Tag: astigmatism

Should I have Lasik or ICL?

A number of people who are considering the Lasik procedure to correct their nearsightedness or farsightedness have of some potential problems of Lasik, and are wondering if there are other options. Though more than 95 percent of the Lasik patients have a very successful procedure without any major side effects, there are choices for people who wish to improve their vision. Let’s compare two, and discuss these choices with a reputable ophthalmologist.

Traditional Lasik surgery uses a scalpel to create a small flap in the eye, and then a laser reshapes the eye in order to focus accurately. There are two more recent forms of Lasik, one that entirely uses a laser and does away with the scalpel. Another variation uses a three dimension waveform for people with unusual eye shapes, and both of these are worth discussing with your ophthalmologist.

Those people with very thin corneas or other issues that make Lasik not a good candidate for their particular case can consider implantable contact lens surgery. This is known as ICL in the eye surgeon’s lingo, and is a good alternative to Lasik to permanently correct vision. These lenses function in exactly the same way as removable lenses, except that they remain permanently in the eye. Like Lasik, they reshape the eye in order for it to focus accurately. The patient will not feel the lens once the operation has been performed.

Lasik and ICL are similar in several ways. Lasik can improve vision affected by nearsightedness and astigmatism, and ICL can improve these vision deficiencies also. Both Lasik and ICL also have some of the same risks, one of these being that the correction is not accurate after the first operation is done. Lasik is a much more frequently performed procedure, and less than 3 percent (according to the FDA) of these patients need to undergo additional surgery to further correct vision after the first Lasik procedure is done.

Like any operation, there is a chance of infection in either a Lasik procedure or an ICL operation. Good post-operative care by the patient will minimize this and regular checkups at the Lasik or eye care center will nearly always clear this up without further complication. In a small percentage of the cases, either Lasik or ICL patients may not achieve perfect vision and may need to continue to wear corrective eyewear, though usually not at the same strength as the original eyewear.

One advantage of ICL over Lasik is that ICL is a reversible procedure, where the implanted lens can be removed later if that becomes necessary. Lasik involves the reshaping of the cornea to bring objects accurately into focus, and is permanent. However, for a typical, healthy patient either Lasik or ICL will generally bring about the desired improvement in vision.

Lasik is generally a less invasive procedure, and this is reflected in the current cost of the operation. The current price for a Lasik procedure is between $500 and $2500 per eye, depending on the type of procedure and the presiding physician. A typical price for ICL is between $1500 and $3000 per eye. Do some investigation into the options offered, and select the eye procedure that is best for your personal case.

All About Contact Lenses

As most of us know, contact lenses are the best alternative to glasses. They are small, plastic shaped discs that are made to correct eyesight problems like nearsightedness, astigmatism, farsightedness, and other problems. Contact lenses are also used by those who have had cataract surgery, as they can help the eyes to heal a bit faster.

Contacts are used in the eye, where they will float above a sea of tears that rest in front of the cornea. You should always go to a doctor to be fitted, as the proper fitting and design is very important for safety, comfort, and the accurate vision. If you dont get fitted for your contacts, you could very well get a pair of contacts that could damage your eyes.

There are several types of contact lenses available in two main types – hard contact lenses and soft contact lenses. The hard contact lenses include gas permeable and the conventional hard lenses. Soft contact lenses include daily wear, extended wear, and disposable wear. These are all great contacts, although you should check with your optician to see what he recommends.

If you are just starting to wear hard contact lenses or have thought about them in the past, youll need a 2 – 4 week break period, where you will gradually wear the contacts longer and longer with each passing day. Soft contacts on the other hand, will take less time to get used to, as most people who wear them can break them in a few days.

Contact lenses, as we all know, have many different uses. They are mainly used to correct vision, although they can also be used for those who have just had cataracts, especially if the natural lens around was removed. Contacts can also be used in the treatment of various eye diseases, and scars on the cornea that have been caused by infections or injury.

Contact lenses are a great choice for those who have active lifestyles, such as athletes. They wont fall off like glasses when you run, nor do they hang off your face or fog up. They also offer you a full field of vision as well, which is great for sports. The lens and focus is the same as glass, meaning that you will get the same vision from contacts as you would with a pair of glasses.

A lot of people who have vision problems consider getting Lasik eye surgery to fix their vision problems so that they wont have to wear glasses or contacts. On the flip side, there are several risks and problems associated with this procedure, besides the fact that it is very expensive. Contact lenses arent expensive, and they are a safe alternative to vision correction.

Keep in mind that contact lenses arent available without a prescription. Although you can get certain contacts without a prescription, they wont correct your vision. To get contacts that correct your vision, youll need to visit an eye doctor and get fitted for them. Your doctor will tell you the health of your eyes, as well as the contacts you need to correct your vision.

For several years, contact lenses have been an ideal way to correct your vision. They are more popular than glasses, and they wont limit what you can and cant do. Contacts fit snugly in your eyes and they wont make you feel out of place. You can wear them with any type of clothing you desire – as it is very hard to tell if someone is wearing them or not.

Acuvue Contact Lenses

Its really no secret that Acuvue is one of the most popular and most dominant brands of contact lenses out there on the market. There are several different types of Acuvue contact lenses to choose from, including Advanced, Acuvue 2 Colors, and lenses that contain the very popular and innovative Hydraclear. Oasys is another type of Acuvue contact lens, although it is somewhat new and isnt as easy to find.

Just like other brands and types of contacts, Acuvue lenses were designed to correct many vision problems such as far sight, astigmatism, near sight, and the inability or lack of changing focus from far to near. Acuvue offers you options as well, such as hard lenses, soft lenses, and even toric contact lenses.

To make things better for you, Acuvue contacts have a few different periods of wear. Some of them, such as the Acuvue Advanced, are designed to be worn for a two week period, after which they need to be discarded and replaced with a fresh pair. Some types of Acuvue lenses are made for daily use, which means that you must use a fresh pair each day. Normally, Acuvue contacts are intended for daily use and need to be soaked in solution while you sleep, although there are types that can be left in while you sleep, although youll need to clean them on a regular basis.

Although Acuvue contact lenses are considered to be the best contacts you can buy, you should always check with your optician first, as he can tell you which contacts will work best for your eyes. He can also tell you everything you need to know about contacts, and how to take care of them as well. Youll need to clean your contacts daily, unless you chose to go with the 1day Acuvue contacts, which youll change out every day – eliminating the need for cleaning.

Among the many types of Acuvue lenses, those that contain Hydraclear are easily the most popular. Acuvue Advance with Hydraclear are preferred by many, as they are easily among the most comfortable. Hydraclear is a breakthrough in contact lens innovation, helping to prevent your eyes from drying out.

Acuvue contacts are also known for their appearance as well, as they are easily among the best in both comfort and style. Acuvue strives to be the best in contact lenses, which is why their contacts have very little problems. As long as you take care of them, the contacts shouldnt give you any problems. On the other hand, if you dont clean them or take care of them as you should, youll more than likely encounter some problems.

You can find Acuvue contacts at your local opticians office, at your local department store (if they sell contacts), or online. Online is the best way to purchase, as youll normally get amazing discounts and youll find many types of Acuvue contacts that you wont be able to find locally.

All in all, Acuvue is considered to be the best brand in contact lenses. They have been around for many years, providing those who wear contacts the best in comfort and innovation. If you wear contacts, you are probably already familiar with Acuvue. If you wear contacts but havent tried them yet, you really should. Acuvue has many different designs to offer you, and they can easily become your preferred brand if you give them the chance. They are very affordable as well – which makes them an ideal investment for any budget.

The Types Of Contact Lenses

Even though they are great for your eyes, all contact lenses arent equal. Although your doctor will help you select the best pair for your eyes, you should always know a little bit about the contacts that are available to choose from. All contact lenses can be separated depending on their wearing schedule, purpose, material, and over transparency.

Materials
Contacts can be separated or best determined by their material. Contacts are divided into two main groups – soft and rigid (hard). Soft lenses are gas permeable to a certain extent, being further categorized by the amount of water they contain. Soft contacts can have either a low, which is less than 50 percent moisture, or a high moisture content, which is more than 50 percent. Rigid or hard contacts on the other hand, are much harder in material and are considered to be gas permeable.

Wearing schedules
Hard contact lenses can last for months, possibly even years before they need to be replaced. Soft contacts on the other hand, have a schedule for replacement. Some may need to be removed every 2 weeks, monthly, or even daily. The more advanced contact lenses, such as Night and Day contacts, will allow you to wear them all day and all night. Just like other contacts however, you will still need to clean them on a regular basis to ensure that the protein is removed.

Contact lens designs
The designs for contacts are divided into three areas – toric, spherical, and multi-focal. Toric lenses are for those who have astigmatism, spherical is for short sightedness, and the correction of long sightedness, and multi-focal contact lenses are used in the correction of presbyopia. All three designs have their distinct purpose, and you should always ask your optician before you rush out and buy one.

Many different purposes
As you may already know, contact lenses serve different purposes as well. They can be optical, therapeutic, cosmetic or decorative. Optical are the most common, as they are for the correction of vision and anomalies you have may have. Therapeutic lenses are normally soft contacts that serve to protect your cornea. They are also used as a reservoir for certain medicines that are used to treat various cornea diseases and malfunctions.

Decorative contact lenses are basically color contacts that produce various effects, such as rainbow colors, cats eyes, and so on. Cosmetic on the other hand, are meant to change the overall appearance of your eyes. Most types of cosmetic contact lenses are designed to enhance your overall eye color.

The type for you
With there being several different types of contacts available on the market, you should consult with your optician to find out which are the best for you. If you dont have astigmatism, you certainly wouldnt want to get toric lenses. If you dont know anything about contact lenses, you may end up doing your eyes more harm than good. Contact lenses are designed to correct your vision and often times protect your eyes, which is why you want to choose them carefully.

If you pick your contact lenses carefully, youll get the best type for your eyes. Your optician will give you his recommendations during your fitting exam, and go over how you should care for your new contacts. This way, even if you are new to the world of contacts, youll know what you should and shouldnt do. With the right type of contacts for your eyes – youll find vision to be a new and exciting world.