Category: Contacts

Contact Lens Prescriptions

Karen Griffith

Contact lens prescriptions generally expire on a yearly basis, unless otherwise specified. Seeing your eye doctor regularly for a comprehensive eye exam will not only keep your prescription updated, and evaluate your ocular health, but an eye exam will also help identify and lead to diagnosis of other health concerns such as hypertension and diabetes. At your eye exam Dr. Griffith may recommend a newer/better contact lens option for you, too.
A contact lens is a medical device and can be worn to correct vision as well as for cosmetic or therapeutic reasons. In the United States, all contact lenses, even purely cosmetic ones, require a prescription. They must be properly fitted and prescribed by an eye doctor. soft CL

An eye examination is needed to determine an individual’s suitability for contact lenses. This typically includes a refraction to determine the proper power of the lens and an assessment of the health of the eye. Dr. Griffith will also ask questions about your lifestyle, general health and contact lens wearing goal. If you haven’t worn contact lenses before, training for application and removal of the contact lens is necessary. If the lenses are to be re-used, a care and disinfecting system is required too. A follow-up appointment will determine the proper fit and lens compatibility for your eyes. Contact lenses are not a “one size fits all” device. There are many parameters to each lens. Besides the power to correct the vision, material and edge design will effect the comfort. The size: diameter and curvature are factors in the fit and ultimately the response of the cornea and eyelids to the contact lens.

Prescriptions for contact lenses and glasses may be similar, but are not interchangeable.

Successful Contact Lens Wear

Karen Griffith

Proper contact lens care is essential for the best contact lens wearing experience

contact lens and eye

Contact lens wear is quite safe as long as proper lens and storage case care are followed. Improper lens wear and care can put the lens wearer at risk for serious consequences. Sight-threatening microbial keratitis (corneal ulcer) is the most significant adverse event associated with contact lens wear and is largely preventable.
Single-use or daily disposable soft lenses are prescribed to be worn once and discarded. This is the safest soft lens wearing modality because no lens cleaning, lens care or storage case is required.
The contact lens storage case is the most likely potential reservoir for contact lens related ocular infections. Contact lens cases are not meant to be family heirlooms. Replace the case at least every 3 months.

General Contact Lens Care Instructions

  • Hand washing: always wash your hands before handling contact lenses. Use mild, basic soap and avoid  deodorant, scented or moisturizing liquid soaps.
  • Cleaning, rinsing and disinfection: Digital cleaning (rubbing the lens with your finger on your palm) removes dirt and debris and prepares the lens surfaces for disinfection. Rub and rinse thoroughly, even if the product is labeled “no rub.” Lens storage solutions contain chemicals that inhibit or kill potentially dangerous microorganisms while the lenses are soaked overnight.
  • Do not re-use old solution or “top-off” the liquid in the lens storage case. Empty the storage case daily and always use fresh solution.
  • Do not use lens care products beyond their expiration dates. Discard opened bottles after 30 days.
  • Do not allow the tip of the solution bottle to cone in contact with any surface, and keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
  • Make-up Removal: Insert contact lenses before applying contact lenses. Take contact lenses off before thoroughly removing make-up every night.
  • Keep contact lens storage case clean, inside and out. Replace the case at least every 3 months.

Synergeyes Hybrid Contacts

Karen Griffith

duette contact lens

A hybrid contact lens has a gas permeable center that provides crisp clear vision and a soft silicone hydrogel skirt for excellent centration and comfort. The lenses are available in many prescriptions including multifocals.

Care and handling is unique for a hybrid lens. When we dispense a lens at Westside Optometry, our contact lens technician will instruct on application, removal and care of the lenses. A special applicator is often used for easier insertion.

For more information about the Synergeyes products visit their website.

Presbyopia

Karen Griffith 1 Comment

in need for glasses

Have you ever been in a restaurant trying to decide what to order? The lights are dim, you are practically burning up the menu manipulating it around the candle for more light… Or how about trying to hook up wires behind the TV or computer, can’t find the right hook-up? The above situations make presbyopia seem like an acute condition. Things that looked OK at the kitchen table by the window don’t seem as clear in the dark or when you are tired.

Presbyopia is the result of an aging process on the lens of the eye. The lens focuses light at all distances without much effort for the first forty plus years of our lives. Then kablamo…you can’t see to remove a sliver from your child’s finger.

Denial is the most common response. Eventually, presbyopia interferes with work. You find yourself switching numbers or getting headaches at the computer. Your over-all efficiency is diminished and your frustration is elevated. Sometimes a pair of reading glasses will solve the problem. Depending on your prescription and how you use your eyes, multifocals offer clear vision at multiple distances. Contact lens wearers can try monovision (an adjustment in the correction of one lens) or bifocal contact lenses.

Just know that you are not in this alone, my presbyopic eyes and I are here ready to help you. Stop struggling and let’s find a solution.

Springtime Allergies

Karen Griffith

AllergiesEye allergies, or allergic conjunctivitis, develop when the body’s immune system reacts to an allergen that gets into the eyes. This is worse on windy days because the environmental irritants are blowing all over the place. There are mast cells under the upper eyelid. The allergens cause the mast cells to release histamine and other substances or chemicals that cause blood vessels in the eyes to swell and itch.

Although allergic conjunctivitis can’t harm your vision, it can be extremely uncomfortable, annoying and disruptive. You may become intolerant to wearing your contact lenses due to the swelling and discharge. The best way to treat your eyes for allergies is to avoid the allergens that trigger your symptoms. The most common outdoor allergens include grass, trees and weed pollens. Indoor allergens include pet hair/dander, dust mites and mold.

Complete avoidance is impossible, so treatment may be indicated. Many sufferers choose to treat their symptoms with over-the-counter allergy medication. Unfortunately, antihistamine tablets and nasal sprays commonly used for allergies are not designed to relieve eye symptoms; in fact, 73% of patients who take oral or nasal allergy medication still suffer from itchy, red eyes. Clinical research has shown that these antihistamines can cause drying of the eyes, resulting in a reduction of tear flow of up to 50%. This means there is the potential for symptoms to be more severe and longer in duration because pollens aren’t rinsed as quickly from the eyes and may accumulate.

Over-the-counter eye drops may provide some relief, but many consist of a short-acting vasoconstrictor with an antihistamine, which result in a short duration of action (usually 2 hours) and a masking of the redness rather than a treatment of the cause. There are combination drops which treat the mast cells and inhibit the histamine. To work properly, correct usage is required.

Additionally, self-diagnosis and treatment can make other conditions such as an eye infection or  dry eyes worse as some of the symptoms are the same.

Contact lens wearers may suffer added discomfort because allergens can get on the lenses, and can also cause the eye to produce excessive amounts of discharge that adhere to the contact lenses too. Clinical studies have shown that contact lens wearers suffering from allergic conjunctivitis who used prescription eye drops before inserting their lenses had significantly greater comfort. Call to make an appointment at the first hint of allergies. Treating the condition sooner results in faster and less complicated relief.

For temporary relief before you can get an eye examination, use a cold compress ( a clean washcloth with ice cubes) over the eyes for ten minutes. An artificial tear or sterile saline solution can remove allergens from the eyes. Chilling the solution adds even greater comfort.

What do you need to know about Contact Lenses?

Karen Griffith 4 Comments

Dirty Contact Lens

The tiny disc of plastic on your eye is one of the most amazing and complex scientific advances in vision correction. Whether you’re nearsighted or farsighted, if you have astigmatism or presbyopia, contact lenses can bring everything into focus for you.

Drs. Griffith and Staton will select the best lens material and design for your prescription and the best care products for your lenses.

LENS CARE DO’S & DON’TS

contact lensesDO… wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and dry them with a lint free towel before handling your lenses.

DON’T… use hand soaps that contain lotions or oils. Those ingredients can transfer to your lenses and leave a filmy residue.

DO… replace your lenses as prescribed. Lenses that are past their prime won’t give you the best vision and can compromise the health of your eyes.

DON’T… add new solution to used solution in your lens case.

 

What’s in those Bottles?

If you scan the eye care aisle at your local retail pharmacy or big box store, you’ll see a row filled with contact lens products. This can be confusing, so here’s a quick look at the main categories and what these products do:

MULTI-PURPOSE SOLUTIONS…These solutions contain everything you need for daily lens care – cleaning, rinsing, disinfection and storage – but each brand has a unique formulation. They’re not all the same. Some multi-purpose solutions include extra ingredients, such as wetting and condition agents, which are designed specifically to help keep lenses comfortable, so you can wear them all day.

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE SYSTEMS… Not only is hydrogen peroxide a great disinfectant, but contact lens care systems that use it have no added preservatives, which is ideal for people who have sensitive eyes and allergies.

SALINE SOLUTIONS… The most important fact you need to know about saline solution is that it will not clean or disinfect your contact lenses. Saline solution is basically sterilized salt water, and it’s mainly used for rinsing contact lenses. Never store your lenses in saline.

GENERICS… Even though store-brand contact lens solutions look almost the same as the name-brand product, some ingredients may differ just enough to cause a sensitivity reaction. And the ingredients in a store-brand product can differ from retailer to retailer – even though the packaging is similar – depending on which manufacturer is supplying the product.

 

Today’s contact lenses are designed to give you comfortable, sharp vision all day. You should forget you’re even wearing them. If your eyes look red or feel dry or irritated, or if your lenses are so uncomfortable that you need to remove them before the end of the day, it’s time to call us. Your lenses may not be the problem. The culprit could be your solution. Changing solutions is a remedy, but switching to a daily use lens will eliminate contact lens solution altogether.

Grimy Contact Lens Cases

Karen Griffith 1 Comment

Dirty CL case NEI

Contact lens wear is quite safe as long as proper lens and storage case care are followed. Improper lens wear and care can put the lens wearer at risk for serious consequences. Sight-threatening microbial keratitis (corneal ulcer) is the most significant adverse event associated with contact lens wear and is largely preventable. The contact lens storage case is the most likely potential reservoir for contact lens related ocular infections. Contact lens storage cases should be replaced regularly, at least every 1-3 months. dirty cl case

Improved Dry Eye Care

Karen Griffith 2 Comments

Dr Staton and I spent attended the UC Berkeley School of Optometry lecture and workshop on “Dry Eye Disease: the Latest Trends in Clinical Care and Scientific Research.” Many eye conditions cause feelings of dryness, plugged meibomian glandsdiscomfort, burning, foreign body sensation or blurred vision. “Dry Eye” is a general term that is more a symptom of ocular surface disease than a cause. Many people stop wearing contact lenses because of poor tear quality. The majority of dry eye disease is caused from obstruction of the meibomian glands. The meibomian glands are located in the eyelids and secrete meibum, a substance important to the tear quality and health of the front surface of the eye. The accurate diagnosis and management of dry eye requires special evaluation that extends beyond a standard eye exam.
We have been experimenting and testing different eye drops, eyelid cleaning solutions and heat compresses to find the most cost effective and best results. Some dry eye treatments require prescription eye drops, oral medications, and/or punctual occlusion.
Dry eye can cause significant discomfort and poor vision for the person suffering from it. We are planning to aggressively treat and control dry eye causes and symptoms. Don’t be surprised if either one of us asks you to schedule a dry eye assessment. Or you can be proactive and schedule yourself.
We are starting the dry eye clinic on Thursdays and will expand as demand requires.

Make-up and Contact Lenses

Karen Griffith

Many contact lens users wear eye make-up. Recent studies at the University of Waterloo Centre for Contact Lens Research has shown that hand creams, mascara and make-up removers can alter the contact lens shape and optics. These changes in the contact lenssoft CL will interfere with lens comfort and performance.
Cleaning lenses with a hydrogen peroxide system such as Clearcare removes some of the cosmetic product from the lens, but not completely. Waterproof mascare was associated with the greatest amount of surface depostition. Clearcare only partially removed these deposits.
Make-up removers induced the greatest changes to the lens diameter or size.
If you wear contact lenses and make-up you can avoid complications from cosmetic deposits and build-up on your lenses by following these rules:

  • Daily use contact lenses are a simple solution to the build-up of cosmetic residues. Unfortunately, this isn’t an option for everyone.
  • Washing your hands before handling your contacts removes lotions and debris from your hands.
  • Insert your contact lenses before applying any lotions or make-up.
  • Remove your contact lenses before removing your make-up. And remove your make-up every night.
  • Replace your contact lenses as prescribed

If you are experiencing contact lens discomfort, poor vision or red eyes, try the above recommendations. If you are still having problems, call the office for an appointment.

New Colored Contact Lenses

Karen Griffith

Finally, a colored contact lenses is available in the newer, more comfortable silicone Air Optix Colorhydrogel material. The combination of technologies provides a more comfortable, breathable and beautiful contact lens. The new Air Optix Colors is a monthly replacement lens. If you currently wear the Air Optix contact lens, ask about trying the colored options.

The Air Optix Colors are available in Subtle and Vibrant selections. There is a large variety of color options for light and dark colored eyes.

Color CL on eyes

Colored contact lenses are medical devices like any other contact lenses and require a current prescription to purchase. If you are interested in changing or enhancing your eye color, but do not need prescription contact lenses, you can still wear the Air Optix Colors. At Westside Optometry we would train you to handle  and care for the contact lenses. Also including in a fitting is evaluation of the contact lens fit, as they are not one size fits all. It is important to your success that the lens centers and moves properly and does not cause any damage to the eye.