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...

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Tags: Contact lens

Caring for Your Contact LensesFollow these guidelines for good care to extend the life of your contact lenses, and protect the safety and health of your eyes.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. 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. Clean and store your contact lenses as prescribed (in a clean case in fresh solution). Different...

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Tags: Contact lens

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...

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Tags: Contact lens

LASIK Eye SurgeryLaser 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...

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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...

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Tags: Color blindness

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...

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Tags: Stye

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,...

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Tags: Conjunctivitis

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,...

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Tags: Glaucoma

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...

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Tags: Glaucoma