‘Contact Lens’ Category

Astigmatism and Contact Lens

Astigmatism is an eye ailment whose effect is blurred vision. The shape of the cornea and the lens of the eye is not in symmetry. The cornea is in an ...

 

Astigmatism is an eye ailment whose effect is blurred vision. The shape of the cornea and the lens of the eye is not in symmetry. The cornea is in an oblong shape resulting in loss of vision. In astigmatism, there is a difference in curvature in the various medians of they eye.

There are five types of astigmatism based on nearsightedness and farsightedness. Simple myopic astigmatism is a condition wherein one meridian is nearsighted and the other is functioning free of any impairments. Compound myopic astigmatism has both nearsighted meridians, and one of which has a worse case of myopia. Simple hyperopic astigmatism is wherein one meridian is farsighted while the other is free of any ailments. Compound hyperopic astigmatism deals with both meridians that are farsighted with one meridian having a worse case compared to the other. Mixed astigmatism deals with both meridians having opposite effects, one is myopic, the other hyperopic. Treatment of astigmatism through contact lenses is now available these days. They lens that is referred to treat astigmatism are called “Toric” contacts. They have the same material of that regular contacts hence they can be either soft lens or RGPs. Toric lenses have two purpose, one is treatment for astigmatism while the other is to fix nearsightedness or farsightedness. It also includes a mechanism that keeps the lenses’ stability when the user blinks or looks around.

It is important to have a eye examination with an eye practitioner to check if you are fit to wear toric lenses. The doctor may utilize high-powered spherical soft lens to deal with astigmatism. Doctor and patient must undergo a lot of fitting to make sure that the process is done correctly.

There are many brands of astigmatism contact lens available in the market. Better check with your eye practitioner for the best brand that is suitable for you. Toric contact lenses come in the form frequent replacements, disposable and daily disposables.

An Extended Wear Contact Lens

 

Unlike the daily wear contact lens, an extended wear contact lens may be worn for longer periods of time. The longest period of using extended wear contact lens is 7 days without removal, it is approved by the Food and Drugs Administration.

New innovations to extended wear are being developed. A newer type of soft contact lens material, the silicone hydrogel is so permeable, meaning they allow more oxygen to the cornea; the FDA approves them to be worn for a month without removal. There are some gas permeable lenses can be worn up to a month can also be called “continuous wear”.

At first, many eye care practitioners frown on the use of extended wear contact lens because the incidence of eye infections are greater on those who wore them overnight. Extended wear contact lenses poses a hazard to the eyes because of the organisms might be lodged on the lenses. They can thrive on the warm and moist environment and due to the lack of oxygen to the cornea; the eye is prone to infection from these organisms. It may only start as pink eye but if it is left untreated it may lead to serious conditions like blindness.

Because of the growing popularity of the disposable contact lens, extended wear contact lens is making a comeback. Improper cleaning and sanitation is often the reason why people acquire eye infections, there are proteins, lipids and other deposits that are impossible to remove. The contact lenses becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and whenever the individual wears the lenses again, it could cause infection and inflammation of the eyes. To prevent infection from contaminants in the contact lenses, it is required to be thrown away right after removing.

Again, the main cause of infection is improper cleaning and disinfecting but you must also consider your lifestyle. Exposure to smoke, wearing contacts while swimming and previous eye infections can lead to various complications. Asking advice from an eye doctor if a extended contact lens is appropriate for a person’s requirement is a must.

Contact Lens and Dry Eyes

 

People with dry eyes are advised to desist wearing contact lenses because this would further the deterioration of their eyes. They didn’t know then that dryness affects those who wear contact lens and those who don’t. Advance technology has been a great help for people with dry eyes, because now they can wear contact lenses. With the new types of lenses available and lens care products, they can also wear them for long periods of time.

Contact lens for dry eyes tries to avoid scars in cornea and damage to eye tissues. Since the eyes fail to produce enough tears, thus it is unnourished and does not have stable tear firm. In view of this, manufacturers continue to research and improve on contact lens for dry eyes. They employ the use of new polymers, gels to so that it can retain water for the longest possible time.

Contact lenses for dry eyes are composed of special compounds with a function of checking dryness and other purposes. Silicone hydrogel controls the water buildup and gives a soothing and comfortable feeling to the eyes. Despite having lesser water, it provides moisture.
Silicone hydrogel lenses are composed of materials that yield high oxygen permeability, allowing more oxygen to flow to the cornea.

New polymers are being developed and employed to combat dryness problems. One polymer that manufacturers developed with biocompatible contact lenses is Omarfilcon A. They are designed to adjust and comfortably fit to the nature of the eyes.Hydrophilic polymers is the main component of soft contact lenses, it keeps the lens moist and easy to wear. This will allow your eyes to be properly hydrated.

You might want to take note that firm gas permeable lenses are best contact lenses for dry eyes. Since this type of contact lens is made up of plastic, it is rigid hence it does not dehydrate the eye. Since the plastic is gas permeable, oxygen can also definitely pass through the lenses.

It is always wiser to visit an eye practitioner for diagnosis to check if you have dry eyes. If the doctor allows you to wear contact lens for dry eyes, make sure you follow the instructions to the fullest to avoid eye complications.

Contact Lens for Disposing

 

Disposable contact lenses are worn for a time prescribed by the manufactures and must be disposed off, to be replaced by a fresh pair.
Millions of people with vision disorder have been employing them. Doctors and consumers have been employing them for health and convenience.

Disposable contact lenses can be determined by the frequency of their uses. Disposable contact lenses are replaced every two weeks or sooner, even one day of use.
Frequent replacement lenses are replaced monthly, or quarterly while the traditional or reusable lenses are replaced every six months or longer. Disposable contact lens can also refer to one-day disposables, or contacts that can be discarded after one day of use and replaced the next day. They have a lot of benefits but people prefer them for their convenience. Cleaning and or disinfecting them are not a problem.
Once the lenses are taken off, it’s time to discard them. Since they are constantly replaced, the wearer has a pair of fresh, cleaner and sterile lens.

Disposable contact lens are healthier and more comfortable because even if there are accumulation of deposits due to tears. These deposits causes irritability that may lead to infection.

It is important to consult your doctor before wearing disposable contact lenses. Try out a set that is prescribed for you and if you are comfortable with it, don’t forget to have periodic checkups to make sure your pair of eyes is always healthy.

On a final note, disposable lens should not be used again. Once they are taken off, do not reuse them. Make sure to wear your lenses until the time it should be replaced for eye protection and maintenance. If your eyes become red, sensitive to light, blurry and agitated, remove the lens immediately and go to your optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Disposable contact lens, is a product of new technology, it is convenient and comfortable. Check what brand conforms to your needs with your doctor.

Different Cosmetic Contact Lens Style

 

Colored lenses formulated a demand for cosmetic contact lens. Aside from its aesthetic purposes it may also be worn to correct vision disoreder. It may entice people by changing the color of your eyes but its only an added feature because cosmetic contact lens are not any different from the normal contact lens.

There are different types of cosmetic contact lens. There is the visibility tint, a very light tint, usually a light blue or green hue. This tint is added as a special feature for the wearer so that it is noticeable every time one takes it out of one’s eyes or in the case. This is meant for convenience than for changing eye color.

Enhancement tints are cosmetic contact lens that is solid yet translucent tint usually darker than the visibility tint. Individuals use this cosmetic contact lens to enhance their eye color. A more intense effect in their eyes is achieved when using this cosmetic contact lens.
After that, another type of cosmetic contact lens is opaque tints, this will spectacularly change the color of your eyes. It is available in a wide variety of colors and basically made of solid patterns of colors. As mentioned above, opaque lenses will completely replace the natural color with the color of the lens. Aside from cosmetic purposes, people also use this for other reasons.

Another cosmetic contact lens is light-filtering tints. This is the most recent advancement in the cosmetic lens technology. It is practically made for sports use, it can mute some colors and enhance specific colors, for example the color of a tennis ball or a baseball. This gives the hitter greater chance to aim for the ball as it enhances the color against the backdrop.

Finally, to employ this kind of cosmetic contact lens, it is better to consult with an optometrist or ophthalmologist. These doctors can assure you which contact lens is appropriate for you. They may also aid in fitting the contact lens to avoid eye irritation or infection aside from diagnosing if you need prescription for your cosmetic contact lens.

Importance of a Contact Lens Remover

 

A contact lens remover is a must have for everyone who uses hard and gas permeable contact lenses. Occasionally, it becomes hard to remove these lenses with the normal “popping out” method. Hard contact lenses tends to stick to the eye firmly by suction to the cornea. This is where the contact lens remover comes in. Optometrists or ophthalmologists usually recommend when to use a contact lens remover specially if the wearer keeps on losing them and keeps on asking for new prescriptions.

Knowing how to use a contact lens remover properly helps you to take out your hard contact lens easily and safely. The first step is to make sure the contact lenses are in your eyes before attempting to remove them. Many make the assumption that the contact lenses are still attached but they have been removed already and they end up injuring their eye by poking it with the contact lens remover. Look at a mirror first and check if you have contact lenses on.

If you are certain that you are wearing a contact lens, place a drop of rewetting solution on both your eyes to lubricate the lenses. Dampen the contact lens remover’s suction cup with a drop of rewetting solution.

The next step is quite tricky but once you get used to it everything will be easy. Place the contact lens directly and exactly in front of the contact lens. At this point the lens will stick to the plunger. Pull the plunger gently, and straight back from the eye. The lens will be released easily then do the same steps for the other contact lens.

Remember to avoid direct contact of the lens remover on the surface of the eye because it may cause corneal abrasions and other eye infection. One other thing, soft lenses does not require the use of a contact lens remover. If you still fail removing the lenses from your eyes, add drops to the eyes to lubricate them and consult an eye doctor to have them removed.

Information on Gas Permeable Contact Lens

 

The other term for a gas permeable contact lens is rigid gas permeable contact (RGP) or oxygen permeable contact lens. Hard contact lenses are of the function as a soft contact lens. RGPs were introduced in the early 70s by way of silicone rather than polymers. Since the eyes need oxygen, this is a better fit than PMMA because this polycarbon does not allow oxygen to pass through. Silicone on the other hand is oxygen permeable, resulting in greater comfort and better eye health.

Gas permeable contact lens takes time to adjust to as compared to soft contact lens. The benefits however outweigh the consequences. One benefit is gas permeable contact lens retains its shape when one blinks. . They are extremely durable. A gas permeable contact lens is tougher than a soft contact lens because it only breaks when someone steps over it while the latter tears easily. Additionally, gas permeable contact lens is they are made of materials that doesn’t contain water so proteins and lipids that comes from tears will not accumulate on the lenses. The odds of suffering from eye irritations, infections are very low compared to the soft contact lens. Another excellent benefit of using a gas permeable contact lens is that it permits oxygen to go through the cornea. This prevents acute eye complications like inflammation of the cornea.

People with different afflictions prefer using gas permeable contact lenses. These people commonly suffer from astigmatism, presbyopia, or keratoconus. A person suffering from astigmatism might opt for this because it provides a desirable acuity. Conversely, people affected with presbyopia prefer them these lenses because of numerous and multi-focal designs. Those with keratoconus use gas permeable contacts because it prevents extreme visual distortion. Fore extreme conditions of dryness, gas permeable contact lens is very appropriate because the primary user blink less. Gas permeable contact lenses are also being utilized by people who use the computer often.

Gas permeable contact lens requires more care since they last longer than soft contact lens. Before deciding what type of lens to wear, always take time to consult a physician to determine if a gas permeable contact is the right contact lens for your condition.

Tips on How to Buy Contact Lens

 

A contact lens can be used for cosmetic or corrective purposes and other functions. These lenses are made to fit a person’s cornea. Most people buy contact lens because it is more favorable in terms of comfort and cosmetic purposes.

If one is planning to buy contact lens, the first thing one must do is to consult an ophthalmologist or optometrist. One must undergo an eye examination to diagnose whether the eye is suffering from different ailments such as myopia, hyper-metropia, astigmatism, etc. This is also where the buyer can decide, after consultations with the physician as to what type of contact lens he or she should purchase. Would the buyer prefer soft lens or would the buyer opt for hard lens. It is better to have a valid description from an ophthalmologist or optometrist before buying contact lenses.

Most of the time people are inclined to be impulsive when they buy contact lens. These contact lenses have different purposes this is why most people make mistakes in purchasing a pair. Buying a contact lens depends on an individual’s requirement and choice. The most important thing to consider is that the contact lens should fit comfortably to avoid eye sores, inflammation and abrasions.

Before deciding to buy contact lens, one must be certain that the pair he or she is buying is focusing on the problem of your eye. It should properly fit the eye and should fit at the center, it has to be able to move slightly whenever the eye blinks.

Finally, before deciding to buy contact lens, especially for the cosmetic kind, always ask the consent of an ophthalmologist and optometrist so they can recommend the right brand, the right prescription and of course the right treatment. You should only buy contact lenses that are FDA approved to be safe and avoid eye irritations caused by the contact lens.

When purchasing contact lenses, it is important to judge the product carefully and exercise caution. Since the eyes are one of the most important part of the body, it should be regarded with care when buying a contact lens.

Using Contact Lens Solution for Cleaning

 

For continued wear, it is essential to have a good contact lens solution for those who use contact lens. To clean or sanitize, maintain and extend the life of your contact lens, a contact lens solution should be applied.

For a clearer vision and comfortable wear, a contact lens solution should be able to clean your contact lens thoroughly. There are several types of contact lens solution available in the market. It is important for the user to know what is appropriate for him or her with regards to his or her contact lens.

A cleaning solution is a type of contact lens solution that removes dirt, mucus, and debris that accumulates while the contact lens is in the eyes. The wearer usually rubs their lenses with caution to avoid breaking the lenses. This type of cleaning solution usually involves hydrogen peroxide.

This second solution should only be used after the first solution. Saline contact lens solution will rinse off the first solution from the lenses. This is used to counteract the effect of the hydrogen peroxide from the first cleaning solution.

The purpose of the third contact lens solution is to disinfect the lenses. To prevent eye irritation and infection cause by bacteria, fungus and other harmful microorganisms a disinfecting solution is used. Substances like protein can be removed by an enzymatic cleaner. This type of cleaner comes as a tablet that is dropped to the solution and stored overnight.

All-in-one solutions are also called multi-purpose solutions. The cleaners, disinfectants and protein removers are mixed into one solution. After using it and store overnight there is no need for an enzyme solution but it still needs a saline solution to counteract its effects.

Lastly, another contact lens solution that is used is the rewetting solution. These drops lubricate the lenses if they are worn for long periods of time. This solution help in maintaining the lens comfortable to wear as it keeps moist in the lenses.

As a final note, all contact lens solution should be discarded after the date of expiration, and always heed the advice of the ophthalmologists regarding contact lens usage and maintenance.