SOFT CONTACT LENSES AND EYE INFECTIONS

Nowadays, Eye glasses have taken a backseat and eye lenses are the latest thing in fashion. Lenses are available in a wide range of designs and colors that not only corrects the defect in the eye, but grooms an individual’s personality as well. But if proper care is not taken, these lenses can lead to severe sight problems as well.

One of these diseases is microbial keratitis. Cornea, the outermost portion of the eye is a very sensitive area. There is a high probability that this cornea may get infected by viruses, bacteria and fungi in case proper care of these soft lenses is not taken.

Hence as the old adage goes “prevention is better than cure”, so in order to avoid any kind of problem, steps must be taken in advance. This can be done once we are familiar with the symptoms of the disease.

The disease may get initiated with a small pain in the eye, which may further transform into itching, redness, blurred vision, burning, excessive tearing white patch on the cornea and discharge may also mark the beginning of keratitis.

So if you encounter any of these indications, medical consultation should be taken immediately. Besides one should try and remain way from the factors that root it. Some simple things that must be taken care of to avoid it are mainly related to one’s hygiene. The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended some measure as follows:

• One must always read carefully the instructions given on the cover of the lenses and obey them strictly.
• Wash your hands with soap and water before putting and removing your lenses.
• Change your lenses at regular intervals of time – approximately 3 months.
• Before undertaking any kind of water activities, one must remove the lenses to avoid any kind of germ penetration. Moreover do not put the lenses in any other container but the original one.
• Do not wash your lenses with tap water, they may get infected. Rather use sterile contact lens solution.

These simple steps must be kept in mind and followed so as to prevent oneself from damaging the eyes and using lenses for a longer tenure.

Decrease in Wearing Comfort of Monthly Replacement Contact Lenses

A research was carried out among the lens wearers in France. It was concluded that lens wearers’ complaint of discomfort in wearing as the month progressed. When asked about in which weeks of the month they experience this problem, all of them unanimously agreed that the problem started in the third or fourth month of using the lenses. The prime trouble is the dryness – that is the cause of discomfort. Moreover it has been found that the problem is the same irrespective of the kind of lenses being used – i.e. whether hydro gel or silicone hydrogel.The only slight difference that could be pointed out is the fact that silicone hydro gel wearers encountered these symptoms earlier as compared to the hydro gel wearers.

But when the whole issue was analyzed at close quarters the sole reason that came out for this complaint was that the users exceed the recommended wear and replacement schedule of a lens according to DR Hickson-Curran. Moreover many youngsters change their lenses frequently – may be twice a week or within 15 days or may be an year that is not advisable by the doctors. Apart from causing irritation it may also lead to severe eye infections and greater risks. To help the users deal with these issues, VISTAKON® offers a complimentary online reminder service called ACUMINDER™.It helps you set reminders for all the things you need to take care of if you are using eye lenses as in the time you need to replace them, the time you need to clean them or when you need to get your eyesight rechecked. Besides, social networking websites like face book has also started special services on which one can set reminders. So if one wants to use the lenses for a better and longer period of time thus using it efficiently, one must be regularly follow the guidance of the experts.

OVERNIGHT LENSES TO CORRECT MYOPIA

Introduction to OVERNIGHT LENSES TO CORRECT MYOPIA:

•Myopia or short-sightedness is a condition where the power of the eye is more than that required to focus an image clearly on the retina.
•In this case, the image is formed in front of the retina.
•Because of this, objects at a distance appear blurred.

Myopia or short-sightedness may occur due to any of the following causes:

•Increased length of the eyeball.
•Increased refractive index of the lenses.
•Greater curvature of the corneal or lenses surface.

Till now, Myopia could be Corrected by:

•Spectacles
•Contact lenses (day wear or extended wear)

Now, there are Contact Lenses Available that:

•Can be worn overnight while sleeping.
•Eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses during the day.
•Mould the corneal surface to a flatter curvature, thus reducing power of the eye.
•Promise to correct myopia temporarily during sleeping hours
•Need to be used every night

Contact Lenses Properties:

•Overnight contact lenses are hard lenses made of gas-permeable plastic.
•For years, this material has been used in conventional hard contact lenses for day wear.
•Overnight contact lenses work on the principle of “orthokeratology” which involves reshaping of the cornea.
•The Chinese are said to have practiced this form of treatment by sleeping with small weights on their eyes.

Contact Lenses Effects:

•Hard lenses apply gentle pressure on the cornea and reduce the curvature.
•Hard contact lenses also temporarily compress the eyeball thereby reducing its length.
•The effects may last for several days.
•When contact lenses wear is discontinued, the eye gradually returns to its previous shape.
•These contact lenses are not suitable for long-sightedness or Hypermetropia.
•Overnight contact lenses are custom made depending on the curvature and measurements of the eye for even pressure and accurate correction.
•These measurements are determined by a procedure known as topographic mapping.
•The patient’s prescription power is also incorporated in the contact lenses.
•Studies have shown that these contact lenses can correct upto 70% of the refractive error in the first night and 100% in a week
•These contact lenses yield best results in refractive errors of -5.00 or less.
•In future these contact lenses may help in completely treating myopia in growing children.

Bausch and Lomb Tap the Youth for Business.

Bausch and Lomb Tap the Youth for Business.

In an attempt to up market sales of contact lenses, Bausch and Lomb, the leading brand in contact lenses, has adopted new market strategies targeted at the youth.

The purpose behind the new promotion methodology was:

• Contact lenses were increasingly perceived as a functional product.
• The Bausch and Lomb company attempts to highlight the cosmetic and fashionable aspect of it.
• The youth are not attracted to contact lenses like they are to apparel, accessories and gadgets.
• Celebrities endorsing spectacle brand has popularized the use of glasses and reduced contact lenses sales.
• There has been drastic improvement in the quality and variety of contact lenses in the past years.
• Most young people regard contact lens wear as a tedious and difficult practice.
• Though contact lenses are now quite economical, most people are apprehensive about the cost.
• There is a wide spread lack of awareness among potential contact lenses users.

Bausch and Lomb Company (Contact Lenses) - Strategy:

• The new Bausch and Lomb ad campaign targets the youth using emotional ploys instead of harping on the benefits and functionality of the contact lenses products.
• The campaign focuses on using eyes as a medium to convey emotions.
• The company adopts an entirely different approach with a hope of exploiting a bigger market.
• The marketing costs this year are three times that of previous years.
• Bausch and Lomb has also collaborated with International Association of Contact Lens Educators and the National Institute of Sales to impart skills to optometrists.
• The optometrist training program is called Mastermind.
• The Bausch and Lomb company also encourages major retailers to up the sales of disposable contact lenses.
• Consumers who use high-end contact lenses are unlikely to shift to a cheaper brand or variety.
• A market survey in India has revealed that only 5% of prescription users wear contact lenses.
• For the rest of Asia, the percentage stands at 25-30% of all prescription holders.
• In India, Bausch and Lomb holds about 70% of the contact lenses market.

ACUVUE OASYS FOR ASTIGMATISM

ACUVUE OASYS FOR ASTIGMATISM

•ACUVUE OASYS for ASTIGMATISM Contact Lenses were launched in the U.S. last week.
•ACUVUE OASYS for ASTIGMATISM Contact Lenses meet the AOA specifications laid out for UV absorbing contact lenses.

All other contact lenses under the ACUVUE brand carry the AOA’s Seal of Acceptance for Ultraviolet Absorbing Contact Lenses.

These include:
•ACUVUE ADVANCE with HYDRACLEAR,
•ACUVUE ADVANCE for ASTIGMATISM
•ACUVUE OASYS with HYDRACLEAR PLUS
•ACUVUE OASYS for ASTIGMATISM

Ultra Violet Radiation:

Exposure to UV radiation can harm the eyes by causing:
•Early onset of cataracts
•Damage to the cornea
•Retinal degeneration
•Premature ageing of skin around the eyes
•Headache and eyestrain caused due to squinting

About ACUVUE OASYS for ASTIGMATISM Contact Lenses:

•ACUVUE OASYS for ASTIGMATISM is the fourth contact lens in the ACUVUE range.
•On June 26, 2008, it received the AOA Seal of Acceptance for Ultraviolet Absorbing Contact Lenses from the American Optometric Association’s Commission on Ophthalmic Standards.
•ACUVUE OASYS for ASTIGMATISM contact lenses met the standards prescribed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and International Standards Organization (ISO).
•The lenses was evaluated and certified at the annual meeting of American Optometric Association held in Seattle.
•ACUVUE contact lenses are proven to provide the highest level of UV protection.
•ACUVUE OASYS for ASTIGMATISM contact lenses can absorb 99% of UVA and 90% of UVB radiation.
•Because contact lenses cover the cornea completely, they provide better protection than sunglasses.
•Sunglasses do not block peripheral radiation and provide only upto 50% protection.

The best UV protection can be achieved by using:

•A brimmed hat
•UV absorbing sunglasses
•UV absorbing contact lenses