Caring for gas permeable contact lenses isn’t as easy as just tossing out a pair of disposable soft lenses. It will take a little bit of effort. It’s still a much better solution than wearing glasses though.

With contact lenses you don’t have to worry about getting those unsightly nose indentations or looking bug eyed from a really strong prescription. 

• The first thing you need to do is clean and sanitize your hands. Be sure to scrub thoroughly to remove any dirt and grime you might have on your hands. If you don’t it’s going in your eye. If you don’t use antibacterial soap then it’s a good idea to use hand sanitizer after you finish washing up. 
• Next thing you’ll want to do is plug the sink drain. Trust me, I’ve lost enough lenses down the drain, don’t learn the hard way. 
• Remove a contact lens from your eye and place it on the tip of your index finger or in the palm of your hand. 
•  Next rinse the lens again, this time with saline solution this will keep any gunk that might be in the tap water from getting in the lens. 
• Place the lens inside its storage case. 
• Fill the contact lens cap up with a conditioning solution and then close the lid.
• Use a couple drops of cleaner solution to fill up the contact lens. Work the solution in with your fingers for about half a minute. Don’t rub too hard though or the lens might tear. 
• Once you’re finished scrubbing rinse the lens off with some tap water to get rid of all the cleaning solution. 
• Next rinse the lens again, this time with saline solution this will keep any gunk that might be in the tap water from getting in the lens.
• Place the lens inside its storage case.
• Fill the contact lens cap up with a conditioning solution and then close the lid

What are they?

Also called contacts, they are small, round, rigid or floppy lenses that sit on the eye. The thought of this makes a lot of people squirm but they actually float on the layer of clear liquid that bathes the eye.

They can improve sight, just like spectacles, or they can be worn for cosmetic reasons – such as colored or special effects lenses.

Specialized therapeutic lenses can be used to deliver medication or to heal an eye wound.Some lenses may be implanted inside the eye during an operation to improve sight.

Most lenses now have a pale tint of color which doesn’t show when they are being worn, but it does help to wearer to find them in the soaking pot or if when they are dropped.

Why do people wear them?

They may just hate wearing spectacles! Contacts are also more practical – they don’t steam up, don’t go streaky when it rains and give the wearer a wider field of vision and are better for those who love sporting activities. Worldwide, about 135 million people with vision problems wear them.

Can Anyone Wear Them?

Contacts are not recommended for people who:

• Are very near sighted
• Have a history of corneal infections
• Work in an industry where they are exposed to chemical fumes, dust, or dirt
• Have allergies to lens-care products
• Are diabetic because they are prone to infections and their bodies may not tolerate even a mild infection
• Are under the age of nine

If you have very dry eyes, you may have problems but you could try using lubricating eye drops or Acuvue Oasys contact lenses.

Up until a few years ago, people with astigmatism couldn’t wear contacts. Now, many of them can, with the arrival of toric and Multifocal lenses. As a general rule, if your prescription is not too complicated, there is no reason why you shouldn’t wear contact lenses.

How Long Can I Wear Them For?

It depends which sort of lenses you have:

• Daily wear lenses are worn during your waking hours.

• Extended wear or EW lenses can be worn continuously. You can sleep in them for 6 or more consecutive nights and then dispose of them.

• CW or continuous wear lenses are usually made from silicone hydrogel. You can wear these for up to a month and then discard them.

These last two are becoming very popular. The reason that they may be worn for such a long time is because they let a high amount of oxygen through to the eye – as much as 5-6 times more than ‘normal’ soft lenses.

You can take a short nap in ‘normal’ lenses but don’t ever try wearing them overnight – it’s extremely uncomfortable and could damage your eye.

How Often Should I Replace Them?

Again, it depends on which sort you have.

• Daily disposables should be worn for one day and then thrown away. They come in multipacks. These are great for anyone with any kind of eye allergies as the short life of the lenses doesn’t allow for protein to build up on their surface. They’re also very useful for occasional wear.

• The most common types of contacts are worn during the day and then disposed of after two weeks or a month.
• Extended wear lenses are worn for 6 or 30 full days and nights and then disposed of.
• Rigid gas permeable lenses are durable and if looked after well, can last for several years!

When contact lenses first became popular, they were mainly ‘Hard’ Lenses. These were replaced quarterly or annually but in order to last so long, they were thicker than what we’re used to now. They needed regular cleaning with protein removers which meant you couldn’t wear them while that was occurring. People used to join a ‘contact lens scheme’ – like an insurance policy so that if you lost one, you could get a replacement. With multipacks available that’s no longer necessary.

Are They Safe?

If good hygiene is used and you care for your lenses as instructed by your eye care professional, you shouldn’t have any difficulties. The most common causes of eye infections are poor cleaning and careless storing of the lenses.

If you wear contact lenses, you must see your eye care professional every six months to make sure that your eyes are tolerating the lenses successfully.

If you wish to buy colored or pattered lenses from the internet, you must have your eyes measured properly first in order to obtain correctly fitting lenses. Some sites sell ‘one size fits all’ lenses but the simple truth is that there is no such thing and wearing them would not only be uncomfortable but could damage your eye.

How come they’re less expensive to buy online?

Many people are tempted by the lower prices on offer but are worried about buying cheaper lenses online.

‘Cheaper’ doesn’t mean lower quality lenses. These online companies sell exactly the same lenses as your High Street provider. You just pay less for them online. This is because there are only a few main contact lens manufacturers and they just repackage the same lenses for their different ‘own brand’ outlets. It’s as simple as that!

If you already wear lenses and you get them from the High Street or a mall, do a search online and you can find out what brand your lenses actually are. Once you know, you can shop around to find the best deal! Buying ‘multipacks’ works out the cheapest and is also useful as it means you always have spare pairs of lenses.

Online providers don’t have to pay fees on expensive premises, eye doctor salaries or other overheads. They also buy in bulk directly from the manufacturer. All of these savings mean that they can afford to sell them more cheaply – and still make a profit! This method of selling has proved so successful that supermarkets and High Street eye doctors are now offering their own discounts. It’s a buyers market!

Do I need a prescription to buy lenses online?

Yes – you must have a prescription that is no older than a year. And, if you are buying colored or patterned lenses as a cosmetic feature and not a sight correction, you still need to have your eyes measured for the lenses to fit properly. How do I get a prescription?

If you are already a contact lens wearer:

• If your prescription is over a year old, you will need a sight test and to have your eyes checked to make sure they are healthy. Measurements will be taken to see if the shape of your eye has changed at all.
• If you can’t find your prescription and it is under a year old, your provider is legally bound to give you a copy, free of charge.

If you’ve never worn lenses:

• You will need to see an eye care doctor for a sight test and to have your eyes measured. If your sight is normal – just ask for measurements for contacts.

• Your contact lens prescription legally belongs to you and you should be given a copy of it at each appointment.

Contact lenses can revolutionize your vision and your appearance. Just follow the care instructions and make sure you get your check ups…and enjoy!

Hard or Rigid Contact Lenses

Hard or rigid contact lenses are more rigid than soft contact lenses. This makes them more durable than soft contact lenses however they are not as comfortable. Read more>>>

Soft Contact Lenses

Soft contact lenses are the most commonly used of lenses. This is because they feel more comfortable in the eye than hard or rigid contact lenses. However they are far less durable than hard contact lenses. Read more>>>

Daily Contact Lenses

Daily soft contact lenses are worn only for one day. They must then be removed, cleaned and then replaced. Read more>>>

Extended Wear Lenses

Extended wear lenses can be worn for up to a week before replacing. However due to risk of infection it is recommended to remove them daily for cleaning. Read more>>>

Disposable Contact Lenses

These type of lenses are perhaps the most convenient to use as there is no cleaning involved. They are worn a certain period of time and then discarded. Read more>>>

Colored Contact Lenses

Colored contact lenses are the rage. There are four different types – visibility tints, enhancement tints,  opaque color tints and light filtering tints. Read more>>>

Theatrical or Crazy Contact Lenses

These are the most bizarre of contact lenses and a lot of fun. More and more themes are becoming available. Read more>>>

Bifocal Contact Lenses

Suitable for those with presbyopia or age related eye disorder. Read More>>>

We all notice differences as we get older.  Our joints get creakier and our vision isn’t what it used to be.  There is a condition which you may not be aware of, called macular degeneration.  If you are over 50 and have been noticing issues with your central vision, you may find this information helpful.

What is it?

On the inside back wall of your eyeball there is a layer of tissue called the macula.  This tissue is densely packed with cells that are sensitive to light and it is responsible for your central vision.  However, as we age, this tissue can deteriorate and the condition is called macular degeneration.  There are two types, dry and wet.  Dry macular degeneration is the most common form.  Rarely, this can go on to develop into ‘wet’ macular degeneration where new blood vessels grow and leak fluid under the macula.

Initially, only one eye may be affected but eventually, both eyes usually become involved.

Macular degeneration won’t make you blind but it does adversely affect your quality of life by blurring or causing a blind spot in your central vision.

What are the symptoms?

Dry macular degeneration is usually painless and develops very slowly.  You may notice some of these symptoms:

• Needing increasingly bright light if you’re reading or doing close work
• Having problems with adapting to low light levels, like going into a dimly lit restaurant
• Printed words may look more and more blurred
• Colors may not look as bright or intense as they did before
• You may find it hard to recognize faces
• Your overall vision may become increasingly hazy
• You may notice blurring or a blind spot in the center of your vision

You may only experience problems with one eye and if you do, it may take a while for you to notice any changes because your ‘good’ eye will compensate for the ‘poor’ one.  You may suffer headaches as the good eye struggles to cope.  If you have the condition in both eyes, you would definitely notice as it would affect your vision and therefore, how you live.

Hallucinations

Some people who have macular degeneration may ‘see’ patterns, geometric shapes, animals or faces as their vision is more affected.  This can lead to them not wishing to discuss the issue for fear they are going crazy – or can lead to a misdiagnosis of migraine.

These hallucinations are common to the disorder and are called ‘Charles Bonnet’ syndrome.  An optometrist would recognize this so if you suspect you have this condition, it’s worth a visit for a check up.

What causes it?

The exact cause isn’t known but it is recognized as developing as the eye ages.  Close to the back of your eye is the retina.  Just behind the retina there is a single layer of cells called the retinal pigment epithelium.  As the eye ages, these cells begin to lose their pigment and become harder.  This means that they cannot fulfill one of their functions, which is to remove outer cell segments which are no longer required by the eye.  These particles of segment waste are called drusen.  They are yellow, fatty-type deposits which start to build up under the macula and so your vision becomes worse.

Stages of progression

Dry macular degeneration has three stages:

1.      Early – There’s no loss of vision in this stage but an ophthalmologist would be able to see small drusen on the macula in one eye, or both eyes.

2.      Intermediate – You may be having problems with your central vision blurring and may be needing extra light for reading or close work.  Your ophthalmologist would now see many medium sized drusen are now visible in one or both eyes.

3.      Advanced – The area of your central vision would now have a definite spot of blurring which may become larger and more dense as time goes on.  Large drusen would now be visible on an eye examination as well as light-sensitive cells breaking down in the macula.

When should I see my doctor?

If you are over 50 and notice changes in your central vision and/or you can no longer see colors and fine detail, it’s a good idea to see your Doctor or Opthalmologist.  Make the best use of that limited time by preparing beforehand.

• When you make the appointment, ask if there’s anything you need to do in advance.
• Write down any symptoms you’re experiencing, even if you don’t think that they are related to your vision issues.
• Make a list of all medications, including any vitamins or supplements that you’re taking.
• Ask a family member or friend to take you.  Your Doctor will use drops to dilate your pupils for the eye examination and you may need someone else to drive or help you home from your appointment.

Try this free test

You may also like to check out your vision using this Amsler grid, which is freely available on the internet from the Mayo Clinic.  This is a simple test that involves looking at a grid pattern.  It may show changes in your vision that you hadn’t noticed.

How to perform the test:

• Hold the grid 14 inches (about 36 centimeters) in front of you in good light. If you usually wear sight correcting spectacles or reading glasses, then wear them for the test.
• Cover one eye.
• Look directly at the center dot with your uncovered eye.
• While looking at this dot, see if all of the lines of the grid appear straight, uninterrupted and have the same contrast.
• Repeat the above steps with your other eye.
• If any part of the grid is missing or looks wavy, blurred or dark, contact your eye doctor.

Can anyone get it?

There are some known risk factors which increase your chances of developing it:

• Age. In the USA, macular degeneration is the most common reason for severe loss of vision in the 60 and older age group.
• Family history of macular degeneration. If someone in your family had macular degeneration, then you have a higher chance of developing it yourself.  Researchers have now identified some of the genes associated with macular degeneration and it is possible that genetic screening tests may be available in the future.
• Race. Macular degeneration is more common in whites than it is in other racial groups, especially after the age of 75.
• Sex. Women are more likely than men to develop macular degeneration.  They are also more likely to experience the effects of severe vision loss from the disease, simply because (on average) they live longer.
• Cigarette smoking. Exposure to cigarette smoke doubles your risk of developing macular degeneration. Cigarette smoking is the single most preventable cause of macular degeneration.
• Obesity. If you have early or intermediate macular degeneration, obesity will increase the likelihood of it progressing to the advanced stage.
• Light-colored eyes. People with light-colored eyes seem to be at greater risk than those with darker eyes.
• Exposure to sunlight. Some experts believe that long-term exposure to ultraviolet light may increase your risk of developing macular degeneration.  However, there is no proof to back up this claim and so it remains controversial.
• Low levels of nutrients. Antioxidants may protect your cells from oxygen damage (oxidation), which may be partially responsible for the effects of aging and therefore, for the development of diseases such as macular degeneration. Antioxidants include zinc, minerals and vitamins A, C and E.
• Cardiovascular diseases. These include high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack and coronary artery disease with chest pain (angina).

What is the treatment?

Unfortunately, there is no treatment to reverse the effects of dry macular degeneration.  However, you won’t lose your sight.  This condition progresses slowly and most people are able to continue to live relatively normal lives.  However, as previously mentioned, in rare cases, dry macular degeneration can develop into the ‘wet’ type which progresses more rapidly.

What can I do?

Check out the risk factors listed above.  Keep your weight down and try to stop smoking.  If you can’t stop, try and cut down as much as possible.

Taking anti oxidants will help.

An Age-Related Eye Disease Study sponsored by The National Eye Institute showed that a daily supplement of

• 500 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C

• 400 international units (IU) of vitamin E

• 15 mg of beta carotene (often as vitamin A – up to 25,000 IU)

• 80 mg of zinc (as zinc oxide) and

• 2 mg of copper (as cupric oxide)

reduced the risk of progressing to moderate or severe vision loss by up to 25 percent.