Before touching the contact lens or one's eyes, it is important to thoroughly wash and rinse hands with a soap that does not contain moisturizers or allergens such as fragrences. The soap should not be antibacterial due to risk of improper hand washing and the possibility of destroying the natural bacteria found on the eye. These bacteria keep pathogenic bacteria from colonizing the cornea. The technique for removing or inserting a contact lens varies slightly depending upon whether the lens is soft or rigid.

In all cases, the insertion and removal of lenses requires some training and practice on the part of the user, in part to overcome the instinctive hesitation against actually touching the eyeball with one's fingertip.

Insertion

Contact lenses are typically inserted into the eye by placing them on the index finger with the concave side upward and raising them to touch the cornea. The other hand may be employed to keep the eye open. Problems may arise particularly with disposable soft lenses; if the surface tension between the lens and the finger is too great the lens may turn itself inside out; alternatively it may fold itself in half. When the lens first contacts the eye, a brief period of irritation may ensue as the eye acclimatizes to the lens and also (if a multi-use lens is not correctly cleansed) as dirt on the lens irritates the eye. Irrigation may help during this period, which generally should not exceed one minute. It may be noted that although with some types of contact lenses it is easy to tell if you have inserted the lens backwards (as it is usually painful and vision is impaired) you are able to determine the lens's correct position beforehand by holding the lens on the tip of your finger and squeezing the bottom of it with two fingers from your other hand, you will know you have it the correct way if the edges of the lens curve inward like a taco. If they curve out you need to flip the lens. With some types of lenses however, this is difficult as both sides look very much the same. With many lenses it is hard to tell whether they are inside out or not even when they are in the eye itself. This is because the vision and feel of the lens can be very similar for both sides. For these reasons many people try to ensure they keep visual track of the different sides of the contact lenses from the day they are open, if they suspect the lens is inside out they can always change its orientation at a later stage. It is never advisable to wear the lenses inside-out even if they feel comfortable and vision is good when doing so.

Removal
A soft lens may be removed by holding the eyelids open and grasping the lens with opposing digits. This method may cause irritation, could risk damage to the eye and may in many cases be difficult, in part due to the blink reflex. If the lens is pushed off the cornea (by touching the lens with your forefinger and looking towards your nose, moving the lens) it will buckle up (due to the difference in curvature), making it easier to grasp.

As an alternative method to grasping, once the lens is moved off the cornea to the inner corner of the eye, it can be pushed out of the eye by pressing downwards on the upper eyelid with a finger. With this method there is less risk of touching the eye with the fingers, and it may be easier for people with long fingernails.

Rigid contact lenses may be removed by pulling with one finger on the outer or lateral canthus, then blinking to cause the lens to lose adhesion. The other hand is typically cupped underneath the eye to catch the lens. There also exist small tools specifically for removing lenses, which resemble small plungers made of flexible plastic; the concave end is raised to the eye and touched to the lens, forming a seal stronger than that of the lens with the cornea and allowing the lens to be removed from the eye.

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Caring for Your Contact Lenses

Follow these guidelines for good care to extend the life of your contact lenses, and protect the safety and health of your eyes.

1. Always wash your hands with warm water and soap before handling your contact lenses or before touching your eyes. Any residue from lotions, soaps, or chemicals may stick to the contact lens, causing pain, irritation, or blurred vision when they are in your eyes. Dry your hands with a clean towel.
2. Wear your contact lenses as prescribed. Your eye doctor will recommend a wearing schedule specific to the type of contact lens you have selected. Only wear your contact lenses for the time recommended.
3. Clean and store your contact lenses as prescribed (in a clean case in fresh solution). Different types of contact lenses require special care and certain types of products. Always use the eye care products recommended by your eye doctor. Some eye products or eye drops are not safe for contact lens wearers.
4. Clean your contact lens case after each use with either sterile solution or hot tap water and let air dry.
5. Never use plain water directly on your contact lenses, and never put your contact lenses in your mouth to "rinse" them. Microorganisms can live in even distilled water, causing infection or sight damage.
6. Clean your contact lens by rubbing it gently with your index finger in the palm of your hand. The newest "No Rub" solutions allow you to rinse your contact lenses without rubbing.
7. If you develop an eye infection (signs include redness, burning, or excessive tearing), remove your contact lenses and discontinue use until you talk with your eye doctor. Wearing a contaminated pair of contact lenses will invite the infection to remain. After resuming contact lens use, closely follow your doctor's instructions to help prevent future eye infections.
8. Never wear another person's contact lenses, especially if they have been worn before. Using other people's contact lenses can spread any infection or particles from their eyes to yours.
9. Wearing contact lenses may cause your eyes to become more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunglasses with total UV protection and/or a wide brim hat when in the sun.
10. To keep your eyes lubricated, use a rewetting solution or plain saline solution.
11. Do not sleep with your contact lenses in your eyes unless you are prescribed "Extended Wear" contacts! While the eyes are shut, tears cannot carry healthy amounts of oxygen to the eye, like during the waking hours. As a result, your contact lenses will become dry and stick to your eyes. If you accidentally do fall asleep with your contact lenses in, be sure to put eye drops in your eyes and wait a few minutes before trying to remove your contact lenses.
12. See your doctor annually to check your contact lens prescription.
13. Visit your eye doctor immediately if you have any sudden vision loss, persistent blurred vision, light flashes, eye pain, infection, swelling, unusual redness, or irritation.
14. When first wearing contact lenses you may be concerned about accidentally wearing them inside out. If this happens, they cannot damage your eyes, but they will be uncomfortable. To avoid this, place your contact lens on the tip of your finger so that it is forming a cup. Look at the contact lens from the side. If the cup looks like it is flaring out at the top and has a lip, your contact lens is inside out. If it looks like the letter "U", the contact lens is right side out.
15. If you think you will have trouble remembering when to change your contact lenses, ask your eye doctor if he or she has a chart for patients to track their wearing schedule. If your doctor does not have one, you may want to consider creating one on your own.
16. Put in your contact lenses before applying makeup to avoid contaminating your contact lens. When removing your makeup be sure that you wash and dry your hands. Once you have done this, remove your contact lenses and then remove your makeup.
17. Don't let the tip of solution bottles touch other surfaces, including your fingers, eyes, or contact lenses. The solution can become contaminated.

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A contact lens (also known simply as contacts for a pair) is a corrective, cosmetic, or therapeutic lens usually placed on the cornea of the eye.
Types of contact lenses:
Contact lenses are classified in many different manners:
CORRECTIVE
COSMETIC
THERAPEUTIC

MATERIAL:The 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/Plexiglass), contact lenses became much more convenient. These PMMA lenses are commonly referred to as "hard" lenses (this term is not used for other types of contact lens). 

In 1998, '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.Silicone also makes the lens surface highly hydrophobic and less "wettable."

Extended Wear Contacts Lenses

Silicone Hydrogel Lenses

Silicone is oxygen permeable. Silicone hydrogel lenses use both their water and polymer content to transmit oxygen to the eye.

The benefits to wearers include comfort and convenience. Silicone hydrogel contact lenses contain less water and deliver more oxygen to the eye than traditional hydrogel lenses. As a result, they aren't as prone to causing dehydration. For some people who wear their lenses for long days, this can mean better end-of-day comfort and allow for overnight wear. Some brands of silicone hydrogel lenses are approved for 30 days of continuous wear.

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LASIK Eye Surgery

Laser in-situ keratomileusis, or LASIK, is a popular surgery used to correct vision in people who are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism.

All laser vision correction surgeries work by reshaping the cornea, or clear front part of the eye, so that light traveling through it is properly focused onto the retina located in the back of the eye. LASIK is one of a number of different surgical techniques used to reshape the cornea.

What Are the Advantages of LASIK Eye Surgery?

LASIK has many benefits, including:

• It works! It corrects vision. Around 80% of patients will have their desired vision after LASIK. An enhancement can further increase this number.
• LASIK is associated with very little pain.
• Vision is corrected nearly immediately or by the day after LASIK.
• Usually no bandages or stitches are required after LASIK.
• Adjustments can be made years after LASIK to further correct vision.
• After having LASIK, most patients no longer need corrective eyewear.

What Are the Disadvantages of LASIK Eye Surgery?

Despite the pluses, there are some disadvantages to LASIK eye surgery:

• Changes made to the cornea cannot be reversed after LASIK.
• Corrections can only be made by additional LASIK.
• LASIK is technically complex. Problems may occur when the doctor cuts the flap, which can permanently affect vision.
• LASIK can cause a loss of "best" vision with or without glasses at one year after surgery. Your best vision is the highest degree of vision that you achieved while wearing your contacts or eyeglasses.

What Are the Potential Side Effects of LASIK Eye Surgery?

Some patients experience discomfort in the first 24-48 hours after LASIK eye surgery. Other side effects, although rare, may include:

• Glare
• Seeing halos around images
• Difficulty driving at night
• Fluctuating vision
• Dry eyes

How Should I Prepare for LASIK Eye Surgery?

Before your LASIK eye surgery, you will meet with a coordinator who will discuss what you should expect during and after the surgery. During this session, your medical history will be evaluated and your eyes will be tested. Likely tests include measuring corneal thickness, refraction, corneal mapping, air pressure, and pupil dilation. Once you have gone through your evaluation, you will meet the surgeon, who will answer any questions you may have. Afterwards, you can schedule an appointment for the procedure.

If you wear rigid gas permeable contact lenses, you should not wear them for three weeks before your surgery. Other types of contact lenses shouldn't be worn for at least three days prior to surgery. Be sure to bring your eyeglasses to the surgeon so your prescription can be reviewed.

On the day of your surgery, eat a light meal before going to the doctor, and take all of your prescribed medications. Do not wear eye makeup or have any bulky accessories in your hair that will interfere with positioning your head under the laser. If you are not feeling well that morning, call the doctor's office to determine whether the procedure needs to be postponed.

What Happens During LASIK Eye Surgery?

During LASIK eye surgery, an instrument called a microkeratome is used to cut a thin flap in the cornea. The cornea is then peeled back and the underlying cornea tissue is reshaped using an excimer laser. After the cornea is reshaped so that it can properly focus light into the eye and onto the retina, the cornea flap is put back in place and the surgery is complete.

LASIK is performed while the patient is under a local anesthesia and usually takes about 10 minutes to complete.

What Should I Expect After LASIK Eye Surgery?

Healing after LASIK eye surgery usually occurs very rapidly. Most patients notice improved vision within a few days after surgery. However, your vision may be blurry and hazy for the first day. You should plan to have someone drive you home after LASIK.

Your eyes will be dry even though they do not feel that way. Your doctor will give you prescription eye drops to prevent infection and keep your eyes moist. These eye drops may cause a momentary slight burn or blurring of your vision when you use them. Do not use any eye drops not approved by your ophthalmologist. Specific follow-up after the surgery varies from one surgeon to another. You will revisit the doctor for an evaluation 24-48 hours after LASIK eye surgery, as well as at regular intervals within the first six months after surgery.

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Tags: LASIK, Surgery

What is color blindness?

Color blindness means you have trouble seeing red, green, or blue or a mix of these colors. It’s rare that a person sees no color at all.

Color blindness is also called a color vision problem.

A color vision problem can change your life. It makes it harder to learn and read, and you may not be able to have certain careers. But children and adults with color vision problems can learn to make up for their problems seeing color.

What causes color blindness?

Most color vision problems are inherited (genetic) and are present at birth.

People usually have three types of cone cells in the eye. Each type senses either red, green, or blue light. You see color when your cone cells sense different amounts of these three basic colors. Most cone cells are found in the macula, which is the central part of the retina.

Inherited color blindness happens when you don't have one of these types of cone cells or they don't work right. You may not see one of these three basic colors, or you may see a different shade of that color or a different color. This type of color vision problem doesn't change over time.

A color vision problem is not always inherited. In some cases, a person can have an acquired color vision problem. This can be caused by:

• Aging.
• Eye problems, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, or diabetic retinopathy.
• Injury to the eye.
• Side effects of some medicines.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of color vision problems vary:

• You may see many colors, so you may not know that you see color differently from others.
• You may only be able to see a few shades of color, while most people can see thousands of colors.
• In rare cases, you may see only black, white, and gray.

How is color blindness diagnosed?

Tests measure how well you recognize different colors.

• In one type of test, you look at sets of colored dots and try to find a pattern in them, such as a letter or number. The patterns you see help your doctor determine which colors you have trouble with.
• In another type of test, you arrange colored chips in order according to how similar the colors are. People with color vision problems cannot arrange the colored chips correctly.

How is it treated?

Inherited color vision problems cannot be treated or corrected.

Some acquired color vision problems can be treated, depending on the cause. For example, if a cataract is causing a problem with color vision, surgery to remove the cataract may restore normal color vision.

You can find ways to help make up for a color vision problem, such as wearing colored contact lenses or eyeglasses or wearing glasses that block glare. You can learn to look for other things, such as brightness or location, rather than colors. For example, you can learn the order of the three colored lights on a traffic signal.

How can you help a child who has color blindness?

Color vision problems can make learning and reading hard for children, which can lead to poor schoolwork and low self-esteem.

You can help your child by:

• Making sure your child is tested for color vision problems during routine eye tests. The sooner you know there is a problem, the sooner you can help your child.
• Telling your child’s teachers and other school staff about the problem. Suggest seating your child where there is no glare and using a color of chalk that your child can see.

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What Is a Stye?

A stye is a pimple or abscess that forms in either the upper or lower eyelid. The medical term for stye is hordeolum (pronounced HOR-dee-oh-lumm) and it is an infection caused by bacteria that normally live on the surface of the eyelid skin without causing disease. Some of these germs get trapped along with dead skin cells inside crypts along the eyelid margin. Styes are usually superficial and plainly visible. Occasionally they can reside deeper within the eyelid.

An external stye starts as a pimple next to an eyelash. It turns into a red, painful swelling that may last several days before it bursts and then heals. Some external styes are short-lived and self-limiting while others may require the care of your eye doctor.

An internal stye (on the underside of the lid) also causes a red, painful swelling, but its location prevents the familiar whitehead from appearing on the eyelid. The internal stye may disappear completely once the infection is past, or it may leave a small fluid-filled cyst or nodule that can persist and may have to be opened and drained.

Folks tend to confuse a stye with another common lid lump, the chalazion (pronounced cha-LAY-zee-yon). A chalazion is very different from a stye and is not an infection. It is instead a firm, round, smooth, sometimes painless bump usually some distance from the edge of the lid. A chalazion is a local tissue reaction to oily glandular secretions that were unable to reach the lid surface because the duct was blocked by debris.

Styes and chalazia are usually harmless and rarely affect your eyeball or your eyesight but in some cases they can lead to severe infections of the face called cellulitis which can be very serious. They can occur at any age and tend to periodically recur.

What Causes Styes?

Styes are usually caused by staphylococcal bacteria, which often live right on the skin surface. Our bodies are coated with billions of friendly bacteria that coexist with us. When the conditions are just right the bacteria feast on dead cells and other debris, resulting in the tender pimple.

A chalazion is caused by blockage of tiny ducts in the eyelid glands that normally transport an oily substance. This oily material (sebum) is the layer of the tear film that reduces tear evaporation. Trapped or misplaced oil stimulates the immune system to clean up the mess. Chalazia develop over weeks to months.

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What Causes Pinkeye?

Pinkeye has a number of different causes, including:

• Viruses
• Bacteria (such as gonorrhea or chlamydia)
• Irritants such as shampoos, dirt, smoke, and pool chlorine
• Allergies, like dust, pollen, or a special type of allergy that affects some contact lens wearers

Pinkeye caused by some bacteria and viruses can spread easily from person to person, but are not a serious health risk if diagnosed promptly. Pinkeye in newborn babies, however, should be reported to a doctor immediately.

What Are the Symptoms of Pinkeye?

The symptoms of pinkeye differ based on the cause of the inflammation, but may include:

• Redness in the white of the eye or inner eyelid.
• Increased amount of tears.
• Thick yellow discharge that crusts over the eyelashes, especially after sleep.
• Green or white discharge from the eye.
• Itchy eyes.
• Burning eyes.
• Blurred vision.
• Increased sensitivity to light.

See your eye doctor if you have any of these symptoms of pinkeye. He or she will conduct an exam of your eyes and may take a sample of fluid from the eyelid using a cotton swab to be analyzed in a lab. Bacteria or viruses that may have caused conjunctivitis, including a sexually transmitted disease or STD, can then be identified and proper treatment prescribed.

How Is Pinkeye Treated?

The treatment for pinkeye depends on the cause.

• Bacteria. Pinkeye caused by bacteria, including STDs, is treated with antibiotics, in the form of eye drops, ointments, or pills. Eye drops or ointments may need to be applied to the inside of the eyelid three to four times a day for five to seven days. Pills may need to be taken for several days. The infection should improve within a week. Take the medicine as instructed by your doctor, even if the symptoms go away.
• Viruses. This type of pinkeye often results from the viruses that cause a common cold. Just as a cold must run its course, so must this form of pinkeye, which usually lasts from four to seven days. Viral conjunctivitis can be highly contagious. Avoid contact with others and wash hands frequently.
• Irritants. For pinkeye caused by an irritating substance, use water to wash the substance from the eye for five minutes. Your eyes should begin to improve within four hours after washing away the substance. If the conjunctivitis is caused by acid or alkaline material such as bleach, call your doctor.
• Allergies. Allergy-associated conjunctivitis should improve once the allergy is treated and the allergen removed. See your doctor if you have conjunctivitis that is linked to an allergy.

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How Is Glaucoma Treated?

Glaucoma treatment may include prescription eye drops, laser, or microsurgery.

• Eye drops for glaucoma. These either reduce the formation of fluid in the front of the eye or increase its outflow. Side effects of glaucoma drops may include allergy, redness of the eyes, brief stinging, blurred vision, and irritated eyes. Some glaucoma drugs may affect the heart and lungs. Be sure to tell your doctor about any glaucoma medication you are currently taking or are allergic to.
• Laser surgery for glaucoma. Laser surgery for glaucoma slightly increases the outflow of the fluid from the eye in open-angle glaucoma or eliminates fluid blockage in angle-closure glaucoma. Types of laser surgery for glaucoma include trabeculoplasty, in which a laser is used to pull open the trabecular meshwork drainage area; iridotomy, in which a tiny hole is made in the iris, allowing the fluid to flow more freely; and cyclophotocoagulation, in which a laser beam treats areas of the ciliary body, reducing the production of fluid.
• Microsurgery for glaucoma. In an operation called a trabeculectomy, a new channel is created to drain the fluid, thereby reducing intraocular pressure that causes glaucoma. Sometimes this form of glaucoma surgery fails and must be redone. For some patients, a glaucoma implant is the best option. Other complications of microsurgery for glaucoma include some temporary or permanent loss of vision, as well as bleeding or infection.

Open-angle glaucoma is most commonly treated with various combinations of eye drops, laser trabeculoplasty, and microsurgery. Traditionally in the U.S., medications are used first, but there is increasing evidence that some people with glaucoma may respond better with early laser surgery or microsurgery.

Infant or congenital glaucoma -- meaning you are born with it -- is primarily treated with surgery since the cause of the problem is a very distorted drainage system.

Talk to your ophthalmologist to find out which glaucoma treatment is right for you.

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What Are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?

For most people, there are usually few or no symptoms of glaucoma. The first sign of glaucoma is often the loss of peripheral or side vision, which can go unnoticed until late in the disease. Detecting glaucoma early is one reason you should have a complete exam with an eye specialist every one to two years. Occasionally, intraocular pressure can rise to severe levels. In these cases, sudden eye pain, headache, blurred vision, or the appearance of halos around lights may occur.

If you have any of the following symptoms, seek immediate medical care:

• Seeing halos around lights
• Vision loss
• Redness in the eye
• Eye that looks hazy (particularly in infants)
• Nausea or vomiting
• Pain in the eye
• Narrowing of vision (tunnel vision)

How Is Glaucoma Diagnosed?

To diagnose glaucoma, an ophthalmologist will test your vision and examine your eyes through dilated pupils. The doctor will also perform a procedure called tonometry to check for eye pressure and a visual field test to determine if there is loss of peripheral vision. Glaucoma tests are painless and take very little time.

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