1. Make an appointment with your eye care specialised, a regular eye test can help detect eye diseases before you notice the effect on your sight. Early treatment can often prevent your sight form getting worse
2. When you go for your eye test you should take with you any glasses that you wear, the names of any medicine you are taking and the name of your doctor if needed.
3. Your eye care specialised should discuss your eye test results and your eye health with you. Don't be afraid to ask questions about any aspect of your eye test.

They contain between 30 and 80 per-cent water, depending on the type of lens. Many people enjoy the comfort of soft lenses they are easy to adapt to and fit both comfortably and securely.Toric lenses: Patients who are diagnosed with astigmatism are normally prescribed toric contact lenses.Disposable Contact lenses: These are good as they decrease the possibilities of a contact lens wearer getting infected, after a prescribed period of time, the lenses are thrown away and replaced with a new pair.Gas Permeable lenses: Made of special firmer plastics, which are permeable to oxygen, these lenses are very durable and usually have a longer life span than soft lenses. Many people prefer them and find them easier to handle than soft lenses.Safety PracticesThere are safety measures for choosing, applying, and wearing contacts which you can follow to protect your eyes and provide for long-term, problem-free contact lens wear, including:There are a number of safety measures to remember when using contact lenses

1. Make sure you wash your hands before inserting or removing your contact lenses.
2. Never borrow or lend your contact lenses to anybody else.
3. Always clean the contact lenses with the solution provided to ward off infection and to cleanse it of protein enzyme deposits.
4. If your contact lens gets torn or damaged, replace it immediately.

It basically means you may have a shorter contact lens wearing period than normal or you may have to wear your lenses only occasionally.There is help available if needed you can make wearing contacts more comfortable by inserting eye lubrication drops. But, make sure you consult you eye care specialised beforehand to get advise.(c) www.2020-contact-lenses.comReprint Rights feel free to publish this article on your website but you must agree to leave all active links contained within 'About The Author' intact and "as is" and NOT hidden behind a java or redirect script..

Typically, these are valid for one to two years after your last exam, although some states allow the doctor to determine the expiration date.It's highly recommended that you only purchase contact lenses with a valid prescription that was dispensed by your doctor. Some online merchants allow items such as these to be purchased without a confirmed prescription, which can lead to vision problems. Those who wear contact lenses that haven't been made specifically according to their vision needs run the risk of damaging the eye.Choosing a reliable establishment for the purchase of online contact lenses is easier if you remember that they should always ask for your eye care physician's contact information and a copy of your prescription. There are some companies who won't ask for such things ? or will ask, but will never confirm the prescription. If you decide to purchase your contact lenses online, always make a notation to the effect that you will be notifying your doctor, who should expect to receive a confirmation call.

Follow-up by making a copy of your ordering information and forwarding it to your doctor's office. If the company that's dispensing the contact lenses knows that the doctor has been alerted, they may be more likely to follow the laws that are specific to that type of sale.Since contact lenses which are not properly fitted to the eye may cause damage, take steps to have your contacts checked by your physician after they're delivered. Simply make an appointment with your eye care specialist and bring the new contacts with you, so that the prescription and fit can be evaluated. Though this may sound like extra work ? and, in some cases, a bit of an extra cost ? it's well worth doing if it saves you from experiencing vision problems as a result of poorly constructed contact lenses.There's nothing wrong with purchasing products online ? and nearly everyone has done so at one time or another ? but greater care needs to be taken when these purchases involve items that relate to your health in any way. Once damaged, your eyes may not be repairable, which may result in blindness.

By doing your homework and exercising common sense, you'll ultimately save yourself a lot of time, trouble and money..

If your eyes look like you just came back from Dune, you can be sure that your appearance won't go unnoticed.What are my choices?There are many costume lenses on the market; the most popular brands are Crazy Lenses, by Cooper Vision, and Wild Eyes, by CibaVision. Both Crazy Lenses and WildEyes offer bright, exciting designs. Their lenses are also comfortable and affordable.If you type "costume contact lenses" into a Google or Yahoo search, many different collections will show up. Some of them offer a great look for a reasonable price. However, you should always bear in mind that most paints are toxic; so some of the lenses on offer might seem beautiful, but the could also irritate your eyes.

It is always best to go with costume contacts produced by major contact lens manufacturers.And for a particularly magnificent effect, you can get scleral contacts. Unlike ordinary color contact lenses, sclerals cover not only the colored part of your eye, but the entire visible portion of your eye. Sclerals create a knock-out effect. The only draw back with scleral contacts is that they are awfully expensive. You can also get custom-made costume lenses.

This way, you can be sure that nobody would have eyes like yours, and you can have any design imaginable.You can see pictures and reviews of different costume contact lens collections at www.1-contact-lenses-consumer-guide.com/costume-contact-lenses.htmlDo I need a prescription for costume contact lenses?Most brand name costume contacts come in Plano (no vision correction) as well as with corrective powers. And whether or not you need visual correction, you should ask your eye doctor to fit costume lenses for you. Even if you have perfect vision, it is best to see an optometrist first.Can I see while wearing theatrical contacts?Yes, you can. Even though the lens is completely opaque, its center is clear so you can see. The only exceptions are white-out contacts, which create the effect of blind eyes.

In this case, the entire lens is fully opaque so, unless you want to find out how it is to be blind, you should wear a white-out contact lens in one eye only.Are costume contacts safe?There are many FDA warnings about the dangers of costume lenses, although the lenses themselves are usually not to blame. Unfortunately, some people wear their costume contacts for several days straight, or put them in without washing their hands first, or swap the lenses with their friends, and then blame the theatrical contacts when they get an eye infection.The truth is that if you get reputable brand name costume lenses and take proper care of them, costume contacts are as safe as any other type of contact lens.Here are 5 simple rules, to keep costume contact lenses safe:Don't wear your costume contacts for longer than a few hoursDon't swap them with other peopleOrder your lenses from your doctor's office or a reputable online retailer. Contacts sold in costume shops or flea markets might be of questionable qualityHave an optometrist fit you with theatrical contactsClean your costume lenses properlyHow do I take care of my costume lenses?Novelty contact lenses don't require any special care; you simply treat them the same way as you would treat any contact lenses.All you need is a multi-purpose solution and a contact lens case, which you can get in any chemist shop. Rinse your lenses in the solution before inserting them in your eyes, and don't forget to wash your hands before handling the lenses.When you're not using your costume lenses, keep them in the solution, in their case. It is recommended that you change the solution at least once a week, if you don't use them for long periods of time.

But who would bother? If you have to wear contacts that have spent a month or so in their case, just give them a double rinse in fresh solution..

Even when contact lenses came on the market, bifocals still could only be had in eyeglasses. That was then and this is now. Now contact lenses offer as many choices if not more choices than for those who wear eyeglasses. Now to the joy of many, there are bifocal contact lenses available. Bifocal contact lenses are available in soft, rigid, gas permeable materials.Who needs to use bifocal lenses? People who have trouble focusing on objects that are near.

They suffer with something called Presbyopia. This doesn't usually develop after age 40.There are various types of lenses and they are described below.

• Alternating design- these are similar to bifocal glasses, half the lens has distance powers and the other half has powers for near objects.
• Simultaneous Design-these lenses try to blend the powers of both distant and near sight prescriptions, they fill in the pupil area. Your eyes adapt and learn to interpret the circle power choice depending on how close or far you are looking.
• Concentric Design-These are the radial of contact lenses. The lens works on near vision while outer part works on distant vision correction or vice versa.
• Translating Design- these are also very similar to bifocal eyeglasses, the distance correction is above the near correction. A line separates the lenses.

  The lens is flat on the bottom to keep it from moving around in your eye when you blink.

• Asferic Design-Distant and near vision are located at the center of the lens. Near correction is at the center while distance correction surrounds it. They can be reversed in some situations. The doctor will help you decide that.
• Mono-vision Design-You wear one power lens in one eye and the other in the other eye. Distance vision is usually worn in the dominant eye.

  Again your doctor will be able to determine this with an examination.

The eye takes both in focus and out of focus at the same time. It is up to the brain to figure out which is the desired image.Contact lenses whether bifocal or not can only be obtained with a prescription. Through a comprehensive examination your eye doctor will determine whether you are a candidate for bifocal contact lenses and what specific type might be right for you. As with any contact lens there is an adjustment period and it might take more than one try before you get lenses that are the right fit and comfortable for you.The reality though is that bifocal contact lenses may not be for you, at least in the contact lenses that are now available. Don't give up.

If you really want contact lenses and you need bifocals, do your research and keep up to date on the types of lenses available for you.If you want to try contact lenses some companies have free trial periods of up to a week for you to try the lenses and see how you like them. There are resources available online, through your eye care physician, and in some cases right from the manufacturer. There are discount contact lens sites and some manufacturers offer coupons to you for trying them out. Your budget will undoubtedly play a part in your decision about bifocal contact lenses.Ask friends or family members who have contact lenses what their experience has been like for them. Of course, not everyone has the same experience but in general, the information could help you and your physician make a determination.Bifocal contact lenses are available for people with astigmatism.

Toric contact lenses in particular come in both colors and disposable types. Consult with your eye care professional, as some professionals are not comfortable with fitting Toric lenses.(c) www.2020-contact-lenses.comReprint Rights feel free to publish this article on your website but you must agree to leave all active links contained within 'About The Author' intact and "as is" and NOT hidden behind a java or redirect script..

The "Contact Lens Success Program" guarantee will give eyecare practitioners a full refund on up to two (one box if the Rx is the same for both eyes) opened and partially used boxes of disposable contact lenses. A patient name will be required at the time of order specific to their prescription. Whether ECPs order one box or eight for their specific patient, Imperial will credit the purchase price of the entire order when the unused and undamaged boxes are returned with the opened and partially used box(es) (some restrictions apply ? see terms of guarantee at: www.imperialoptical.com/contactlenssuccessprogramguarantee.aspx ).Imperial Optical, Inc., founded in 1989, is the largest independent wholesale contact lens distributor in North America specifically focused on providing eyecare professionals with one-stop access to a superior selection of value-priced, top quality, branded contact lenses and a commitment to customer service known throughout the industry as the "Imperial Advantage." To learn more about Imperial Optical, Inc., the "Imperial Advantage" or how to become an Imperial Optical Strategic Partner, visit www.imperialoptical.com..

1. Alternating
2. Concentric
3. Simultaneous

If you have small pupils this arrangement can be reversed this would put the far vision layer in the centre and near vision on the outer ring.In Simultaneous bifocal lenses both layers are in the centre of the lens, this may seem strange but your eyes learn to adapt to each correction layer. This of course may take a little time but you're eye care specialist can advice more on this.Some people may find it difficult to get used to bifocal contact lenses, if you have adapted to bifocal, trifocal, or progressive eyeglass lenses, you'll already understand the basics of using translating bifocal contact lenses, in which the distance zone is straight ahead and above center, while the reading zone is lower. With simultaneous designs, your eyes will learn to focus near or far as needed. Whatever your particular lenses design, your eye-care specialised will make sure you understand how to use it.Bifocal contact lenses come in soft and rigid gas permeable (RGP). In general soft contact lenses can become cloudy with protein deposits over time, they have also been known to be easy to tear.Gas permeable contact lenses are more durable and made from a stronger plastic that stays clearer over time.

When you have RGP bifocals they last longer but you may need new ones only when your presbyopia progresses so that you need a stronger near vision prescription.(c) www.2020-contact-lenses.comReprint Rights feel free to publish this article on your website but you must agree to leave all active links contained within 'About The Author' intact and "as is" and NOT hidden behind a java or redirect script..

As a result of the firmness of the product, however, they can take time to adjust to and shouldn't be left in the eyes overnight. This will cause the cornea to become oxygen deprived ? and the cornea needs oxygen flow to remain healthy. Vision is usually crisper with this type of contact lens, as opposed to the softer variety of lenses.Another common type is the soft contact lens. These are made from a softer plastic ? called hydrogel ? which makes them more comfortable to wear, but are less durable than those of the hard lens line. The water content in soft contact lenses is higher than that of the hard lens - from 25% to 79% - allowing a better flow of oxygen to the cornea.

Due to the fact that the material is highly porous, infections and eye irritation are more common. This happens when dust, protein and bacteria cause contamination of the lenses, which are pressed against the surface of the cornea.Gas permeable contact lenses are more rigid than the soft lenses, but are made of the type of plastic that allows oxygen to reach the cornea and are easier to take care of, insert and remove than the softer version. This type of contact lens correct most vision problems and are now approved for extended wear.Due to the nature of contact lenses and the fact that they cover a portion of the eye, there are specific care instructions that should be heeded, regardless of the type of material from which they're constructed. In addition to washing and drying your hands before handling contact lenses, you should also be sure to insert and remove them correctly; only apply make-up (carefully) after contacts have been inserted; use the specific solutions that your doctor has recommended; avoid rubbing your eyes while contact lenses are being worn; don't place your contact lenses on a warm surface, since they may melt; avoid wearing contacts when under a hair dryer or around harsh chemical fumes; don't use saliva to moisten contacts for insertion; and avoid inserting contact lenses without disinfecting them. These and many other guidelines will keep your eyes healthy and prolong the life of your contacts..

Without this hole, you wouldn't be able to see anything of course.

Taking this theme a bit further, it is possible to get other color lenses which give an 'all out' effect. By this I mean which are made of a solid color, with only the pupil hole showing. These solid color lenses are available in colors such as silver, black, red, yellow and violet. Again the effects of these types of lenses would be considered theatrical in nature, or perhaps used to add an effect for a night out..

Uncontrolled infection can lead to corneal scarring and vision impairment. In extreme cases, this condition can result in blindness and eye loss. "Other risks associated with use of decorative contact lenses include conjunctivitis (an infection of the eye); corneal edema (swelling); allergic reaction; corneal abrasion from poor lens fit; and reduction in visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and other visual functions, resulting in interference with driving and other activities." In addition to prosthetic/therapeutic applications, Harper's company creates custom contact lenses for theatrical use and custom novelty lenses for personal use. However, all of Adventures' lenses are individually prescribed, designed and fit under the direction of a licensed eye care practitioner.According to the Fredericksburg paper, the biggest problem to overcome is that teens think the mass- produced, novelty contacts are cool. "I guess that falls in the same area as piercing your tongue or your nose," Harper said in the newspaper interview, "I think they want to appear different than the one next door.

I think they want to be a little bit outstanding."Adventures In Color Technology, Ltd., serves eye care practitioners both in private practice and at teaching hospitals and universities throughout the world, developing colors and patterns for patients and continuing research for other retinal problems. Hopefully, to soon help patients with macular degeneration, a debilitating loss of vision as the macula in the back of the eye becomes less and less responsive to light entering the eye through the pupil. This condition is the leading cause of blindness in our older population. The company's headquarters is located at 1511 Washington Avenue, Golden, Colo., 80401. Harper may be reached at 303-271-9644, toll-free at 1-800-537-2845 or by e-mail at e-mail protected from spam bots.

The company website is http://www.techcolors.com..

Grey lenses will work well for a variety of activities such as driving, and you will often see true pilot glasses fitted with grey lenses.Yellow ? Yellow tints reduce the amount of blue light that gets to the eyes, as well as provide excellent depth perception. While yellow tends to make everything bright and sharp, it also horribly distorts colors. Don't get yellow if you need to see colors as they really are. Despite this, yellow works awesome for snow sports like skiing, and fast reaction sports like shooting.Green ? Green lenses are another good general purpose because of their ability to provide visual acuteness. Green tints tend to reduce a bit of blue light, while providing glare protection.

Green is probably the most popular tint color.Brown & Amber ? Both brown and amber also make great general purpose lens tints. Both filter out blue light, and reduce glare. Look at using these tints if you need a lot of glare protection.Rose & Purple ? Both rose colored and purple colored lenses provide excellent contrast against blue and green backgrounds. Get these if you need something for hunting or water skiing.By taking the time to inform yourself on the different options available to you in lens colors, you will be assured of quality use over and over again ? Whatever your favorite activity happens to be..