The Choices in Contact Lenses Have Changed a Lot Over the Last Twenty Years

By Steven Myros

The basic principles behind contact lenses originated with Leonardo da Vinci back in 1508. Although da Vinci's ideas were more focused on the mechanisms and accommodation of the eye rather than on correcting vision, he is generally credited with establishing the general principles eventually used to create contacts. While it took more than three hundred years before the first contact lens was actually successfully manufactured and worn, these optical devices certainly aren't a new invention. That said, however, today's contact lenses are far more advanced and sophisticated than those that existed even in the mid-twentieth century. In fact, in the past twenty years, there have been many significant changes and advancements that have taken place with respect to the design and fabrication of contacts.

Contact lenses are thin lenses, now made of plastic, which float above the cornea on the tear layer of the eye. Corrective contacts are specially shaped to improve vision by compensating for sight-related problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. While even in the not-too-distant past contacts were often difficult and uncomfortable to wear, one of the major advancements in the optical field has been a significant increase in the comfort of these optical devices. For the most part, the greater comfort offered by modern contacts has resulted from the use of new, sophisticated materials and technologies in the manufacture of these lenses. Today's contacts are softer and have the ability to retain moisture for longer periods of time so the incidence of dry and tired eyes after several hours of wearing contacts has gone down remarkably.

Evolution with respect to the technologies and materials used in the optical industry has also given rise to a considerable increase in the options available for users of contact lenses. These days consumers not only have a wide selection of brands to choose from, they also have many different categories of lens types available to them. For example, people can choose from rigid contacts and a wide variety of different soft contact lenses. In addition, several new types of lenses have been developed in recent years to deal specifically with certain eye conditions. As a result, there are now several varieties of contacts available to correct astigmatism, keratoconus and other conditions. People who require vision correction now also have access to multifocal contacts and numerous types of disposable lenses. Extended wear contact lenses are one of the most recent advancements in the industry, offering lenses that can be worn overnight and for up to thirty days at a time.

Along with the increased in available options with respect to contacts, convenience has also improved over the last twenty years. As mentioned previously, people can now purchase a number of different types of disposable contact lenses. This means it is easier to match contact lenses to an individual's lifestyle and preferences. Monthly, weekly and daily disposable soft lenses are now in common use, and convenience is particularly high with daily disposable contacts as they are meant to be thrown out after every use. Thus, there are no cleaning hassles involved, which tends to be particularly appealing to those who wear contacts only on a part-time basis or only for participating in sports or other specific activities. No matter what one's particular eye care and vision correction needs may be, there's no doubt that the available options are far more extensive now than they were in past decades.

Today's more sophisticated contact lenses have also led to improved health in recent years. Contacts are now extremely thin and are made from materials which promote the delivery of oxygen to the eyes, greatly reducing the dryness, redness and irritation experienced by wearers of contact lenses in the past. Furthermore, daily disposable lenses have also improved eye health as wearing a fresh pair of contacts each time reduces the chance of infection caused by improperly cleaned lenses. Some varieties of contacts also come with UV blocking capabilities which provide eyes with much-needed, year-round protection from harmful rays. While these contacts are not meant to provide a substitute for UV protection sunglasses, they do contribute to good eye care and health.

Finally, the last two decades have given rise to developments in the optical industry that have resulted in better vision for people who wear corrective contact lenses. In the past, some people who used contacts found that they did not provide vision that was as sharp as that provided by eyeglasses. However, the opposite is now often true. More sophisticated lens designs allow contacts to provide incredibly clear and stable vision for people with astigmatism, nearsightedness, farsightedness, presbyopia and other problems. With so many benefits offered by recent advancements in the design and manufacturing of contact lenses, it's clear that there are now more choices available than ever. In turn, this has allowed far more people to take advantage of corrective contact lenses.

Steven Myros is a freelance writer and contact lens user. He provides information about changes in materials that contact lenses are made. These changes are giving consumers better options as far as comfort is concerned and a much larger variety to choose from.
Homepage: http://www.coastalcontacts.com

Contact Lenses - Tips and Tricks for First Time Users

By Amy Nutt

It's quite common for people to avoid getting contact glasses or lenses because they are unsure of how to put them in... or even that they will be able to deal with having something in their eyes every day. However, contacts are really quite easy to use, once you get the hang of it. The first couple of times, you may be hesitant, but this article will show you how to put your new contact lenses in and how to ensure that they don't bother you.

To make sure that your contact glasses don't have calcium build up that could irritate your eyes, you'll want to soak them in lens cleaning solution for at least 4-6 hours. This will loosen up anything that has built up during the time they have been in the package. After the soak time, rinse your contacts thoroughly with saline solution (NOT tap water) and check them for any scratches or tears. Then you're ready to put them in.

You should wash your hands with soap and water before handling your contact glasses. This just ensures that no dirt or grime will get trapped under the lens where it can irritate your eye. Also, dry your hands carefully, since a wet fingertip will tend to stick to the contact, making it harder to insert.

Once you have prepared everything and your hands and contact glasses are nice and clean, you are ready to get started. Take the first contact lens and place it on your fingertip. It should look like a little bowl sitting there, with the top edges horizontal. Soft contacts can get turned inside out by accident sometimes and if this happens, you'll notice that the edges flare out. Just turn it right side out and it will be fine.

The easiest way to put your contact glasses in is to place the contact lens on the index finger of the hand closest to your eye, left hand for left side, etc. Use the middle finger of that same hand to pull the lower eyelid down and the opposite hand to lift the upper lid. Basically, you want your eye open as much as possible, you should be able to see the entire colored part of your eye.

Now, place the contact gently in the eye, making sure that it doesn't stick to your finger and let go of your eyelids. Blink a few times and the contact will automatically center itself. You should be fairly comfortable at this point. But, to make sure that you don't have any problems, you'll want to make sure that you don't wear your new contacts for very long the first few times, since they can be drying to the eyes.

Following the recommended time schedule for wearing your contact glasses is definitely a good idea, but you might want to use some lubricating eye drops (ask your eye doctor for recommendations) to help ease any discomfort. It's normal to have slightly irritated eyes the first few times that you wear contacts. You might find that your eyes tear up and get a bit red, but that's normal. However, pain is not, so if you have any pain, just take them out.

Trying out contact lenses for the first time can be a bit nerve-wracking, but it will get easier. Within a week, you'll be a complete expert at putting your contacts in and taking them out!

Clearly Contacts is the only online contact lens company that offers high quality contact lenses and delivers worldwide.

Contact Lenses and Water Don't Mix

By Amy Nutt

A very common question that new contact lens users ask is whether or not they can go swimming with their contacts in. Others wonder if it's ok to shower or bathe with their contacts, or even splash water on their face. There are a lot of water-based activities in our daily lives and sometimes contacts don't fit into those activities too well.

Swimming with Contacts

It's never a good idea to swim with your contact lenses in. In fact, it could be very bad for your eyes. In a pool, the chemicals needed to maintain the pH and the chlorine can irritate your eyes under normal circumstances, but with contacts, they will be trapped right up against your eye, even after you get out of the pool and the pool water can actually cause infections as bacteria are introduced to the eye.

In addition to the above issues, contacts absorb water. If they absorb pool water, with all the chemicals, it can be common for the contact lenses to actually stick to the eye itself. While this is usually not serious, it can definitely be uncomfortable. To correct the problem, leave the contacts in and don't try to remove them until your natural tears have replaced the pool water in the contact lenses.

Even if you go swimming in a lake, it's not a good idea to use your contacts as they can actually be floated out of your eye by large quantities of water. However, if you need your contacts while swimming, a very tightly fitted pair of swim goggles can help ensure that they don't get lost.

Showering and Bathing with Contacts

Showering offers the same hazards as mentioned above with swimming. The quantity of water can wash the contact lenses right out of your eyes and may cause problems if your water is chlorinated. While the exposure to chemicals is probably not long enough to cause issues, there is a chance that chlorine will be trapped behind the contact, causing irritation and discomfort.

Some people do manage to shower with their contacts in, by simply not looking up into the water or by closing their eyes during the shower. While possible, it's not advisable. There is a pretty high risk that you'll lose your contacts and they can easily be washed down the drain, making it impossible to recover them. It's a better idea to simply wait until after your morning shower to put your contacts in.

Taking a bath shouldn't be a problem, as long as you don't go under the water. It's possible to wash up without risking the loss of your lenses and this shouldn't be an issue. Most people don't submerge themselves in the bathtub anyway.

Face Washing with Contacts

In general, you should be able to wash your face with your contacts in, as long as you aren't splashing water into your eyes. Regular face washing is just fine. Most people close their eyes anyway while washing their face, which ensures that your contact lenses will remain firmly in place.

Contacts and water don't mix, particularly water that has been chlorinated. There are situations, like a bath or washing your face, when you don't necessarily have to remove the contact lenses, but to be sure you don't end up with overly irritated eyes and lost contacts, it's best to just avoid using contacts when you are swimming or showering. This will keep them safe, particularly if you aren't using disposable ones and have paid a chunk of change for your contacts!

Clearly Contacts offers a wide variety of contact lenses We do worldwide delivery of brand name contacts such as Acuvue, Dailies, Softlens and more.

Types of Contact Lenses

The development of the contact lens has changed how those with bad vision see the world. At one time hard lenses were the only contact lenses that anyone had access to, but later came the disposable soft lens that required less care and could be thrown away after a certain time period of wear. Now there are many different options available to contact lens wearers based on their requests and the recommendations of their doctors. This allows more people to wear contact lenses than ever before. Many of those who could not wear contacts years ago, because the kind that was being used was not for them, can now wear them with ease.

With their being so many kinds available, the type of contact that is prescribed is dependent upon a person's particular situation. Here are the different types of contact lenses that are available:

1. PMMA lenses, which are also called hard contact lenses are the oldest that are around. Believe it or not they have been around since the 1960s. They are made from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). These contacts are very durable, but their disadvantage is the fact that they do not allow oxygen to reach the cornea directly. The oxygen is received in the cornea when the wearer blinks and oxygen-rich tears reach the cornea due to the movement of the lens. They are of low cost, but they are hardly used anymore. However, there are some patients who prefer them.
   
   
2. Soft contact lenses are the lenses that are used most often. They are made of plastic and other materials such as silicone. Water is also used in their construction, which makes them soft. They also allow the oxygen to directly reach the cornea. Soft contact lenses are used by 3/4 of the contact wearers in the United States. There are also different types of soft contacts such as:
   
   
   • Daily disposable lenses that must be thrown away at the end of each day. These are more expensive, but the risk of developing an eye infection is minimal.
   • Toric lenses for astigmatism. These contacts are for those who do not have any other eye issue other than astigmatism that must be corrected.
   • Extended wear lenses typically last 2-4 weeks. The usage of the 30 day contact started approximately 6 years ago. The risk of infection is higher and they do tend to be somewhat expensive, but the wearer is able to wear the contacts day and night for 30 days without having to take them out.
     
     
3. The last type of contact lens is the gas-permeable lens. These are the newer version of the hard lens that are made of silicone and other materials that allows the oxygen to directly reach the cornea. This is why they are called gas permeable.

There are so many advantages to using contact lenses for those who are able to wear one of the above that were described. Of course there are risks such as the hard contact lenses being more likely to scratch the cornea and extended wear contacts causing infection, especially if they are not maintained properly. No matter the type of contact lens a person is wearing, it is important to take care of them they way they are supposed to in order to minimize the risk of infection in the eye. Those who develop frequent eye infections may not be allowed to wear them by their doctor. Even those with severe allergies may be forbidden, but contacts open up a whole new world for those who can wear them because they can see things differently.

Clearly Contacts is an online contact lens company offering a wide selection of contact lenses to meet your individual needs. Makes such as Acuvue, Focus, Freshlook, Proclear and PureVision.

Discount Contact Lenses

By: Junaid Ashraf
SEO Specialist

Contact lenses are gaining much popularity. These contact lenses are used either for medical or cosmetic reasons. Some wear contact lenses to correct any visual impairment. Contact lenses are available for the myopic eyes. Myopic eyes have that visual impairment called Myopia. It is defined as nearsightedness and is a condition of the retina that when light enters the eye the light focus in front of the retina instead of hitting the retina directly into it. The cause of this nearsightedness or myopia is a steeper type or shape of the cornea. In myopia the shape of the eyes are longer than the normal length and shape of the eye. Nearsighted individuals can see things when they are brought closer to their eyes. For the cosmetic reasons, oh well everybody wants to look ravishing and stand in a crowd. When people get tired of their original eye color, they would use the contact lenses to change the color of their iris.

Contact lenses come in various colors. A wide array of choices is available. Colors come in blue, brown, hazel and whatever color you can possibly think of. The choices are without limit. Contact lenses are used in Halloween parties to create that look of a ghost or an evil spirit. Contact lenses are used to change how you look. It can create an aura of sophistication.

The best way of acquiring contact lenses is to consult an eye doctor Ophthalmologists or eye doctors can best determine the type of lenses that would suit you. Optometrist or Optician can advise you on what is the best option that your eyes need. Despite the aesthetic benefit of contact lenses any of us misunderstood the use of contact lenses. It is a medical device that can only be fitted by a practicing eye doctor.

When you have bought your lenses you must learn on how to properly fit the lenses into your eyes. Wrong placement of the contact lenses can damage your eyes. You must maintain clean contact lenses all the time. This is to prevent occurrence of eye infections. If your eyes get infected there is a possibility that you will loose your sight.

There are various types of contact lenses available in the market. You can find disposable contact lenses which last for 6 months and you can throw them away afterwards. There are contact lenses for extended wear. Contact lenses which are gas permeable are available too. To correct astigmatism a contact lens is also recommended Contact lenses, which were once thought to be quite pricey, have now become affordable to almost anyone, thanks to the innovative manufacturers who have found cost-effective ways to manufacture lenses of high quality. There are various manufacturers of contact lenses in the market these days, so prices have also become very competitive, with numerous discounts available.

Contact lenses are originally expensive. You do not need to worry about the high price of the contact lenses though. There are discount contact lenses available in the market. There are cost efficient ways of buying your own set of contact lenses. Though discount contact lenses are available in an almost half the price of the usual contact lenses you buy. Discount contact lenses are not substandard ones. These are only cheaper but it can still have optimum performance.

Buy Discount Contact Lenses Online at: http://www.todaysfashion.info and Know more about latest fashion trends and fashion tips.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Junaid_Ashraf_Mianoor