Astygmatism And Contact Lenses
A debate continues as to whether astygmatism and contact lenses are compatible bed fellows. For many years, it was unclear as to whether contact lenses of any sort could assist an astigmatism sufferer.
Astigmatism is a misshaping of the the cornea. A normal cornea is round, but in an astigmatism sufferer, the shape is more like an American football, or rugby ball. An astigmatic eye sees light focusing on two points in the back of your eye, rather than on just one in a normal eye. This is because an astigmatic cornea has a steeper and flatter curve due to the shape of the cornea.
This is called corneal astigmatism.
Sometimes, astigmatism is the result of an irregularly shaped lens, which is located behind the cornea. This is called lenticular astigmatism.
Either kind of astigmatism can usually be corrected with spectacles or contact lenses. In some case, refractive surgery can also help astigmatism sufferers.
Astigmatic Symptoms
==================
If you have only a small amount of astigmatism, you may not notice it or have just slightly blurred vision. You may have had the problem for many years but never noticed, because small changes over many years may not have indicated a problem to you.
However, uncorrected astigmatism may also give you headaches or a pain behind the eyes, which you might think of as eyestrain. Or, you may notice distorted or blurred vision at all distances.
Astigmatism can also affect children. Astigmatism can affect their ability to see properly in lessons, so it's vitally important that children have their eyes examined at regular intervals in order to detect any astigmatism early on. I personally started complaining to my parents when I was about 8 that I could not see the blackboard at school properly.
I was taken to doctor, who advised my parents that I was just trying to get out of school. My continued complaining however, eventually led my parents to find the only optician in town (this was some years ago) who confirmed short sightedness and astigmatism.
I would certainly hope that my children get a more sympathetic ear from the medical profession then I did all those years ago.
Treating Astigmatism
==================
Unless it is extreme, astigmatism can be treated with glasses or contact lenses.
Many people with astigmatism believe that they can't wear contact lenses at all, which is something that was alluded to at the start of this article, or that only hard (also called gas permeable - GP) contact lenses can correct astigmatism.
For many years, this was the case, but now there are soft contact lenses available, that correct astigmatism. These are called toric contact lenses.
Toric lenses have a special correction built into them and may also contain a prescription for nearsightedness or farsightedness if you need it.
While soft toric lenses work well for many people, if you have severe astigmatism, you might find that GP contact lenses or spectacles help you more. Your optician will be able to advise you. .
Imperial Optical, Inc. Introduces its Contact Lens Success Program Guarantee
Imperial Optical, Inc., the leading independent wholesale contact lens distributor in North America, today launched its "Contact Lens Success Program" guarantee.
The "Program" provides eyecare practitioners with a full refund on up to two opened and partially used boxes of disposable contact lenses that are returned as a result of a patient's unsuccessful transition to contact lenses and/or a patient's unsuccessful conversion from one contact lens product to another.David Pearce, Imperial Optical's Marketing Manager said, "After talking with many independent practitioners, it became clear that Imperial Optical could take a leading position in the contact lens distribution marketplace by developing a no-hassle return policy to support practitioners who offer a contact lens success program to their patients.
I strongly urge all independent ECPs to develop a contact lens success program.
Eyeglass-wearing patients are more likely to give contact lenses a try, either...
Contact lenses > Imperial Optical, Inc. Introduces its Contact Lens Success Program Guarantee
Contact Lenses and Dry Eyes
Contact Lenses and Dry EyesBy
Until recently, contact lenses and dry eyes seemed to come hand in hand. Modern technology, however, has developed several ways for contact lens wearers to deal with dry eyes. When eyes become dry, they can be irritable, bloodshot and in severe cases, vision can become impaired. What Causes Dry Eyes?Dry eyes occur for a number of reasons, although there is thought to be a particular link between extended contact lenses and dry eyes. Dry eyes are also prevalent with older contact lens wearers as tear ducts become less effective with age.
Problems with contact lenses and dry eyes become exacerbated when wearers spend a considerable length of time in front of a computer screen or in an air-conditioned environment.Specific Contact Lenses for Dry EyesThere are some manufacturers that deal specifically with the problem of contact lenses and dry eyes. For example biomedics offer their own range of frequency 55 contact lenses for dry eyes. The higher...
Contact Lenses and Dry Eyes
Contact lenses > Contact Lenses and Dry Eyes
Contact Lenses
Anyone that has vision impairment, wears eyeglasses, has eye problems related to genetic or degenerative eyesight, the resolution for many, by wearing contact lenses. In the United States, 29 Million people wear contact lenses (The Physician's Guide to Eye Care - 2001). Contact lenses or corrective lens are placed on the cornea of the eye. Specialty contact lenses are available in different colors, which can give the person a different look or appearance. Other advantages for contact lenses: No frames to obstruct any view, lenses reduce distortions, lenses do not fog up like glasses, and no rain spots appear.
Majority of people can wear contact lenses (80 percent soft lenses), except for some people, that are more likely to develop eye infection, or more sensitive to have a bad reaction. Also, anyone that has diabetes, asthma, dry eyes or plays water sports.
An Optometrist or ophthalmologist can determine if...
Contact lenses > Contact Lenses
Non Prescription Color Contacts
Color contacts are contact lenses that are of different colors. These lenses, when worn, change the color of the eyes. They are a great way to change the look of your face by having unique colored eyes. Color contacts can also be used to correct vision problems such as myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism or presbyopia, just like regular contacts. There are also colored contacts that correct certain conditions of crossed eyes without surgery.
Color contacts are of many kinds depending upon the kind of material; soft or hard; transparent or opaque; the objective of wearing a lens (vision correction); the price; and many other kinds.
There are PMMA lenses, gas-permeable lenses and soft contact lenses. Some are disposable while others can be used for a very long time. Color contacts are basically of four kinds: enhancement tints, visibility tints, opaque color tints and light-filtering tints. The most common colors are: blue, green, brown, hazel, gray, purple, aqua, turquoise,...
Non Prescription Color Contacts
Contact lenses > Non Prescription Color Contacts