Posts Tagged ‘soft contact lenses’

Will LASIK Be Safer than Contacts in the Near Future?

A study published in the July 2009 issue of the journal Eye & Contact Lens: Science and Clinical Practice highlights the frequency of risks faced by contact lens users.  The study, which analyzed a cross-section of contact lens users in a university practice setting (UCLA), showed that as many as half of all contact lens users experienced a contact lens-related complication. Some of these complications were vision-threatening, although most were benign. Complications were seen by users of all types of contact lenses, although users of rigid gas permeable lenses had a statistically significant reduction of risk compared to users of soft contact lenses.

The most common complications seen were papillae and giant papillary conjunctivitis.  These can typically be treated and do not generally threaten vision. They typically cause infection, mucoid discharge, irritation, and blurred vision. Papillae and giant papillary conjunctivitis can lead to lens intolerance, forcing a return to glasses for best lens corrected vision.

Comparing Risks of LASIK and Contact Lenses

Although about half of contact lens users experience complications, contact lenses still compare favorably with LASIK and other forms of refractive surgery in terms of preserving your vision. Studies show that less than 1% of people receiving LASIK surgery experience a loss in best corrected vision.  However, the likelihood of a loss of vision related to contact lens use is still significantly less.

At one time, contact lens use was associated with a potential for vision loss as high as 0.9%, but improvement in contact lens technology and wearing habits has reduced that risk significantly.  Post-market studies required of all 30-day contact lenses approved by the FDA show that the approximate annual risk of vision-threatening microbial keratitis associated with contact lens use is 4 per 10,000 wearers, or 0.04%. If we assume a 14-year life for refractive surgeries, that amounts to a cumulative risk of about 0.6%. However, rates of infection are increased 4 times for people who wear contacts overnight, and up to 15 times for people who wear their contacts for more than two weeks.

LASIK complication rates resulting in vision loss used to be as high as 5%, but recently they have been reduced to about 1%, which is close to the rates for contact lenses. For most people, the comparable safety rate of LASIK seems better when compared to the vigilance necessary to keep contacts clean with daily, weekly, or biweekly removal and cleaning.

Safety Trends

However, in the near future, LASIK may be safer than contact lenses. LASIK has improved significantly in safety since its introduction. Advanced technology and experienced surgeons are largely responsible for the decrease in complications. As surgeons continue to gain experience and technology continues to advance, we can expect rates to continue dropping. Contact lenses, on the other hand, may be more risky in the future.

Microbial keratitis used to be caused by a relatively small number of microorganisms that were controllable with specific formulae of antibiotics.  However, in recent years there have been more outbreaks associated with Acanthamoeba and fungal species. Some of this has been associated with specific contact lens solutions.  Other times, it has been associated with the reduction of water quality standards by the EPA under the Bush administration. In the latter outbreak in Chicago during June to November of 2005, 40 people contracted Acanthamoeba keratitis, nearly seven times the historical rate of this type of infection.

In the future we may see more of what are described as “atypical” cases of microbial keratitis that may increase the risk of wearing contact lenses.

If you would like to learn more about the relative safety of LASIK and contact lenses, please visit the website of 20/20 Institute, with offices in Denver, Indianapolis, and Portland.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/will-lasik-be-safer-than-contacts-in-the-near-future-1369437.html

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Lasik, Spectacle or Contact Lens? Section 1

1th Section

In my first section,as an eye care specialist advice you to use spectacles.They are very safe and low risk. It is only possible to break glasses. And with a good eye examinatin and a suitable spectacle selection, you can confidence that you have safe eyes. You will wear spectacle in the morning and remove at bed time. Isn’t it?

As a contact lens practitioner, I recommend you high quality contact lenses If you are hated from spectacles. With a precise eye examination for contact lens prescription, you will have a good vision and more comfortable use than spectacles.There are different types of contact lenses such as spherical(for nearsightedness and far sightedness) and toric(for astigmatism) . You can use soft and hard  ones. Soft contact lenses are  more comfortable  and  easy to use. You will not foreign body sensation with them. You can use them for sports(football and …),But you should remove them before swimming and bed.

Hard contact lenses have an excelent vision,but  not durable.You’ll have some foriegn body  sensation at the first days or weeks. You can’t use them for sports. Hard contact lenses can correct for Keratoconus, Irregular astigmatism and  …

Lasik is the final solution for those hate spectacles and contact lenses. Those who have thin corneas, keratoconus,  high astigmatism and  progressive nearsightedness cases are not good case for lasik. After lasik you will have some complications such as Dry Eye, Hallos in night vision, regression of myopia , hasty presbyopia and etc.

Feel free to cntact me: oculist233@gmail.com

Mohammad Ghandehari-Motlagh, Optometrist

Member of Contact Lens Society of America

Optometrist, Primary Eye Care Specialist,in Shiraz-Iran

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/lasik-spectacle-or-contact-lens-section-1-1320993.html

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How do One Sterilize Contact Lenses Cases?

Whether you is thinking of switching over to contact lenses from eyeglasses one has already been using or have just been given prescription for corrective lenses for the first time, there are many other things to consider about acquiring contact lenses.

There are many different kinds of contact lenses obtainable on the market: soft contact lenses, gas infiltrated lenses, rigid gas infiltrated lenses, contact lenses in different colors, contacts with dual lens or contact lenses with many lens and etc..

Your eye specialist may turn to the many alternatives with you, however, if you prepare yourself by learning about them prior to using them, you may prepare yourself with related questions to ask at your check up. Your eye care specialist shall turn to various perspective of proper care and sterilizing of your contact lenses, some of which is discussed concisedly under.

Proper Maintenance and Sterilizing.
even what kind of contact lenses you and your eye care specialist analize are suitable for you, proper care and sterilizing of your lenses is vital to maintaining good eye condition. Maintenance and cleaning of one’s lenses shall vary only little depending on if you has been advised prolonged use, daily use or contact lens which can be discarded after use.

You shall need some stosks ready to precisely clean and care for one’s new contacts. The necessary stocks consist: – High quality contact lens mixture – Contact lens case (facts on how to sterilize one’s cases are under) – Soft (gentle) plastic tweezers
Sterilizing one’s contact lenses is not hard, however, it is important to be very detailed and very consistent. To clean one’s contact lenses correctly, simply do the procedures under:

1.Wash and sponge one’s hands carefully prior starting the process.
2.Get each lens from the case and wash with multi-purpose mixture by ejecting the mixture onto both sides of the lens.
3.Pour one’s lens case with new mixture, put the lenses in the case, and screw the case closed. Allow the contact lenses soak for about 6 hours (overnight is most appropriate).
4.Before you place again one’s contact lenses, wash each side with new mixture again.

Sadly, simply being industrious about cleaning one’s contact lenses daily is not adequate. So that to prevent infection and better eye’s health is maintained, it is imperative} that you carefully sterilize one’s contact lens cases on a regular schedule.

Sterilizing Your Contact Lens Holders
Sadly, contact lens cases may be a source of bacteria maturity and may conveniently lead to a disease. In order to problems will be avoided arising from micro organisms and bacteria transferring to one’s lenses from one’s lens cases, you must carefully disinfect one’s contact lenses on a regular basis.

There are several different suggested methods for correctly sterilizin contact lens cases.
1.Empty, clean and rinse one’s contact lens cases every some days. The cases must be cleaned with the chemical mixtures advised by the supplier of the lens case. If no such recommendation may be found on the box, test reaching the supplier’s customer care division to see what to suggest. While this method is pretty easy, it is not guarantee in sterilizing and destroying all microorganisms.
2.Many contact lens users suggest simply placing contact lens cases in the dishpan. The heat and thorough action from the dishpan’s mechanism is practically guaranteed to destroy any microorganism on one’s contact lenses.
3.A simpler method to sterilize youone’s contact lenses with burning sensation is to put one’s contact lens cases in a pot of boiling water in one’s kitchen for 5 to 10 minutes.

At all times, be clear that you is not only sterilizing the cases, and the caps too. Be precise and regular in one’s contact lens case sterilizing. If you don’t rely on oneself to do so, simply invest in some inexpensive cases and replace them often.

(ArticlesBase ID #1183880)

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Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/how-do-one-sterilize-contact-lenses-cases-1183880.html

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