Eyeglasses & Eye Care Community

A research has been proved that among the people who seat in front of computer, 90 percent have the problem of eyes. Georgina Sparks’s Reason for prescription glasses The symptom is that eyes’ dryness, feel headache, twitchy, tired, hard to concentrate on things. You Often Disregard 9 Omens that Cause Scar to Your Beloved eyewear This is a typical computer vision syndrome, dry eye. Medical experts believe that computer vision syndrome is a relatively new form of disease. Almost more than half of computer users more or less have the similar symptoms in the past or frequently.

The eye experts believe that the main symptoms of computer vision syndrome is dry eyes, eye astringent, red eye congestion when looking at the screen. When it is worst, people may become lucifugous, hard to open eyes, have pain in eyes. People don not take it serious in the beginning period, and then they are in habit of these symptoms. Don’t have the idea that everyone will feel eye dry or tired with using computer, and then postpone the treatment. This will increase the risk of the structural problems such as the unbalance of the secretion of tears.

Some patients become severe sensitivity to light, even in the indoor environment should also wear dark glasses in order to feel more comfortable when looking at objects. When the unusual dry eyes, tiring eyes and other sick symptoms happen during watching the screen, it is best not over-use eyes. Doctor advised that if you can rest your eyes a week at this time and notice points of computer hyqiene after this and keep enough, you will be healthy with no medicine.

However, if the disease is send to the doctor more than a month, then may lead to vision health, structural problems, appears secretion reducing of tears, tears unbalanced ingredient performance, needed to go to the hospital with a long-term drug treatment. Medical experts believe that we have to use medicines to supply the shortage of water, fat and protein when the problem has been involved in the structural problem of tear secretion.

You must notice that when you have problem of eyes dryness and eyes appear to be micro-shaped, you couldn’t abuse eyedrop. For if you use eyedrop which has preservative, you may make yourself worse. Make sure you will see a doctor and follow his advices on medicine using. Besides, pills such as capsules can help you wet your eyes efficiently. Many patients get better after they taking them. Do not put computer near to the window and avoid lamphouse shines from head top to forming reflect light, for that will make screen unclear. The computer screen’s top height slightly lower than eye level, the most ideal location is the computer center of the screen should be about 20 degrees below the eye line of sight.

The distance between the computer screen and eyes is 60cm. Frequent blinking in order to increase secretion of tears and achieve the effect of moistening the eye. Put the references materials you want to use on the holder of files which is near to table, and you will not need to turn your neck and head, and then your eyes don’t need to focus frequently. Take a break for 10 to 15 minutes at intervals of staring at the computer screen for one hour. If possible, please close your eyes to attain complete rest.

Contact Lens Safety: Prescription Required

Just like their corrective counterparts, decorative contacts–sometimes called plano, zero-powered or non-corrective lenses–are regulated by FDA.

“What troubles us is when they are bought and used without a valid prescription, without the involvement of a qualified eye care professional, or without appropriate follow-up care,” says Saviola.

“This can lead to significant risks of eye injuries, including blindness.”

FDA is aware that consumers without valid prescriptions have bought decorative contact lenses from beauty salons, record stores, video stores, flea markets, convenience stores, beach shops and the Internet.

Recent legislation has made it illegal to market decorative contact lenses as over-the-counter products.

Unauthorized contact lenses of all types present risks to the eye that include corneal ulcers, corneal abrasion, vision impairment, and blindness.

If you want decorative contacts:

Get an eye exam from a licensed eye care professional, even if you feel your vision is perfect.

Get a valid prescription that includes the brand and lens dimensions.

Buy the lenses from an eye care professional or from a vendor who requires that  you provide prescription information for the lenses.

Follow directions for cleaning, disinfecting, and wearing the lenses, and visit your eye care professional for follow-up eye exams.

Contact Lens Safety: Decorative Contact Lenses

Every year, the approach of Halloween heightens fears at FDA that consumers will harm their eyes with unapproved decorative contact lenses.?

These are lenses that some people use to temporarily change their eye color or to make their eyes look weird–perhaps giving them an “eye-of-the-tiger” look.

“Although unauthorized use of decorative contact lenses is a concern year-round, Halloween is the time when people may be inclined to use them, perhaps as costume accessories,” says Saviola.

The problem is not that people use decorative, non-corrective lenses. It’s that many go about it the wrong way, which is dangerous.

Contact Lens Safety: Getting a Prescription

When you get an eye exam, you have the right to get a copy of your prescription.

You can then use it at another vendor or to order contact lenses on the Internet, over the phone, or by mail.

As per FTC regulations, a prescription should contain sufficient information for a seller to completely and accurately fill the prescription: examination date, date you received the prescription after a contact lens fitting, expiration date, and the name, address, phone and fax number of the prescribing professional.

The prescription should also offer information about material and/or manufacturer, base curve or appropriate designation, and diameter (when appropriate) of the prescribed contact lens.

Contact Lens Safety: Tips for Buying

With a valid prescription, it is possible to purchase contact lenses from stores, the Internet, over the phone or by mail. But be extremely cautious when buying contacts from someone other than your eye care professional.

Contact lenses are NOT over-the-counter devices. Companies that sell them as such are misbranding the device and violating FTC regulations by selling you contact lenses without having your prescription.

Avoiding problems:

Make sure your prescription is current. Don’t order with an expired prescription, and don’t stock up on lenses right before the prescription is about to expire. If you haven’t had your eyes checked within the last year or two, you may have eye problems that you are not aware of, or your lenses may not correct your vision well.

Order from a supplier that you are familiar with and know is reliable.

Request the manufacturer’s written patient information for your contact lenses. It will give you important risk/benefit information and instructions for use.

Beware of attempts to substitute a different brand than you presently have. There are differences in the water content and shape among the brands. The correct choice of which lens is right for you should be based only on an examination by your eye care professional.

Make sure that you get the exact brand, lens name, power, sphere, cylinder (if any), axis (if any), diameter, base curve, and peripheral curves (if any) noted on the prescription.

If you think you’ve received an incorrect lens, check with your eye care professional. Don’t accept a substitution unless your eye care professional approves it.

Complete Tips of Wearing Contact Lenses

Here are some safety tips you should follow if you wear contact lenses.
Make sure to:

Get regular eye exams to assure the continued health of your eyes.

Always have a back-up pair of glasses with a current prescription in the event that you have problems with your contact lenses.

Always follow the directions of your eye care professional and all labeling instruction for proper use of contact lenses and lens care products.

Always wash your hands before handling contact lenses to reduce the chance of getting an infection.

Clean, rinse and air-dry your lens case each time lenses are removed. Contact lens cases can be a source of bacterial growth.

Remove the lenses immediately and consult your eye care professional if your eyes become red, irritated, or your vision changes.

Ask your eye care professional about wearing glasses or contact lenses during sports activities to minimize your chance of injury.

Always ask your eye care professional before using any medicine or using topical eye products, even those you buy without a prescription. Some medicines may affect your vision or irritate your eyes.

Apply cosmetics after inserting lenses and remove your lenses before removing makeup.

Apply any aerosol products (hairspray, cologne, and deodorant) before inserting lenses.

Always inform your employer if you wear contact lenses. Some jobs may require the use of eye protection equipment or may require that you not wear lenses.

Follow and save the directions that come with your lenses. If you didn’t get a patient information booklet, request one from your eye care professional or look for one on the manufacturer’s website.

Replace contacts as recommended by your eye care professional. Throw away disposable lenses after recommended wearing period.

Do Not:

Sleep in daily wear lenses because it may increase your chance of infection or irritation.

Purchase contact lenses from gas stations, video stores, record shops, or any other vendor not authorized by law to dispense contact lenses. Contact lenses are medical devices that require a prescription. See Buying Contact Lenses to help you take simple precautions to make your purchase safe and effective.

Swap contact lens with another person. Swapping provides a way to transfer germs between people. Contact lenses are individually fitted. Incorrectly fitted lenses may cause permanent eye injury, infection and may potentially lead to blindness.

Smoke. Studies show that smokers who wear contact lenses have a higher rate of problems (adverse reactions) than nonsmokers.

Swim while wearing contact lenses. There is a risk of eye infection from bacteria in swimming pool water.
Put your lenses in your mouth to wet them. Saliva is not a sterile solution.

Use tap water, distilled water or any homemade saline solution. Tap and distilled water have been associated with Acanthamoeba keratitis, a corneal infection that is resistant to treatment and cure.

Transfer contact lens solutions into smaller travel size containers. This can effect the sterility of the solution which can lead to an eye infection. Transferring solutions into smaller size containers may also leave consumers open to accidentally using a solution not intended for the eyes.

Rely on contact lenses to protect your eyes from the sun. Make sure to use sunglasses that block ultraviolet light. For more information, see “What to Look For in a Pair of Sunglasses” and “Sunglasses: It’s Just As Much About Function as Fashion.

Classifies of Contact Lenses By Wear Time

A daily wear contact lens is designed to be removed prior to sleeping. An extended wear (EW) contact lens is designed for continuous overnight wear, typically for 6 or more consecutive nights.

Newer materials, such as silicone hydrogels, allow for even longer wear periods of up to 30 consecutive nights; these longer-wear lenses are often referred to as continuous wear (CW). Generally, extended wear lenses are discarded after the specified length of time. These are increasing in popularity, due to their obvious convenience.

Extended- and continuous-wear contact lenses can be worn for such long periods of time because of their high oxygen permeability (typically 5-6 times greater than conventional soft lenses), which allows the eye to remain healthy.

Extended lens wearers may have an increased risk for corneal infections and corneal ulcers, primarily due to poor care and cleaning of the lenses, tear film instability, and bacterial stagnation.

Corneal neovascularization has historically also been a common complication of extended lens wear, though this does not appear to be a problem with silicone hydrogel extended wear.

The most common complication of extended lens use is conjunctivitis, usually allergic or giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC), sometimes associated with a poorly fitting contact lens.

Classifies of Contact Lenses By Material

Contact lenses are classified in many different manners.

Contact lenses, other than the cosmetic variety, become almost invisible once inserted in the eyeThe first contact lenses were made of glass, which caused eye irritation, and were not wearable for extended periods of time.

But when William Feinbloom introduced lenses made from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA or Perspex/Plexiglas), contacts became much more convenient. These PMMA lenses are commonly referred to as “hard” lenses (this term is not used for other types of contacts).

However, PMMA lenses have their own side effects: no oxygen is transmitted through the lens to the cornea, which can cause a number of adverse clinical events. In the late 1970s, and through the 1980s and 1990s, improved rigid materials ??which were also oxygen-permeable ??were developed.

Collectively, these polymers are referred to as rigid gas permeable or ‘RGP’ materials or lenses. One advantage of hard lenses is that, due to their non-porous nature, they do not absorb chemicals or fumes. The absorption of such compounds by other types of contacts can be a problem for those who are routinely exposed to painting or other chemical processes.

Rigid lenses offer a number of unique properties. In effect, the lens is able to replace the natural shape of the cornea with a new refracting surface. This means that a regular (spherical) rigid contact lens can provide good level of vision in people who have astigmatism or distorted corneal shapes as with keratoconus.

While rigid lenses have been around for about 120 years, soft lenses are a much more recent development. The principal breakthrough in soft lenses made by Otto Wichterle led to the launch of the first soft (hydrogel) lenses in some countries in the 1960s and the approval of the ‘Soflens’ material (polymacon) by the United States FDA in 1971. Soft lenses are immediately comfortable, while rigid lenses require a period of adaptation before full comfort is achieved.

The polymers from which soft lenses are manufactured improved over the next 25 years, primarily in terms of increasing the oxygen permeability by varying the ingredients making up the polymers.

A small number of hybrid rigid/soft lenses exist. An alternative technique is piggybacking of contact lenses, a smaller, rigid lens being mounted atop a larger, soft lens. This is done for a variety of clinical situations where a single lens will not provide the optical power, fitting characteristics, or comfort required.

In 1999, ’silicone hydrogels’ became available. Silicone hydrogels have both the extremely high oxygen permeability of silicone and the comfort and clinical performance of the conventional hydrogels. These lenses were initially advocated primarily for extended (overnight) wear, although more recently daily (no overnight) wear silicone hydrogels have been launched.

While it provides the oxygen permeability, the silicone also makes the lens surface highly hydrophobic and less “wettable.” This frequently results in discomfort and dryness during lens wear. In order to compensate for the hydrophobicity, hydrogels are added (hence the name “silicone hydrogels”) to make the lenses more hydrophilic.

However the lens surface may still remain hydrophobic. Hence some of the lenses undergo surface modification processes which cover the hydrophobic sites of silicone. Some other lens types incorporate internal rewetting agents to make the lens surface hydrophilic.

Introduction of  Contact Lenses

A contact lens ( also known simply as a “contact” ) is a corrective, cosmetic, or therapeutic lens usually placed on the cornea of the eye.

Modern soft contact lenses were invented by the Czech chemist Otto Wichterle, who also invented the first gel used for their production. Contact lenses usually serve the same corrective purposeasconventional glasses, but are lightweight and virtually invisible any commercial lenses are tinted a faint blue to make them more visible when immersed in cleaning and storage solutions.

Some cosmetic lenses are deliberately colored to alter the appearance of the eye.It has been estimated that 125 million people use contact lenses worldwide (2%), including 28 to 38 million in the United Statesand 13 million in Japan.

The types of lenses used and prescribed vary markedly between countries, with rigid lenses accounting for over 20% of currently-prescribed lenses in Japan, Netherlands and Germany but less than 5% in Scandinavia. People choose to wear contact lenses for various reasons.

Many consider their appearance to be more attractive with contact lenses than with glasses. Contact lenses are less affected by wet weather, do not steam up, and provide a wider field of vision. They are more suitable for a number of sporting activities. Additionally, ophthalmological conditions such as keratoconus and aniseikonia may not be accurately corrected with glasses.

What should be considered when you choose contact lenses ?

When you are choosing contact lenses,many factors should be considered including your lifestyle,health,astigmatism,corneal curvature,allergies,dry eyes,hygiene,previous over-wear,frequency of use and so on.
Seeing your Optometrist will help you determine the best type of contact lenses for your eyes.

1. A Good Eye Health?

Before you decide to wear contact lenses,you should cheak for your eye health.You can wear only if you have a good health.The healthiest type of lens is the daily disposable soft lens. These lenses are always sterile when inserted into the eyes as they are never kept overnight. This means that no dirt, bugs or tear proteins can accumulate which all have the potential to cause problems. Fortnightly and Monthly disposables are also available which still require daily cleaning and overnight storage with contact lens solutions.

2. Have Astigmatism?

Normally,your eye is shape like a tennis ball.But with astigmatism,your eye is not perfectly round like a tennis ball.At a certain level of astigmatism the contact lens prescription needs to be “tailor-made” in order for you to see clearly. Lenses that cater to astigmatism are called Torics and are available in both rigid and soft form.
It is often possible to fit a normal rigid contact lens and correct the problem without the need for a Toric with lower levels of astigmatism.If you have mainly short or long-sight with very little astigmatism, a normal soft contact lens is generally fine for you just.

3.What are lifestyle?

Your lifestyle often determines your the requirements of sight correction, which in turn influences the type of contact lens suitable.And if you may work in an office and use the computer all day, for which you wear spectacles; perhaps you play golf, or football once per week and find that your spectacles “steam up”?A limited supply of daily disposables just for sport would be your best option rather than monthly disposables, which require cleaning and will not be used often enough to make them worthwhile.

If you are a rugby player and require good side vision in order to perform optimally, full-time contact lens wear is probably your wisest option.
Frequent jet-setters may prefer spectacles as contact lenses inevitably dry out whilst flying. Whatever your lifestyle, your optometrist will prescribe contact lenses tailored to your needs

4.Have Any Allergies?

Hayfever, eczema or asthma sufferers may find contact lenses more uncomfortable than most people. Allergies can create an over-sensitized eye, rendering increased lens awareness. Also, the eye reacts to dirt and proteins on the lens much more and may cause the upper eyelid to develop bumps. This is called contact lens related papillary Conjunctivitis. The best solution for those with severe allergies is to wear lenses infrequently (up to 3 times/week) and to use daily disposables. If your lifestyle requires you to use lenses constantly, then disposables are still the best option. Occasionally some individuals are allergic to a certain lens material or a certain lens solution.

5.With Dry Eyes?

If you suffer from chronic dry, smarting eyes. It may cause increased lens awareness after some hours of lens wear. Your optometrist will prescribe an alternative lens with a different water content, fitting or material, in order to improve the comfort. Preservative-free contact lens comfort drops are also advised.

6.Your Frequency Of Use.

Are you only wish to use contact lenses for a sporting activity once per week? If you are,a daily disposable will be most suitable from both a health and cost perspective. Rigid lenses are not recommended as they need to be used most days in order to achieve best comfort. Those who wear their lenses sporadically may wish to consider fortnightly or monthly disposables. Your optometrist will be able to discuss the various options most suited to your requirements.

7.Your Previous Over-wear

If you have previously over-worn your contact lenses, your eyes will need more oxygen.So you may be told to use a higher water content, or higher Dk, lens.Because it may be a soft or rigid lens.? Remember to give your eyes a break and use your spectacles one day per week.Just remember.

8.Other factors

Such as corneal curvature,hygiene and so on to be considered.