comfort are the presence of allergies, medical problems, and the use of some prescription medications. Smoking raises a whole host of health complications associated with vision.
The most important thing to remember is that discomfort in most cases does not mean having to give up your contact lenses. Meetings with your eye doctor will very likely result in greater satisfaction and enhanced visual freedom.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Answering Some Common Questions About Contacts
As long as contact lenses have been a common and widely available means of vision correction, there also have been some basic questions that people ask—especially if they do not wear them and/or are contemplating a switch from eyeglasses.
For the ‘sophisticated’ contact wearer, the following questions may seem silly or unnecessary, but they are of great concern to those who are thinking of purchasing lenses or those who are new wearers. In this regard, they should not be dismissed, as any exchange of information that is useful to someone is certainly not a waste of time.
Are contacts bad for your eyes? Do they make your eyes worse? The success rate among contact lenses over their decades of use is indisputable. However, ‘bad’ depends on how conscientious users are in following the wear and care regimen that is vital to eye health. Since contacts are placed directly on the eye, the natural oxygen flow to the eye is immediately reduced by a factor related to the lens material itself. Industry developments over the past 5-7 years have greatly improved oxygen transmission through the lens material. Nevertheless, careless habits employed by the wearer will increase the potential for infections and other problems. The best defense is to heed all of your eye doctor’s instructions on lenses’ wear time and cleaning. As far as making eyes worse, this is a misconception borne out of contact use among children who often experience a progression of myopia (nearsightedness) during their growing years. Studies* have shown that children who wear eyeglasses under the same circumstances have a nearly identical rate of progression. It is simply that myopic changes are greatest during childhood.
Are contact lenses difficult to insert? After your eye doctor has assisted you in achieving a good fit with the right type of contact, they will also demonstrate the proper way to insert and remove the lenses. There may be those who struggle at first with insertion, but patience and practice leads to success rather quickly. It has been proven that children as young as eight are able to successfully handle contact lenses; if they can do it so can you!
Can contacts get lost in your eyes? They certainly cannot find their way to the back of the eyeball, as some fear, due to the nature of the membrane of the inner eyelid (conjuctiva). This membrane continues up the inside lid to become the covering of your eye’s outer white surface; nothing can get behind the eye. However, lenses can move into the upper eyelid, usually due to rubbing or sudden jostle. When this happens, use re-wetting drops in your eye and gently massage the lid with your eye closed to move the lens to a position where it can be removed. Another method is to carefully turn up your eyelid so that it is inside out (employ a cotton swab on the outside of the lid to fold onto), tilt your head back, and use the inverted eyelid to move the contact onto the eye’s surface so it can be removed. If the above methods prove unsuccessful, ask someone for assistance or immediately see your eye doctor.
Where can contacts be bought without a prescription? Contact lenses are classified as medical devices by the FDA and cannot be purchased without a valid prescription from an eye doctor. However, since you have a legal right to obtain your prescription from your eye doctor, you have the freedom to shop and select the seller who best fills your needs.
These are only some of the questions asked about contact lenses. Your eye doctor is the best source for answers when it comes to the wearing and care of lenses. They are willing partners and the dialogue between you can only improve your satisfaction with contacts.
*The Adolescent and Child Health Initiative to Encourage Vision Empowerment (ACHIEVE) is an example.
For the ‘sophisticated’ contact wearer, the following questions may seem silly or unnecessary, but they are of great concern to those who are thinking of purchasing lenses or those who are new wearers. In this regard, they should not be dismissed, as any exchange of information that is useful to someone is certainly not a waste of time.
Are contacts bad for your eyes? Do they make your eyes worse? The success rate among contact lenses over their decades of use is indisputable. However, ‘bad’ depends on how conscientious users are in following the wear and care regimen that is vital to eye health. Since contacts are placed directly on the eye, the natural oxygen flow to the eye is immediately reduced by a factor related to the lens material itself. Industry developments over the past 5-7 years have greatly improved oxygen transmission through the lens material. Nevertheless, careless habits employed by the wearer will increase the potential for infections and other problems. The best defense is to heed all of your eye doctor’s instructions on lenses’ wear time and cleaning. As far as making eyes worse, this is a misconception borne out of contact use among children who often experience a progression of myopia (nearsightedness) during their growing years. Studies* have shown that children who wear eyeglasses under the same circumstances have a nearly identical rate of progression. It is simply that myopic changes are greatest during childhood.
Are contact lenses difficult to insert? After your eye doctor has assisted you in achieving a good fit with the right type of contact, they will also demonstrate the proper way to insert and remove the lenses. There may be those who struggle at first with insertion, but patience and practice leads to success rather quickly. It has been proven that children as young as eight are able to successfully handle contact lenses; if they can do it so can you!
Can contacts get lost in your eyes? They certainly cannot find their way to the back of the eyeball, as some fear, due to the nature of the membrane of the inner eyelid (conjuctiva). This membrane continues up the inside lid to become the covering of your eye’s outer white surface; nothing can get behind the eye. However, lenses can move into the upper eyelid, usually due to rubbing or sudden jostle. When this happens, use re-wetting drops in your eye and gently massage the lid with your eye closed to move the lens to a position where it can be removed. Another method is to carefully turn up your eyelid so that it is inside out (employ a cotton swab on the outside of the lid to fold onto), tilt your head back, and use the inverted eyelid to move the contact onto the eye’s surface so it can be removed. If the above methods prove unsuccessful, ask someone for assistance or immediately see your eye doctor.
Where can contacts be bought without a prescription? Contact lenses are classified as medical devices by the FDA and cannot be purchased without a valid prescription from an eye doctor. However, since you have a legal right to obtain your prescription from your eye doctor, you have the freedom to shop and select the seller who best fills your needs.
These are only some of the questions asked about contact lenses. Your eye doctor is the best source for answers when it comes to the wearing and care of lenses. They are willing partners and the dialogue between you can only improve your satisfaction with contacts.
*The Adolescent and Child Health Initiative to Encourage Vision Empowerment (ACHIEVE) is an example.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Contacts Match Active Lifestyles at All Ages
In recent decades, Americans have become more active as they try to live a healthy lifestyle. Whether it is competitive sports or leisurely pastimes such as jogging, walking, or swimming, we are going and doing in greater numbers than our grandparents. However, if you are among the millions who require vision correction you have another concern: finding the type of lenses that won’t inhibit your activity level or enjoyment.
Although tolerated for years, eyeglasses remain pretty much a non-starter as far as being the best means for seeing well while exerting yourself. There are many disadvantages: restricted peripheral vision, slipping or falling frames, putting up with spectacle headbands, accommodating goggles, etc. Oftentimes glasses are the main reason people opt not to take up a sport.
Contact lenses have certainly made it easier to participate in physical activities, with their convenience and range of choices. Also, because of recent studies showing that responsible children can be successfully fitted for contacts, the entry age for kids who need vision correction and wish to start playing sports now begins at approximately eight years old. At the other end of the scale, older or ‘more mature’ individuals are able to continue enjoying healthful exercise with contacts that have come a long way in addressing eye conditions related with age, primarily presbyopia and dry eye.
Between the two types of contacts favored today, soft and gas permeable (GP), soft contacts get the nod as the better choice when it comes to active wear. Besides being more comfortable and quicker to get used to, their gel-like make-up allows them to adhere to the eye in such a way that they do not fall out during exercise or strenuous activity. Gas permeable contact lenses, because of their rigid and smaller-diameter design, tend to move or dislodge as the body exhibits vigorous motion. A recent development, hybrid lenses, may make it easier for those who are bound to a GP contact. Hybrids blend the corrective qualities of GPs with the comfort of soft lenses.
Disposable lenses have been a boon to sports enthusiasts who find themselves in situations where a strict contact-cleaning regimen is unwieldy, i.e. camping, sailing, or hunting excursions that can last for days. Beginning with a fresh pair every day and discarding them before retiring for the night, disposables are seemingly made for those constantly on the go.
Nowadays there are eye care practitioners who can specifically fit for participants in competitive or professional sports. Adapting general fitting techniques to the more precise need of a particular activity accomplishes this, whether it is softball or soccer for school-age children or golf and tennis that appeal to an older crowd.
Be mindful that any change in eyewear you plan to make is done in close consultation with your eye doctor. This is necessary to arrive at the proper lens for comfort and ease that will allow an enhanced enjoyment of your activities.
Although tolerated for years, eyeglasses remain pretty much a non-starter as far as being the best means for seeing well while exerting yourself. There are many disadvantages: restricted peripheral vision, slipping or falling frames, putting up with spectacle headbands, accommodating goggles, etc. Oftentimes glasses are the main reason people opt not to take up a sport.
Contact lenses have certainly made it easier to participate in physical activities, with their convenience and range of choices. Also, because of recent studies showing that responsible children can be successfully fitted for contacts, the entry age for kids who need vision correction and wish to start playing sports now begins at approximately eight years old. At the other end of the scale, older or ‘more mature’ individuals are able to continue enjoying healthful exercise with contacts that have come a long way in addressing eye conditions related with age, primarily presbyopia and dry eye.
Between the two types of contacts favored today, soft and gas permeable (GP), soft contacts get the nod as the better choice when it comes to active wear. Besides being more comfortable and quicker to get used to, their gel-like make-up allows them to adhere to the eye in such a way that they do not fall out during exercise or strenuous activity. Gas permeable contact lenses, because of their rigid and smaller-diameter design, tend to move or dislodge as the body exhibits vigorous motion. A recent development, hybrid lenses, may make it easier for those who are bound to a GP contact. Hybrids blend the corrective qualities of GPs with the comfort of soft lenses.
Disposable lenses have been a boon to sports enthusiasts who find themselves in situations where a strict contact-cleaning regimen is unwieldy, i.e. camping, sailing, or hunting excursions that can last for days. Beginning with a fresh pair every day and discarding them before retiring for the night, disposables are seemingly made for those constantly on the go.
Nowadays there are eye care practitioners who can specifically fit for participants in competitive or professional sports. Adapting general fitting techniques to the more precise need of a particular activity accomplishes this, whether it is softball or soccer for school-age children or golf and tennis that appeal to an older crowd.
Be mindful that any change in eyewear you plan to make is done in close consultation with your eye doctor. This is necessary to arrive at the proper lens for comfort and ease that will allow an enhanced enjoyment of your activities.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Contact Lenses and Solutions
Conscientious contact wearers are fully aware that taking proper care of their lenses is important and vital to continued eye health. The cleaning and storing regimen is a major part of this care.
There are various types of solutions made to accomplish safe cleaning and storage and it is easy to become confused about which does what. The following breakdown may be helpful.
· Cleaning solutions remove bacteria and debris, including dirt and mucous.
· Disinfecting solutions are used when storing your lenses, killing bacteria when you are not wearing your contacts.
· Multi-purpose solutions combine cleansers with disinfectants and can be used to remove proteins on lenses that come from tears.
· Peroxide solutions are also disinfectants, but most importantly come with a neutralizing agent that must be employed to convert the peroxide to saline before contacts can be placed on the eye. Peroxide in the eye will cause serious injury.
· Enzyme cleaners and protein removers target tear deposits that may irritate eyes.
· Rewetting solutions moisten lenses during the course of the day as they become dry; also called comfort drops, they can extend lens wear.
· Rinsing solutions basically wash across lenses to ready them for use, but do not kill bacteria.
Solutions should not be kept beyond their expiration dates; neither should they be mixed unless okayed by a doctor.
With all the above information, not to mention expense, an obvious question would be why not use tap water as a cleanser? Because despite the best filtration systems, tap water carries microorganisms and bacteria that can cause serious eye infections such as Acanthamoeba keratitis, a parasite-triggered condition that is sometimes difficult to diagnose and leads to permanent vision loss if allowed to advance. Bottled and distilled water are also off limits as impromptu solutions for the same reason.
It is also important to remember that swimming pools, hot tubs, and other recreational waters pose the same potential health risks if water is splashed in the eyes while wearing contacts. If this happens, remove the lenses as soon as possible, rinse and store them overnight to a proper disinfecting solution. A way to avoid this problem, especially if you are a ‘water-loving’ person who has no solution handy, is to carry disposable contacts. Disposables can be discarded and replaced once you leave the pool, lake or tub.
As for selecting the right solution for reusable lens care, your eye doctor is the person to go to for the information you need to navigate the various types and brands available. In fact, consultation is vital for first-time contact wearers and those wishing to switch from an established care regimen.
You enjoy the comfort and convenience provided by contacts. By approaching the cleaning and care aspects in an informed and responsible manner, you will ensure your healthy enjoyment of lenses for years to come.
There are various types of solutions made to accomplish safe cleaning and storage and it is easy to become confused about which does what. The following breakdown may be helpful.
· Cleaning solutions remove bacteria and debris, including dirt and mucous.
· Disinfecting solutions are used when storing your lenses, killing bacteria when you are not wearing your contacts.
· Multi-purpose solutions combine cleansers with disinfectants and can be used to remove proteins on lenses that come from tears.
· Peroxide solutions are also disinfectants, but most importantly come with a neutralizing agent that must be employed to convert the peroxide to saline before contacts can be placed on the eye. Peroxide in the eye will cause serious injury.
· Enzyme cleaners and protein removers target tear deposits that may irritate eyes.
· Rewetting solutions moisten lenses during the course of the day as they become dry; also called comfort drops, they can extend lens wear.
· Rinsing solutions basically wash across lenses to ready them for use, but do not kill bacteria.
Solutions should not be kept beyond their expiration dates; neither should they be mixed unless okayed by a doctor.
With all the above information, not to mention expense, an obvious question would be why not use tap water as a cleanser? Because despite the best filtration systems, tap water carries microorganisms and bacteria that can cause serious eye infections such as Acanthamoeba keratitis, a parasite-triggered condition that is sometimes difficult to diagnose and leads to permanent vision loss if allowed to advance. Bottled and distilled water are also off limits as impromptu solutions for the same reason.
It is also important to remember that swimming pools, hot tubs, and other recreational waters pose the same potential health risks if water is splashed in the eyes while wearing contacts. If this happens, remove the lenses as soon as possible, rinse and store them overnight to a proper disinfecting solution. A way to avoid this problem, especially if you are a ‘water-loving’ person who has no solution handy, is to carry disposable contacts. Disposables can be discarded and replaced once you leave the pool, lake or tub.
As for selecting the right solution for reusable lens care, your eye doctor is the person to go to for the information you need to navigate the various types and brands available. In fact, consultation is vital for first-time contact wearers and those wishing to switch from an established care regimen.
You enjoy the comfort and convenience provided by contacts. By approaching the cleaning and care aspects in an informed and responsible manner, you will ensure your healthy enjoyment of lenses for years to come.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Dry Eye Syndrome in Regards to Contacts
If your eyes have feelings of dryness, scratching, burning, or the sensation that something is in your eye, then you may be suffering from dry eye syndrome (what doctors call keratitis sicca). It is basically diminished amount of moisture due to evaporation or rapid draining of the tear film on the eye; it can also refer to a lack in the quality of tears, as they are made up of three components: oil, water, and mucous.
Some factors that lead to dry eye include the natural aging process; side effects from medications; dry, dusty or windy climates (don’t discount indoor ‘climates’ such as home or offices affected by air conditioning or heating systems that dry out eyes); smoking; and insufficient blinking caused by concentrating on computer screens and the like. There are also health conditions that can play a role: eye gland disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes.
Contact lens wearers can also fall into a pattern of dry eye, as this is a complaint from roughly 50% of users. However, combinations of treatment and types of lenses made to offset dry eye means one does not necessarily have to give up contacts.
First, if you suspect dry eye problems visit your eye doctor for a full examination to determine the type and extent of the disorder. From there, a treatment plan can be established. In recent years, developments both with contact lenses and other products have brought new weapons to the dry eye front.
Among the contact lens brands in this regard are Acuvue Oasys, Focus Night & Day, Ciba O2 Optix, Acuvue Advance, Bausch & Lomb PureVision and Proclear Compatibles. Using these lenses alone or in combination with doctor-approved eye drops or prescription medications have helped many with dry eye. Drops with cyclosporine in a castor oil base aid the body in producing more tears; this is more popularly recognized as Restasis. Other measures that can be taken include maintaining good care of your lenses, being more mindful about blinking frequently and completely throughout the day (which keeps up the natural wetting process), and re-soaking the lenses in solution for a few minutes to extend comfortable wear time.
When it comes to producing tears with the proper consistency, nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids and oils gleaned from fresh-water fish are helpful. Flaxseed oil is also recommended.
Surgically, there is a process where punctal (also called lacrimal) plugs can be inserted in the tear ducts to slow the draining of moisture from the eye. The process is painless and usually the plugs are not felt after they are in place. There is also an insert that can be set inside the lower eyelid that releases a lubricating agent throughout the day.
With contact lens manufacturers, medical researchers, and other professionals continuing to look for better ways to minimize or eliminate dry eye syndrome, it is only a matter of time until discomfort from this problem becomes a thing of the past.
Some factors that lead to dry eye include the natural aging process; side effects from medications; dry, dusty or windy climates (don’t discount indoor ‘climates’ such as home or offices affected by air conditioning or heating systems that dry out eyes); smoking; and insufficient blinking caused by concentrating on computer screens and the like. There are also health conditions that can play a role: eye gland disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes.
Contact lens wearers can also fall into a pattern of dry eye, as this is a complaint from roughly 50% of users. However, combinations of treatment and types of lenses made to offset dry eye means one does not necessarily have to give up contacts.
First, if you suspect dry eye problems visit your eye doctor for a full examination to determine the type and extent of the disorder. From there, a treatment plan can be established. In recent years, developments both with contact lenses and other products have brought new weapons to the dry eye front.
Among the contact lens brands in this regard are Acuvue Oasys, Focus Night & Day, Ciba O2 Optix, Acuvue Advance, Bausch & Lomb PureVision and Proclear Compatibles. Using these lenses alone or in combination with doctor-approved eye drops or prescription medications have helped many with dry eye. Drops with cyclosporine in a castor oil base aid the body in producing more tears; this is more popularly recognized as Restasis. Other measures that can be taken include maintaining good care of your lenses, being more mindful about blinking frequently and completely throughout the day (which keeps up the natural wetting process), and re-soaking the lenses in solution for a few minutes to extend comfortable wear time.
When it comes to producing tears with the proper consistency, nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids and oils gleaned from fresh-water fish are helpful. Flaxseed oil is also recommended.
Surgically, there is a process where punctal (also called lacrimal) plugs can be inserted in the tear ducts to slow the draining of moisture from the eye. The process is painless and usually the plugs are not felt after they are in place. There is also an insert that can be set inside the lower eyelid that releases a lubricating agent throughout the day.
With contact lens manufacturers, medical researchers, and other professionals continuing to look for better ways to minimize or eliminate dry eye syndrome, it is only a matter of time until discomfort from this problem becomes a thing of the past.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Advantages of RGP Contact Lenses
Just because RGP (rigid gas permeable, oftentimes referred to just as GPs) contact lenses have been around a long time and have been seemingly displaced in popularity by soft contacts, they are still an important player in correcting eye disorders.
Rigid Gas Permeable lenses came along as a better alternative to PMMA, or hard, contacts. Hard contacts did not allow oxygen to pass through to the eye, setting up a situation wherein prolonged wear caused complications such as swelling, cloudiness to the cornea, blurred vision, and infection. The materials in RGP contacts are more oxygen friendly and the firm construction of the lens conducts a flow of tears across the cornea during blinking; this provides adequate and much-needed moisture to the eyes.
Gas permeable lenses hold their own alongside soft contacts for a variety of reasons. They can be fitted in a more custom-made manner to the eye and retain their shape better during the blinking process, which keeps crisp vision from fluctuating. The rigidity also assists astigmatism patients in maintaining a rounded cornea that will let light hit the center of the retina, producing desired clarity of vision. In this vein, GPs become the only resort for those with irregular or severely scarred corneas. They are also a top choice when post-LASIK wear becomes necessary to correct remaining aberrations following surgery.
While it is true that on average it takes two to three weeks to become comfortable with GPs (soft lenses tend to provide more immediate comfort), once a satisfactory fit is reached, the quality of vision attained makes the adjustment period well worth it.
The care regimen* for GPs is easier because of their resistance to proteins and other deposits; they hold up over time to repeated cleaning. Needless to say, a longer-lasting lens can be less expensive due to fewer replacements.
Gas permeable lenses can be made with various designs and materials, freeing the fitter to fashion a contact to meet precise needs. Recent advances in technology have allowed a hybrid lens to be developed that combines the best features of soft contacts with those of GPs. The result is a lens with a rigid gas permeable center married to a soft outer skirting—giving the wearer sharp vision and comfort.
So, despite the vogue for soft contacts, GPs should not be discounted when selecting a suitable lens. They have a proven track record that makes them far from obsolete.
*Always follow your eye doctor’s instructions for proper wear and cleaning of contact lenses. They will also assist in choosing the best lens and answer any questions concerning GPs, soft contacts, and other lenses available to you.
Rigid Gas Permeable lenses came along as a better alternative to PMMA, or hard, contacts. Hard contacts did not allow oxygen to pass through to the eye, setting up a situation wherein prolonged wear caused complications such as swelling, cloudiness to the cornea, blurred vision, and infection. The materials in RGP contacts are more oxygen friendly and the firm construction of the lens conducts a flow of tears across the cornea during blinking; this provides adequate and much-needed moisture to the eyes.
Gas permeable lenses hold their own alongside soft contacts for a variety of reasons. They can be fitted in a more custom-made manner to the eye and retain their shape better during the blinking process, which keeps crisp vision from fluctuating. The rigidity also assists astigmatism patients in maintaining a rounded cornea that will let light hit the center of the retina, producing desired clarity of vision. In this vein, GPs become the only resort for those with irregular or severely scarred corneas. They are also a top choice when post-LASIK wear becomes necessary to correct remaining aberrations following surgery.
While it is true that on average it takes two to three weeks to become comfortable with GPs (soft lenses tend to provide more immediate comfort), once a satisfactory fit is reached, the quality of vision attained makes the adjustment period well worth it.
The care regimen* for GPs is easier because of their resistance to proteins and other deposits; they hold up over time to repeated cleaning. Needless to say, a longer-lasting lens can be less expensive due to fewer replacements.
Gas permeable lenses can be made with various designs and materials, freeing the fitter to fashion a contact to meet precise needs. Recent advances in technology have allowed a hybrid lens to be developed that combines the best features of soft contacts with those of GPs. The result is a lens with a rigid gas permeable center married to a soft outer skirting—giving the wearer sharp vision and comfort.
So, despite the vogue for soft contacts, GPs should not be discounted when selecting a suitable lens. They have a proven track record that makes them far from obsolete.
*Always follow your eye doctor’s instructions for proper wear and cleaning of contact lenses. They will also assist in choosing the best lens and answer any questions concerning GPs, soft contacts, and other lenses available to you.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Don't Let Age Keep You From Contacts
With all the youth-oriented product marketing these days, it is easy to get the impression that contact lenses are more fashionable for young people, leaving the assumption that the older or ‘more mature’ are better-suited for bifocals and the like.
Fortunately, that notion doesn’t hold water. It is true that as we age eyesight issues can become more complicated, but improvements have been made in contact lens technology over the past several years that have increased the opportunity for older adults to switch from glasses.
The most common eye condition encountered as we age is presbyopia, the difficulty of focusing at varied distances. In years past, prescription bifocal eyeglasses achieved correction. But nowadays contact lenses have been developed and manufactured to tackle presbyopia, with bifocal and multifocal lenses coming onto the market. There are also lenses made from hydrophilic (water-containing) materials for dry eyes, which can occur as we get older. Many lenses feature tinting and orientation marks, making handling easier and aids locating dropped or lost contacts. There are both rigid and soft styles that can be worn, depending on the type, for daily or extended wear. There are even disposable brands for more convenience.
Another inducement to switch to contacts is that older individuals today are generally more active than their parents were at the same age. An active lifestyle is enhanced by contacts as eyeglasses tend to be awkward and frames constantly interfere with peripheral vision. Along with healthy pursuits, contacts add to a youthful appearance and sense of vitality.
Once you have made the choice to explore the option of wearing contacts, a consultation with an eye doctor is essential. A full eye examination is needed to help determine the type and design of contact best suited to you. Health issues that may factor into your eligibility to wear lenses have to be dealt with; so you must be prepared to discuss any allergies, medications, and conditions in your history. An eye care professional should become a partner in fitting your lenses and monitoring the adjustment process, answering questions and giving you the support needed during this transition. They are also there to give you the ongoing care needed to maintain comfortable wear.
So, this notion that contacts are only for 20 and 30-somethings is as old-fashioned as telephone booths. Fortunately, in today’s health-conscious world youthful vigor can be found in many individuals other than the young. There is no reason to rule out getting contact lenses simply because you are ‘more mature’.
Fortunately, that notion doesn’t hold water. It is true that as we age eyesight issues can become more complicated, but improvements have been made in contact lens technology over the past several years that have increased the opportunity for older adults to switch from glasses.
The most common eye condition encountered as we age is presbyopia, the difficulty of focusing at varied distances. In years past, prescription bifocal eyeglasses achieved correction. But nowadays contact lenses have been developed and manufactured to tackle presbyopia, with bifocal and multifocal lenses coming onto the market. There are also lenses made from hydrophilic (water-containing) materials for dry eyes, which can occur as we get older. Many lenses feature tinting and orientation marks, making handling easier and aids locating dropped or lost contacts. There are both rigid and soft styles that can be worn, depending on the type, for daily or extended wear. There are even disposable brands for more convenience.
Another inducement to switch to contacts is that older individuals today are generally more active than their parents were at the same age. An active lifestyle is enhanced by contacts as eyeglasses tend to be awkward and frames constantly interfere with peripheral vision. Along with healthy pursuits, contacts add to a youthful appearance and sense of vitality.
Once you have made the choice to explore the option of wearing contacts, a consultation with an eye doctor is essential. A full eye examination is needed to help determine the type and design of contact best suited to you. Health issues that may factor into your eligibility to wear lenses have to be dealt with; so you must be prepared to discuss any allergies, medications, and conditions in your history. An eye care professional should become a partner in fitting your lenses and monitoring the adjustment process, answering questions and giving you the support needed during this transition. They are also there to give you the ongoing care needed to maintain comfortable wear.
So, this notion that contacts are only for 20 and 30-somethings is as old-fashioned as telephone booths. Fortunately, in today’s health-conscious world youthful vigor can be found in many individuals other than the young. There is no reason to rule out getting contact lenses simply because you are ‘more mature’.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Smoking, Eye Health and Contacts
We have all heard or seen the surgeon general’s warning about smoking: it causes lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema, and may complicate pregnancy. But fewer people know that it also plays a significant, negative role in eye health.
Recent studies have pointed to smoking as a contributor to age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in persons 65 and older. Smokers also have a three-times greater risk of developing cataracts.
The chemicals in cigarette smoke get into the bloodstream, cause clots, and shrink blood vessels. The retina uses a major supply of blood to help us see clearly. When the retinal receptors lack a proper flow of blood, damage occurs that directly affects eyesight. This constriction of blood vessels also raises inner eye pressure, resulting in glaucoma and deterioration of the optic nerve.
Other eye disorders attributed to smoking include uveitis, an inflammation of the middle layer of the eye and Graves’ ophthalmopathy, a thyroid-related disease that disrupts muscle control of the eye. Smoking worsens diabetic retinopathy, blood vessel damage associated with abnormal sugar levels and spikes the number of free radicals, molecules in the body that alter healthy cells. This changes the ability to absorb proper nutrients and vitamins—including those necessary for eye health.
Contact lens wearers who also smoke exacerbate conditions of dry eye and cornea irritation, increasing the chances of infection. Achieving comfort becomes more difficult, and smokers have to resort to additional dietary nutrients, supplements, or medicated drops to increase eye moisture. Quitting the habit gives you the opportunity to see if your dry eyes improve to the point where you can do away with those ‘artificial tears’ and other lubricants.
Second hand smoke has over 250 toxic compounds that are left behind in the air for eyes to be exposed to. In addition to the obvious irritation, second hand smoke gets into the bloodstream just as pervasively as puffing from a lit cigarette.
Quitting smoking reduces the risks of developing eye disease, but once you are diagnosed with macular degeneration or optic nerve damage it is irreversible. The key is to give up smoking while eyes are relatively healthy with no major disorders present; risk factors continue to decline the longer you stay away from cigarettes.
Snuffing out the habit sooner rather than later is a winning health strategy. Not only will you breathe easier and enjoy your activities more, but you will also give yourself a great chance of keeping good vision along with a better quality of life.
Recent studies have pointed to smoking as a contributor to age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in persons 65 and older. Smokers also have a three-times greater risk of developing cataracts.
The chemicals in cigarette smoke get into the bloodstream, cause clots, and shrink blood vessels. The retina uses a major supply of blood to help us see clearly. When the retinal receptors lack a proper flow of blood, damage occurs that directly affects eyesight. This constriction of blood vessels also raises inner eye pressure, resulting in glaucoma and deterioration of the optic nerve.
Other eye disorders attributed to smoking include uveitis, an inflammation of the middle layer of the eye and Graves’ ophthalmopathy, a thyroid-related disease that disrupts muscle control of the eye. Smoking worsens diabetic retinopathy, blood vessel damage associated with abnormal sugar levels and spikes the number of free radicals, molecules in the body that alter healthy cells. This changes the ability to absorb proper nutrients and vitamins—including those necessary for eye health.
Contact lens wearers who also smoke exacerbate conditions of dry eye and cornea irritation, increasing the chances of infection. Achieving comfort becomes more difficult, and smokers have to resort to additional dietary nutrients, supplements, or medicated drops to increase eye moisture. Quitting the habit gives you the opportunity to see if your dry eyes improve to the point where you can do away with those ‘artificial tears’ and other lubricants.
Second hand smoke has over 250 toxic compounds that are left behind in the air for eyes to be exposed to. In addition to the obvious irritation, second hand smoke gets into the bloodstream just as pervasively as puffing from a lit cigarette.
Quitting smoking reduces the risks of developing eye disease, but once you are diagnosed with macular degeneration or optic nerve damage it is irreversible. The key is to give up smoking while eyes are relatively healthy with no major disorders present; risk factors continue to decline the longer you stay away from cigarettes.
Snuffing out the habit sooner rather than later is a winning health strategy. Not only will you breathe easier and enjoy your activities more, but you will also give yourself a great chance of keeping good vision along with a better quality of life.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Getting Used to Monovision
Monovision is the contact lens technique for presbyopia that involves fitting a corrective lens for distance on a patient’s dominant eye* and a near-vision one on the other. As with bifocal or multifocal lenses, it is an option that allows the same pair of contacts to be used whether one is driving or reading a book.
On the surface, this method may seem odd and one questions how clear vision can be achieved with the eyes working at different powers.
So, how does monovision work?
As we look into the distance, our dominant eye commands the brain’s attention as vision information is transferred. The non-dominant eye still works, of course, but the dominant eye is in the ‘driver’s seat’. Even though the non-dominant eye is corrected for near vision, it does not interfere with the ‘communication’ going on between the brain and the distance eye. In successful applications, the brain learns to adapt to the two extremes, minimizing any overwhelming dizzying sensation following an adjustment period. Monovision also works if the dominant eye sees distance clearly with no aid, leaving the non-dominant one to be corrected for close sight. The technique is more successful with contacts than with eyeglasses since glasses sit away from the eyes. By their design, contacts are more attuned to natural eye function.
Monovision provides effective correction for presbyopes in nearly 75% of cases; but because the method is a compromise, there are some issues that have to be dealt with. Diminished depth perception is a result of the technique, as well as possible mild headaches until one becomes used to the differing lens powers. There is also the possibility of having less distinct sharpness when viewing distance. In successful instances, the period of adaptation is approximately one to three weeks.
Contact lens applied monovision does not permanently alter eyesight, unlike refractive surgery that incorporates the technique. Contacts can be removed if a trial is not successful and vision will return to what it was before the therapy.
If you are presbyopic and want to depend less on reading glasses, then ask your eye care provider about monovision to determine if you would be a good candidate.
*Much like being right or left-handed, eyes are similarly coordinated. The dominant eye focuses for distance while the non-dominant eye handles near vision. A simple test to determine which eye is dominant involves keeping both eyes open as you raise your right arm to point at an object in the distance (approximately 20 feet away or more). Focus on the object as you continue to point and cover first your left eye and then the right. In one of these instances, your pointing finger will seem to shift to one side. Your dominant eye is the one that does not cause the shift. Your eye doctor can confirm which eye is dominant.
On the surface, this method may seem odd and one questions how clear vision can be achieved with the eyes working at different powers.
So, how does monovision work?
As we look into the distance, our dominant eye commands the brain’s attention as vision information is transferred. The non-dominant eye still works, of course, but the dominant eye is in the ‘driver’s seat’. Even though the non-dominant eye is corrected for near vision, it does not interfere with the ‘communication’ going on between the brain and the distance eye. In successful applications, the brain learns to adapt to the two extremes, minimizing any overwhelming dizzying sensation following an adjustment period. Monovision also works if the dominant eye sees distance clearly with no aid, leaving the non-dominant one to be corrected for close sight. The technique is more successful with contacts than with eyeglasses since glasses sit away from the eyes. By their design, contacts are more attuned to natural eye function.
Monovision provides effective correction for presbyopes in nearly 75% of cases; but because the method is a compromise, there are some issues that have to be dealt with. Diminished depth perception is a result of the technique, as well as possible mild headaches until one becomes used to the differing lens powers. There is also the possibility of having less distinct sharpness when viewing distance. In successful instances, the period of adaptation is approximately one to three weeks.
Contact lens applied monovision does not permanently alter eyesight, unlike refractive surgery that incorporates the technique. Contacts can be removed if a trial is not successful and vision will return to what it was before the therapy.
If you are presbyopic and want to depend less on reading glasses, then ask your eye care provider about monovision to determine if you would be a good candidate.
*Much like being right or left-handed, eyes are similarly coordinated. The dominant eye focuses for distance while the non-dominant eye handles near vision. A simple test to determine which eye is dominant involves keeping both eyes open as you raise your right arm to point at an object in the distance (approximately 20 feet away or more). Focus on the object as you continue to point and cover first your left eye and then the right. In one of these instances, your pointing finger will seem to shift to one side. Your dominant eye is the one that does not cause the shift. Your eye doctor can confirm which eye is dominant.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Pregnancy, Eye Health and Contacts
Understandably, pregnancy is a time of great joy and expectation; but, as you have been told to expect by your doctor, it is also a time of metabolic shifts in your body—resulting in some symptoms that prove stressful and cause a little concern.
With all the other hormonal and physical changes going on, it should not be surprising that eyesight can also be affected. For the most part, these signs are relatively minor and should not trigger undue worry; they occur as part of a conventional pregnancy, and revert to normal after giving birth. Your eye doctor should be alerted to the fact you are expecting so that any prenatal changes can be adequately monitored, especially if there are pre-existing eye conditions.
The same blood pressure and fluid fluctuations in the body that produce swollen feet, etc., also changes the shape of your eyes. The most common development is a thickening in the curvature of the cornea, which alters refraction (the ‘bending’ of light through the cornea to the retina). This sometimes manifests itself in pronounced near- or farsightedness—the greater numbers of women with any significant refractive change experiencing the former. Also, because of eye swelling, contact lenses may suddenly become less comfortable. When this occurs, cease using them until you decide whether or not to continue with a new pair (fitted by your eye doctor). Since we are talking about a finite period of time until post-natal eyes re-stabilize, you may want to just ‘put up’ with eyeglasses for the duration of your term. If you stay in contacts, think about wearing any new lenses for shorter periods to lessen chances of further discomfort.
Dry eyes can also be a problem during pregnancy. This is exacerbated if you do a lot of work at the computer, or other work that requires long stretches of concentration. Blinking decreases during these times, lessening the natural wetting of the eyes. Lubricating drops can readily alleviate this lack of moisture, as most are safe to use for expecting mothers. Contact lens solutions and cleaners pose no problem, as well.
Symptoms to watch out for, as they signal a need to see your doctor, include double or blurry vision, temporary vision loss, seeing spots or flashing lights, and eye pain or redness. Sensitivity to light may occur due to hormonally triggered migraine headaches; a physician must okay any medication used to treat them. The risk of developing diabetes increases during pregnancy and certainly anyone previously diagnosed with the condition should get a full eye exam.
Having your eye physician as an integral part of your pregnancy care regimen is a wise decision; they can answer any questions regarding your eye health and help in relieving some stressful moments during these expectant days.
With all the other hormonal and physical changes going on, it should not be surprising that eyesight can also be affected. For the most part, these signs are relatively minor and should not trigger undue worry; they occur as part of a conventional pregnancy, and revert to normal after giving birth. Your eye doctor should be alerted to the fact you are expecting so that any prenatal changes can be adequately monitored, especially if there are pre-existing eye conditions.
The same blood pressure and fluid fluctuations in the body that produce swollen feet, etc., also changes the shape of your eyes. The most common development is a thickening in the curvature of the cornea, which alters refraction (the ‘bending’ of light through the cornea to the retina). This sometimes manifests itself in pronounced near- or farsightedness—the greater numbers of women with any significant refractive change experiencing the former. Also, because of eye swelling, contact lenses may suddenly become less comfortable. When this occurs, cease using them until you decide whether or not to continue with a new pair (fitted by your eye doctor). Since we are talking about a finite period of time until post-natal eyes re-stabilize, you may want to just ‘put up’ with eyeglasses for the duration of your term. If you stay in contacts, think about wearing any new lenses for shorter periods to lessen chances of further discomfort.
Dry eyes can also be a problem during pregnancy. This is exacerbated if you do a lot of work at the computer, or other work that requires long stretches of concentration. Blinking decreases during these times, lessening the natural wetting of the eyes. Lubricating drops can readily alleviate this lack of moisture, as most are safe to use for expecting mothers. Contact lens solutions and cleaners pose no problem, as well.
Symptoms to watch out for, as they signal a need to see your doctor, include double or blurry vision, temporary vision loss, seeing spots or flashing lights, and eye pain or redness. Sensitivity to light may occur due to hormonally triggered migraine headaches; a physician must okay any medication used to treat them. The risk of developing diabetes increases during pregnancy and certainly anyone previously diagnosed with the condition should get a full eye exam.
Having your eye physician as an integral part of your pregnancy care regimen is a wise decision; they can answer any questions regarding your eye health and help in relieving some stressful moments during these expectant days.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Contacts for Post-LASIK Patients
Nearly everyone has heard of LASIK (Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomileusis), the eye surgery that alters the cornea* for better vision. As innovative and beneficial as LASIK has become in recent years, the assumption that the procedure eliminates all need for eyeglasses and contact lenses is not entirely correct.
Refractive surgery is successful in many cases, but there are those who come away from LASIK with less than the desired sharpness of vision. Several factors affect an individual’s satisfaction with laser eye surgery: cornea health and characteristics; the extent of the refractive error and strength of prescription needed; tear production; a patient’s age and expectations. Cornea shapes are not uniform for everyone and these variances affect laser-response and healing. Heightened sensitivity to light--with glare, halos, or ‘starbursts’--can occur. Other symptoms include blurred vision (oftentimes known as irregular astigmatism) and diminished ability to see for night driving.
A follow-up laser procedure, called enhancement, is available for further correction. But this can be prohibited if the cornea is too thin or other complications arise from the initial surgery. Patients at this stage often find that contacts are the next best option for achieving that crisp vision they want. However, acquiring lenses cannot happen right away; fittings must wait until complete healing of the cornea. This occurs generally at 6 months post-op (individual healing times vary), a point when adhesive proteins in the eye have sealed the epithelial flap over corneal tissue exposed during the operation. The seal becomes stronger from this time forward, resulting in a natural suture.
Gas permeable (GP) lenses are the leading choice for post-LASIK correction because of their rigid structure. This rigidity is needed to allow a pool of moisture to form between the actual cornea and the backside of the contact lens. The cornea’s irregularities are then masked as the front surface of the lens permits the correctly refracted light to enter the eye. Soft contacts are not firm enough to accomplish this.
A newer development in contact technology is the hybrid lens. These combine facets of both GP and soft contacts by permitting the visual zone of the lens to remain rigid and gas permeable, with the remaining rim made of soft material. This results in a more comfortable contact that corrects aberrations occurring after LASIK.
Since the cornea has been significantly altered during laser surgery, the fitting process for contacts can take longer than normal. Some amount of patience must be spent during the trial period while finding the right lens. Consulting an eye physician who specializes in this field is always an option and it may make the transition less stressful.
Your eye doctor can answer all your questions about contacts for post-LASIK wear.
*The cornea is the clear ‘window’ of the eye that allows light to enter permitting sight. Irregularities in the shape of the cornea cause refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism (distorted or blurred vision at all distances).
Refractive surgery is successful in many cases, but there are those who come away from LASIK with less than the desired sharpness of vision. Several factors affect an individual’s satisfaction with laser eye surgery: cornea health and characteristics; the extent of the refractive error and strength of prescription needed; tear production; a patient’s age and expectations. Cornea shapes are not uniform for everyone and these variances affect laser-response and healing. Heightened sensitivity to light--with glare, halos, or ‘starbursts’--can occur. Other symptoms include blurred vision (oftentimes known as irregular astigmatism) and diminished ability to see for night driving.
A follow-up laser procedure, called enhancement, is available for further correction. But this can be prohibited if the cornea is too thin or other complications arise from the initial surgery. Patients at this stage often find that contacts are the next best option for achieving that crisp vision they want. However, acquiring lenses cannot happen right away; fittings must wait until complete healing of the cornea. This occurs generally at 6 months post-op (individual healing times vary), a point when adhesive proteins in the eye have sealed the epithelial flap over corneal tissue exposed during the operation. The seal becomes stronger from this time forward, resulting in a natural suture.
Gas permeable (GP) lenses are the leading choice for post-LASIK correction because of their rigid structure. This rigidity is needed to allow a pool of moisture to form between the actual cornea and the backside of the contact lens. The cornea’s irregularities are then masked as the front surface of the lens permits the correctly refracted light to enter the eye. Soft contacts are not firm enough to accomplish this.
A newer development in contact technology is the hybrid lens. These combine facets of both GP and soft contacts by permitting the visual zone of the lens to remain rigid and gas permeable, with the remaining rim made of soft material. This results in a more comfortable contact that corrects aberrations occurring after LASIK.
Since the cornea has been significantly altered during laser surgery, the fitting process for contacts can take longer than normal. Some amount of patience must be spent during the trial period while finding the right lens. Consulting an eye physician who specializes in this field is always an option and it may make the transition less stressful.
Your eye doctor can answer all your questions about contacts for post-LASIK wear.
*The cornea is the clear ‘window’ of the eye that allows light to enter permitting sight. Irregularities in the shape of the cornea cause refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism (distorted or blurred vision at all distances).
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