Eagles are beautiful birds known for their majestic frame and incredible hunting abilities. They have the reputation of having one of the best visions on the planet. What makes ‘eagle eyes’ a thing of envy? Let’s find out.
Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK.
Age-Related Macular Disease or AMD is an acquired ocular disorder that occurs in people over sixty years of age. It is the leading cause of vision loss in the US. This eye disease affects the central part of the retina known as the macula and destroys it through retinal detachment. Macula is responsible for providing a sharp and clear central vision that is required for reading, writing, and other visually demanding activities such as driving, stitching, etc. The risk of AMD increases with age.
Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK.
Our eyes are integral to our body, allowing us to view the world around us. Imagine being able to touch, smell, hear and feel everything but not see, like a car with dead headlamps driving down a highway. The dark isolation of vision loss can be quite horrifying!
This fantastic process happens when the optic nerve creates an image through the cornea and displays it on the retina (a light sensitive layer of tissue that acts like a screen). Retinal detachment, or RD, is a medical condition where the retina peels off from the surrounding tissue.
Types of Retinal Detachment
There are three types of retinal detachment:
Rhegmatogenous: The most common type, where the retina detaches from the Retina Pigment Epithelium (RPE) due to fluid getting under it after a retinal tear.
Tractional: A rare but serious type, where the cracked retina rips from the RPE due to the contracting scar tissue on its surface.
Exudative: This type occurs without holes, tears or breaks in the retina, and is caused by fluid leaking into the area under it (typically due to inflammation, injury or vascular abnormalities).
What Causes Retinal Detachment?
Here are some of the common risk factors for Retinal Detachment:
Extreme near-sightedness
Family history of Retinal Detachment
Previous retinal detachment in one eye
Stress and lifestyle factors like smoking
Retinal tears caused by injury to the eyes or head
Complications after an eye surgery, e.g. cataract surgery
Tumors, degenerative myopia, lattice degeneration, glaucoma and other eye disorders
Other diseases and medical conditions like diabetes, AIDS, sickle cell disease, etc.
Who’s at Risk?
RD caused due to injury or underlying medical conditions can happen at practically any age, but is more likely to occur after the age of 40. Almost half of all the people who have retinal tears are likely to end up with a detached retina, which puts sportspersons and athletes at high risk. Men are more prone to it than women, and research shows that Caucasians are at higher risk than African Americans.
Symptoms and Signs of Retinal Detachment
There is no pain associated with retinal tears, but at the initial stage, there are certain signs that can help with the detection of Retinal Detachment. These include:
Eyes becoming heavy and drowsy
Blurry or poor vision, a thin layer or ‘shadow’ hindering sight
A dark ‘curtain’ approaching the center of your vision from the side (peripheral vision).
Fish-eye vision for linear objects like roads, trees, buildings, etc.
Sudden flashes of light or ‘floaters’ in your vision
Treatment and Cure
RD is curable if the breaks in the retina can be closed or sealed again. An ophthalmologist can use fundus photography or ophthalmoscopy to diagnose it and conduct various surgical procedures for treatment. These include:
Scleral Buckling: Of the four types of retinal detachment surgery, this is the most popular one. Small bands of silicone or plastic are attached to the outside portion of the eye – the sclera. As a result of which the band compresses the eye inward which minimizes the traction of the retina, which eventually allows it to reattach itself to the inner wall of eye. The scleral buckle thus created attaches on the posterior quota of the eye but is invisible long after this surgery is completed. In some cases, the scleral buckling surgery may be performed in combination with other surgical procedures so as to fuse the retina with the retinal pigment epithelium, the underlying supportive tissue.
Pneumatic Retinopexy : In this surgical procedure, a small gas bubble is injected in the vitreous body – the gel like substance present between the lens and the retina. Because of this bubble, the vitreous rises and presses against the retina which effectively closes the tear. After this, a freezing probe of laser can be used to seal tears on the retina. This use of a freezing probe is termed as cyropexy and the usage of a laser beam is known as photocoagulation. However, the rate of success of this retinal detachment surgery is lower than the Scleral Buckling procedure.
Vitrectomy: This retinal detachment surgical procedure is fast becoming popular. In this treatment the clear jelly-like fluid from vitreous body which is the posterior chamber of the eye. Silicone oil is then used to replace this fluid to push the detached part of the retina into the correct position.
Laser Surgery: In this procedure, a laser beam is used to burn the area around the tear to create scarring on the retina’s underlying tissue.
In addition to the above procedures, Cryotherapy or laser photocoagulation may be used to prevent the detachment from spreading.
In some cases the surgical reattachment of the retina may not be successful because of certain factors such as the extent, cause and area of detachment. Some complications which may develop during or after the surgery are as follows:
Increased tears on the retina
Bleeding in the eye
High pressure or swelling in the eye
Double vision
A rare possibility of infection in the eye
Bruising around the eye
Allergic reaction to the medication
Cloudiness in the lens of the eye
Can RD Be Prevented?
To prevent RD, be pro-active and tackle the initial stage symptoms. Schedule a regular eye checkup every year and consult your eye doctor if you suspect a retinal tear or rip. Also, wear protective goggles for sports, driving, working with chemicals, machines or tools, etc.
It Can Happen to Anyone!
There are some famous personalities who suffered from retinal detachment, including the 26th American President Theodore Roosevelt, renowned basketball player Amar’e Stoudemire, noted publisher, journalist and politician Joseph Pulitzer, soccer star Pele and various others.
Vision loss caused by RD can be prevented or cured with early treatment, if the retinal tear is corrected before detachment occurs. RD is considered a medical emergency that can severely affect your eyesight or even lead to blindness if left untreated, so if you have the symptoms, get in touch with an experienced ophthalmologist or eye surgeon at the InSight Vision Center!
Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK.
In recent times, people have become more comfortable with corrective eye surgeries for treating vision problems caused by near-sightedness, far-sightedness or astigmatism, due to increased safety and enhanced technology. Two of the most popular surgeries include PRK and LASIK.
PRK, abbreviated for Photorefractive Keratectomy, is a type of surface ablation employed for eye surgery. Computer-controlled laser is used directly over the corneal surface after removing a part of it, which is then allowed to grow back the next few days; whereas in LASIK, the surgery is performed under a thin flap of cornea which is placed back after the procedure. Though both procedures have their own pros and cons, they give excellent results in the end. Read on to know more.
PRK vs. LASIK
The main difference between these two surgeries is based on how surgeons deal with the corneal surface. In PRK, eye surgeon removes the outer layer of cornea and performs vision-correction surgery directly on corneal surface. The exposed area is then allowed to reshape through cell regeneration. It makes a better choice for people with thin corneas or chronically dry eyes.
In LASIK surgery, an incision is made (either with laser or blade) in the cornea to create a flap of tissue. This flap is then lifted and computer-controlled surgical laser is used to reshape inner layers of cornea to repair curvature imperfections causing poor vision. Corneal flap is then put back in place which heals over the reshaped part of the cornea.
PRK is Better Than LASIK in Patients Over 40
Surface cells of eyes of people over 40 are not tightly bound. This can cause the flap to slip during LASIK which can lead to serious complications. With PRK, those risks are eliminated by the absence of flap, making it suitable for elders. Moreover, patients over 40 have slightly dry eyes which get aggravated if LASIK is performed over them.
Candidates for PRK and Lasik
Every patient who is a good candidate for LASIK can opt for PRK, but vice versa does not hold true. PRK is advised for patients with:
Thin corneas
Large pupils
Irregular astigmatism
Steep corneas
Prior eye surgery
History of dry eye syndrome
Additionally, people with high-risk occupations, sportspeople and athletes prefer PRK over LASIK to eliminate the risk of corneal flap displacement. Thorough checkup by a qualified eye surgeon is a must before you proceed with either surgery.
PRK Recovery vs. LASIK Recovery
Though both surgeries give almost the same results, their recovery times differ significantly. PRK recovery takes a little longer than LASIK since the outer corneal layer needs time to reconstruct and heal. Cell generation will result in itchiness, blurriness and discomfort for a few days post surgery. Prescription eye-drops are given to patients to promote healing and reduce discomfort.
In LASIK, the flap is placed back over the cornea when procedure ends, thus drastically cutting down recovery time. The itchiness lasts just a few hours. However, for both surgeries the vision continues to improve gradually for several months before reaching peak quality.
PRK vs. LASIK- What’s the Difference?
Let’s take a look at the differences between PRK and LASIK surgery:
Difference
PRK
LASIK
Type
Laser-based corrective vision
surgery so as to help the
patient reduce dependency on
glasses or contact lenses.
Laser-based corrective vision
surgery so as to help the
patient reduce dependency on
contact lenses or glasses
Treatment for
Preferred for people who have
a thin cornea, Myopia or
Nearsightedness, Hyperopia or
Farsightedness, Astigmatism
Nearsightedness or Myopia,
Farsightedness or Hyperopia,
Astigmatism
Eligible Age
21-40
21-40
Pros
Decreased depth of laser
treatment, no complications regarding corneal flap, corneal
thickness regulated
Speedy recovery, decreased
risk of post-surgery infection, lower post-operative
discomfort, peak vision
achieved quickly as compared
to PRK, both eyes can be done
at the same time
Cons
Recovery slower as compared
to LASIK, increased risk of post-
operative complications,
greater post-operative
discomfort, patients sometimes
have to wait for up to one to
two weeks before operating
the second eye
Possible complications from
corneal flap, increased depth of
laser
Potential Side Effects
Dry eyes, infection, night
blindness – halos around lights,
light sensitivity during night
time
Night blindness – halos around
lights, dry eyes, infection,
dislodged corneal flap, light
sensitivity during night time
Cons
Recovery slower as compared
to LASIK, increased risk of post-
operative complications,
greater post-operative
discomfort, patients sometimes
have to wait for up to one to
two weeks before operating
the second eye
Possible complications from
corneal flap, increased depth of
laser
Criteria
No history of dry eyes, no eye
injuries or infections within a
year, stable prescription for
minimum one year
Normal depth cornea, no
history of dry eyes, stable
prescription for at least one
year and no injuries or
infections within a year
Healing and Recovery
Takes up to six months before
peak accuracy is achieved and
clarity in vision is reached.
Requires around one to three
days for blurring and
discomfort to subside
Vision improved immediately,
blurring and discomfort gone
within 24 hours
Outcome
20/20 vision or better
20/20 vision or better
What is Right for you
The best way to getting rid of your glasses and contacts is to visit a few of your local area eye doctors for a consultation and see if you are eligible for either or both procedures. It is possible that you may be a candidate for only one or both surgical procedures; these doctors will give you their professional opinions, options, and recommendations. It is advised that you visit a couple of eye doctors in your area and their professional opinions on what to do regarding your eyes after which you can draw up your own conclusion.
To learn more about the best laser corrective procedure for you, contact our professionals at Insight Vision Center in Fresno today! To schedule a consultation, call on 559-449-5050.
Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK.
Color vision deficiency, or color blindness, is the inability to distinguish certain shades of colors. In highly severe cases, people can’t see the concerned colors at all though very few people are completely color blind (who can see things only as black, white, and shades of gray).
Color blindness occurs when there is damage or loss of ‘cones’, which are the photoreceptors in the retina making color vision possible. If the cones lack one or more light-sensitive pigments, the color perception will be deficient, making it difficult to see one or more of the three primary colors.
Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK.
Cataracts occur when there is a clouding of the clear lens, located directly behind the iris leading to clouded and misty vision. This mostly occurs in older people, but it may develop in infants and kids too. In fact, some people can even be born with a cataract. Let’s understand more about childhood cataracts.
They can be divided into two categories:
Congenital cataracts: When cataract is present in the baby at birth or shortly after it’s born
Developmental, infantile or juvenile cataracts: When cataracts are diagnosed in children that are 2 years and above.
Symptoms of Cataracts in Children
Cataracts in kids can affect one or both eyes. The symptoms include:
Asquint (both eyes pointing in different directions)
Spotting these signs in infants is not easy, which is why your baby’s eyes should be routinely examined within 72 hours of birth. The test should be followed when they are 6-8 weeks old. It’s possible that cataracts can develop in children after these screening tests too. Detecting cataracts in children at early stages is important to reduce the risk of long-term vision problems.
Causes of cataracts
There are numerous reasons for cataracts to occur in children. Some possible causes include:
Genetic reasons when it is inherited from the parents
Certain genetic conditions that include Down’s syndrome
Infections that affected the mother during pregnancy
Treatment of Childhood Cataracts
Contact lenses: They can be used after eye surgery for bilateral or unilateral cataracts in kids under the age of two. Contact lenses can be used by older kids as well, however they are highly recommended for those under two as their eye and focusing power changes quickly during early infancy.
Intraocular lenses: These are artificial lenses that can be implemented to replace the natural lenses in children. Though this method isn’t widely used and is still under study for infants, there have been excellent results for those who opted for it.
Glasses: When cataract surgery has been done in both eyes and contact lenses failed to do the needful, then eyeglasses are recommended. They are even used when intraocular lenses are inappropriate. At times when focus needs to be managed very carefully, kids might have to wear glasses along with a contact or an intraocular lens, as the focus needs to be managed very carefully.
Risks of Cataract Surgery
Though it is successful in most cases with a low risk of serious complications, cataract surgery does have a few risks. The most common is a condition that can affect the artificial lens implants called posterior capsule opacification (PCO). This causes cloudy vision to return after the surgery. Glaucoma is another risk when pressure starts building inside the eye. If left untreated, glaucoma can cause irreversible and permanent damage to the eye and vision.
Most complications can be treated with further surgeries or medication. It is crucial that cataracts are detected in early stages and is treated quickly. Failing to provide immediate cataract care can result in a permanent lazy eye or even blindness, depending on the severity of the case.
How Can Childhood Cataract be Prevented
Cataracts that are genetically passed may not be prevented, however taking precautions during pregnancies to avoid infections may drastically reduce the chances of your child being born with cataracts. Genetic counseling may help if you are planning another baby after having a child with childhood cataracts.
If your child is complaining of compromised vision or if you observe any cataract symptom in the kid, contact our Eye doctor in Fresno at InSight Vision Center immediately.
Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK.
There are a number of people suffering from glaucoma. Unfortunately there is no cure for this eye disease, but the good news is that it can be controlled through medication. The glaucoma treatment primarily focuses on lowering the IOP (intraocular pressure) to a level that doesn’t cause optic nerve damage. Elevated IOP damages the optic nerve significantly, which is why containing the pressure is critical. The pressure to be achieved is known as the ‘target pressure’ or ‘goal pressure.’ This varies from one person to the other, and it may change during the course of treatment.
The ophthalmologist will study your glaucoma symptoms and prescribe the medication accordingly to lower the pressure on your eye. In the recent years, there has been an increase in the choices for topical treatment of glaucoma – prostaglandin analogs and prostamides being two of them. A prostaglandin analog medication is a preferred choice of many doctors for treating any kind of glaucoma, including congenital glaucoma.
How Do Prostaglandin Analogs or Prostamides Work
These medicines increase the outflow of aqueous humor, thus lowering the intraocular pressure. Aqueous humor is a fluid that the eye continually makes and is crucial for proper functioning of eye. These medications should be taken once a day.
What Kind of Medication Do Prostaglandin Analogs Include
These medications comprises of:
Latanoprost (Xalatanâ)
Bimatoprost (Lumiganâ)
Travoprost (Travatanâ)
Possible Side Effects of These Medications
Though most medications, including eye-drops, are safe to use – some may have side-effects. People may experience the following symptoms as side-effects:
Redness of the eye
Darkened or brown iris. The change gets noticeable only after a few months or years
Increased growth, thickness and pigmentation of the eyelashes
Muscle aches and headaches though they are rare
Darkening of the eyelid skin
It is advised that people with a history of eye problems such as uveitis, history of retinal swelling or ocular herpes infection use these medications with caution. If you suffer or have suffered from any kind of eye ailments, discuss with your doctor before proceeding with any kind of treatment for glaucoma treatment. It is important that you take your glaucoma medications regularly as prescribed for them to show the desired results.
Medication Tips
Before you start taking any medication that your ophthalmologist prescribes, you should understand certain things.
The name of the medication
How the medicine should be ingested or applied
Frequency of medication
The right manner to store it
Possible side effects that you might face
How to address these side effects, if you experience any
What should be done if you miss a dose
How will these medications react with the medication of a different treatment you might be on. It is of utmost importance that your doctors know about the different medications that are prescribed to you. Include the non-prescription medications as well. This will help them in planning the appropriate treatment plan for you, without any risk of threatening medical problems or side effects.
If you or a loved one is suffering from glaucoma, then it is advisable to visit a doctor immediately to control the condition before it worsens any further. Even if you don’t have glaucoma right now but your family has a history of this ailment, you should get regular check-ups to detect it in the early stages. Once you are on medications, you have to be disciplined about taking them without fail. Request an appointment with InSight Vision Center and get a consultation today.
Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK.
When the shape of the eye prevents the light rays from focusing directly on the retina, and rather focuses in the front or back of the retina, refractive error occurs. Factors such as length of the eyeball, aging of the lens and change in the shape of the cornea contribute to refractive errors.
What is Refraction
The phenomenon of bending of light when it passes from one object to another is called refraction. Light rays bend when they pass through cornea and lens, enabling one to see objects. Optical refractive index refers to the number that measures how much light gets refracted in the eye, which gives an idea if you are suffering from a refractive error or not.
Types of Refractive Errors
Myopia
Also known as nearsightedness, it occurs when the eyeball is too long for the refractive power of the cornea and lens. Due to the long size, the light gets focused in front of the retina rather than directly on it. The person suffering from myopia has trouble seeing the distant objects clearly.
Hyperopia
This is a common refractive error where people have trouble seeing near objects as compared to faraway objects. It’s also known as farsightedness and this occurs when the eyeball is too short for the refractive power of the cornea and lens. This causes the light to focus behind the retina, which makes it difficult to focus clearly on objects that are near.
Astigmatism
When the cornea or lens isn’t perfectly round or spherical, astigmatism occurs. In this condition the eye cannot focus the light evenly onto the retina, which causes objects to appear stretched out and blurred at any distance.
Presbyopia
This is an age-related condition where one loses the ability to focus on anything up close. When people turn 40 years and above, the lens becomes stiff and can’t change its shape easily. This doesn’t allow the eye to focus on close objects clearly.
What Causes Refractive Errors?
Genetics: Children whose parents suffer from certain refractive errors are more likely to develop refractive errors themselves.
Environmental: Factors like age and health issues can greatly affect the health of the eye and cause refractive errors.
Signs and Symptoms of Refractive Errors
The most common symptom of refractive error is blurred vision. Others include:
Eyeglasses
The most common treatment of refractive errors consists of eyeglasses. Based on the degree of error, doctors prescribe appropriate lenses to correct it and give you clear optimal vision.
Contact Lenses
Made of plastic, contact lenses provide clearer and a wider field of vision. They act as the first refractive surface for the light rays entering the eyes and causes precise focus or refraction. They offer great comfort too. However, it is crucial to wash your hands and clean the lenses before putting them on to reduce the risk of infection. Discuss with your doctor if your eye condition supports the use of contact lenses.
Refractive Surgery
This surgery changes the shape of the cornea permanently. By doing so, the focusing power of the eye is restored as it allows the light rays to focus precisely on the retina for improved vision. Before opting for refractive surgery, consult with your doctor if this is the right treatment for you.Do not take blurred vision and watery eyes for granted. These may be symptoms of underlying refractive errors. Book an appointment today & get an accurate diagnosis at InSight Vision Center and have it rectified at the earliest to keep complications at bay.
Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK.
People in certain professions are at a constant risk of an eye-injury. However, while their chances of hurting their eyes are higher than others, almost everyone else is also equally prone to an eye injury. Accidents around the house such as a flying objects or hitting the head against something can hurt your eye. Thankfully, you can prevent most eye-injuries or further aggravate an injury by taking a few precautions.
Simple Tips to Prevent an Eye Injury
The following tips will immensely help in preventing eye injuries on different occasions:
Using Protective Eye-Wear During Outdoor Activities And Sports
Safety glasses and goggles are a must when your work exposes you to dust or flying particles. Activities such as welding, metal grinding etc. require protective eye gear. Use the right protective eye wear while playing sports such as tennis, swimming etc. too.
Being Extra Careful While Using Chemicals And Cleaners
Read instructions carefully before using chemicals and cleaning supplies such as bleach, pesticide spray etc. Keep them away from the reach of children.
Supervise Your Child’s Use Of Sharp Tools And Objects
Household items such as knives, scissors, forks, wire hangers, paper clips, fishhooks and even rubber bands can cause serious damage to the eye. Supervise kids when they are using these items and keep them away from their reach when not in use.
Don’t Buy Certain Children’s Toys
Keep projectile toys such as darts, missile-firing toys away from children. Don’t allow them to play with non-powder rifles such as pellet guns and BB guns as well.
Avoid The Use Of Laser Pointers
Laser pointers can permanently damage the retina when directly exposed to the eye. Partial vision loss is also possible. Don’t point the beam toward anyone’s eyes directly.
Exercise Caution While Cooking Or Using Hot Objects
Splattering oil or high flames in kitchen can be dangerous. Use grease shields to keep the eyes safe. Avoid using a curling iron or hair-straightener near your eyes.
Eliminate Hazards Caused By Sharp Objects
Cover sharp edges and corners of furniture with padded materials. Secure the railings and pointed objects too.
Leave Fireworks To Professionals
Do not handle fireworks by yourselves and don’t let kids use them. If you want to indulge in fireworks for any occasion, call the professionals.
Open A Champagne Bottle With Extreme Caution
Point the bottle away from yourself and bystanders. Place your palm over the while removing the wire hood and grasp the cork tightly until it comes out of the neck instead of letting it pop and fly.
Car Safety Measures
Secure your child in a car-seat and seat belt. Keep loose and sharp objects in the truck.
Signs and Symptoms of an Eye Injury
Immense pain in the eye
Unusual pupil shape or size
Blood in the eye
Prominent sticking out of one eye
Torn or cut eyelid, or foreign object under the eyelid/on the eye
Blurred vision or restricted movement of one or both eyes
What to Do In Case Of an Eye Injury
Go to a doctor immediately, even if the injury seems minor. Delaying could further damage the eye, leading to permanent loss of vision. You should take the following precautions too:
Don’t rub, touch or apply pressure to the hurting eye
Flush out any chemicals the eye has been exposed to with clean water
Do not self-medicate
Don’t try to remove any foreign object stuck in the eye
Shield the eye with a gauze patch till you get medical attention
For any eye-related query or treatment, get in touch with your eye doctor in Fresno today!
Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK.
Contact lenses can significantly affect lifestyle choices of those with weak vision. This area of eye-wear has seen technological improvement in terms of materials used and designs of contact lenses, allowing greater flexibility to all the users.
You can choose between daily wear contact lenses and extended wear contact lenses. The difference between these two is that the daily wear contact lenses are designed to be removed each day for cleaning and are to be removed before you sleep or nap, and the extended wear contact lenses can be worn continuously for up to 7 days before they need to be removed for cleaning. The daily wear contact lens should not be worn for extended time as misuse can lead to temporary or permanent damage to the cornea.
The latest favourite is extended wear contact lenses. These are contact lenses that can be worn continuously for six nights and seven days, some even for a month. You can keep these lenses on even while you sleep.
Are Extended Wear Contact lenses Good For Me
If you wear contact lenses regularly or for a long time every day, extended wear contacts will be a good option to consider. The modern day extended wear contact lenses are made with silicone hydrogel lens which allow more oxygen to pass through the lenses to the eyes. It decreases the risk of hypoxia which is responsible for making the cornea more susceptible to inflammation and infection.
Moreover, almost all the extended wear contact lenses are disposable that can be discarded after 2 weeks or a month. This prevents build-up of proteins and other lens deposits that cause eye inflammation and discomfort and create a hospitable environment for the growth of infection-causing microorganisms. All these factors suggest that wearing extended contact lenses is definitely a good idea.
Benefits of Extended Wear Contact lenses
Apart from the obvious benefit of not having to constantly remove the lenses, there are other benefits as well.
People with highly active or unpredictable lifestyles will benefit the most. It is great for those who are outdoors for long periods of time and aren’t always able to clean or handle the lenses properly. Extended wear contact lenses eliminate the need for regular care. Military personnel, emergency
workers, pilots etc. would greatly benefit from these lenses.
Contact lenses are worn by people with weak sight, but some have exceptionally bad vision. Those who suffer from high refractive errors will find it helpful to have a clear vision at all times. The difference can be felt when you wake up in the morning or unexpectedly at night and see
everything clearly.
Those with binocular abnormalities, including amblyopia, can be tackled with extended contact lenses and the continuous vision correction it provides.
Risks and Preventive Measures
One of the biggest risks that come with using extended wear contact lenses is eye infections. Most of these infections, especially fungal eye infections can potentially lead to blindness. It might develop a condition where the blood vessels in your eye grow toward your iris in an attempt to address a need for oxygen. This is known as neovascularization. You may experience irritation and inflammation in the eyes as well.
The good news is that these risks can be minimized by taking some precautions like:
Removing extended lenses, whenever possible, before sleeping
What Are the Best Extended Wear Contact Lenses for Me
There are a variety of extended contact lenses in the market. Choose the lenses based on two factors: the lens type and eye doctor’s evaluation of your eyes’ tolerance for overnight wear. Consult with your doctor and weigh all the pros and cons before making the final decision. If you experience irritation, redness or inflammation in the eye, or if the lenses hinder with your vision, remove them immediately and visit a doctor. Make an appointment with the eye care in Fresno and welcome the comfort and flexibility that extended wear lens bring.
Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK.
