3 Things a Contact Lens After Care & Follow up Exam Includes

Contact lens after care is not an eye examination. It may be a combination of the two. It is in fact a follow up eye examination, where ophthalmologists examine your eyes to see how contact lenses have affected your vision & eyes in general. Contact lens after care & follow ups are recommended once every year, unless you suffer from a typical vision disorder or are younger than 16 years of age.

What Happens in a Contact Lens Follow-up?

Contact lens follow ups help doctors analyze the general health of your eyes. From ruling out the possibility of any underlying infections that are as yet dormant to assessing the quality of tears are included in a doctor-patient contact lens follow up session.

Also Read: [ How Important are Contact Lens Followups?]

As a regular contact lens wearer, you are advised to allow enough time to let your contact lenses settle before you arrange an appointment with your doctor. Usually, after 3 hours of wearing contact lenses; your eyes show telltale signs of discomfort that only a doctor will be able to spot on. A contact lens follow up may include:

1. An eye test – To see if your prescription needs to be updated

2. Movement of Contact lenses on Cornea – To see how your eyes react against contact lenses. Contact lenses are meant to move on eyes, but not too much.

3. Quality of Tears – To see if your eyes are still producing enough quantity of tears to help lubricate your eyes. This test also helps sorting out the different modes of contact lens replacement. For instance; someone with dirty tear film needs daily disposable contact lenses.

Moreover, your eye doctor may ask you to remove your contact lenses. Doing so he will be able to analyze the performance of your eyes without contact lenses. Feel free to take along your contact lens solutions and lubricating drops if you have had suffered from red eyes, discomfort or eye sore. Depending on the health of your eyes and the ingredients mentioned on the product label; he will be able to find a link between infections and contact lenses (if any).

Also Read: [Converting Prescription of Glasses to Contact Lenses]

Please remember that prescription of your glasses is different than prescription of your contact lenses. This is why; get a fresh prescription from your eye doctor whenever you plan to make a switch between the two counter parts for vision correction. 

4 Tips to Reduce Chances of Vision Loss in Contact Lens Wearers

Over 285 million people have vision problems out of which 90% are fortunately curable. With little perseverance; chances of vision loss in contact lens wearers can be significantly reduced. Vision impairment often go un-noticed due to the eye exams being overly under rated. Doctors suggest that adults with 20/20 vision should observe regular checkups- once in a year, if not twice. Contact lenses are an excellent mode of vision correction as compared to the other counter-parts. Continuously using them to alter the vision helps improve the vision related disorders such as dizziness & headaches. Contact lens wearers with little consistency can prevent further vision loss by following the tips given below:

Eat Fresh: Eating fresh, for instance; green leafy vegetables help improve the eye sight. Eating fruits, whole grains and low-fat dairy products keep your eyes healthy.

Quit Smoking: Smoking is disastrous to one’s health. It destroys lungs, causes mouth sores & leave your teeth and gums stained. Excessive smoking is injurious as it may lead to ocular dysfunctions where corneal infiltrates and smoking related dryness deter the coordination of different parts in human eye. Contact lens wearers are once again at greater risks of contagious infections. The transmission of infectious ocular diseases can be prevented by immediate tossing of contact lenses that are suspected to be accumulated with germs.

Schedule an Eye Exam: Eye exams are mandatory. Though online information helps a great deal in prevention of diseases; the diagnosis can only be made by professional eye doctor. Only an eye care professional analyze the symptoms, make a diagnosis & proceed further with the treatment. Sometimes infections go unnoticed until they become cure-less. Timely & routine contact lens follow ups help in early diagnosis for a healthy lifestyle.

Wear Preventive Ocular Wear: Ultra violet rays are as damaging to your eye sight as they are to your skin. You intercept sun rays by slathering sun block; but how to prevent eyes from the damaging sun rays? Wear protective ocular wear such as UV contact lenses & UV sunglasses. Reflection is intense at snow and sea waves; avoid glaring on to such objects.

Always practice hygiene. Handle your contact lenses the prescribed way to lead a healthy & happy life. 

DIY Eye Test: Now Contact Lens Users can take an Eye Exam at Home

Avid users of contact lenses may better realize the importance of a valid prescription & eye exam. Unfortunately, eye exams are often ignored as patients find it an annoying practice to physically visit the eye care’s office. Thus, to make the entire process hassle-free, “Opternative” a new website-aiming at improving one’s eye health has established an innovative online eye exam where your lap top & your smartphone rules.

People who wear contact lenses must stay vigilant about how their eyes perform under different circumstances. Even a minor change in prescription may lead to headaches, pain in temples, heavy eyelids etc. Dr. Jeremy Ciano explained the importance of regular eye exams on World’s sight day. He emphasized that being into the practice of eye check-ups can help improve the sight of even those with 20/20 vision. With Opternative eye test you only need to spend roughly 25 minutes & $30 for your prescription.

The eye exam does not let you wander in vacuum. From stage one to stage last; there are real brains working behind the concept. The test monitors your vision just like a usual eye doctor performs an eye test. You are asked to focus on the different objects, numbers & shapes that slide onto your laptop’s screen whereas your smartphone serves like a remote control that you use to enter your data. A real life optometrist then analyze your prescription & issues you one to help you make your selection for different modes of vision correction.

The test entertains people under 18 to 40 years. Whilst the DIY eye exam is convenient & straightforward; you must visit your eye care provider at least once in a year. As per the stats there are over 40 million people who wear contact lenses but little they do know about the risk of infections they are possibly at. Only a doctor might be able to diagnose & treat eye related discomfort caused by dryness, digital strain or by improper & unhygienic practices of contact lenses. Contact lens follow-ups help ruling out the underlying threats that may run havoc in future. Fortunately, 90% of the eye problems can be treated, prevented or cured. The best bet however remains the “Prevention”. Always keep a valid contact lens prescription in your arsenal; and you will never regret!

Why Monitoring Eye Health should be One’s Top Priority when Wearing Contact Lenses?

courtesy: Starfocal

It is a universal bad habit that we tend to ignore eye health when it comes to monitoring over-all body health. Doctors opine that monitoring eye health should be one’s top priority if you wear prescription contact lenses. Annual checkups & regular follow ups can help over rule the chances of contraindications you have been unaware of.

Eyes are windows to the soul. The idiom seems to carry the load of heavy meanings not only in serving to one’s aesthetics but also in clinical terms. Eyes show discomfort and various signals when your body suffers from other medical conditions; you have been oblivious of. For instance; you might get migraines due to the changing prescription of your contact lenses. Therefore; eye health exam should be made on priority basis once in a year if not in every 6 months.

Contact Lenses Need Attention:

People wearing contact lenses should be more vigilant about how their eyes behave when they shift to different temperature zones. Weather changes may also interfere with vision for patients wearing prescription contact lenses. With the onset of spring the suspended pollen particles in air might accumulate on the surface of contact lenses, causing blurred/hazy vision or might even spark allergic reactions. Similarly, beach visits in summer & tours to frozen areas might create discomfort whilst sporting contact lenses. Using mere eye drops help in various issues but serious concerns are better justified by an Optometrist. Only he will be able to judge if you should continue wearing contact lenses when allergens hit or should better give your eyes a rest.

Contact lenses have never been a problem. Eye experts opine that they wish to see more people opting contact lenses as they have been a handy device in vision correction for people from different walks of life, from children to elderly, from house wives to sportsmen with vigorous activities. Only follow instructions that come with your contact lenses & keep contact lens follow ups in your priority list. Guard your eyes against irrevocable vision damages- start acting today. 

Contact Lenses with Proper Compliance are proved to be a Safer Option for Vision Correction- Consensus in Singapore Reveals

Contact lenses- A safer mode of vision correction 

Singapore Contact Lens Society; comprised of professional ophthalmologists, is cognizant of the importance of constant monitoring in contact lens wearers. The society lays great emphasis on the regular contact lens follow-up for people using contact lenses for vision correction.

Ophthalmologists opine that contact lenses when followed by proper care regimen minimize the risk of infections. The society quoted a U.S study that reveals that the rate of infection induced by contact lenses is 13.9 in every 10,000 children whereas in adults it has astonishingly been reduced to zero percent. The study also reveals that there has not even been a single registered case of "contact lens related infection"; leading to permanent damage or vision loss.

The consensus further elaborates that contact lenses are safe mode of vision correction when followed by proper compliance. A clean, sterilized and FDA approved contact lens that is properly fitted ensures minimum to no risks. With proper hygiene, infections’ risk can be greatly reduced. Additionally, the follow-up sessions keep a sharp track on rising ocular abnormalities if any.

The society summarized the safe contact lens wear as follows:

1. Eyes should look good- free from redness
2. Eyes should feel good- free from itching
3. Eyes should see good- free from blurred or hazy vision

If you are an active wearer of contact lenses, keep monitoring how your eyes perform with and without them. In case, you notice an unusual secretion, itching or painful sensation; rush to your eye care professional. Follow contact lens care regimen religiously & prevent your eyes from seasonal or occasional infections that are more likely to hit people wearing contact lenses.

Related:

 Managing seasonal allergies with contact lenses

Make Eye Health a Priority (First Contact Lens Week: Health Reminder 3)

People who wear contact lenses should be very cautious about the health of their eyes. Eye health needs to take the status of “priority” in your life than being an “option”. Elderly & children both, alike need a comprehensive check-up once a year. Contact lens wearers should keep a track on how their eyes are performing against contact lenses, through regular follow-up sessions.

FDA approved contact lenses and circle lenses that have acquired CE certifications & other medical approvals pose no threats usually. However, negligence, ignorance & improper use of contact lenses may lead to serious eye infections and even corneal abrasions. This is why; ophthalmologists and contact lens experts emphasize on the importance of “Contact Lens Follow-ups”.

Also Read: How important are contact lens follow-ups?

Human being makes mistakes inadvertently; and with contact lenses there are increased chances of developing the habit of indulging oneself into “shortcuts”. Falling asleep with contact lenses with an intention of taking just a 20 minutes nap, not disinfecting them on daily basis, topping off solution in the lens chambers & not replacing them past their expiry are common pitfalls for every one wearing contact lenses in a routine. These ignorant attitudes of consumers may trigger serious health hazards about which the patient often stays oblivious of. Contrary to this, regular follow-ups of contact lenses let you detect an infection at the early stages; ensuring the most competitive treatment.

It has been observed that it is the improper usage of contact lenses that contribute to the 1 million eye infections alone in the US every year. To be on a safer side preventive & routine eye care should be your top priority than resorting to your eye care professional only when something goes wrong. From a medical stand point, eye checkups do more than just correcting vision problems. Contact lenses are classified as medicaldevices and should be dealt accordingly for safer eyes. 

Are Circle Lenses Really the Reason Behind Surging Ocular Infections?

Relation b/w circle lenses & eye infections

In United States alone, nearly 1 million eye infections are reported every year with most of them being directly or closely linked with the improper usage of circle contact lenses. This Thursday, Center for Disease Control & Prevention unveiled new statistics that hold the immature approach of customers towards circle lenses responsible for potential infections.

FDA approved circle lenses ensure risk-free usage thus restricts CLID (circle lenses induced diseases). However; improper usage, criminal negligence & failing to handle them properly may lead to superficial damages. In some cases, patient may even lose the eye sight for ever depending upon the severity of the infection.

Also Read: Are contact lenses really worth the risk?

Stick to Prescription & Ensure Follow-ups

• It is necessary to understand that circle lenses are medical devices and they should be handled likewise. You need to stick to the prescription with regular follow ups. Even if you do not wear circle lenses for correcting refractive index error; you must make it sure to meet your eye doctor at least once a year to overrule any chances of ocular injuries. Sometimes, frequent wear or over-wearing circle lenses exert pressure and eye strain about which the patient stays oblivious of.

Also Read: How important are contact lens Follow-ups?

• Internet is flooded with horrendous contact lens stories but let them not scare you. If you are adult enough to take responsibility of other affairs in your life than you are probably mature enough to be a wise consumer of circle lenses. It is easier to take short cuts when you wear circle lenses; but once you involve yourself in healthy contact lens habits you will discover that not only they are saving your time & energy but are also laying strong foundations for a an older yet healthier you.

Also Read: Minor life style improvements ensure safer contact lens wear

Circle lenses should not be usually a problem. If you detect any discomfort even upon wearing FDA approved circle lenses then it should be enough to ring the bells for you. Immediately put them off and examine them for any manufacturing flaws. If they appear fine & discomfort persists, you should hurry to set an appointment with your doctor to overrule the chances of any ocular injury that is beginning to unveil itself by showing such minor symptoms of inflammation, scarring, itching & teary eyes. 

How important are Contact Lens Follow-ups?

Circle contact lenses are the best mode of changing the way you look. They are fun to wear at special occasions. Available in all funky, crazy & unique colors & patterns they tend to grab tons of attention. The situation however changes if you wear “prescription” contact lenses. Prescription contact lenses need prescription of course at the first place & last but not the least they require “regular circle contact lens follow ups”.

Also Read: What are Prescription Contact Lenses?

Prescription circle contact lenses are meant to change the defect in your eyesight. They cater to all types of vision problems including farsightedness & astigmatism. If you happen to wear prescription circle contact lenses you need to be a bit more vigilant & careful since you might need to get them fitted by an eye care professional.

Also Read: Is Prescription of Glasses & Contact Lenses the Same?

• Prescription may change over time therefore follow up appointments are recommended to patients with refractive index errors. Failing to meet your eye care professional may cause potential damages to the eyes because circle contact lenses are medical devices that should be monitored regularly for the side effects.
• Because people who wear circle contact lenses to correct the vision defect wear circle lenses more regularly and for longer durations than those who wear it just for fun are at greater risk of diseases caused by circle contact lenses.
• Circle contact lenses may also cause discomfort whilst working at computer. Eye strain being one of the most common side-effect, is often ignored by the patients which lead towards further severe damages such as corneal ulcers, keratitis, neovascularization etc.
• Having regular meet-ups with your eye care professional keep you up to date & medically fit. You should discuss the risks & benefits of wearing circle contact lenses other than general care & maintenance tips.

For healthy eyes & risk-free wear of circle contact lenses ask your doctor the following questions

1. Is it safe to wear circle lenses every day?
2. Are circle contact lenses really worth the risk?
3. How long wearing is actually considered over-wearing circle lenses?
4. Effect of circle contact lenses on people working at computers?

An eye care professional is able to check your eyes thoroughly for contact lens impact. He may be able to prescribe you something your eyes better deserve which as a result maximizes vision. Doctors do not want to increase the drop-outs of contact lenses because they have been the handiestdevice for people from different walks of life when it comes to correcting the vision defect.

Also Read: Glasses or Circle Contact Lenses for Vision Correction?

Schedule your circle contact lens follow ups & don’t miss a single appointment! Stay healthy, stay safe!