Archived Contact Lens Articles
Evolution of the Contact Lens
Recent improvements in contact lens technology have made it easier for patients to wear contact lenses successfully. Even patients that discontinued wearing contacts in the past are finding that they like the comfort and features of the new contacts. The newer contacts are also seen as a less expensive route than laser vision correction to freedom from eyeglasses. One new product that has been recently unveiled is Baush & Lomb PureVision contacts. The PureVision contacts have a surface specially designed to give patients optically clear vision. They are also made of a revolutionary silicone material that permits a high amount of oxygen delivery to the cornea. In fact, this contact has such a good safety profile that it has been approved for full time extended wear for up to 30 days. Another product that is bringing delight to contact lens wearers is the Extreme H2O contact lens made by the Hydrogel Vision Corporation. This contact has a special surface that encourages water binding while at the same time retarding protein buildup. As of consequence, people with limited wear time from other contacts are finding that they can wear these contacts longer without discomfort during the day. As you can see, the list of contact lens options is increasingly growing. Regardless of your refractive error, there is probably a contact available for you now. See your ophthalmologist if you have interest in wearing contact lenses successfully.
New Acuvue Oasys Contact Lens
Get ready for an ultra smooth comfortable contact lens for even the most demanding eyes. The new lens is called the Acuvue Oasys and it is meant for contact lens wearers that work long hours on the computer or travel long hours on the road or in an airplane. I personally have never seen a lens so well accepted by patients. Patients are raving that it’s the best contact they have ever had in their eyes. And this is even coming from patients that constantly used rewetting drops with their previous contacts in order to keep their eyes comfortable. The features of Acuvue Oasys are unparelled. It is made of a revolutionary material that not only breathes well but feels as smooth as the natural eye. For ease of insertion, it is tinted blue and has an inversion indicator to make sure that the contact isn’t inside out. Also built into the contact is a blocker for harmful ultraviolet light. It is recommended to replace the lens every one to two weeks and each package box of Acuvue Oasys will contain six lenses. So if you desire to have your eyes feel fresh and not feel tired all the time with contact lens wear in tough environments, then consider trying the new Acuvue Oasys lens. To see if you are a candidate for Acuvue Oasys, please consult your Ophthalmologist for a contact lens examination.
Breakthrough Treatment For Astigmatism
I have terrific news for individuals with astigmatism. It is a new contact lens called Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism. This brand new product was unveiled during a special eye care conference that was held earlier this year in Pittsburgh. At that time, I was given the opportunity to work extensively with the contact lens. I was thoroughly impressed by the breakthrough technology associated with it and the number of test patients totally satisfied with the product. For those not too familiar with the term astigmatism, it refers to the eye being shaped like a football. As a consequence of the eye not being perfectly round, individuals with astigmatism often have blurry vision both far and near. Squinting is often necessary to see clearly as this process makes the eye more round. Unfortunately, the side effect for squinting all day is having end-of-the-day tiredness and headache. Astigmatism has been traditionally treated with use of toric contact lenses. The problem with current toric contact lenses is often they move during blinking and this can make vision unstable and blurry. This is not seen in the new Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism contacts because of the revolutionary design that keeps the lens in place during blinking. Add in the healthy benefits of the new Acuvue Advance material giving all-day moisture and exceptional breathability and you end up with an extraordinary contact for treating astigmatism. Because the Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism contact lenses are fitted most differently than other conventional toric lenses for treating astigmatism, I do recommend interested patients to seek out an ophthalmologist with familiarity and knowledge on how to properly and safely fit this lens.
Comfortable Contacts Are Now Here
Have your eyes been longing for better days because contacts are drying them out. Does only a few hours of contact lens wear give you discomfort. And are you frequently using rewetting drops to make your eyes feel better. Well, I have good news for you. New technical breakthroughs in contact lens materials have led to improved day long comfort for the eyes. These newer materials have properties that attract and bind water particles to them so that they retain their shape and float comfortably on the tear film of the eye. The newer materials also have other beneficial properties such as resistance to accumulation of protein deposits and better breathability. Both of those factors can play a major role in the health of the eye. As an ophthalmologist, I have been helping patients that have come to me suffering from discomfort with their existing technically outdated contact lenses. These patients have been thrilled that they are able to wear contacts again comfortably. If you are suffering from contact lens discomfort or would like the benefits of the newer technology contact lenses, be sure to contact your ophthalmologist to find out about the products that are now available to you.
Contact Lens Related Fungal Infections
Last month, Bausch and Lomb stopped U.S. shipments of its contact lens solution, ReNu with MoistureLoc. Apparently, a large percentage of people who developed fungal infections in the eye were using this product. In addition to discontinuing use of ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens solution, there are other precautions that I am currently recommending for contact lens wearers. First, contacts should be rinsed, rubbed, and stored in fresh solution every time. Next, use contacts for their scheduled replacement time. Do not try to stretch the wearing time of contacts. Also, avoid sleeping, swimming, or showering in contacts. And finally, always wash hands thoroughly prior to handling your contacts. Fortunately, fungal infections of the eye tend to be rare. However, the number of cases of it has been recently shown to be on the rise in contact lens wearers. Symptoms of fungal eye infection include redness, blurry vision, pain, sensitivity to light, and drainage. If you are a contact lens wearer and are experiencing any of these symptoms it is recommended that you are promptly evaluated and cared for by an ophthalmologist.
New Color Contacts Just In Time For Prom
This is the time of year where I see a lot of our local high school students come in for color contacts. Their goal is to look their best and extra sharp for the upcoming Prom dance. It’s amazing how a change in eye color can actually accentuate a person’s appearance in photos or certain color formal wear. This year’s prom-goers will be excited to learn of a brand new color contact lens product called the FreshLook One Day Color contact lens. These contacts come available in four popular colors: blue, green, gray, or pure hazel. Wearers of the contacts will like the convenience of being able to dispose the contacts at the end of the day. This is very healthy for the eyes as it means a fresh new contact for each day the contacts are decided to be worn. These contacts are also highly economical as they come in ten packs and no contact lens solution for overnight cleaning needs to be purchased. And you don’t have to be a current eyeglass or contact lens wearer to be able to wear these color contacts as the contacts are available in no power strength for all of those with normal vision. But remember that just like you have to see a tailor to be fitted in your tuxedo or prom dress, contact lenses also have to be properly fitted on the eyes and this should be done through the guidance of an ophthalmologist for a good healthy outcome. Wish everyone a fun a safe prom.
Monovision
When we are children, our eyes have a remarkable ability to go
from looking far away to quickly focusing on things that come as close
to us as our nose. This ability is called accommodation. With each
birthday that we have, the amount of accommodation that we have
decreases. By the time we reach our 40’s, accommodation has declined to
such a point that reading aids such as bifocals or “cheaters” are
needed for seeing up close. We call this condition presbyopia.
Monovision is a technique to allow us to see like when we were
children. In monovision, one eye is corrected for clear distance vision
while the other eye is corrected for near vision. This works because
the brain filters out the blurry image.
Monovision correction can be achieved with either contact lenses or
with laser vision correction procedures. The adjustment period to
monovision may take a couple of weeks. From my experience, most people
who try it and become accustomed to it, find that they like it and that
it is very useful for their lives.
If you are considering monovision, it is best to seek the advice of an
ophthalmologist (a medical specialist in eye conditions and diseases).
