Author Archives: replacemycontacts

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Contact Lens Care: Do’s & Don’ts

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DO…

1.     Always thoroughly wash your hands with a mild soap, and then dry them with a lint-free towel before touching your lenses.

2.     It’s best to insert or remove your contacts in the same order (right then left, or vice versa) to avoid getting your contacts mixed up.

3.     Clean, rinse, and disinfect your contact lenses following your eye care professional’s explicit instructions every time you remove them.

4.     Keep all contact solution bottles closed when not in use.

5.     Clean your contact lens case daily.

6.     Change your contact lens case approximately every three months.

7.     Always take out your contacts before you go swimming.

DON'T…

1.     Bring soaps, cosmetics, or other substances into contact with your lenses.

2.     Touch the tip of a solution bottle to any surface, including your finger or your contact lens.

3.     Reuse – or add additional solution to – old contact lens solution in the case.

4.     Keep your contacts in for longer than the prescribed time.

5.     Use solution after the expiration date marked on the bottle.

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Extreme Sports & Contact Lenses

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Contact lenses offer substantial advantages over glasses when playing sports, such as larger field of view and unaltered by bad weather. In addition, with contact sports, such as football, both the player and opponents are safer if glasses are not involved.

Balance is the prime consideration when playing most sports, and wearing soft contact lenses offers consistent vision despite rapid eye movements. For more rigorous or dangerous activities, where optimal perception is necessary, toric soft contact lenses are recommended. In all cases, the biggest disadvantage of contact lenses is if they dry out and cause eye discomfort. If you’re wondering what lenses are best for your sport, read on.

Skiing – Most types of contact lens work well for skiing. Of course, it is necessary to use either goggles or sunglasses to provide protection from wind and cold, and therefore prevent lens dehydration.

Climbing at high altitude – Because of the reduced level of oxygen in the atmosphere at high altitude, high oxygen transmissibility soft lenses should be worn. Consider extended wear contacts to avoid difficulties with both handling and solutions in inclement conditions.

Swimming – in general, lenses are not recommended for swimming unless well-fitted goggles are worn as well. If you need to wear lenses, Soft contact lenses can be worn fairly successfully. However, use with caution, as some patients are very sensitive to chlorine absorbed by the lenses.

Scuba Diving – Overall, good results have been achieved with water content soft lenses when used for scuba diving. Keep in mind that air bubbles can form beneath lenses at depths of about 150ft or greater.

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Ocular Migraines: What They Are & How to Treat Them

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Optical migraines, also called ocular migraines, are a condition where the sufferer experiences visual disturbances, and if you’ve ever experienced one, the episode can be quite unsettling.

Some symptoms that are often associated with optical migraines are:

·       Visual impairment, such as loss of peripheral vision, in one or both eyes

·       Visual ‘hallucinations’, like spinning colors or flashing lights

·       Blurred vision

·       Appearance of shapes, such as dots or zig-zags

·       Partial obstruction of vision

·       Headache behind one or both eyes

If a headache does result, it can last for a few hours to a few days, depending on the intensity. If you’re sensitive to optical migraines, keep in mind that they are often brought on by stress, food sensitivities, vigorous exercise, or intense exposure to sunlight. Take note of when they tend to occur for you, so you can avoid and prepare for them.

If you’re experiencing an optical migraine, it’s best to take a pain killer, such as Tylenol or Advil, and rest your eyes in a dark room. If you get them frequently, consult your physician or eye doctor.

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What’s the Best Brand of Contact Lenses?

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Each brand of contact lenses is unique. So it’s better to ask which is the best for you. Over 90 percent of contact lens wearers use soft lenses, so this advice is about them. When looking for soft lenses, consider the following:

Base curve.  This is the primary curve at the back of the contact lens, which determines how well the lens fits and the quality of vision correction. It should be nearly the same as your eye’s front curvature (cornea). Your eye doctor will choose a soft lens brand with a base curve appropriate for you.  Though most brands fit the average cornea well, you may need a lens with a steeper or flatter base curve that’s only found in certain brands.

Diameter.  A contact lens of the proper diameter will stay comfortably centered on the cornea. Brands can vary widely here: the size and shape of your eye will determine the diameter of your contact lenses. If you have a small eye opening, for example, you may need a smaller lens diameter to help you apply and remove your contacts easily.

Correction. Some contact lens brands feature high-powered correction for severe myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness).

Astigmatism. If your astigmatism requires a toric (spherical/cylindrical) contact lens, certain brands will ensure proper alignment and minimal lens rotation. Depending on the shape of your eye and other factors, you may see well with one brand toric lenses but not another—even if the brands have the same base curve and diameter. If you fall into this category, ReplaceMyContacts has products like Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism that will fit your needs.

Surface treatments.  Some soft contact lenses feature lens treatments that keep lenses moist for greater comfort. If your eyes dry out quickly these may be best for you.

Naturally, the only way to choose is to have an eye exam and professional contact lens fitting. The first brand your eye doctor chooses will usually be best for you, but sometimes you’ll need to try several brands before making a decision.

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4 Reasons Your Contact Lenses Could Be Making Your Eyes Burn

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Clean, well-fitting contact lenses should be so comfortable that you forget you’re wearing them. If they give you a burning sensation, one of several things could be wrong.

1. Your contact lenses are dirty. Protein deposits and other debris accumulate on contact lenses over time, even if you properly clean and disinfect them. These block oxygen from getting to your eye, causing irritation. It can be fixed by adding a separate lens cleaner to your regimen or by replacing your contacts more frequently.

2. You have allergies. Allergens like dust, pollen, and pet dander can build up on/under your contact lenses making for red, itchy, watery eyes. Your doctor may restrict where/how long you wear your contacts or recommend daily disposable lenses.

3. Your eyes are dry.  Contact lenses can make some eyes dry out. Symptoms include redness, scratchiness, excessive tearing, or a feeling that something is in your eyes. Your doctor may prescribe eye drops and/or vitamins.

4. You’re sensitive to your lens cleaning solution. An ingredient in your contact lens solution could be irritating your eyes. Even if you’ve safely used the same solution for years, it’s possible to develop an adverse reaction to it. Switching to a preservative-free solution may help.

The only way to know what’s making your eyes burn is to get an eye exam. Don’t delay: even simple problems like this can become serious if left untreated.

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Why Do Contact Lenses Expire?

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Why do you throw milk out when it expires? It can make you sick. You should treat your soft contact lenses the same way. After they’re manufactured, lenses are sterilized and sealed before being put on the market. If too much time passes they risk becoming contaminated, even if left in the package. This could cause serious eye problems.

The expiry date on the lens package is generally written in yyyy/mm format. For example, if the package reads 2015/03, the contents are sterile and safe to wear until March 2015. This date is usually four years from the time of manufacture. Of course this is different from your prescription itself, which in most cases has to be renewed once a year.

Don’t risk your eyes—throw out old lenses!

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What Happens If I Wear My Contacts For Too Long?

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Contacts are made of plastic.  But it’s not all the same kind of plastic.  The material determines how long you can safely wear them, both daily and over the long term.

Your eyes need oxygen to stay healthy, and different plastics ‘breathe’ better than others. This makes certain types of contact lenses acceptable for sleeping.

Some plastics are also prone to mineral deposits, which naturally occur from contact with tears. Deposits can make your vision cloudy or cause infection. If you don’t clean your lenses properly, or if you wear them longer than the prescribed amount of time, you risk complications like corneal ulcers and inflammation.

Wearing your lenses too long probably won’t cause problems immediately.  But over time, microscopic changes may be occurring to your eyes. This can add up to pain, blurred vision and serious eye injury.

So make sure to give your eyes a rest when recommended, and get your lenses evaluated at least once a year. Your eye care provider will make sure the schedule suits you, check that your corneas are healthy, and offer new products that may better suit your lifestyle. Also if you’re looking for extended wear contact lenses, try Biomedics 55, Frequency 55, or Purevision contacts.

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Soft Contact Lens Care: The Basics

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Caring for your soft contact lenses is easier than ever. One-bottle care systems and disposable contact lenses mean that comprehensive lens care involves much less time, money, and trouble than it did just a few years ago. Each pair of lenses has unique needs, and you should follow the regimen prescribed by your eye doctor. Some products don’t mix well, or will ruin certain lenses.  Don’t switch to a new regimen without your doctor’s approval. With that in mind, here are the basic steps for soft contact lens care.

1. Wash your hands. This keeps dirt and germs out of your eyes! Avoid moisturizing soaps, as they can stain lenses. Dry your hands with a lint-free towel.

2. Remove one lens and clean it with the recommended solution. Cleaning removes mineral deposits, cosmetics, and other debris to keep your lenses clear, comfortable and safe. The FDA recommends that you rub the lens in the palm of your hand with a few drops of solution, even if you are using a "no-rub" product.

3. Rinse the lens again to remove the loosened debris, making sure to take as long as the package directs. This is a very important step.

4. Place the lens in your clean lens case and fill with fresh solution. Don’t top-up your old solution. Fresh solution will sterilize the lens. Disinfection time varies by brand; check the package for details.

5. Repeat steps 2 – 4 for your other lens.

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Contact Lens Cleaning Solutions: Listen to Your Doctor!

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All contact lens solutions are not created equal. A cleaning solution that doesn’t match your lenses can cause red, itchy eyes—or even turn your contact lenses brown!  We know it’s tempting to buy the bottle on sale, but it’s vital to use the solution recommended by your eye doctor. Also, make sure to read the fine print closely. It can mean the difference between a carefree life and another trip to the optometrist.

Each type of contact lenses requires a specific mix of cleaning and disinfection agents to keep your eyes healthy. This is balanced with preservatives to keep the solution fresh. No matter what the bottle claims, each solution is different, with unique ingredients that are often proprietary—that is, available to the manufacturer and no one else. And remember, not all solutions can safely be placed into the eye! When prescribing your lenses, your eye doctor knows the cleaning solution that will keep them safe and clear. It might be more expensive than the store brand, but your eyes are priceless.

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7 Makeup Tips for Women Who Wear Contact Lenses

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Ladies, you know how annoying it is to get makeup in your eye. But it’s even worse when you wear contact lenses, because makeup can stick to your lenses. Here are a few tips for keeping your eyes looking and feeling good.

1. Put your contact lenses in before applying makeup. Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your contacts so you won't transfer any oils, creams, or lotions to the lenses.

2. Use only hypoallergenic makeup. Almay and Clinique have eye-friendly products, but check out other brands too.

3. Cream eye shadow is less likely to get in your eye than powder, but creams can irritate your eyes more. Choose water-based creams.

4. If you prefer powder, keep your eyes closed during application. Then brush off any excess powder before opening your eyes.

5. Never apply eyeliner between your lashes and your eye—only to the portion of your lashes that is well away from your eye.

6. To remove eye makeup, wash and dry your hands. Then remove your contacts, being careful not to brush them into your makeup.  Finally, use eye makeup remover.

7. Buy new makeup frequently—at least every three months. Don't use old eye makeup, because over time bacteria will get into the product and then into your eyes, where it can cause an infection. One way to tell if your makeup is too old is if it has a strange smell.  Also, don't share your eye makeup with others.

You can also use contact lenses to enhance your makeup efforts. Check out our colored contacts to see how you can customize your look!