Why go for Contact Lenses?
First and foremost question you need to answer is why you want to go for contact lenses? The answer is very simple: to get rid of old fashioned and bulky spectacles which almost masked your beautiful face. Switching from glasses to contact lenses is good choice to transform your looks and to co-ordinate well with any outfit.

Contact Lens Options Available:
There many contact lens options available in the market. Before selecting any contact lens you need to know about the various options from which you can select. Listed below are the various options of contact lenses from which you can select:

• Hard Contact Lens or Rigid Gas Permeable Lenses: These lenses are made up of silicone polymers. These lenses are rigid hence they are more durable. Rigid contact lenses are easy to maintain but generally people take time to get use to it. These lenses can be worn even overnight but the main disadvantage is that the cornea gets lesser oxygen.
• Soft Contact Lenses: These lenses are also known as hydrophilic lenses and these are made up of soft polymer plastic. Soft lenses can be disposable ones or which lasts for about 30 uses. As they are flexible it is easy to use them and people find it comfortable.
• Prosthetic Contact Lenses: In case of disfigured eyes these lenses are effective. Eye disfigurement can be caused as a result of birth defect or an eye injury. These lenses are effective in masking the flaws and enhance its appearance.
• Special Effect Contact Lenses: With these lenses you can change your eyes to that of a cat, zebra or leopard. These lenses are used to give your eyes dramatic effect.

Tips to Remember before Selecting Contact Lenses:
Listed below are few important tips you need to remember before you buy any contact lens for your beautiful eyes:

• Before selecting contact lenses it is advisable to consult a qualified ophthalmologist. Make sure that you are the correct person to use contact lenses.
• Second thing is to make yourself aware to the different types of lenses available in the market.
• Next step is to evaluate the pros and cons of wearing contact lenses according to your lifestyle.
• Maintaining contact lenses is generally an expensive affair. So it better to take advice from your contact lens user friends or relatives.
• Try to get complete information on contact lenses before buying them. For this you can take help of various eye care magazine or internet.
• After deciding with the type of contact lens now you need to compare price of different manufacturers.
• Before buying contact lenses make sure that they abide your ophthalmologist’s prescription.
• Remember to verify the power of contact lenses before buying them.
• Make sure that you go through all the instructions given on the contact lens pack and in case of any doubts clear them beforehand.
• Never compromise with the quality and always ask for purchase receipt and the guarantee also.

Buying contact lens is a pretty risky and expensive job hence you need to be careful. In case of any doubts ask for your ophthalmologist’s help.

In case of healthy eyes, a thin tear film is formed under the contact lens. But in case of dry eyes due to various reasons there is a reduction in natural tear formation, leaving your eyes with feeling of burning sensation and irritation. Using contact lenses in such condition will enhance the irritation and burning sensation.

Before selecting any contact lens it is important for people with dry eyes to evaluate a variety of contact lenses available in market. Make sure that a qualified contact lens fitter is available before you make your selection as he may guide in finding specific lens for dry eye condition. Listed below are the various contact lens options available for people suffering from dry eyes:

Soft Contact Lenses:
It is observed that wearing contact lenses in dry condition is difficult. Hence many lens manufacturing companies are working to develop comfortable contact lenses even for dry eyes. In this process they have come across ways to make contacts comfortable. One way is by reducing water content of the lenses. It is observed that modern silicon hydrogel contact lens contains about 30% of water. With the use of new polymer in contact lenses also helps in keeping the lenses moist.

Soft lens manufacturers like Vistakon and CooperVision have designed lenses which keeps the lens hydrated while on dry eyes. Other contact lenses like Proclear Compatibles, Extreme H2O, Purevision and Acuvue Oasys available in market are helpful for dry eye condition. These special lenses are made from special proprietary plastic which helps in retaining water content, shape and hydration throughout the day.

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Contact Lenses:
These contact lenses are considered to be the best option for dry eyes. RGP lenses are made up of rigid plastic hence they don’t absorb much of water as compared to soft lenses. Basically RGP lenses are hydrophobic hence repelling water which in turn forms a tear film. This tear film keep your eyes and lens hydrated, reducing the discomfort associated with wearing contact lens on dry eyes.

There are different plastics used like extremely oxygen permeable or low wetting angle in making of RGP lenses. RGP lenses with plasma treatment are the latest advancement in contact lenses for dry eyes. When both are compared then plasma treatment proves to be better than RGP lenses.

Semi-Scleral Gas Permeable Lenses:
This is another effective contact lens option for dry eyes. These lenses are made of gas permeable material but with a soft lens size. These lenses are as comfortable as soft lenses and at the same time provide benefits of gas permeable lens.

The type of lens you opt when suffering from dry eye is important but proper care and cleaning solution also plays an important role in the success of the lens. Make sure that you take proper care of both your eyes as well as contact lenses. Before selecting any contact lens it is better to consult your ophthalmologist.

Bilberries are also known as blueberries, huckleberries, whortleberries, whinberries, blueberries, etc. Basically a native of Northern Europe bilberries are low-growing deciduous shrub. The dusky skin of bilberries holds the secret of better sight in dark. Including eyesight improvement since year’s European people praises bilberries for its various health benefits. During World War II British pilots use to eat bilberry jam to help them see better when flying night missions.

According to a research study conducted by Canadian food chemist Wilhelmina Kalt sight improvement by bilberries is due to presence of anthocyanin pigment. These pigments are powerful antioxidants that counteract the damage caused by the free radicals. In her studies Kalt found that all the fruits in the blueberry family, the bilberry have the highest amount of anthocyanins.

Kalt’s research showed that people who depend on good night vision like pilots, truck drivers and air traffic controllers, see better in night when they take bilberry supplements. Research found that people taking bilberry supplement helps them to adjust to darkness more quickly. It also helps them bounce back from the effect of flashes of light such as from the bright headlights of an on-coming car.

Reap the Benefits of Blueberries:

According to Kalt the most potent blueberry seems to be the low-bush variety that grows wild especially in eastern Canada and Maine. Kalt points out their advantage over high-bush blueberries that grow farther in southern region. Kalt says that “the wild or low-bush blueberry is higher in anthocyanin content than the larger, plumper high-bush blueberries.”

This is because low-bush blueberries are smaller in size and have more skin per ounce. Since the pigment anthocyanin is found in the skin of the fruit hence you reap more antioxidant benefits from smaller low-bush blueberries. Research showed that shelf life of anthocyanin is short hence it is better to eat them fresh. In case you are unable to find fresh blueberries then you get canned, frozen or processed blueberries.

Besides being rich source of antioxidant there are other benefits of blueberries. They are rich source fiber and vitamin. They’re also low in calories, approximately 80 calories per cup. Besides eating them raw there are various ways like pancakes, blueberry pies and waffles you can consume them. Sprinkle a few fresh blueberries on your morning cereal or a cup of yogurt or healthy fruit smoothie. Take them in any form you’ll be doing favor to your body especially your eyes.

You may also be bothered by burning sensation and blurred vision. Stringy mucus might form in your eyes and in case you wear contact lenses it might become unbearable. On the other hand you might find your eyes watery. This might sound to be strange dry eyes symptom but healthy tears consists of mucus and oil. Whereas continuous water does not contains oil and mucus hence unable to cling and coat your eyes properly. The watery tears evaporate quickly leaving your eyes unprotected and dry.

It is seen that dry eyes is usually a temporary condition. To make your eyes moist and comfortable again you need to give your eyes good rest. Listed below are some soothing remedies for your dry eyes:

• Avoid Environmental Irritants: It is better to avoid places with toxic fumes, smoke and other pollutants which can trouble your eyes. Till the condition persist it is better that you avoid applying eye make-up.
• Add Moisture: Dry air can worsen your condition. Hence you can use humidifier to add some moisture in the air at your home and office. During the dry eye condition it is better to drink excess water. While flying it better to drink more water as airplane cabins tend to have extra dry air.
• Avoid Rubbing Your Eyes: It is observed that dry and itchy eyes tempt people to rub them often. But dry eyes are more susceptible to various infections hence it is better to keep your hands away from your eyes.
• Take a Break and Blink: Avoid doing continuous work like reading, using computer or other work. It is observed that while performing these tasks you are less likely to blink. Hence it is advisable to take breaks to blink your eyes while doing work.
• Protect Your Eyes from Exposure: Dry eyes tend to become sensitive towards bright light hence it is better to wear sunglasses when going out in sun. You can even wear swim or ski goggles or moisture chamber goggles as they prevent quick evaporation of moisture.
• Artificial Tears: For short term and occasional use you can try tearing substitutes. These artificial tears soothe and protect your eyes in the same way as your natural tears. Avoid regular usage of artificial tears as they may hamper your eye’s natural tear production. It is better to avoid products containing preservatives as it can worsen your condition. It is better to use ointments in place of liquid artificial tears.
• Be Careful with Contact Lenses: In case you use contact lenses then you need to be extra careful before using anything in your eyes. Though ointments and drops make your eyes comfortable but there are chances that they might mask a serious problem with the contact lenses. It is better to use rewetting solution designed especially for your brand of lenses.
• Eat Lot of Vitamin A: Vitamin A is essential for healthy eyes. The main source of Vitamin A is meat, dairy products and green leafy vegetables. You can get vitamin A through supplements.
• Monitor Your Medications: In case you are on medication then there are chances that it might result in dry eyes. Generally it is observed that diuretics, decongestants, general anesthetics, antimuscarinics, beta-adrenergic blockers and thiabendazole are main culprits. It is better to consult your doctor and ask him to change your medicine.
• Regular Check-ups: It is important to go for regular check-ups. In case the condition doesn’t improve then it is necessary to visit your doctor regularly. There could be possibility that you may have blocked tear duct or any damage which requires proper treatment by your ophthalmologist.

Dark circles under eyes are a very common facial beauty problem. The skin beneath the eyes is very delicate and is thinly made up of oil glands unlike the skin on rest of the body. Due to several reasons the skin under the eyes becomes dry and thin. The veins below the eyes appear prominently when the under eye skin becomes dry and thin. This lends the area a dark appearance.

Causes

Heredity is the primary cause of dark circles. Like so many things - eye color, curly or straight hair, and skin tone - predisposition for dark circles is mostly inherited. Heredity however is not the only cause of dark circles. A variety of factors, both common and uncommon, can influence or cause the appearance of dark circles under the eyes.

Natural cures

Mix one teaspoon milk, one teaspoon flour, a pinch of sugar, a quarter teaspoon honey and squeeze the juice of half a lemon. Apply it on face and once it is dry, rub the face with wet hands, till the pack in removed.

Grate some cucumber or potato and squeeze fresh juice out of the gratings. Dip two cotton balls and keep these balls on eyes. This is an effective way to relax the eyes since it relieves tiredness of eyes.

Powdered fenugreek and milk are said to deal with dark circles. Apply a paste of fenugreek mixed in milk on dark circles at night before going to bed. Wash it off in the morning and watch dark circles vanish for good.

Take a teaspoon of tomato juice, a few drops of lemon juice, a pinch of turmeric powder (if you are not allergic to it) and a little flour, enough to make a paste.

Common Causes

There are a number of causes for amblyopia. It most often results from the misalignment of the eye due to crossed eye, droopy eyelids, congenital cataracts, difference between the two eyes in terms of the quality of image sent by the brain etc. Whatever the distance cause, it is important to understand that amblyopia itself is a direct outcome of a developmental disorder in the brain and not a physiological dysfunction of the eye.

Signs and Symptoms

Poor vision in one or both the eyes
Closing an eye or squinting while reading or watching television
Tilting the head or using different angles while focussing on an object
In severe cases, there might be difficulty in depth perception
In most cases, children do not complain of poor vision since they easily adapt themselves to the visual quality of the eyes.
Treatment

The maxim, “Prevention is better than cure” still holds. Parents should regularly take their kids for eye check-up even before they are 2 years old. Once the child has been diagnosed with amblyopia, the treatment depends on the underlying problem. Early diagnosis can restore the vision of the affected eye.

Covering or patching of the eye may be required during the whole period of treatment which might range from a few weeks to one year. It is the normal eye which is patched, thus making the affected or ‘lazy eye’ work in order to improve its vision.

Clarity of the cornea is necessary for visual function. Corneal endothelial cells are the major “pump” cells of the cornea to allow for stromal clarity. In FED, Descemet’s membrane is grossly thickened with accumulation of abnormal wide-spaced collagen and numerous guttae. Corneal endothelial cells in end-stage FED are reduced in number and appear attenuated, causing progressive stromal edema.

Fuchs’ Corneal Dystrophy is a genetic, autosomal dominant disease with high penetrance.  That means you got it from a parent.  With this kind of gene each child born from a parent carrying the disease has a 50% chance of getting the Fuchs’ Dystrophy gene, and a 50% chance of getting a normal gene and not getting Fuchs’ Corneal Dystrophy. It is slightly more common in women than in men.

Symptoms

In the early stages, Fuchs’ patients notice glare and light sensitivity.  As the dystrophy progresses, the vision may seem blurred in the morning and sharper later in the day. This happens because the internal layers of the cornea tend to retain more moisture during sleep that evaporates when the eyes are open.  As the dystrophy worsens, the vision becomes continuously blurred.

Does it Have Treatment?

Generally, there is no complete getting away from this condition. However, the only real cure for the disease is a cornea transplant.  If the disease isn’t very far advanced you can get temporary relief, under the care of an eye professional, by using muro eyedrops.

Leafy Vegetables

Eating leafy green vegetables may help prevent cataracts, according to a new study in the December 2004 edition of the Journal of Nutrition. The study showed that substances found in leafy green vegetables helped to protect eye cells from damage by ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light is thought to be a cause of cataracts.

Vitamin Rich Veggies

Vitamins in adequate quantity are an integral part of our diet and for healthy eyes too!

Vitamin A: Vitamin A deficiency is one of the leading causes of blindness in developing countries. Vitamin A has been reported to prevent cataracts from forming and may have a role in preventing blindness from macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in the world. Carrots and sweet potatoes are abundant in this vitamin.

Vitamin C: One of the best vegetables for eye health Broccoli is a good source of lutein and zeaxanthin, as well as Vitamin C. Other foods containing Vitamin C are broccoli and pepper chilly besides a number of citrus fruits.

Lutein: There is very good evidence that the lutein in food helps protect against cataracts and macular degeneration, two common, age-related eye disorders. Lutein and another carotenoid, zeaxanthin, form the yellow pigment of the retina and absorb blue light, a harmful component of sunlight. Brussels sprouts, broccoli and green beans are rich in Lutein and Zeaxanthin.

Strabismus can occur at any age, but is most common in infants and young children. Most squints develop sometime in the first three years of life. Some develop in older children and adults. Squints that develop in children usually have different causes to squints that develop in adults. In some cases of childhood squint (and most cases of adult squint) the squint occurs because of a disorder of the eye, eye muscles, brain or nerves.

Angle of squint

A concomitant squint means that the angle (degree) of the squint is always the same in every direction that you look. That is, the two eyes move well, all the muscles are working, but the two eyes are always out of alignment by the same amount no matter which way you look.

An incomitant squint means that the angle of squint can vary. For example, when you look to the left, there may be no squint and the eyes are aligned. But when you look to the right, one eye may not move as far and the eyes are then not aligned.

Treatment

Constant strabismus at any age or intermittent strabismus that persists beyond 3 months of age usually needs prompt referral to an ophthalmologist.

Treatment typically involves the following:

• Treating amblyopia (visual loss) if this is present.
• Wearing glasses to correct any refractive error, if this is present
• Surgery is often needed to correct the appearance of the squint itself, and may help to restore binocular vision in some cases.
• Forcing a child to use the weaker eye can improve sight by reinforcing the connection between the eye and the brain.

What does it involve?

Optometric vision therapy is a set of vision exercises or procedures that are individualized and prescribed by an optometrist to teach a patient how to improve a weak or nonexistent visual skill or processing skill through the use of lenses, prisms, special computer programs, and other treatment techniques.

The first step in any Vision Therapy program is a comprehensive vision examination. Following a thorough evaluation, a qualified vision care professional can advise the candidate as to whether Vision Therapy would be appropriate treatment. Once therapy has been recommended, it is individualized to fit the visual needs of each patient generally conducted in-office, once or twice weekly sessions of 30 minutes to one hour.

Vision therapy, an optometric specialty treatment, has been clinically shown to be an effective treatment for accommodative disorders (non-presbyopic eye focusing problems), binocular dysfunction (inefficient eye teaming), ocular motility dysfunctions (eye movement disorders), strabismus (turned eye), amblyopia (lazy eye), and perceptual-motor dysfunction. The visual abilities, which are needed in sports, can be trained through vision therapy to reach their maximum potential.

Unlike other forms of exercise, the goal of Vision Therapy is NOT to strengthen eye muscles. Vision Therapy is not to be confused with any self-directed program of eye exercises which is or has been marketed to the public.