Contact Lens

Contact Lens Types

2012-01-09T02:00:00.000-08:00

Soft contact lenses have been released in many different formats since they were first developed in the 1960s.

Soft contact lenses were originally designed to be worn for 12 to 18 months and removed nightly. These contact lenses are now called ?conventional soft contact lenses?. They are usually prescribed as a specialty lens and are generally used when frequent replacement or disposable contact lenses are not available. They have the disadvantage of being more expensive and tend to accumulate surface deposits. This mode of lens wear requires more diligence with cleaning and care.

Disposable contact lenses were first released commercially in the 1980s. The first disposable lens was the Johnson and Johnson Acuvue contact lens, which was a 2 week disposable contact lens. It was a soft hydrogel lens and was primarily worn on a daily basis. The original Acuvue contact lens has only recently been discontinued. It was designed to be replaced after 2 weeks of daily wear.

Soft disposable silicon hydrogel contact lenses were first available in the 1990s. The first silicon hydrogel lenses offered were the B&L PureVision and Ciba Focus night & Day lens. Both these lenses are approved for one month extended wear. Silicon hydrogel contact lenses have the advantage of greater oxygen permeability than the original hydrogel contact lenses. Approximately 98% of patients are able to wear this type of contact lens. There is however, a slightly increased chance of developing microbial keratitis or corneal ulcer with this mode of wear. Some studies place the risk at one in five hundred per wearing year.

The next generation of silicon hydrogel soft disposable contact lenses saw the release of Ciba Optix O2 and Johnson and Johnson Acuvue Oasys. These lenses have an improved surface treatment, which leads to improved hydration and increased comfort.

More recently daily disposable soft hydrogel contact lenses have become increasingly popular. These lenses, such as J&J 1-day Acuvue Moist and CibaVision Focus Dailies have the advantage of being more hydrophilic and retaining moisture during the day.

Focus Dailies contact lenses contain AquaRelease to improve hydration and are replaced daily, leading to increased comfort from a cleaner lens. Daily replacement lenses also have the advantage of lower complication rates due to the lenses developing less surface deposits and lower infection rates. Obviously a contact lens case is superfluous with this mode of lens wear. Contact lens cases have been found to be a major source of microbes that can cause eye infections.

Contact lenses are now also available to buy online, meaning a faster, cheaper and more convenient alternative in purchasing your lenses. Contact lens wearers should still maintain a responsible attitude to lens wear, and have their eyes checked regularly by their eyecare practitioner. They should also check their own eyes daily for eye infections, by following the ?Look OK, See OK, Feel OK? regime. Each morning after inserting the lenses they should check each eye look white, then check the vision in each eye separately, and then blink once or twice and ensure there is no discomfort. If there is any change, they should remove the lenses immediately and consult their eye care practitioner.

Bruce Macnaughton is a freelance author who writes about online contact lenses and recommends Webcontacts.com.au.

What You Need To Know About Contact Lenses

2012-01-04T04:10:00.000-08:00

Contact lenses are often touted as being far better than glasses and in many ways they are. However, it?s a good idea, like anything, to know enough about contact lenses before buying them to make an educated decision.

Types of Contacts

There are three main types of contact lenses, hard, soft and disposable. Hard contact lenses are rigid and can be more irritating to the eye, but they do last a lot longer, up to three years. Soft contact lenses are easier on the eye and can be worn for longer periods of time. They are usually replaced after a year or so of use. Disposable contact lenses are becoming very popular these days, since you can just use them and dump them. These are the cheapest types of lenses, but they are usually not specifically made for your eyes, which can cause issues.

In addition to disposable contacts, you can get 1 week or even 1 month contacts which are designed to stay in your eye for longer periods of time, but need to be tossed afterwards. Many people prefer disposable contact lenses because they eliminate the need for cleaning and saline solutions, etc. which can get confusing and messy, not to mention they are rather time consuming.

Your eye care professional is the best person to help you choose the right type of contact lenses for you. Different eye conditions require different types of contact prescriptions which may only be available in one type of contact. Also, your daily activities may dictate the need for a specific type of contact lens.

Wear and Care of Contact Lenses

Many people find that the first few times putting their new contact lenses in is a bit scary. You need to overcome the natural instinct to keep foreign objects out of your eye in order to insert them and this is more difficult for some people than for others. Usually this is just something you have to do a few times in order to get over it.

There are other issues with wearing contact lenses. For example, you shouldn?t wear them in the pool or while showering, since they could be flushed out of your eyes or get water trapped behind them. Water that has chlorine in it is particularly irritating, but even regular tap water can contain bacteria that can be caught behind the contact lens and cause an infection. The easiest way to prevent problems like this is to simply remove your contacts while you shower or swim.

Looking after your contacts can be simple or complicated, depending on what type you use. Disposable contact lenses don?t require any cleaning, you simply toss them when you are finished using them. Other, reusable contacts will need more care. You will have to soak them in a cleaning solution and rinse with saline. In some cases, more drastic measures need to be taken to remove protein or calcium deposits, including special tablets that dissolve in the regular cleaning solution. If your eyes are sensitive, you may have to experiment with various brands of cleaning solution to find one that doesn?t irritate your eyes.

Contact lenses offer a freedom from glasses, but they aren?t completely hassle free. Knowing what to expect is the best way to make a good decision as to whether contact lenses are for you or not. Talk to your eye care professional as well to get more information, since he or she will know your specific case and is in a good position to recommend the type of contacts necessary.

Clearly Contacts is the premiere online retailer of contact lenses. We deliver the highest quality eye contact lens anywhere on the globe.

Use Theatrical Contact Lenses To Change Your Life

2012-01-04T04:09:00.000-08:00

The eyes can serve as the mirror of a person's inner self. They are also referred to most of the time as the mirror of one's soul. Many people always think of ways of illuminating and contrasting them for the sake of fashion. By doing so, they can create a unique aura about them without having to change their whole persona or being. The advent of the theatrical contact lenses is indeed a great stimulus in enticing people to use these new tools as a great way to enhance the way a person looks. These contact lenses are also useful to those people who find pleasure in portraying different characters, whether professionally or just for a hobby.

Many companies in different parts of the world produce theatrical contact lenses that offer various designs and patterns. There is absolutely a wide range of selection to choose from. To avoid irritations or harmful effects from the product, these contact lenses are preferably given or sold with prescriptions. Just like ordinary contact lenses, these are worn directly to the eyes of the user and there is where they will float on a certain film of tears. Aside from choosing a pattern or design that can add up to a person's beauty and enhance his personality, selecting contacts that would fit well on the eyes of an individual is also important for a comfortable, safe and right correction. Once a person gets hold of the right design and fit of the contact lenses, then he would be on the go for a clear vision and shimmering looking eyes at the same time.

Aside from the fact that contact lenses can correct eye vision defects like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, the theatrical contact lenses can boost the confidence of those who feel shy or have low self esteem. Using theatrical lenses many inspire or assist a person to become more creative and playful. They feel that they have escaped the reality of their day to day life. They have become someone else that is free from the worry and drudgery. Many users opt to wear theatrical contact lenses because they are the most convenient method to create a new look. To those who love fashion, this type of contact lens could serve as a key to stand out. They can also give clear vision while at the same time; they can boost a person's ego and perhaps, his outlook in life. Basically theatrical contact lenses are just plain fun.

It is true that the eyes are the windows of one's soul speaking volumes of one's personality and the inner being as well. Changing the view can provide a person with a new view of life. Stuffing them with various designs, patterns and colors will not really mean that a person is covering his true self rather; he is simply making himself more fun to be with. So, if you want to change your life temporarily try a set of theatrical contact lenses. You never know what the experience will bring to your real life.

James Kesel, MS, is the publisher of the Discounted Contact Lenses website at http://www.discountedcontact-lenses.com. Providing quality information on contact lenses and their accessories including theatrical contact lenses.

Contact Lenses And Water Don't Mix

2012-01-04T04:06:00.000-08:00

A very common question that new contact lens users ask is whether or not they can go swimming with their contacts in. Others wonder if it's ok to shower or bathe with their contacts, or even splash water on their face. There are a lot of water-based activities in our daily lives and sometimes contacts don't fit into those activities too well.

Swimming with Contacts

It's never a good idea to swim with your contact lenses in. In fact, it could be very bad for your eyes. In a pool, the chemicals needed to maintain the pH and the chlorine can irritate your eyes under normal circumstances, but with contacts, they will be trapped right up against your eye, even after you get out of the pool and the pool water can actually cause infections as bacteria are introduced to the eye.

In addition to the above issues, contacts absorb water. If they absorb pool water, with all the chemicals, it can be common for the contact lenses to actually stick to the eye itself. While this is usually not serious, it can definitely be uncomfortable. To correct the problem, leave the contacts in and don't try to remove them until your natural tears have replaced the pool water in the contact lenses.

Even if you go swimming in a lake, it's not a good idea to use your contacts as they can actually be floated out of your eye by large quantities of water. However, if you need your contacts while swimming, a very tightly fitted pair of swim goggles can help ensure that they don't get lost.

Showering and Bathing with Contacts

Showering offers the same hazards as mentioned above with swimming. The quantity of water can wash the contact lenses right out of your eyes and may cause problems if your water is chlorinated. While the exposure to chemicals is probably not long enough to cause issues, there is a chance that chlorine will be trapped behind the contact, causing irritation and discomfort.

Some people do manage to shower with their contacts in, by simply not looking up into the water or by closing their eyes during the shower. While possible, it's not advisable. There is a pretty high risk that you'll lose your contacts and they can easily be washed down the drain, making it impossible to recover them. It's a better idea to simply wait until after your morning shower to put your contacts in.

Taking a bath shouldn't be a problem, as long as you don't go under the water. It's possible to wash up without risking the loss of your lenses and this shouldn't be an issue. Most people don't submerge themselves in the bathtub anyway.

Face Washing with Contacts

In general, you should be able to wash your face with your contacts in, as long as you aren't splashing water into your eyes. Regular face washing is just fine. Most people close their eyes anyway while washing their face, which ensures that your contact lenses will remain firmly in place.

Contacts and water don't mix, particularly water that has been chlorinated. There are situations, like a bath or washing your face, when you don't necessarily have to remove the contact lenses, but to be sure you don't end up with overly irritated eyes and lost contacts, it's best to just avoid using contacts when you are swimming or showering. This will keep them safe, particularly if you aren't using disposable ones and have paid a chunk of change for your contacts!

Clearly Contacts offers a wide variety of contact lenses. We do worldwide delivery of brand name contacts such as Acuvue, Dailies, Softlens and more.

The Value Of Using Ciba Vision Contact Lenses

2012-01-04T04:04:00.000-08:00

Wondering about Ciba Vision contacts? There are many kinds of contact lens distributor nowadays. Out of the various companies aiming to provide proper care for the eyes while using contact lens, consumers can zero in on one tough brand. This particular brand can offer exciting benefits and quality for the costs gained.

Among the best choices for contact lens is Ciba Vision. Ciba is Novartis Company that boasts of a long-line of credentials for manufacturing and care of contact lens through intensive continuous research and development. The company is based in Georgia and provides eye wear services to over 70 countries from all over the world. Of course they manufacture Ciba Vision contacts.

Aside from regular contact lenses, Ciba Vision also manufactures great line of colored contact lenses. Its Freshlook line enables people to enhance their look by using a wide range of different eye colors. Certain eye modalities are also applicable to cater for different eye types. Colored contact lenses are now being worn by people who do not need corrective lenses for theatrical purposes. Some purchasers change the color of their eyes several times a week.

And for those who wanted the ease of a durable yet comfortable long lasting contact lens, Ciba?s monthly contact lenses will do the job. The Ciba Vision focus monthlies soft color contacts can give wearers the ability to comfortably replace their lenses on a monthly basis. These are not only a hygienic alternative but it is also a more affordable choice. All that needs to be done is to clean these lenses every night and then replace them a month after they were used. Because of the monthly replacement, the Ciba Vision focus monthlies soft color can give users the benefit of fresh and clear contact lenses every day.

Aside from the comfort it brings, the Ciba Vision focus monthlies soft color can also help you keep a tabs on your contact lens usage better than ever before. At the end of each month, you would automatically need to replace them. How simple is that? In addition, they are also less expensive as the average cost is only around 52 cents a day. You will find discounted contact lenses are available on the Internet. Each box of Ciba Vision monthlies soft color contacts usually comes with six lenses. This conveniently makes the package last for up to a 6 months period of time. What this means is that you only have to order and purchase two packages each year. It probably would not be wise to order more than two packages at a time as there is the possibility that your prescription may change over the year. Any perceived changes in vision should be cause to have your eyes examined again.

One possible complaint about the Ciba monthly contacts is that there are only a few colors available to choose from. At this time there are only Royal Blue, Evergreen, and Aqua colors available. One would hope that the company will soon expand it color selection to include other colors used for cosmetic and theatrical purposes.

Ciba Vision disposable contact lenses are usually opted for by wearers because aside from being hygienic, they are also not that much of a task to keep clean and sanitary. The only time they need to be replaced is at the end of the month unless they are scratched or damaged. Let?s face it Ciba vision contacts are a great way to correct ones vision with style and color.

Contact Lenses - Tips And Tricks For First Time Users

2012-01-04T03:56:00.000-08:00

It's quite common for people to avoid getting contact glasses or lenses because they are unsure of how to put them in... or even that they will be able to deal with having something in their eyes every day. However, contacts are really quite easy to use, once you get the hang of it. The first couple of times, you may be hesitant, but this article will show you how to put your new contact lenses in and how to ensure that they don't bother you.

To make sure that your contact glasses don't have calcium build up that could irritate your eyes, you'll want to soak them in lens cleaning solution for at least 4-6 hours. This will loosen up anything that has built up during the time they have been in the package. After the soak time, rinse your contacts thoroughly with saline solution (NOT tap water) and check them for any scratches or tears. Then you're ready to put them in.

You should wash your hands with soap and water before handling your contact glasses. This just ensures that no dirt or grime will get trapped under the lens where it can irritate your eye. Also, dry your hands carefully, since a wet fingertip will tend to stick to the contact, making it harder to insert.

Once you have prepared everything and your hands and contact glasses are nice and clean, you are ready to get started. Take the first contact lens and place it on your fingertip. It should look like a little bowl sitting there, with the top edges horizontal. Soft contacts can get turned inside out by accident sometimes and if this happens, you'll notice that the edges flare out. Just turn it right side out and it will be fine.

The easiest way to put your contact glasses in is to place the contact lens on the index finger of the hand closest to your eye, left hand for left side, etc. Use the middle finger of that same hand to pull the lower eyelid down and the opposite hand to lift the upper lid. Basically, you want your eye open as much as possible, you should be able to see the entire colored part of your eye.

Now, place the contact gently in the eye, making sure that it doesn't stick to your finger and let go of your eyelids. Blink a few times and the contact will automatically center itself. You should be fairly comfortable at this point. But, to make sure that you don't have any problems, you'll want to make sure that you don't wear your new contacts for very long the first few times, since they can be drying to the eyes.

Following the recommended time schedule for wearing your contact glasses is definitely a good idea, but you might want to use some lubricating eye drops (ask your eye doctor for recommendations) to help ease any discomfort. It's normal to have slightly irritated eyes the first few times that you wear contacts. You might find that your eyes tear up and get a bit red, but that's normal. However, pain is not, so if you have any pain, just take them out.

Trying out contact lenses for the first time can be a bit nerve-wracking, but it will get easier. Within a week, you'll be a complete expert at putting your contacts in and taking them out!

Clearly Contacts is the only online contact lens company that offers high quality contact lenses and delivers worldwide.

Using Contact Lenses For Your Eyes

2011-12-10T03:41:00.000-08:00

Today contact lenses have changed so much and now they offer exciting uses for the wearers. Now you can have a pair of baby blue eyes one day and the next day you may have sparkling golden eyes. Now you may toss your disposable lenses into the garbage every night or simply you can wear the lenses for the entire month! People with vision troubles can use contact lenses which is an effective way. This thin plastic lenses are placed on the eye's cornea to correct various vision problems such as astigmatism, farsightedness and nearsightedness, but these days you can continue to wear lenses even if you have Presbyopia and need bifocals.

Presently you have many options to choose from; firstly check out the choices of contact lenses and then speak to your doctor regarding the contact lens that will fit you. Basically contact lenses are separated into two main types; they are soft and rigid gas permeable. Soft contact lenses are made from soft polymer plastic substance with a small percentage of water combined to it. Here the water allows oxygen to move through the contact lens which increases its comfort. These soft contact lenses also give protection from UV radiations.

Most of the soft contact lenses are throwaway and can be disposed after its usage after a short period. If you are using a fresh pair of soft contact lenses everyday, then there is lesser chances of infection, requires minimum care and cleaning. The lens will be more comfortable, particularly for those people whose eyes produce more protein which naturally clouds contact lenses. Other soft contact lenses are worn on a yearly basis which isn't disposable. But many people prefer soft contact lenses as they have better benefits. The disadvantage of soft contact lenses is that they absorb pollutants like soap or dirt from your hands, which may irritate your eyes. Soft contact lenses are very delicate as they can tear easily compared to hard contact lenses.

The most modern types of soft contact lenses to make into the market are ?Daily Disposables? which are soft contact lenses worn only for a day and then disposed off. The advantage is that, you need not clean your contact lenses regularly and if you are allergic to something, then these contact lenses are for you! The ?Silicone Extended Wear Disposables? are soft contact lenses are made from a new type of silicone hydro-gel substance which can be used up to 30 days! This new type of silicone material helps to prevent or reduce dry eye irritation.

The lens will be more comfortable, particularly for those people whose eyes produce more protein which naturally clouds contact lenses. Other soft contact lenses are worn on a yearly basis which isn't disposable. The disadvantage of soft contact lenses is that they absorb pollutants like soap or dirt from your hands, which may irritate your eyes. Soft contact lenses are very delicate as they can tear easily compared to hard contact lenses. he most modern types of soft contact lenses to make into the market are ?Daily Disposables? which are soft contact lenses worn only for a day and then disposed off. The advantage is that, you need not clean your contact lenses regularly and if you are allergic to something, then these contact lenses are for you! The ?Silicone Extended Wear Disposables? are soft contact lenses are made from a new type of silicone hydro-gel substance which can be used up to 30 days! This new type of silicone material helps to prevent or reduce dry eye irritation.

For further information on polarized sun glasses, prescription snorkel, polarized safety glasses please visit http://www.safevision.net/

Bifocal Contact Lenses - Improving Vision

2011-12-08T05:49:00.000-08:00

Thick lenses with a line across them were the only option available to those who had nearsightedness and farsightedness. The frames for glasses in general were heavy and very unattractive. The problem with wearing bifocals was getting used to them. You need to look either up or look down especially going down stairs. Adjusting to wearing bifocals made some people feel dizzy.

People had only one choice if they wore bifocals, eyeglasses. When contacts hit the market bifocals still had to be in eyeglasses. That was then and this is now. Those who wear eyeglasses may have far fewer choices than those who wear contact lenses may. Many people are happy because now contact lenses come in contact lenses. Contact bifocals are available in rigid, soft, and gas permeable materials.

Who needs to wear bifocal contact lenses? People focusing on near objects who have trouble. The name of what they suffer with is Presbyopia. Over the age of 40 is when this usually happens.

Alternating Design and Bifocal Eyeglasses are alike because one half of the lens enables distance vision and the other allows you to see near. Lenses that try to blend both near and distance prescriptions fill in the pupil area and are called Simultaneous Design. Your eyes will learn to interpret the circle power choices depending on how near or far you are looking.

The radial of contact lenses is the concentric design lens. The inner lens will work on either the nearness vision or the distant vision and so can the outer part of the lens.

Translating design contacts are similar to bifocal eyeglasses where the distant correction is above the nearness vision correction. A line makes the lenses separate. The bottom of the lens is flat to keep it from moving around in your eye when you blink.

Both distant and near vision are located at the center of the Asferic Design lenses. The near correction in the center is surrounded by distance correction.

Sometimes they can be reversed in some situations. You and your doctor can decide that.

With mono-vision design lenses you have one power lens in one eye and then the other power lens in the other eye. Usually the distant vision lens is worn in the dominant eye. An examination by your doctor will be able to determine this.

There are also simultaneous vision lenses. Your eyes can focus on things that are both near and far at the same time. Distant and near correction is concentric rings.The near and far parts of the lens are in sight all the time so the light from both distant and near objects can be focused on at the same time.

Simultaneous vision contact lenses have a problem. The light from the near part of the lens will go through the distant part and vice versa when the eye is looking through it. Both in focus and out of focus can be taken in by the eye at the same time.

The brain has to figure out which is the correct image. Whether contact lenses are bifocals or not, you must obtain a prescription. Your eye doctor will do a very thorough exam to decide if you are a candidate for bifocal contacts and what type might be right for you.

Lenses that fit and are comfortable may take time to find, as with any contact lens there is an adjustment. Bifocal lenses may not be for you, at least not in the contact lenses currently available.

There may be contact lenses out there, don't give up.Do your research if you really want contacts and need bifocals and keep informed on the types of lenses available to you.There are resources available online, through your eye care physician, and in some cases right from the manufacturer.

There are discount websites for contact lenses and some manufacturers will give you a coupon for their lenses if you try them. Your budget will affect your decision about bifocal lenses without a doubt.

Check with friends and family who wear contacts and see what their experience was like. Although not everyone has the same experience, the information could help you and your doctor make the decision. Bifocal contact lenses are available now for people with astigmatism.

Toric contact lenses come in both color and disposable lenses. Check with your eye doctor about Toric lenses because some professionals are uncomfortable fitting them.

Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of products which includes Bifocal Contact Lenses and Contact Lenses and more. http://www.2020-contact-lenses.com

Contact lenses

2009-07-07T23:02:00.000-07:00

Contact lenses! Yes the user friendly thing that you always wanted to owe. Now the times have changed really. Everyone wants to look smart and happening then why wear those dull, old, boring pair of glasses. Of course you must be irritated wearing those, then who doesn't? Today a lot has changed and is still in progress. Also with the advent of new technologies there is much more for us and one of these inventions are a cute looking small pair of those contact lenses.

They are very much in use now days, the reason being that they are very comfortable as compared to the spectacles. Due to its advantages it’s becoming a popular thing, especially amongst youngsters. Today contact lenses have acquired both name and fame due its advantages over glasses. They are so soft and comfortable to wear that any age group can wear it. Also they provide better vision and even do not provide disrupt and sometimes blur vision. They are also available in different colours and varieties.

How many times have you faced a problem wearing your glasses? I think several times! The lenses are available in variety from the cheapest to the expensive ones but they all differ in characteristics. Some of the cheap qualities may not be used for a longer period have to be disposed off, but those expensive stay for long and provide comfort. Even they are available in different colours as per the choice of the customer and in their different sizes of the cornea. They are actually hands free also. Yeah! Exactly like mobile’s hand –free as they don’t require your hands repeatedly, which is very much problematic in case of spectacles?

So the next time you visit your optician it should be for the need of good, cute pair of contact lenses and get rid of those old pair of spectacles of yours.