3 Ways to Manage Colored Contacts in Hazy Weather

Alike spring, autumn & summer patients with refractive index error need to manage their life style in order to stay comfortable during hazy weather, with the type of contact lenses they wear. During haze; smoke or dust particles are suspended most in the air due to which a feeling of discomfort is observed. Trapped foreign particles may even induce burning/stinging sensation. Haze affects field of vision & limits the visibility. Above all, it adversely affects your peepers- threatens your vision; if you wear contact lenses. Fortunately, everything is manageable; provided, you are willing to stay meticulous of contact lens handling & focused at improving your lifestyle.

1. Prevention

Let us remind our elementary lesson i.e. “Prevention is better than cure”. It is advisable to avoid staying out doors when the weather is windy or hazy. Since the surface of contact lenses is electrostatic; everything that comes into contact with them make its way inside to the cornea. Therefore, always carry a traveling contact lens kit that easily accommodates a small bottle of your contact lens disinfectant. In emergency, instead of rubbing your eyes and making things gross; immediately put off your circle contacts and disinfect them right at the spot. Monthly or daily disposable circle lenses are a better option in such changing climates.

2. Wear Contact Lenses with High Water Grade

Contact lenses with low water ratio may get dry. They increase the risk of corneal abrasions when eyes are rubbed in case of introduction of a foreign body. Though rubbing seems to calm down the slew of eye problems; it actually aggravates the condition. Contact lenses with high water grade keep eyes moist and comfortable.

3. Keep Lubricating your Eyes

When out in haze, carry lubricating drops in your bag. Rewetting drops help immediately flush out the foreign agents. Some of the advanced rewetting drops such as Blink N Clean from Abbott Pharma, disinfect contact lenses whilst they are still in your eyes. Just instill few drops, blink and Ta da!

Also Read: Contact Lens Management in Spring

Haze if composed of water vapors, do not really affect contact lens wear. However, one should be concerned if it is the other way round. Irritants can leave your cornea and contact lenses scratched. Contact lens management in haze is a bit difficult to tackle as sun glasses cannot provide protection in haze. To ensure, you stay comfortable keep a spare pair of colored contacts along with other needed accessories. Being warned is being armed, right?

Dry Eyes, Contact Lenses & Winter

Effective contact lens management is key to comfortable wearing sessions

With the onset of winters, contact lens tolerance has been badly affected in many regions of the world. Winters instigate dryness & contact lenses tend to aggravate it. Nonetheless, contact lens tolerance can be improved by the effective management of the "changing climate".

How to Tackle Dryness to Continue Wearing Contact Lenses in winter?

Dryness is a syndrome where eyes fail to meet adequate tear production. Due to the cold weather the tears are evaporated too quickly to keep eyes moisten. Upon wearing contact lenses the condition is aggravated even more since they are the barrier towards oxygen absorption. Contact lenses themselves are considered to be a dryness inducing agent. Every year a wide number of people are affected negatively by CLID (contact lens induced dryness) alone. Wearing contact lenses when the climate is harsh enough causes irritation & inflammation which needs effective management if you want to continue wearing your contact lenses.

Also Read:  Why do contact lenses turn my eyes dry?

 In winter; when it is snow outside you would not definitely want to go back to your conventional set of glasses just to end up with them being foggy. Prescription contact lenses have been the choice of millions to ensure clear, crisp & impeccable vision. It is an established fact; that with slight variations in lifestyle, one can improve contact lens tolerance for better. If you have ever felt discomfort due to wearing contact lenses because of reduced tear production then try following:

1. Drink plenty of water
2. Eat fresh fruits & vegetables
3. Avoid prolong working at computer
4. Do not over-wear contact lenses ( not more than 6 hours daily)
5. Use lubricating drops
6. Wear contact lenses with low water content (below 40%)

Re-wetting drops may make huge world of a difference. They add immediate comfort and help you with blinking. However, total dependency on lubricating drops may ruin your life. They should only be resorted to when nothing else seem to relieve the symptoms. Focus on making lifestyle changes on a long term course to see the difference or get your own pair of contact lenses for dry eyes for an immediate rescue. 

5 Safety Tips for Contact Lens Wearers

Contact lens wearers are vulnerable to contagious ocular diseases if proper care is not taken off. Fortunately, only very rarely contact lens related injuries are registered every year in hospitals. Since contact lenses are approved medical devices, handling them with care is mandatory. Being meticulous about diligent cleanliness & disinfection is what keep your contact lenses safe from bacteria accumulation.

Follow these 5 Safety Tips to Guard your Eyes against Infections

1. Okay, this is no brainier. washing your hands by an oil-free soap is crucial. Rub and cleanse your finger pads, dry them with a lint-free cloth before even thinking to touch your contacts.
2. Circle contacts should never be shared, swapped, or resold after use. Even the lens that you first inserted in your right eye should not go into left. As under-wears & tooth brushes are meant for personal use; circle lenses should also be confined to one’s self only.
3. People prone to allergies should learn effective management of contact lenses with the changing weather. Pollen in spring & dry weather in winter can instigate irritation that can be reduced using eye drops. People with allergies should be very vigilant about disposing off their contact lenses right on the time as they cross the expiration date.
4. Don’t allow your circle lenses to get in contact with water. Always put them of before going for a swim, at beach or before diving into a hot tub bath or a shower. Water contains microorganisms that cling to the surface of contact lenses & might eat your cornea if transmission happens.
5. Replace your contact lens cases every 3 months. Yes, every 3 months. Contact lens cases are breeding beds of germs and must not be taken for granted. If you can’t somehow replace your cases sterilize them before using them further. 

How to Manage Allergies when Wearing Colored Contact Lenses?

Every year pro-allergy season i.e. Fall & Spring trigger allergies which push people wearing prescription colored contact lenses to switch to the other alternate i.e. ‘spectacles’. Wearing spectacles might be a cheap alternative but is troublesome to many especially if you are an athlete. 

This being said; patients even when air-borne irritants are expected to be suspended most in the air, prefer to stick to wearing colored contact lenses, which of course intensifies the problem. When suffering from pollen allergy, adopt a very aggressive hygiene plan & practice strict sanitation habits.

Effective Management with Irritants causing Allergy & Prescription colored Contact Lenses

Air-borne irritants are suspended in the air & they cover everything they come into contact with. Colored contact lenses especially the soft variant are gas permeable lenses which are made so to let the oxygen pass through. Eyes draw its oxygen from the atmosphere than from the body & hence contact lenses partially assist oxygen penetration. Such irritants find prescription colored contacts a channel to reaching your eyes that later on provoke the urge of itching them. Once stimulated, the itching turn gross which unfortunately may be responsible for scratching the cornea.

Taking note of following hygiene practices; you can still wear your colored contact lenses even when allergy season is at peak.

• Always handle colored contacts after washing your hands thoroughly.
• When out in an open environment, wear protective glasses such as shades etc
• Stay away from trees. Avoid walking under woods.
• Disinfect your contact lenses carefully after each wear. Do not TOP OFF the solution. Instead have your contact lens cases’ chambers filled with a new supply every day.
• Keep your nails trimmed.
• Do not share your contact lenses ever.
• When travelling keep your contact lens case enclosed in a zipper bag. This limits the accumulation of irritants to contacts.
• Do not touch your eyes. Resist the urge of rubbing them. If it gets over-whelming, remove your colored contact lenses prior to scrub your eyes.
• Wash your eyes with clear cold water when an irritant gets into your eyes. Always AVOID scratching them.
• Keep rewetting or artificial tears. When your eyes are moist, they are most secure.

In severe cases your doctor might be better able to understand the underlying cause. Upon noticing blurred/hazy vision along with dancing floaters & slight discharge & itching, you should always remove your contact lenses. Wash your eyes, instill a drop or two of rewetting drops as it helps flushing out the irritants & let your eyes rest before you put on your contact lenses back.

Seasonal allergies are no threat, provided you are diligent about your hygiene and meticulous about the disinfection of colored contact lenses. If you think none of the above is helping you, consider meeting your eye care professional as it will rule out the chances of other serious contraindications. Or, otherwise opt for daily disposable contact lenses to reduce the buildup over contacts. “Daily disposables work really well because you’ve eliminated the care product,” Dr. Secor told PCON. 

Sometimes allergy sufferers can wear daily disposables during the peak season and switch back to another type of lens during other times of the year.

Management with Computer Vision Syndrome in Contact Lens Users

Science concludes that staring at screen reduces the number of times you blink. Blinking keeps eyes moist & hydrated. Working at computer causes eye fatigue that is aggravated due to wearing contact lenses. Computer vision syndrome includes dry or runny eyes, fatigued eyes, hazy or blurred vision & redness. Patients with CVS may find it uncomfortable to continue with contact lenses. However by introducing few modifications in the lifestyle, you can get back to work with optimum efficiency.

Tips to Relieve CVS

1. Keep an appropriate distance from the screen. The angle, the distance & the height of the screen should be well-optimized. To prevent muscular strain & eyes observe caution whilst working at computer.
2. Minimize glaring at screen for long. Look away from the screen for few seconds. Look up & down. Batting eyes also provides comfort.
3. Don’t over-wear contact lenses. Though it is more about personal tolerance; it is said that computer usage reduce contact lens endurance. Since contact lenses block swift oxygen flow to the cornea, eyes feel fatigued even more when they are made to glare at the screen. If you can tolerate contacts for 8 hours otherwise; you would want to cut down it to 5-6 hours when working at computer.  
4. Environmental factors such as air-conditioned buildings adversely affect contact lens tolerance. Air-conditioning compromises the humidity level that alleviates the dry eye syndrome in computer related vision disorders.
5. Stay very observant about the screens you work at. Keep them clean, so that your eyes don’t have to work strenuously.
6. Some contact lenses are better at retaining water whereas some tend to get dry quickly. Contact lenses with high water content are though more comfortable they are known to make eyes dry. Rewet eyes using lubricating drops if burning sensation or difficulty in blinking eyes is observed.

Computer vision syndrome can be managed. Lifestyle modifications help relieve the discomfort in contact lens users. It greatly enhances the ability to refocus by minimizing headaches, double vision & difficulty batting the eyes. To keep eyes comfortable & prevent dryness, keep yourself hydrated. Drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcoholic drinks help your eyes do the talking with an unparalleled sparkle! 

My Last Try with Contact Lenses was a Disappointment. Should I try them again?

Lenses in the photo: I.Fairy Cara blue

Almost anyone on earth can wear contact lenses. Experts opine even the age doesn’t put you on restriction. The only thing that matters is “mental maturity”. Contact lenses have been a boon and are constantly evolving. If your last try with contact lenses shuddered badly, no problem. You can always check with them again as the possibilities with contact lenses are now endless due to the latest technology & innovation.

A study revealed in 2004 that above 125 million people in the world wear contact lenses. Not necessarily, circle lenses that you are trying out today will fit you tomorrow. Similarly, if you have had problems with contact lenses in the past even after several tries; you always have the option to try them again. With latest innovation, circle lenses have evolved tremendously making it easier for the patients to try from the different brands.

Contact lenses do need management as the seasons change. People with ocular allergies or sensitive eyes need to be a bit more concerned than other consumers. Circle lenses might pick lint, pollen or behave awkwardly when weather is freezing cold. These factors must not lead you to drop out wearing contact lenses. Fortunately, in most cases with proper monitoring & maintenance discomfort produced by wearing contact lenses can be reduced or totally alleviated.

Also Read: Contact Lens Management for spring

Certain type of circle lenses might not however suit everyone-for instance, “sclera contact lenses” or other variations of crazy lenses that are opaque/strongly pigmented. These 22mm sclera lenses cover the entire eye and are only meant for theatrical performances.

Geolica Silicone Hydrogel Lenses

In case you want to try out circle lenses after the last failed try; we recommend you beginning the new venture with Geolica Eyevelyn Silicone Hydrogel contact lenses. They are made using advanced technology of silicone hydrogel material that offers higher oxygen permeability with increased moisture retention for maximum comfort.

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Related:

Also Read: 3 Reasons to Wear Geolica Eyevelyn Contact Lenses

DOs of Contact Lenses: Travel Tips with Contact Lenses

Depending on the destination you are heading to; traveling tips with contact lenses may vary. Most sensitive care is required when you are traveling by air. Since during long haul flights you are exposed to air cabins with reduced atmospheric pressure, humidity and oxygen; contact lenses dry quickly and the solution may leak. Furthermore, strict regulations make it worse to manage with contact lenses. This however, does not restrict you from wearing contact lenses when you travel because they are prosthetic medical devices that are considered essential. With little management, you can safely continue to wearing your contact lenses.

Also Read: How to Survive Long Haul Flights with Contact Lenses

1. Carry only 3 ounces or less (100 ml) of contact lens solution or it will be confiscated at the airport. Due to strict regulations on carrying liquid, you are not allowed to carry a full sized bottle of the solution. It is advised to use all in one solution, therefore.
2. Carry the full sized contact lens solution bottle in your checked-luggage. Since it is considered a medical necessity; after assessment, it will be cleared to be carried in your luggage.
3. Carry a small bottle of re-wetting drops in your beauty bag. Due to reduced air-pressure, you may feel dryness which can be reduced using eye drops.
4. Do your packing wisely. Keep your contact lens accessories in a plastic zip lock bag to prevent leaking the solution. Remember thumb rule of 3:1:1 i.e. 3 ounces of liquid, 1 zip lock bag and 1 plastic bag per passenger
5. Bring along two spare pairs of contact lenses, just in case you damage one. It is recommended to travel with daily disposable contact lenses so that you open a fresh par every day without having to find additional time to take care of your contacts.  

Related Reads:

Packing your Beauty Bag Wisely for Traveling

3 Lessons 2014 Taught about Circle Lenses

2014 has been a great year regarding circle lenses. We noticed new innovations, advanced technologies & contact lens cases that ensure thorough cleansing & disinfection. Though, 2014 has been a boon for circle lenses, we observed how consumers risked their vision by neglecting to take care of their eyes & circle lenses. All contact lens wearers should stay meticulous and must learn from the lessons we got from 2014.

• Say NO to Over-Wearing & Sharing of Contact Lenses

Circle lenses & contact lenses must not be worn beyond their expiry date. Always follow the replacement schedule strictly. Sharing your circle lenses and over wearing them increases the chances of bacteria accumulation that may lead to conjunctivitis, corneal fungus & abrasions. In severe complications, vision loss is also a horrendous aftermath of ignoring the expiry date of circle lenses.

• Pragmatic Approach to Contact Lens Cleansing Enables Easy Management in Allergy Seasons

We observed in 2014, that pragmatic approach to contact lens cleansing makes it easier to manage allergies. It becomes necessary to thoroughly disinfect your circle lenses before and after wearing them as Pollen and air pollutants stick to the surface of circle lenses when the pro-allergy seasons turn nasty. Disinfecting your circle lenses, this way in 2015; will keep your eyes healthy throughout the year-yes even when the irritants are floating most in the air.

• Treating Discomfort Induced by Circle Lenses using Special Spray

Australian researches discovered in 2014 that why some people find it uncomfortable to wear contact lenses. According to them “lipid degeneration” turns their eyes dry which as a result makes it painful for eyes to develop acquaintance with circle lenses.

Using FDA approved circle lenses, eye drops & cosmetics help halfway; whereas using liposomal eye spray can completely tackle the issue. Doctors also suggest wearing circle lenses specially designed for people with dry eyes if you experience the same discomfort.

Circle lenses have changed lives for good. Today, in 21^st century; we cannot imagine of a life lacking the miracles of circle lenses. Movies, conventions, cosplays & celebrities all find it fun to change their appearance using circle lenses. In fact, circle lenses gave rise to emerging online stars; say Ulzaang and gyarus. Be an inspiration for others & get your FDA approved circle lenses for a new look in New Year!

Winter Eye Care Tips for Contact Lens Wearers

Contact lenses need management & it may be challenging to tackle with the obstacles faced at initial stages. As the climate takes a turn towards spring, contact lens wearers need to manage the allergies. Similarly, the winter sun also calls for attention. The climate in winter is dry with hot air inside and cold outside that disturbs the tear film. Tear film in eyes is responsible for keeping eyes moist & contact lenses soft. The sudden shift from hot indoor air to cold outside leaves eyes dry that instigate dryness. To manage contact lens wear in winters, please follow the tips given below

Make Arrangements to Keep Contact Lenses Soft

Soak your contact lenses in multi-purpose solution for 6-8 hours prior to each wear. Refill the chambers every morning with new supply of solution.

Make Arrangements to Keep Eyes Moist

Since contact lenses in winter turn eyes dry sooner than usual, it is mandatory to make special arrangements about keeping them moist. Contact lenses themselves block oxygen permeability to some extent & dry air of winter further aggravates the condition. Using re-wetting eye drops or silicone hydrogel contact lenses help settling things.

Also Read: What are Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses & How They are Beneficial?

Protect Your Eyes

Forget that sunglasses are only for scorching summer sun. Contrary to the myth, eye experts recommend wearing sun glasses in winter & even in cloudy weather. Not only do they prevent harmful agents getting in to your eyes, but also intercept damaging UV rays. Wearing a hat may also help. However, keep in mind that the hat does not shed, because the lint cause irritation & tingling in eyes

Make use of Humidifiers

Heaters draw moisturizer out from the air making it even drier. This dry air facilitates quick tear evaporation that leaves eyes dry. Humidifiers help maintaining the moisture level in air that in turns keep eyes moist.

Related:

Dry Eye Syndrome & Winter

Do Soft Contact Lenses Freeze in Sub Zero Temperatures?

Can I wear Contact Lenses when I Catch Cold?

Contact lenses help you maintain an improved vision. Unfortunately they come with certain restrictions. To help prevent infections, it is necessary you follow your doctor’s advice about continuing to wear your lenses when you are sick or under weather. Contact lenses should feel fine when your body temperature rises slightly. However, you should cease wearing contact lenses if fever is accompanied by strong flu, runny nose & itchy/inflamed eyes. Since fever and cold along with medicines can affect tear-chemistry; contact lenses may be irritable for your eyes until you fully heal.

Avoiding contact lenses can be an obstacle in your day to day life if you rely on them for vision correction. Unless, you are suffering from a severe ocular infection, you can still wear your colored contacts safely; provided they are daily disposable. Strong weather changes such as storms, windy weather and spring where there are innumerable pollen particles suspended in the air; call for a wise contact lens management. Switching to daily disposables from annual replacement should work fine when you are under strong influenza virus attack or are battling through air borne irritants.

During cold, every time you rub your eyes you are unknowingly transferring germs to them. This may lead to contact lens contamination and re-wearing the same pair of contacts when you recover will have an increased risk of infection. Moreover, due to the reduced and compromised tear film; your eyes may feel drier which makes it uncomfortable to wear contacts during an illness. Fortunately, influenza virus is not always very severely strong. If you think your eyes are unaffected, please feel free to wear soft lenses when unavoidable.

In short; you are your own home doctor. Before you could run to a professional you must have enough knowledge to deal with your troubles. Remember a stitch in time, saves nine! Ask yourself if your eyes look good enough with circle contacts. Whenever in doubt, remove them – your eyes are not worth the risks. 

Winter Eye Care Tips for Contact Lens Wearers

Pastelbat Courtesy

Contact lenses always need ingenious management with weather. In fall you have to adjust your eyes with pollen whereas in summer & winter the longevity of contact lenses is badly affected by the dry air. During winter people suffer from dry eyes syndrome due to abrupt switching from dry indoor air to outside cold & wet air. The tear-film that is responsible to keep your eyes moist & lubricated gets disturbed due to which dryness is exacerbated. Following the tips given below may help you keep your eyes moist all the day long for greater contact lens tolerance.

1. Keep yourself hydrated. In winter people tend to neglect drinking water because of the low perspiration rate. Drinking plenty of water & continuing to consume green salads & cereals keep your body fluids balanced. As a result you get sparkling & well-hydrated eyes.
2. During summer you have to face chilled indoor air and hot plus humid outdoor air. In winter; it is the other way round. The heaters burn the moisture present in the building to modify which you need a humidifier. Do use your sunglasses & hats outside just like you wear in the summer as the low-key sun rays may harm even more when are reflected through snow & icicles.
3. Use artificial tears to keep your eyes lubricated especially if you wear colored contact lenses
4. You are more likely to get snuggled up in a cozy kigurumi and comfy couch during long winter nights. Falling asleep watching your favorite movie with a big mug of coffee cunningly turn your eyes dry without even letting you realize. Staring at screen reduces the blink-rate that adds to dryness. Try to blink more frequently & take regular pauses for a minute or two. Instead of coffee, consume green tea or chrysanthemum tea instead of regular chai.
5. Use contact lenses that are able to better hold oxygen. Contact lenses with shorter disposal time help easy management with changing weather.

What symptoms do you suffer from when wearing contact lenses during winter? Please share with us how do you keep it going. 

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Pre Xmas Winter Promotion

Am I an Ideal Candidate for Contact Lenses?

You might have been told earlier that you are not an ideal candidate for contact lenses.  This is nothing to however panic about. Contact lenses are constantly evolving & due to the latest innovations you can always try with new brands of contact lenses even if they had been a bad experience previously. Certain medications & medical conditions do restrict you wearing contact lenses such as allergies & using OCPs (Oral contraceptive pills. They might negatively affect contact lens tolerance. Yet, the endless opportunities allow you to switch between the brands in order to find the best match for your eyes.

People with certain medical conditions such as astigmatism, or dry eyes syndrome can improve their symptoms by effective management with contact lenses. Yes, it might be difficult; but being difficult does not mean being “impossible”. People with dry eyes can try wearing circle lenses with 48%- 55% water content and see if it makes any positive difference. Dry eyes include symptoms like gritty, scratchy or burning sensation on wearing contact lenses which can be reduced with medicated eye drops that are compliant to use with contact lenses.

People suffering from Astigmatism can wear Toric contact lenses. With latest advancements, contact lenses for complex ocular impairments have been engineered. With collaboration of Google, Novartis & Alcon Pharmaceuticals a new type of smart contact lenses for diabetics are being engineered. Furthermore, contact lenses for age-related macular degeneration will also be launched in near future to help elderly people zoom in and out with just a wink of an eye.

Contact lenses have seen huge advancements. The possibilities are endless. You only need to have a valid prescription at hand to get benefited through contact lenses. Also, regular follow-ups are recommended to rule out any underlying or hidden vision threats caused by bacterial accumulation. 

Are Contact Lenses Really Responsible for Computer Vision Syndrome?

Source

Computer vision syndrome affect visual acuity due to the increased stress on ocular muscles. Digital era has pushed everyone into “screen-reading”. Be it your social media, work routine or leisure activities; every platform requires you to squint at your tablets, mobile phones, computers and LEDs. This reduces the number of times human eye blinks which leads to eye strain. Contact lenses may add to the symptoms but they are not to be hold accountable for the syndrome. According to the Oklahoma City Eye Specialist Dr. Chris Boaldin it is the obsession to smart screens that increases the risks of the syndrome.

Symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome:

Computer vision syndrome reduces blinking to five times that exert pressure on nerves. This may lead to blurred or hazy vision, watery eyes, heavy eye lids and redness. Contact lenses block the smooth flow of oxygen to some extent; though advance technology has made the availability of silicone hydrogel lenses possible that allow upto 5 times more of the oxygen transmission. Circle contacts come with their own constraints as other medical devices. Working for more than 8 hours on computer screen with circle lenses in eyes may affect one’s efficiency.

Treatment:

Fortunately computer vision syndrome does not call to quit wearing contacts. According to experts few lifestyle modifications may help relieve the symptoms. Basically, by improving sitting postures, lighting conditions & by reducing the glare, CVS can be eliminated. “I always urge patients not to ignore any vision discomfort,” said Dr. Boaldin. “Simple postural changes can significantly reduce computer vision syndrome symptoms and help prevent the development of additional vision problems.”

Management with computer vision syndrome actually eases it out to continue wearing contact lenses with least discomfort. Furthermore, wearing lenses that ensure maximum comfort & water retention heals the symptoms and improves contact lens tolerance.