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
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Sensitive Skin? 8 Tips for Preventing Contact Dermatitis
Sensitive Skin?
8 Tips for Preventing Contact Dermatitis
by: Mark Stephen Thevenot
Skin care products, makeup, perfumes and other cosmetics are a large part of our life.
Nothing can ruin your day like a rash on your face. They seem to magically appear just before the big reveal. For all of us, especially those with sensitive skin, ?irritant contact dermatitis? or the more serious ?allergic contact dermatitis? is a risk associated with any chemical substance applied to our skin. Fortunately, severe allergic reactions to cosmetics are rare. Unfortunately, mild or even severe skin irritations, which can include itchy red patches, swelling, burning or stinging, blistering and later scaling and peeling, are not uncommon. Here are some practical tips which can reduce your chances of experiencing skin reactions to cosmetics:
1) Look for products that are hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. These are less likely to cause a problem. I prefer...
Sensitive Skin? 8 Tips for Preventing Contact Dermatitis
Contact lenses > Sensitive Skin? 8 Tips for Preventing Contact Dermatitis
What Is Dry Eye Syndrome?
What Is Dry Eye Syndrome?
by: Nicola Kennedy
Dry eye syndrome, also called Keratoconjunctivitis sicca or xerophthalmia, refers to a lack of lubrication and moisture in the eye. This is mainly due to a decrease in the tear production or an increase in the tear film evaporation. The typical symptoms of dry eye syndrome are burning and a subtle but constant eye irritation. The condition may also lead to inflammation of the frontal eye tissue.
There are several factors that may bring about dry eye syndrome. The condition is more common with older age, since tear production decreases with age. Dry eye as a syndrome may occur as a side effect of many medications. Harsh environmental conditions, such as a dusty or windy climate, may worsen the condition. Even your workplace environment, comprising of air conditioning or a dry heating system, may easily dry out your eyes. Insufficient blinking, such as, when constantly staring at a monitor screen, is...
What Is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Contact lenses > What Is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Facts About Colored Contact Lenses
Facts About Colored Contact Lenses
by: Martin Smith
Colored Contact Lenses are the fashion statement of the day. They are available in shades of green, blue, and sometimes lavender. Colored contacts need to be matched to your skin tone for best results.
There are four main types of colored contacts, although there is little difference them.
Visibility tint lenses have a slight tint that will help you locate the lens when it is in your eye easily. This is particularly helpful if the lens should slip out of place.
Enhancement lenses have an obvious tint to change the eye color of the wearer. Change is generally more effective for people with light colored eyes such as blue, hazel, or green.
These lenses are a great way to initiate subtle changes to your eye color.
Opaque color tint lenses are generally used for those who have dark
colored eyes such as such as brown eyes. Opaque color tint contacts have very...
Contact lenses > Facts About Colored Contact Lenses
Semi Scleral Contact Lenses, Looking Towards Our Roots For Answers To New Challenges
Semi Scleral Contact Lenses, Looking Towards Our Roots For Answers To New Challenges
by: Steve Cogger
Advances in gas permeable materials and lens manufacturing techniques have allowed certain labs to manufacture corneo-scleral contact lenses. These lenses fit over the entire cornea and rest on the sclera, similar to a soft lens. Diameters can range from 13.0 to 15.0mm, a fenestration provides for easy removal on these larger diameter lenses.
Corneo-scleral and semi-scleral lenses provide great options for irregular corneas such as keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, post PK, and post trauma to name a few. They are also a fantastic option for those that could not previously tolerate contact lenses. In most cases, patients who were intolerant of other lens modalities report longer wear time, increased comfort and more consistent vision when properly fit with semi-scleral lenses.
Imagine the vision of a gas permeable lens with the...
Semi Scleral Contact Lenses, Looking Towards Our Roots For Answers To New Challenges
Contact lenses > Semi Scleral Contact Lenses, Looking Towards Our Roots For Answers To New Challenges