5 Helpful Tips for Wearing Your Contact Lenses the Right Way

Millions of people have imperfect vision. Luckily, with the help of glasses, a person’s vision can be corrected. If glasses are not your thing, or if they are inconvenient for you, you may opt for wearing contact lenses. If you decide to replace your pair of glasses with some lenses, it is important to keep in mind that there are several steps and tips you should follow if you want to wear your lenses the right way and practice the proper contact lens safety.If you do not care for them, problems can arise. Below are some tips to keep in mind for proper lens wear and care.

One important rule to follow is that you should not wear your lenses overnight. Not only is this dangerous, but it can also cause discomfort. When you sleep with your lenses in your eyes, oxygen transmission is decreased. Your eyes receive oxygen from tears and the air when your eyes are open. When your eyes are closed, especially while wearing contact lenses, your cornea is being deprived of oxygen. This can cause lens tightening, which leads to tiny rips in the cornea. Also, you are increasing your chance of infection.

A second tip to follow is to not wear your contacts while swimming or in the shower. Oceans, lakes, tap water, pools and rivers all contain an organism that can lead to serious eye infections. If you wear your contacts while in the water, you are significantly increasing your chance of infection. It is very important to remember to take your lenses out before doing these activities.

A third tip to remember: always use fresh contact lens solution in your case. Many people make the mistake of reusing their old solution or adding a little more to top it off if it is not full. This is should not be done, as the old solution can contain dirt and bacteria, and it is no longer effective.

Tip number four: only use your contact lenses for as long as they were designed to be worn. For example, if your lenses are dailies, you should not be using them for the next few weeks. The same goes for monthly lenses.

Finally, another important aspect about contact lenses to keep in mind is proper care. Pay close attention to the instructions from your doctor, and remember to clean your lenses only with the proper solution. Do not use tap water. Forming good contact care habits is a great way to make lens wearing easy and to maintain your eye health. If you are interested in a contact lens exam in El Cajon, check out this website.

Change Up Your Eye Look with Colored Contacts

Colored contacts are a fun and easy way to mix up your look, while still correcting your vision. Use these contacts to change your eye color based on your outfit, hair color or your mood. 

How Pregnancy Affects Your Eyes

With all the changes to your body and emotions that take place when you are pregnant, you might not notice that your vision alters as well. In fact, hormonal shifts, metabolic rate changes and the body’s fluid circulations do lead to vision changes. There is no reason for great concern, so long as symptoms are commonplace. Here are the most expected changes in your vision.

• Water retention changes the thickness and curve of the cornea. One consequence is to alter the correction afforded by glasses and contact lenses. Be sure eye surgeons will not perform laser lens correction on expectant women, nor will optometrists fit contact lenses.Delay ordering new glasses.

• Nearsightedness worsens, the degree depending on the individual. Some of the afflicted may need to order new glasses. For the majority, nothing needs to be done, and vision returns to normal after delivery.

• Dry and irritated eyes result from cornea shape change and often continue through breastfeeding. This condition makes contact lens wearing slightly uncomfortable.

• Existing eye conditions change pro and con. Diabetics suffering from retinopathy should see their ophthalmologists to check on potential damage to retinal blood vessels. Conversely,glaucoma, a dreaded eye condition, abates during pregnancy and might call for medication modification.

• Dangerous symptoms requiring a visit to the ophthalmologist include double or temporary loss of vision, or seeing flashing lights.

If you have questions about vision changes during pregnancy, visit this website.

2015 Kansas Optometric Association Fall Eyecare Conference

The 2015 KOA Fall Eyecare Conference will feature 13 hours of CE for optometrists, including presentations from Drs. Dasa Gangadhar, Ron Melton, Randall Thomas….read more

Chew Toward Better Vision

The ancient wisdom, “You are what you eat” applies to your eyesight, too. Recent research indicates that antioxidants and related nutrients act to limit cataracts and macular degeneration (MD). Some antioxidants, like Vitamins A and C, defend against blindness and glaucoma. 

 
The following are some nutrients and related foods to enhance your vision and curb the effects of sight-destroying conditions and diseases.

• Beta-carotene—Combined with zinc and Vitamins C and E, it slows MD. Get it from butternut squash, kale, spinach and carrots.

• Flavonoids—Defend against MD and cataracts. Sources: Soy products, tea, blueberries, red wine and legumes.

• Lutein and Zeaxanthin—These are cataract and MD inhibitors. Find them in greens like collards, turnips and kale.

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids—They may act to prevent dry eyes and MD. Look to cold-water fish. Herring and mackerel are tops. Fish oils can fill the gap, along with walnuts and flaxseeds.

• Selenium—Combine with Vitamins A and C to slow age-related MD. Surf and turf sources include seafood, Brazil nuts and brown rice.

• Vitamin A—It will combat night blindness and dry eyes. You will find it in liver, eggs and buttermilk.

• Vitamin D—May lessen MD risk. Food sources: cold-water fish and milk. The best source is sunlight.

If keeping track of these nutritional foods to enhance your vision seems too much like a chemistry test, get advice from an optician in El Cajon area by visiting this website.

Affordable Contacts From Trusted Brands

If you are looking for contact lenses that will work well for you, look no further. You can find comfortable and affordable contacts from trusted brands that you love. These include Bauch & Lomb, BioMedics, Freshlook, Acuvue, and Syngeyes, CooperVision, and Vistakon.

What is Causing Your Crusty Eyes When You Wake Up?

Have you ever went to sleep and noticed that when you wake up, your eyes are crusty? Well you are not alone, as this is actually quite common for children and adults. It is caused from discharge from the eyes. You may feel it accumulating in the corners of your eyes, and although it is usually crusty and dry, it can be sticky and wet. Regular eye discharge is very normal and essential to good eye health. There are some types, however, that can indicate certain conditions.

Normal Eye Discharge and Crustiness

As mentioned above, a crusty substance in the eyes when you wake up is usually due to eye discharge. During sleep, since you are not blinking as you would if you were awake, the discharge can collect it the corners and become crusty. It is usually a combination of skin cells, oil and mucus from the eyes.

When There May be a Problem

A small amount of eye crustiness is perfectly normal. However, if there is excessive crusty discharge, this could be a sign of conjunctivitis (pink eye). This can be viral or bacterial and usually occurs in one eye. Allergies may be the cause as well. If your eye discharge is yellow or green and is experienced with symptoms such as blurry vision or eye pain, a serious infection could be present. If you want to know more and are looking for a pediatric optometrist in La Mesa, visit this website.