Contact lenses > Contact Lens Wear Is A Possibility if You Have Dry Eyes!

Contact Lens Wear Is A Possibility if You Have Dry Eyes!

by: Steve Cogger

Two things that never used to go together are contact lenses and dry eyes. It used to be that having dry eyes meant, in simple words, inability to wear contact lenses. Today things are different, contact lenses and dry eyes can and do go very well together.

Having dry eyes simply means that you may have to evaluate a variety of lenses before finding the right kind for you. A qualified contact lens fitter should be able to find a specific lens that will work well for most any eye, even dry eyes.

Soft contact lens manufacturers such as CooperVision and Vistakon have developed materials that are designed specifically to stay hydrated while on a dry eye. Lenses such as the Proclear Compatibles, Acuvue Oasys, Extreme H2O, and Purevision work wonders in a dry eye environment. Each lens is made from a unique proprietary plastic that retains water content, hydration, and/or shape throughout the day.

Rigid gas permeable lenses also work very well on dry eyes. An RGP lens is made of a rigid plastic that does not absorb as much solution as a soft lens. Therefore, RGP lenses do not dehydrate on an eye, which is what causes dry eye discomfort. RGP's can made of a number of plastics, including some that are extremely oxygen permeable and some that have a very low wetting angle. A low wetting angle means the lens will feel moist while being worn.

The latest advancement in RGP lenses for dry eyes is plasma treatment. Paragon Vision has discovered a way to alter the surface molecules of an RGP contact lens making it more comfortable for most people. Plasma treatment has proven to be a major advancement RGP contact lenses and dry eyes.

Still another option for dry eyes is semi-scleral gas permeable lenses. Semi-sclerals are made of gas permeable materials, yet are the size of most soft lenses. The outcome is a lens that is as comfortable as a soft lens, with the non-dehydrating benefits of a gas permeable.

The type of contact lens used is only part of the equation. The solution and care system is a major portion of lens success. Just how lenses and lens materials are different, so are all care systems. Depending on the type of dry eye and lens used, a different conditioning solution, cleaner, or rewetting drop may change the way you wear your contacts.

Just because you have dry eyes doesn't mean you can't be a successful contact lens wearer. Given the new contact lens designs and materials available coupled with new solution systems the world of contact lens wear possibilities is open to you.

About The Author

Steve Cogger, referred to by some of his patients as a contact lens genius, practices in New York City and a fellow of the Contact Lens Society of America. He is also webmaster of http://www.All-About-Contact-Lenses.com an
informative consumer site.

Anyone Can Clean Their Car, But What About Those Cloudy, Yellow Headlights?

by: David Maillie

It is a very common occurence. We see then every day. Its like a disease - yellow, cloudy headlight lenses. I even saw them on cars at the local carwash. It befuddled me that these people would take such great care - washing, vacuuming the interior, removing the floor mats and even hand drying their cars, but they still had those yellowed, cloudy headlights. Its not just a problem on old, very used cars. It is prevalent on 2 - 3 year old cars also. It doesn't matter if it is a Dodge, Ford, Mercedes, or a Porsche.

When questioned, most said they couldn't afford, or didn't want to pay the high prices of replacements from their local auto dealer. The average price for a pair of replacement plastic headlights at local auto dealerships was around $450 - that didn't even include installation and alignment (that would be another $60-120). Aftermarket headlights...

Anyone Can Clean Their Car, But What About Those Cloudy, Yellow Headlights?

Contact lenses > Anyone Can Clean Their Car, But What About Those Cloudy, Yellow Headlights?

Motorcycle Face and Eye Apparel ? A Hoax or Coax

by: Maricon Williams

Motorcycle face and eye apparel saves face. Every rider who has been hit by debris, bugs or insects, blaze of the sun can go into details on how they are benefited by said motorcycle apparel.

Windshields and sunglasses may not offer the best protection that we need. This is because debris, wind, bugs or insects may still pass behind a windshield. On the other hand, sunglasses or goggles with shatterproof lenses may not seal out the harsh wind or water from entering our eyes.

Face shields cover all or a portion of our face. They come in a wide range of designs and colors. Face shields must allow airflow, easy breathing and prevent fogging. The most popular face shield is the flip-up type. In connection with the non-flip types, we have bubble shield and flat shield. Bubble shield is a bit curved thus, in selecting the same, be sure that it will not distort your vision...

Motorcycle Face and Eye Apparel ? A Hoax or Coax

Contact lenses > Motorcycle Face and Eye Apparel ? A Hoax or Coax

Unsure About LASIK? Alternatives to LASIK Surgery

by: Nicola Kennedy

It?s true that LASIK is one of the most prevalent types of eye surgery. However, a few people are either not comfortable with, or not suitable for LASIK surgery due to inadequate thickness of the corneal tissue. There are several alternatives to LASIK surgery, each possessing certain characteristics that make it more appropriate in a particular situation. The procedures may be different, but the key intent is to correct the vision. The following are a few of the major alternatives to LASIK surgery.

LASEK (Laser-Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratomiluesis) is a recent addition to the refractive surgery catalog. As noted above, the density of the corneal tissue is inadequate in some patients, and hence, LASIK is not a possible option for them. In such a scenario, procedures like LASEK or PRK (Photo-Refractive Keratectomy) can be viable alternatives. These procedures produce the same...

Unsure About LASIK? Alternatives to LASIK Surgery

Contact lenses > Unsure About LASIK? Alternatives to LASIK Surgery

The Latest in Contact Lenses and Designs

The Latest in Contact Lenses and Designs

by: Dakota Caudilla

There is vast development and growth in the eye care industry today, particularly the contact lens sector, mainly because more and more people are starting to develop sight problems (because of consistent computer use and lengthy hours in front of the television set). Those with sight problems have two options, i.e. to wear glasses or to wear contact lenses.

There are problems to both of these options. Eyeglasses are not irritating to the eyes but it is definitely cumbersome because it can be bulky and inconvenient, i.e. showering, exercising, gym, swimming, etc. In the meantime, there?s the other alternative to eyeglasses, contact lenses. Some kids as young as 12-years-old have started wearing contact lenses instead of spectacles because they want to look good.

As the demographics of contact lens users grow, contact lens designers and developers are scampering around for a...

The Latest in Contact Lenses and Designs

Contact lenses > The Latest in Contact Lenses and Designs

How Do Colored Contact Lenses Work?

by: Steve Cogger

The ability to change your eye color simply by

putting on a contact lens is becoming more popular

every day. Many people like them for fun and never

really care how colored contact lenses work. If

you are a little more inquisitive, read on and I

will tell you exactly how colored contact lenses

work.

The concept of colored contact lenses is to cover

the iris with a new color. In general, neat

colored contact lenses come in two varieties;

opaque colors and enhancement tints. Both designs

work well depending on the iris color they are

covering. One amazing feature of colored lenses is

that they never look exactly the same on one

person as they do on another.

Opaque lenses are intended to change an eye’s

color entirely. Opaque lenses can be used to

change a green eye blue or brown eye green. They

usually have a clear pupil opening...

How Do Colored Contact Lenses Work?

Contact lenses > How Do Colored Contact Lenses Work?