The news is out. Contact lens wearers with busy, daylong activities can now enjoy finding new freedom and confidence with O2 Optix.
In the past, insufficient oxygen flow to the eyes--related to materials in the manufacture of many contact lenses--caused redness, irritation, and dryness before the day was done. Any enjoyment of lengthy activities was marred by having to switch out of contacts and/or wear glasses.
Recently, all that has changed thanks to the introduction of silicone hydrogels. These innovative materials have allowed contact lenses to be made with an amazing improvement in the rate of oxygen flow to the eyes. Among these lenses is Ciba Vision’s O2 Optix, rapidly becoming popular among soft contact wearers who have been looking for that safe ‘all-day’ lens.
Prescribed for the correction of myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness), O2 Optix is designed to provide the highest levels of moisture and oxygen permeability possible with a soft contact lens. Also, the surface of the O2 Optix is specially treated to resist protein and other deposits naturally produced by the eye or come from handling the lens. All this technology helps to minimize common symptoms associated with Corneal Oxygen Deficiency, e.g., irritation, blurred vision, dryness and redness. Since these complaints can shorten contact wear-time, the revolutionary features of O2 Optix are a welcome contribution to ongoing eye health for those wearing their lenses for longer periods during the day.
All-day activities become easier and can be enjoyed fully without having to remove contacts because of ‘tired’ eyes and dryness. So go ahead with that hike or excursion, the healthy and fresh feeling you have with O2 Optix will continue for hours.
Other features of the O2 Optix are the blue tint and tiny ‘Ciba Vision’ lettering applied to the lenses, as an assist in seeing the contacts better within solution (or if they’re dropped or lost and you need to retrieve them) and in orientation before insertion.
Satisfied wearers describe O2 Optix as “desirable”, “(of) high quality”, and “an easy choice”. They also suffer less from ‘eye fatigue’ and see their eyes maintain a ‘healthy whiteness’. As the popularity of these lenses grows, many patients are asking eye care professionals about them.
O2 Optix, a 1-2 week disposable lens, is FDA approved for daily and extended wear up to six nights.
As always, consult your eye doctor in determining what the best lens and care regimen is for you.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Convincing Your Parents About Contacts
You are a teen (or pre-teen) with a vision problem that needs correction, but the thought of having to wear glasses turns you off. You would love to be able to wear contacts, but your parents may not think it’s a good idea. How do you convince them otherwise?
First, make sure your motivations for having contacts are practical. Peer pressure should not be an overriding factor in your decision. The argument “but all my friends wear them” is not a winning one in this case. Yes, contact lenses are ‘cool’, they make you look more attractive, and you won’t be called ‘four-eyes’, but more importantly they also allow you to better participate in sports and other activities, tend to bolster your self-esteem and give you more confidence in social interactions. Contact lenses also eliminate the obstruction to peripheral (or side) vision caused by eyeglass frames and make it less awkward when having to don sport or safety goggles. Improvements in technology and manufacture have made lenses more convenient and comfortable.
The major concern of parents is that their children may be too young for contacts. For many years, the prevailing notion was that the constant changes in kids’ eyes as they matured excluded them from wearing contact lenses until adulthood. This idea has been disproved in recent studies conducted with children ranging from 17 down to as young as eight being successfully fitted with contacts*. So now, ‘too young’ becomes less a matter about age and more about responsibility.
In this regard, you are dealing with the perception that young people are somewhat irresponsible, especially in cases where follow-through and continued diligence are necessary. The fact is people are able to assume responsibility at different ages, and this is to your advantage if you have shown mature behavior in the past. It is best to remember that contacts are medical devices, so you must be prepared to have more frequent visits with your eye doctor. Beyond initial fitting and instruction on how to insert and remove your contacts, there are appointments to monitor changes in your prescription and prevent possible problems concerning eye health. Obviously, your doctor’s instructions must be obeyed faithfully. Depending on what type of contact you wear, there are regimens for care and cleaning that are to be strictly followed. If you successfully prove your ability to make these adjustments, obtaining contacts will become much easier.
*CLIP (Contact Lenses in Pediatrics), jointly conducted by colleges of optometry in Ohio, Massachusetts, and Texas; and PREP (Pediatric Refractive Error Profile), a three-year study at five US clinical facilities.
First, make sure your motivations for having contacts are practical. Peer pressure should not be an overriding factor in your decision. The argument “but all my friends wear them” is not a winning one in this case. Yes, contact lenses are ‘cool’, they make you look more attractive, and you won’t be called ‘four-eyes’, but more importantly they also allow you to better participate in sports and other activities, tend to bolster your self-esteem and give you more confidence in social interactions. Contact lenses also eliminate the obstruction to peripheral (or side) vision caused by eyeglass frames and make it less awkward when having to don sport or safety goggles. Improvements in technology and manufacture have made lenses more convenient and comfortable.
The major concern of parents is that their children may be too young for contacts. For many years, the prevailing notion was that the constant changes in kids’ eyes as they matured excluded them from wearing contact lenses until adulthood. This idea has been disproved in recent studies conducted with children ranging from 17 down to as young as eight being successfully fitted with contacts*. So now, ‘too young’ becomes less a matter about age and more about responsibility.
In this regard, you are dealing with the perception that young people are somewhat irresponsible, especially in cases where follow-through and continued diligence are necessary. The fact is people are able to assume responsibility at different ages, and this is to your advantage if you have shown mature behavior in the past. It is best to remember that contacts are medical devices, so you must be prepared to have more frequent visits with your eye doctor. Beyond initial fitting and instruction on how to insert and remove your contacts, there are appointments to monitor changes in your prescription and prevent possible problems concerning eye health. Obviously, your doctor’s instructions must be obeyed faithfully. Depending on what type of contact you wear, there are regimens for care and cleaning that are to be strictly followed. If you successfully prove your ability to make these adjustments, obtaining contacts will become much easier.
*CLIP (Contact Lenses in Pediatrics), jointly conducted by colleges of optometry in Ohio, Massachusetts, and Texas; and PREP (Pediatric Refractive Error Profile), a three-year study at five US clinical facilities.
Friday, November 20, 2009
All Day Long with O2 Optix
The news is out. Contact lens wearers with busy, daylong activities can now enjoy finding new freedom and confidence with O2 Optix.
In the past, insufficient oxygen flow to the eyes--related to materials in the manufacture of many contact lenses--caused redness, irritation, and dryness before the day was done. Any enjoyment of lengthy activities was marred by having to switch out of contacts and/or wear glasses.
Recently, all that has changed thanks to the introduction of silicone hydrogels. These innovative materials have allowed contact lenses to be made with an amazing improvement in the rate of oxygen flow to the eyes. Among these lenses is Ciba Vision’s O2 Optix, rapidly becoming popular among soft contact wearers who have been looking for that safe ‘all-day’ lens.
Prescribed for the correction of myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness), O2 Optix is designed to provide the highest levels of moisture and oxygen permeability possible with a soft contact lens. Also, the surface of the O2 Optix is specially treated to resist protein and other deposits naturally produced by the eye or come from handling the lens. All this technology helps to minimize common symptoms associated with Corneal Oxygen Deficiency, e.g., irritation, blurred vision, dryness and redness. Since these complaints can shorten contact wear-time, the revolutionary features of O2 Optix are a welcome contribution to ongoing eye health for those wearing their lenses for longer periods during the day.
All-day activities become easier and can be enjoyed fully without having to remove contacts because of ‘tired’ eyes and dryness. So go ahead with that hike or excursion, the healthy and fresh feeling you have with O2 Optix will continue for hours.
Other features of the O2 Optix are the blue tint and tiny ‘Ciba Vision’ lettering applied to the lenses, as an assist in seeing the contacts better within solution (or if they’re dropped or lost and you need to retrieve them) and in orientation before insertion.
Satisfied wearers describe O2 Optix as “desirable”, “(of) high quality”, and “an easy choice”. They also suffer less from ‘eye fatigue’ and see their eyes maintain a ‘healthy whiteness’. As the popularity of these lenses grows, many patients are asking eye care professionals about them.
O2 Optix, a 1-2 week disposable lens, is FDA approved for daily and extended wear up to six nights.
As always, consult your eye doctor in determining what the best lens and care regimen is for you.
In the past, insufficient oxygen flow to the eyes--related to materials in the manufacture of many contact lenses--caused redness, irritation, and dryness before the day was done. Any enjoyment of lengthy activities was marred by having to switch out of contacts and/or wear glasses.
Recently, all that has changed thanks to the introduction of silicone hydrogels. These innovative materials have allowed contact lenses to be made with an amazing improvement in the rate of oxygen flow to the eyes. Among these lenses is Ciba Vision’s O2 Optix, rapidly becoming popular among soft contact wearers who have been looking for that safe ‘all-day’ lens.
Prescribed for the correction of myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness), O2 Optix is designed to provide the highest levels of moisture and oxygen permeability possible with a soft contact lens. Also, the surface of the O2 Optix is specially treated to resist protein and other deposits naturally produced by the eye or come from handling the lens. All this technology helps to minimize common symptoms associated with Corneal Oxygen Deficiency, e.g., irritation, blurred vision, dryness and redness. Since these complaints can shorten contact wear-time, the revolutionary features of O2 Optix are a welcome contribution to ongoing eye health for those wearing their lenses for longer periods during the day.
All-day activities become easier and can be enjoyed fully without having to remove contacts because of ‘tired’ eyes and dryness. So go ahead with that hike or excursion, the healthy and fresh feeling you have with O2 Optix will continue for hours.
Other features of the O2 Optix are the blue tint and tiny ‘Ciba Vision’ lettering applied to the lenses, as an assist in seeing the contacts better within solution (or if they’re dropped or lost and you need to retrieve them) and in orientation before insertion.
Satisfied wearers describe O2 Optix as “desirable”, “(of) high quality”, and “an easy choice”. They also suffer less from ‘eye fatigue’ and see their eyes maintain a ‘healthy whiteness’. As the popularity of these lenses grows, many patients are asking eye care professionals about them.
O2 Optix, a 1-2 week disposable lens, is FDA approved for daily and extended wear up to six nights.
As always, consult your eye doctor in determining what the best lens and care regimen is for you.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Contact Lens Cases
Contact lens wearers have always focused on the selection and fitting of their contact lenses. However, with the exception of perhaps selecting a ‘nifty’ color, less attention is paid by many to the lens case in which their contacts will be stored. This is an oversight that could lead to serious eye-health problems.
Currently, a large portion of research in the contact lens field centers on preventing and treating infections that result from contaminated lenses. The condition of contact lens cases must also be considered a factor; especially when a recent study* discovered that nearly one quarter of cases in use are never replaced. This is extremely alarming because when not properly cared for or discarded, these cases become reservoirs for dangerous bacteria that threaten the health of the wearer’s eyes. The implications are more serious when realizing that an increasing number of children are being fitted for contacts. If parents are lax in lens care, it is logical to assume that this behavior will be passed onto their kids.
One very serious condition that can stem from unclean contact lens cases is acanthamoeba keratitis. This is a microbial infection that in its advanced stages leads to ulceration of the cornea and the need for a corneal transplant. Symptoms include irritation, sensitivity to light, tearing, and the feeling that something is in the eye. At times diagnosis is not immediate, as these symptoms mirror other types of eye infections.
Whether it is due to neglect or lack of awareness, the negative trend in lens case care must be reversed. Nearly 80% of complications related to contact use are due to patients not applying proper care techniques. The important thing to remember is that contacts are not just fashionable accessories, but regulated medical devices that require the utmost diligence (and that includes cases) to safeguard your eyes.
Recommended contact lens case replacement is once a month, and during the time a case is kept the following steps should be taken:
· Always wash hands before handling contact lens or the lens case.
· Never use tap water (which may contain bacteria) to clean lens cases. Use a solution and air-dry with the lids open.
· Never ‘top-off’ old solution with new. Use fresh solution each time you store the lenses.
· Do not allow solution bottle tips to touch any surface, including your body, as this leads to contamination.
· Do not use solutions past their expiration date.
Also available are case-holders that keep track of replacement times for both lenses and cases. These are handy for those who do not want to rely on their memory alone.
Consult your eye care professional about contact lens and lens case care, types of solutions that are best suited for your needs, and any changes in care regimen that you plan to make. Be sure to follow all your doctor’s instructions.
* Conducted by WatchDog Group LC, St. Louis, MO.
Currently, a large portion of research in the contact lens field centers on preventing and treating infections that result from contaminated lenses. The condition of contact lens cases must also be considered a factor; especially when a recent study* discovered that nearly one quarter of cases in use are never replaced. This is extremely alarming because when not properly cared for or discarded, these cases become reservoirs for dangerous bacteria that threaten the health of the wearer’s eyes. The implications are more serious when realizing that an increasing number of children are being fitted for contacts. If parents are lax in lens care, it is logical to assume that this behavior will be passed onto their kids.
One very serious condition that can stem from unclean contact lens cases is acanthamoeba keratitis. This is a microbial infection that in its advanced stages leads to ulceration of the cornea and the need for a corneal transplant. Symptoms include irritation, sensitivity to light, tearing, and the feeling that something is in the eye. At times diagnosis is not immediate, as these symptoms mirror other types of eye infections.
Whether it is due to neglect or lack of awareness, the negative trend in lens case care must be reversed. Nearly 80% of complications related to contact use are due to patients not applying proper care techniques. The important thing to remember is that contacts are not just fashionable accessories, but regulated medical devices that require the utmost diligence (and that includes cases) to safeguard your eyes.
Recommended contact lens case replacement is once a month, and during the time a case is kept the following steps should be taken:
· Always wash hands before handling contact lens or the lens case.
· Never use tap water (which may contain bacteria) to clean lens cases. Use a solution and air-dry with the lids open.
· Never ‘top-off’ old solution with new. Use fresh solution each time you store the lenses.
· Do not allow solution bottle tips to touch any surface, including your body, as this leads to contamination.
· Do not use solutions past their expiration date.
Also available are case-holders that keep track of replacement times for both lenses and cases. These are handy for those who do not want to rely on their memory alone.
Consult your eye care professional about contact lens and lens case care, types of solutions that are best suited for your needs, and any changes in care regimen that you plan to make. Be sure to follow all your doctor’s instructions.
* Conducted by WatchDog Group LC, St. Louis, MO.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Air Optix Night and Day Aqua
Are you a contact lens wearer with a busy schedule? Then you surely must have experienced the occasional need to take a time out from your hectic day for a refreshing catnap. The only thing is, you probably didn’t think of removing your contacts—and you awoke still wearing them. Forgetting your contacts in your eyes while sleeping may be acceptable from time to time, however potential eye-health problems could occur if occasional forgetfulness becomes neglect. Wouldn’t it be great if there were a contact lens with a wearing regimen that could accommodate your style of living?
Now there is.
More on-the-go people are looking for a contact lens that is compatible with their lifestyle: full and active with little time or patience for life’s inconveniences (such as time out for frequent lens care). Many find the answer with Air Optix Night & Day Aqua, a monthly disposable that has been approved by the FDA for up to 30 nights of continuous wear. *
If this contact sounds familiar, it is because recently Ciba Vision changed the brand name of its Focus Night & Day to Air Optix Night & Day Aqua. Many active contact wearers quickly realize the benefits of this new brand, a soft lens with an emphasis on comfort. Air Optix Night & Day Aqua offers the same fit as Focus Night & Day, with the addition of Ciba’s ‘Aqua Moisture System’. This silicone hydrogel innovation delivers six times more oxygen through the lens than the prior brand, achieving a continual ‘breathability’ that contributes to healthy eyes. They are also moister, with a surface that reduces build-up of deposits—a combination dramatically lowering the rate of dehydration and discomfort that may occur at the end of the day. The result is a contact that can be worn while sleeping; which, aside from convenience, gives one the advantage of waking up to crisp, clear vision.
Those satisfied with Air Optix Night & Day Aqua enthuse about the natural feeling they get with their use, which increases due to not having to ‘bother’ with them for an extended period. Also, reduction in ‘red-eye’ or irritation, as well as the fresh sensation stemming from the oxygen flow through the lens adds to their comfort. Impromptu naps can take place without concern for failing to remove them.
If you are a busy mom, frequent business traveler, involved student, or just want a few less hassles in your life, then Air Optix Night & Day Aqua may be the contact lens for you.
* To minimize risks that may come with continuous wear contacts, be sure to strictly follow your eye-care professional’s instructions.
Now there is.
More on-the-go people are looking for a contact lens that is compatible with their lifestyle: full and active with little time or patience for life’s inconveniences (such as time out for frequent lens care). Many find the answer with Air Optix Night & Day Aqua, a monthly disposable that has been approved by the FDA for up to 30 nights of continuous wear. *
If this contact sounds familiar, it is because recently Ciba Vision changed the brand name of its Focus Night & Day to Air Optix Night & Day Aqua. Many active contact wearers quickly realize the benefits of this new brand, a soft lens with an emphasis on comfort. Air Optix Night & Day Aqua offers the same fit as Focus Night & Day, with the addition of Ciba’s ‘Aqua Moisture System’. This silicone hydrogel innovation delivers six times more oxygen through the lens than the prior brand, achieving a continual ‘breathability’ that contributes to healthy eyes. They are also moister, with a surface that reduces build-up of deposits—a combination dramatically lowering the rate of dehydration and discomfort that may occur at the end of the day. The result is a contact that can be worn while sleeping; which, aside from convenience, gives one the advantage of waking up to crisp, clear vision.
Those satisfied with Air Optix Night & Day Aqua enthuse about the natural feeling they get with their use, which increases due to not having to ‘bother’ with them for an extended period. Also, reduction in ‘red-eye’ or irritation, as well as the fresh sensation stemming from the oxygen flow through the lens adds to their comfort. Impromptu naps can take place without concern for failing to remove them.
If you are a busy mom, frequent business traveler, involved student, or just want a few less hassles in your life, then Air Optix Night & Day Aqua may be the contact lens for you.
* To minimize risks that may come with continuous wear contacts, be sure to strictly follow your eye-care professional’s instructions.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
PureVision Multi-Focals
If you are one of the increasing number of individuals being diagnosed with presbyopia and are overly concerned about it, don’t be.
You are not alone. Onset presbyopia (difficulty focusing up close) is occurring to more people as the segment of the population 35 years of age and older grows. Within the next decade, that segment will increase by an additional 16 million. Changes in lifestyles, both at work and home, have made more demands on our near vision. Computer screens, I-phones, and PDAs, etc., keep our eyes busy many hours a day and is contributing to the population experiencing presbyopia earlier than previous generations.
Despite what one may think, contact lens users do not have to give in to the wearing of half eyes, bifocals, or reading glasses. The good news is that they can continue enjoying the benefits of contacts by switching to multi-focals. Even though multi-focal lenses exist, eye care professionals state only 2 out of 5 presbyopic patients realize they are available—or that these lenses can correct their condition. Multi-focals work similarly to progressive eyeglasses, as they have a range of powers in each lens. One’s visual system learns to choose the proper power depending on how close or distant the focus. As it turns out in most cases, this adaptation occurs without difficulty—making multi-focals a viable alternative to monovision (a contact lens application where one eye is corrected for distance and the other for near vision).
Eye care professionals, seeing increasing satisfaction with fittings, are being encouraged to make patients aware of PureVision Multi-Focals, lenses which are among the leaders in correcting presbyopia. They allow wearers to focus at all distances, providing clear intermediate vision with easy transition to far and near. Active individuals hindered by glasses can now go from reading a book to using the computer or taking a drive with a renewed sense of freedom.
Comfort has been enhanced in the PureVision Multi-Focals by the lens’ silicone hydrogel construction, in this case the trademarked AerGel material, which minimizes the buildup of dust, debris and proteins that can collect on the lens. They also stay moist and allow proper oxygen permeability, promoting healthy eyes. An innovative rounded-edge design contributes to the feeling of not wearing any contact lens at all.
Over 80% of multi-focal contact users state these lenses do not cause any interference or disruption in their lives. PureVision Multi-Focals also do much to preserve youthful appearance and confidence.
PureVision Multi-Focals have been approved for daily wear, or continuous wear up to thirty days. As always, consult your eye care professional in determining what is best suited for you.
You are not alone. Onset presbyopia (difficulty focusing up close) is occurring to more people as the segment of the population 35 years of age and older grows. Within the next decade, that segment will increase by an additional 16 million. Changes in lifestyles, both at work and home, have made more demands on our near vision. Computer screens, I-phones, and PDAs, etc., keep our eyes busy many hours a day and is contributing to the population experiencing presbyopia earlier than previous generations.
Despite what one may think, contact lens users do not have to give in to the wearing of half eyes, bifocals, or reading glasses. The good news is that they can continue enjoying the benefits of contacts by switching to multi-focals. Even though multi-focal lenses exist, eye care professionals state only 2 out of 5 presbyopic patients realize they are available—or that these lenses can correct their condition. Multi-focals work similarly to progressive eyeglasses, as they have a range of powers in each lens. One’s visual system learns to choose the proper power depending on how close or distant the focus. As it turns out in most cases, this adaptation occurs without difficulty—making multi-focals a viable alternative to monovision (a contact lens application where one eye is corrected for distance and the other for near vision).
Eye care professionals, seeing increasing satisfaction with fittings, are being encouraged to make patients aware of PureVision Multi-Focals, lenses which are among the leaders in correcting presbyopia. They allow wearers to focus at all distances, providing clear intermediate vision with easy transition to far and near. Active individuals hindered by glasses can now go from reading a book to using the computer or taking a drive with a renewed sense of freedom.
Comfort has been enhanced in the PureVision Multi-Focals by the lens’ silicone hydrogel construction, in this case the trademarked AerGel material, which minimizes the buildup of dust, debris and proteins that can collect on the lens. They also stay moist and allow proper oxygen permeability, promoting healthy eyes. An innovative rounded-edge design contributes to the feeling of not wearing any contact lens at all.
Over 80% of multi-focal contact users state these lenses do not cause any interference or disruption in their lives. PureVision Multi-Focals also do much to preserve youthful appearance and confidence.
PureVision Multi-Focals have been approved for daily wear, or continuous wear up to thirty days. As always, consult your eye care professional in determining what is best suited for you.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Don’t Panic Over Presbyopia
Presbyopia is the condition of having blurry near vision when trying to read or perform other close work, such as using the computer. Characterized by the wearing of half eyes, it has been stereotyped as something that happens to ‘old people’ and is lumped into the same imagery as canes, shawls, rocking chairs and sensible shoes. So, it is not surprising that many who are first diagnosed with presbyopia go into a mini-panic, thinking that social security checks and nursing homes are just around the corner.
Well, that is not necessarily the case.
The onset of presbyopia takes place around the age of 35-40 and despite what some might say, that is not old. In a world where we see more people reaching their 90s and remaining spirited and active for many of those later years, the onset of presbyopia seems to be coming on at a relatively young age. In this light, typing the condition as an ‘old people’s affliction’ doesn’t seem to fit.
No one escapes presbyopia because it occurs naturally as eyes age. The natural lenses of the eyes thicken, as we grow older, become more opaque as the protein that forms their building blocks becomes older and less transparent from the center outward. All of this causes less flexibility, less clarity and the decreasing ability to focus on close objects.
Common corrections for presbyopes include the aforementioned half eyes, bifocals and progressive addition eyeglasses. The latter have no ‘dividing lines’ in the lenses, allowing for a smoother focusing transition from distance to near sight. Some patients are satisfied to have a pair of glasses for near vision and another for distance—switching them as needs demand. Also prescribed at times are half eyes in combination with contact lenses powered for distance.
Emerging Presbyopes, who were contact-wearers before being diagnosed, ask if this means they are stuck with having to wear glasses. Fortunately for the 92% who wish to remain in contacts, technology in the past few years has allowed the manufacture of bifocal and multi-focal lenses that treat presbyopia. Another application is monovision, the technique of fitting one’s dominant eye for distance vision and the other for near vision. However, this is viable only for those who can adapt to the dissimilar prescriptions and wouldn’t be bothered by a lack of depth perception that results.
Overall, the contact lens option is certainly desirable for those who want to continue the youthful freedom and natural feel that contacts give without being reminded of ‘advancing age’ by the use of eyeglasses.
Hopefully, armed with the above information, having to deal with presbyopia should be less panic inducing. Taking everything into consideration, it becomes just another treatable eye condition that happens as we go about the business of living our lives.
Well, that is not necessarily the case.
The onset of presbyopia takes place around the age of 35-40 and despite what some might say, that is not old. In a world where we see more people reaching their 90s and remaining spirited and active for many of those later years, the onset of presbyopia seems to be coming on at a relatively young age. In this light, typing the condition as an ‘old people’s affliction’ doesn’t seem to fit.
No one escapes presbyopia because it occurs naturally as eyes age. The natural lenses of the eyes thicken, as we grow older, become more opaque as the protein that forms their building blocks becomes older and less transparent from the center outward. All of this causes less flexibility, less clarity and the decreasing ability to focus on close objects.
Common corrections for presbyopes include the aforementioned half eyes, bifocals and progressive addition eyeglasses. The latter have no ‘dividing lines’ in the lenses, allowing for a smoother focusing transition from distance to near sight. Some patients are satisfied to have a pair of glasses for near vision and another for distance—switching them as needs demand. Also prescribed at times are half eyes in combination with contact lenses powered for distance.
Emerging Presbyopes, who were contact-wearers before being diagnosed, ask if this means they are stuck with having to wear glasses. Fortunately for the 92% who wish to remain in contacts, technology in the past few years has allowed the manufacture of bifocal and multi-focal lenses that treat presbyopia. Another application is monovision, the technique of fitting one’s dominant eye for distance vision and the other for near vision. However, this is viable only for those who can adapt to the dissimilar prescriptions and wouldn’t be bothered by a lack of depth perception that results.
Overall, the contact lens option is certainly desirable for those who want to continue the youthful freedom and natural feel that contacts give without being reminded of ‘advancing age’ by the use of eyeglasses.
Hopefully, armed with the above information, having to deal with presbyopia should be less panic inducing. Taking everything into consideration, it becomes just another treatable eye condition that happens as we go about the business of living our lives.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
