10 Safety Tips If You Are Going To Wear Contact Lenses

Many people wear contact lenses to avoid restrictive frame around their visions. Some choose to wear contact lenses over eyeglasses because they find the latter unsuitable, especially in most sports as they can easily fall off. Some are tired of wearing eyeglasses because of the reflections and distortions they get in wearing them, blurry vision they get when water splashes on it, and steaming up when entering a warmer place. Most of the time, people choose contact lenses over eyeglasses because of the comfort it provides. Your vision is a lot sharper with contact lenses and you can have peripheral vision in wearing them.

safe use of contact lenses compared to eyeglasses

However, to wear contact lenses, you are required to place it directly to your iris. The downside in wearing them is they put you at much greater risk of infection and eye damage. A common mistake made by users is that they don’t follow instructions on how to clean and disinfect the contact lenses and storage case diligently which increases the risk of eye infection.

A common eye-infection that contact lens wearers are at risk for is Acanthamoeba keratitis. It is a rare disease in which an amoeba, Acanthamoeba, invades the cornea of the eye. Acanthamoeba are naturally occurring amoeba commonly found in water sources such as tap water. Using contaminated tap or well water in cleaning contact lenses is one of the factors that increase the risk of having this type of eye-infection. Acanthamoeba keratitis, although a rare disease, can lead to permanent blindness.

To ensure your safety when wearing contact lenses, follow these tips:

Always consult your optometrist or eye doctor for contact lens prescription. One-size-fits-all is not suitable when it comes to contact lenses. Not only is it uncomfortable but it can seriously damage your eyes. You can ensure a comfortable fit and prevent eye infections such as corneal abrasion when your contact lenses are properly prescribed by an optometrist.

Never touch your contact lenses with dirty hands. Always wash your hands when touching your contact lenses. Germs can be prevented by washing your hands. An anti-bacterial soap is essential for keeping your hands clean and germ-free.

• The storage case must be kept clean. Bad hygiene practices are often associated with contamination of microorganisms. To avoid this, discard old solution from the case, rub the case with a clean finger, and rinse the contact lenses with a disinfecting solution. Following these simple steps can avoid the microorganisms from contaminating your contact lenses and the infections caused by these microorganisms.

• Only use a disinfecting solution in cleaning your contact lenses. Do not use a saline solution, simply sterile water. Saline solution will not clean or disinfect your contact lenses. Do not use tap or well water either for they may contain pathogens that might infect your eyes.

• Never sleep with your contact lenses on. Wearing contact lenses for an extended period of time impedes the oxygen flow, more if you have contact lenses and your eyelids are closed. When you do that, it will alter the physiology of the eye which causes the cornea to swell up leading to eye irritation.

• Remove your contact lenses when taking a bath or swimming. The sources of water we use in bathing, such as tap and well water, and bodies of water where we swim can be contaminated with pathogens commonly found in water sources.

• Never reuse contact lens solution. Reusing old solution or cleaning your contact lenses with an old solution has often been linked to cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis.

Replace your contact lens case at least every three months. Even if you clean and disinfect it by changing the solution, bacteria may still remain. Over time, germs from your fingers and the surrounding environment build up in the case which is why the need for new contact lens case ever three months is essential.

Replace your contact lenses regularly. Substances found naturally in basal tears such as mucin, lipids, lysozyme, lactoferrin, lipocalin, and many more can build up in your contact lenses making it prone to infection. Old contact lenses can also warp over time resulting in a poor fit and discomfort.

• See your optometrist or eye doctor regularly. Infections that are related to contact lens are mostly caught during a routine examination. If you feel an irritation or discomfort in your eyes, remove your contact lenses and see a doctor. It is not healthy to have these irritations as it can be a sign of an infection.

Follow these tips to ensure that your contact lenses will bring benefits only and no harm to you and your eyes.

Should You Let Your Kids Wear Contact Lenses?

Having eye problems is not limited to adults only. Even kids can have vision difficulties. A lot of kids nowadays wear eyeglasses to help them see clearly.

Aside from eyeglasses, another option to improve and correct vision is contact lenses. Most adults wear contact lenses but is it safe for kids? What’s the right age to have kids wear contact lenses?

There comes a time when kids start asking about contact lenses especially if they have been wearing eyeglasses for some time already. Most parents are adamant in letting their kids wear contact lenses because they appear to be less safe compared to eyeglasses.

kids wearing contact lenses

Why Wear Contact Lenses?

 There are a number of reasons why your kids may need to wear contact lenses. Here are a few:

  1. If your kids are into sports, wearing eyeglasses can be limiting. Contact lenses will help them move freely. Unlike eyeglasses, contact lenses are clearer because they don’t fog up if your kids are already sweaty. When they run, as most outdoor sports include running, contact lenses can’t get knocked off.

kids wearing contact lenses playing outdoor

  1. Wearing ortho-K lenses can help correct nearsightedness in kids. Orthokeratology is the use of gas permeable contact lenses that aids in reshaping the cornea provisionally. This helps correct nearsighted vision. What happens is that your kids will wear the contact lenses at night and remove the next day. It makes vision clearer and sharper even without eyeglasses or contact lenses.
  1. Most kids don’t want to wear eyeglasses because they don’t want to appear different compared to their friends and classmates. Wearing eyeglasses sometimes lower their self-esteem as they feel their blurred vision is a weakness. Wearing contact lenses will make their so-called “weakness” invisible, thereby, increasing their self-esteem.

 Are Contact Lenses Safe For Kids?

Your kids’ eyes can actually handle contact lenses even at an early age. You might be surprised that they can actually apply or remove the contact lens even without their parent’s assistance.

Yes, they are safe as long as they are applied and removed correctly. Always follow the instructions for the application of contact lenses. It is best to consult your Ottawa optometrist to ensure you are doing the right thing. The optometrist will also decide whether your child is already capable of using contact lenses.

Another thing to consider is the maturity of your child. Make sure that when you decide to let your child wear contact lenses, he is already responsible enough. If your child is not that responsible yet, chances are he’ll forget that he’s wearing contact lenses and this can lead to serious eye problems. Contact lenses also need to be properly taken care of so make sure your child knows how to do this.

So should you let your kids wear contact lenses? Yes, if they need to.

Four Seasons Of Good Eye Health

How you keep your eyes healthy and in perfect condition may differ depending on the season. There are things that you do during summer to protect your eyes that may not be that practical during winter or vice versa.

But no matter what the season is, it is vital that you protect your eyes to maintain or even improve your vision. Here are practical tips from Ottawa optometrist on how to keep your eyes healthy throughout the seasons:

Winter:

woman wearing ski goggles to protect eyes

During winter, most people turn on their heaters at home. The heat from a heater or fireplace can lead to eye dryness. This situation can bring discomfort or pain especially if you are already suffering from a chronic eye condition like dry eyes. This is when the eyes are not properly lubricated because they do not produce the right amount of tears needed to keep the eyes moist. During winter, this condition can get worse. What you can do is keep your eyes moist by staying away from the heater or using a humidifier. If you visit Ottawa eye clinic, the eye doctor can also prescribe medication to keep your eyes moist.

It is a good idea to wear sunglasses during winter. Why? Because your eyes can get damaged if the temperature is too low. Make sure that your sunglasses has UV protection because the snow can reflect UV rays which doubles the risk.

To avoid snow and ice debris from entering your eyes, especially if the weather condition is not favourable, you should consider wearing goggles. Googles provide maximum protection compared to regular eyeglasses.

Spring:

wear goggles and dust mask during spring cleaning to protect eyes

Spring is the season for allergies. This can cause eye irritations including redness and itchiness. While you can take anti-allergy medications, it is best to consult an eye doctor and get an eye exam in case your eyes become irritated because of your allergy.

If you are engaging in spring cleaning, make sure to use goggles to avoid the dust from entering your eyes.

Even during spring time, the sun’s UV rays can still pose risks so it is still advisable to wear sunglasses with UV protection. This will help you avoid eye problems like cataract and macular degeneration.

Summer:

optometrist advises to wear swim goggles when swimming

Same with other seasons, summer is the time when you put your sunglasses to good use. Don’t let the harmful rays of the sun damage your eyes. The brightness of the day can also be very painful for your naked eyes.

Summer is the perfect time to hit the beach. Don’t forget to wear your swim goggles whether you are going to the beach or pool. Saltwater can be damaging to your eyes especially if you accidentally open your eyes while underwater. The bleach on pool water can also cause eye irritations.

For outdoor activities, make sure to use eye protection. The dust and heat from outside can both cause eye damage. Also wear a hat outside as added protection from UV rays and heat of the sun.

Fall:

woman wearing sunglasses during autumn season

Throughout the year, you will need your sunglasses. Even if you feel you don’t need it during the fall season, you still do because there is still the risk of the UV rays. Make sure to wash your hands frequently to avoid causing any bacteria to enter your eyes when you happen to touch them.

Fall is also the season of allergies, just like the spring season. Always keep an anti-allergy medication and eye drop ready in case of allergy. It is best to consult your Ottawa optometrist for eye medications that can help relieve or prevent allergy symptoms.

Winter, spring, summer, or fall – no matter what’s the season, you should always protect your eyes. These tips will ensure that you will have good eye health throughout the year.

Understanding The Important Role Of Your Eye Doctor For Eye Health

Annual eye exam has many benefits. It helps ensure that your eyes are always healthy. It aids in detecting the onset of any eye problem. Early detection helps in making sure that your eyes get the proper medical service that you need to recover quickly.

A common misconception about eye exams is that it is only for adults. No, it is actually for all ages. Eye problems don’t choose victims. Whether you are a young student or a professional who has been working for many years already, you can both fall prey to serious eye problems. It is important then to be one step ahead when it comes to eye health.

This infographic from Ottawa Eye Clinic will explain why you need to see an eye doctor and what’s the role of the eye doctor in your vision health.

To understand the important role of your eye doctor for eye health

Treat Your Eyes Right, Ladies

It may come as a surprise but the fact is that gender is actually one of the determining factors for eye health. Yes, you’ve read that right! Research studies have shown than women are more prone to eye diseases such as cataract and macular degeneration compared to men. When it comes to the risk factors for these eye diseases, women beat men. So be careful ladies as you have higher rate of vision loss.

Just like everything else, preventive care is the most ideal thing to do when it comes to eye health. Know what are the risks involved and how to prevent them. This guideline from Ottawa Optometrist, Dr. Zahiri, shows how to keep your eyes healthy ladies.

guidelines of how to take care of your eyes

Don’t Forget Your Child’s Back-To-School Eye Exam

Eye problems are not just for adults. In fact, it is quite alarming that every year, more and more children, particularly the school-age ones, are suffering from different types of eye problems.

If you want your kids to maximize their school experience, you have to make sure that they have perfect vision. Many activities in the school require them to be able to see clearly.

The perfect way to prepare your kids for school is to bring them to an eye specialist. An optometrist will be able to check your kids’ eyes and diagnose if they have vision issues or if they are at risk for some serious eye diseases. Want to know more about getting your child to an eye doctor? Check out this infographic from Ottawa eye doctor.

Don’t Forget Your Child's Back-To-School Eye Exam

Blepharitis: How To Get Rid of Sore Red Eyelids

One of the most common eye problems is red eyelids or medically termed as blepharitis. This is the condition wherein one or both eyelids become sore and red. This is caused by either fluid retention or eye infection. Although not sight threatening on its own, blepharitis can signal other health issues.

Blepharitis can be painful and it can cause complications so it should be diagnosed and treated immediately. When it happens, a visit to your eye doctor should be considered. Ottawa Eye Clinic presents more information on this eye condition:

how to get rid of Blepharitis

Healthy Foods For Healthy Eyes

Eating right is not only good for your body but it is also very beneficial for your eyes. Do you know what foods you should be eating to keep your eyes healthy?

If you are not yet a fan of healthy diet, you should start thinking about it now. Healthy food options make a huge difference in your vision. They help protect your eyes from the risks of threatening eye diseases.

Here is an infographic from Ottawa Eye Clinic presenting the 7 key nutrients that your eyes need to stay healthy.

 

 eating healthy foods for healthy eyes

Signs It’s Time For An Eye Exam

To maintain perfect vision, you must have a regular eye exam. Most of the time, annual eye exam is recommended by optometrists. By doing so, you are able to stay informed regarding the status of your eye health.

During the visit to your eye doctor, your medical history will be reviewed. You will be asked about what you are currently experiencing with regards to your eyes. Visual acuity will be measured to see whether you need to wear graded eye glasses or contact lenses. This infographic will tell you if it’s already time to pay your eye doctor a visit.

signs its time for an eye exam

What Does It Mean To Be Nearsighted Or Farsighted?

How often have you heard someone saying they are either nearsighted or farsighted? What does it mean? These two conditions are opposites. Nearsightedness means that you can focus on items close to you while farsightedness means that your focus is only on far objects. These conditions can affect your lifestyle. Your activities will be limited only to what your eyes can focus on.

These condition can easily be corrected. The key is early detection. This can be done by a simple visit to an optometrist. Learn more about these eye conditions from this infographic prepared by Ottawa Optometrist, Dr. Zahiri.

definition of nearsightedness and farsightedness and their differences