The causes and treatment of glaucoma.

Feb 29

Glaucoma is a condition that affects the optic nerve, damaging it to the point where it leaves your eye. Usually, glaucoma is the result in an increase in pressure in your eye, when the fluid in the front of your eye doesn’t drain away properly. In a normal case, there is a balance in the amount of fluid that is produced and the fluid that drains away, keeping a constant level. But if you have glaucoma, the pressure resulting from the fluid imbalance in your eye can leave you with impaired vision – and even with a complete loss of sight.

But it is not just the fluid imbalance, or ‘ocular hypertension’, that causes glaucoma. In some cases, the optic nerve itself is weak, contributing to the onset of the condition, and glaucoma may even be passed down through family members. Those who suffer from diabetes, or other conditions that restrict blood-flow, are also susceptible to glaucoma, and sufferers in the UK had a 29% increased incidence of systemic hypertension, compared to age and gender controls. Glaucoma is also affected by ethnicity, as those of African or black Caribbean origin are more at risk, with higher chances of being affected earlier in life, and more severely.

For those who suffer from glaucoma, all is not lost, as there is a range of treatment available. At the lower end of the spectrum, corrective contact lenses are available in both soft and rigid forms. Whilst contact lenses are not treatment in themselves, they certainly allow sufferers to go about their daily life in relative comfort. Most eye doctors will also prescribe eye drops for glaucoma, which can react adversely with your contact lenses or the fluids on their surfaces. This can make your eyes intolerant to the lenses, or simply dry them out, making wearing contact lenses very uncomfortable. As always, it’s important to check with your eye doctor.

At the other end of the spectrum, there are medicines available that either help the fluid in your eye drain more easily, or slow its build-up. Surgery is also available, and the most common is laser surgery that opens up the holes in the eyes’ draining system, allowing the fluid to drain. You can have this surgery under local anaesthetic, and be in and out of the hospital in a day. So for those who suffer from a condition that can potentially be so debilitating, the future is incredibly bright.

The down low: contact lenses and children

Feb 29

There comes a time for many parents when they have to make a choice for their child: glasses or contact lenses? Contacts seem to have more strings attached than glasses, with extra care involved in their use, and seem to indicate a greater level of maturity than wearing glasses. You can just take the glasses off, rather than have to carefully insert them, store them, and care for them. But there are other things to think about.

If you’re buying online, contact lenses are an easy purchase to make. There’s not as much hassle as fitting and trying on a pair of glasses, and if your child is worried about their appearance, contact lenses can do wonders. Experts talk of greater social acceptance or even greater self-esteem, and whilst your child might look great in glasses in your eyes, remember back to how unforgiving kids can be at school. Wearing contact lenses can put your child in the fast lane to the top of the class, and their ease of use makes them a good choice over glasses. Plus, not everyone thinks looking like Morrissey is as cool as we do.

You might be asking if children’s eyes are ready for contact lenses, to which the easy answer is “Yes, they are.” Children’s eyes can tolerate contacts from a very young age, and they are less likely to have dry eyes than adults. With the right lenses, you can help strengthen your child’s eyes, and even if they don’t like it, they’ll thank you one day. And if you think contact lenses are difficult to use, and require too much care for your child to handle, then you might have to think again: children are more likely to follow rules and guidelines than adults, and so while you’re sleeping with yours in after a hard day at work, your kid’s contacts lenses will be safely stored away.

With children getting into scrapes, playing sport, video games, or spending time online, contact lenses in place of glasses makes perfect sense. Your child’s vision will be changing frequently as they get older, and contact lenses can be easily replaced to keep up with those changes. Contact lenses won’t break during a game of football, or cost a fortune to replace if they get lost. The average age that children are first fitted with contact lenses is 13, and they have a very high satisfaction rate – 99%! - with 13-17 year olds. So whilst at first you might be reluctant to invest in contact lenses for your child, they are definitely a more than welcome solution – for everyone.

How silicone hydrogel has revolutionized the contact lens Industry.

Feb 27

Silicone hydrogel lenses are the latest development in contact lenses. Not to be confused with silicon, which is the material used to make semi-conductors, silicone is the name of a group of flexible, plastic-like materials that contain silicon, carbon, oxygen, and other chemicals. As well as contact lenses, silicone is used in medical devices and tubing, and also in the production of breast implants. One of the strengths of silicone hydrogel is its increased oxygen permeability, allowing 6 times more oxygen through than conventional soft lenses – which makes silicone hydrogen perfect for use in a new generation of contact lenses.

It is this oxygen permeability that is helping silicone hydrogel revolutionize the contact lens industry. Conventional contact lenses, whilst correcting vision, could have adverse effects on your eyes if worn for extended periods. Silicone hydrogel contact lenses are instead far better for your eyes. The oxygen that their increased permeability allows through keeps your eyes fresher and healthier, of course, but the silicone hydrogel itself has more resistance to protein deposits, leading to a lower risk of eye infection. With their soft, comfortable feel and lack of rigidity, silicone hydgrogel contact lenses are easier to use than conventional lenses, and there is far less risk of complications due to this. With these kinds of benefits, most doctors believe that more patients will be wearing silicone hydrogel contact lenses than any other type.

Silicone hydrogel is also used in the production of rigid contact lenses, showing its versatility. Considering that most contact lens wearers don’t follow their doctor’s instructions regarding lens wear and replacement, and that 1 in 5 soft contact lens wearers wear their contact lenses whilst sleeping, the use of silicone hydrogel has helped reduce instances of hypoxia and hypoxia-related problems. These can occur when oxygen flow to the eye is decreased, as can happen with conventional contact lenses. With silicone hydrogel now available to manufacturers, they have been able to produce a wider range of contact lenses, at the same time as allowing for increased wearer comfort and safety.

Astigmatism explained

Feb 27

Astigmatism, which is often erroneously referred to as “stigmatism”, is not a problem with the health of the eye, it is a problem with how the light is refracted. Light rays that enter the eye do not have a single focus point, giving blurred vision. This is caused by the irregular surface of the cornea or iris. Because astigmatism is a problem with light refraction, this means that it can be corrected with the use of contact lenses. For sufferers looking online, contact lenses can be found that can help. Toric lenses are used to correct more severe cases of astigmatism, opticians prescribe these when needed.

There are various symptoms associated with astigmatism. Principally, the sufferer’s vision is blurred at almost all distances, to some degree. Also, eye strain and headaches that occur after prolonged visual tasks, such as study or computer use, can point to the condition. Squinting is also a symptom of untreated astigmatism, and it is important for children to take routine eye tests when they are at school. For those with the condition, the options are contact lenses, refractive surgery, or eyeglasses.

There are different types of astigmatism, which result not only in blurred vision but also in near and farsightedness. Most astigmatism is corneal astigmatism, which instead of the cornea being round like a football, instead makes it shaped more like a rugby ball. Less common astigmatism is caused by the shape of the lens (lenticular astigmatism), and less common still is irregular astigmatism, which can arise from eye injuries or from keratoconus, a disease that causes a gradual thinning of the cornea.

With contact lens technology at an advanced stage, even severe astigmatism can be treated. Soft toric contact lenses are suitable for those with mild astigmatism, but their comfort and ease of use make them popular with all sufferers. Gas permeable contact lenses, which provide a sharper focus, are available for astigmatism sufferers, and whilst their levels of comfort might not be so high, their durability and strong performance make them a good choice for those with a more severe condition. With a wealth of information and choice online, contact lenses can ensure that astigmatism sufferers needn’t have their quality of life suffer too.

The best eye-wear accessories

Feb 24

If you buy your contact lenses online, there’s no excuse to not snap up some more accessories when you have the chance. There is a whole range of items available online, more than enough to keep you and your contact lenses in great condition.

Of course, once you’ve bought your contact lenses online, the next step is to keep them clean. Vision Direct offers a great multi-use solution, that can be used to clean, rinse, store, and re-wet your contact lenses. Online stores can stock items cheaper than on the high street, and Vision Direct is even giving away a contact lens case with each bottle of solution. Suitable for sensitive eyes, this solution can be used with soft or hard lenses, and is a versatile all-rounder.

Those who live life in the fast lane might want to consider a travel case for their contact lenses. After all, if you like the convenience of buying your contact lenses online, then you’ll probably like the convenience of having a travel case that contains a case for contact lenses, a mirror, and a set of tweezers. So if you really have to put your contacts in on the train, then this is the perfect way to do it.

Not everyone has such a hectic life, and some people are more likely to be found reading or in front of a computer. Doing so can lead to dry eyes, and a bottle of Bausch and Lomb Hycosan eye drops is the perfect remedy to this. Whether you’re stuck in front of a computer all day, or you wear contact lenses, online stores can help you solve your dry eye problems with just a click of the mouse.

Something slightly different is the Lightwedge, a point light that lets you read in the dark without having to switch the main light on. You just slide it over the top of your page – or ereader – and let the LEDs do the work. None of the light escapes thanks to it being focused on the page by the wedge-shaped design, so you won’t be disturbing others around you.

How do contact lenses survive in transit?

Feb 23

With the UK being rapidly subsumed by snow and ice, and treacherous conditions leaving all but the bravest – or most foolish – motorists warming at home, it’s tempting to stick the kettle on and sit out the winter. After all, a few clicks on the internet and you’ll have enough supplies to last the harsh months. And for those of you who buy contact lenses online, things couldn’t be simpler, as you let the delivery companies deal with the hazardous roads and ice age conditions. But there are other dangers to think about in these chilly climes, other than falling over and looking foolish – what if my delivery freezes?

First, let’s talk about rigid lenses. Luckily for you – unless you’re out in the mountains somewhere – your lenses aren’t going to freeze onto your eyes, as the salt from your tears and warmth of your body sees to that. Leaving them in their solution over night outside, on the other hand, will probably see them frozen. At which point it’s probably tempting to check if the seal has broken, and check if you still have a set of sterile contact lenses. Online forums are always a useful place to turn in an hour of need, but in this case – even if the seal is unbroken – it’s best to ignore the advice of the communities online, and to not wear your now thawing contact lenses.

Soft lenses, on the other hand, are safer to wear. These might warp a little after being frozen, which will affect the clarity of your vision, but the chances of them actually damaging your eyes are negligible. Even if a soft lenses rips or gets damaged while you’re wearing it, the worst it will do is feel uncomfortable, so once your frozen contacts have defrosted – at room temperature, no microwaves please! – you can pop them in, and see if they’re warped. If they are warped, then you can always pick up some more contact lenses online. It’s best to check the packaging before taking the plunge, and, if you’re really not sure, ask an eye doctor. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Common mistakes people make when wearing contact lenses.

Feb 22

Wearing contact lenses is not like wearing glasses, whose maintenance seems as straightforward as putting them on and taking them off: for the inexperienced wearer, contact lenses can represent a virtual minefield of do’s and don’ts.

The easiest mistake you can make with contact lenses is forget to take them off before going to bed, and sleeping with them in. This will dry your eyes out, and can potentially cause more damage. The surface of your eyes need oxygen to stay healthy, and restricting the flow of oxygen all day and all night is not recommended by doctors. Plus, if the contact lenses slip during the night, they could scratch the cornea. In the event that you do sleep with your contact lenses in, it’s best to remove them as soon as you wake up, and soak them to remove bacteria. If your eyes are sore and irritated, then you should consult an optician.

Another time when people forget they’re wearing contact lenses is when they go swimming. If you wear air-tight goggles, then there shouldn’t be a problem, as the pocket of air keeps the contact lenses secure. However, if you don’t wear goggles, then it’s best to remove your contact lenses before entering the water. As the water hits your lenses, it displaces them; it’s not enough to think that you’ll just keep your eyes shut when you swim, as keeping water out of your eyes will be an almost impossible task. Instead, make sure you remove your contact lenses when you have the chance, and keep them safe for when you really need them.

Contact lenses need to be kept and washed in a special solution, though it’s tempting to use water or another neutral fluid if you run out of contact lens solution. This is another common mistake, as the solution for contact lenses is specially designed to clean your lenses of all the bacteria that accumulates during the day – bacteria that is also present in water. This might be harmless when you drink it, but putting it in your eyes for protracted periods of time is dangerous. So try to keep some solution with you if and when you go out, as you don’t want to be lured into the temptation of using water from the tap or drinking fountain – or even giving your contact lenses a quick wash in your mouth, as school children might. Not using contact lens solution is a very quick way to your local eye specialist.

As we’re on the subject of danger, another mistake that contact lens wearers make is forgetting that taking care of contact lenses means just that: taking care of them. Washing your contact lenses might clean them for that moment, but you need to make sure your contact lens case is also clean. Keeping contact lenses in a dirty storage case is another way to let bacteria get into your eyes, and it’s best to keep not only your contact lenses pristine, but their case also. And those of you who use continuous wear contact lenses should remember this, too.

Vision Direct present to you: Gold labelled customer care

Feb 21

We are proud to announce that Visiondirect.co.uk has been awarded the Gold label by Ekomi. Ekomi is a customer feedback organization offering a neutral portal for customers with the opportunity to give feedback on their experience of online retailer’s products and services.

What is done about critical feedback? Some customers have rated lower than 5 stars due to supplier issues, such as odd delays in the posting system which is not something directly controlled by us. Feedback on improvements that can be made to our website have been recognised and we are in process of redesigning it, to improve your overall experience. We are also in the process of changing our back office systems behind the scenes. Comments are reviewed on a regular basis, and replied to when applicable, visible online.

Calculated from 7217 unique customer reviews to date, Vision Direct scored an average of 4.8/5.0 which is an amazing result. We would like to thank our customers for all the overwhelmingly positive comments, they brighten our days and help us understanding how to become even better at what we do!

Long nails & how to effectively handle contact lenses

Feb 18

If you have long nails, whether they are fake or natural, you probably come across some daily obstacles. One recognized battle of the well manicured folks is the art of removing or inserting contact lenses.

To handle lenses, there are various rules of thought. One way is to use a tool such as a lens applicator, or a combined lens applicator + remover. Some lens cases also come with a handy mirror and a tweezer, that conveniently can be used for application or removal of lenses. The benefit here is hygiene, as you never have to touch the lenses. Germs otherwise easily find their way from behind long nails onto contact lenses.

If for whatever reason a physical tool is not convenient for you, another way to handle your lenses efficiently is to learn how to use long nails as a resource instead of seeing them as a hindrance. There are a couple of available tutorials on Youtube on how to insert or remove contact lenses with long nails.

Regardless of how you go about dealing with your contacts, be sure to clean your hands thoroughly (and scrub behind your nails) for at least 15 seconds before handling contact lenses to minimize risks for nasty eye infections.

Amazing eye miracles – stories from around the world

Feb 16

Just a couple of hundred years ago, being able to correct vision through the use of contact lenses would be considered something of a miracle in itself. Of course these days contact lenses are common place, a vision aid that it is easy to take for granted – although the augmented reality ‘bionic’ contact lenses that are currently being developed could arguably be filed under the ‘miraculous’ category. Generally speaking, however, there is a limit to what the medical profession can achieve, especially when it comes to treating severe damage to the eyes – although there are always occasions when recovery defies the odds.

Take the case of Nicholas Holderman, a 17 month old toddler in the U.S. who ended up with a key lodged in his eye thanks to a freak accident while playing with his brothers. After a frantic rush to the emergency room, an X-ray showed the key to be lodged deep within the eye socket, prompting immediate surgery. Just six days later, Nicholas was out of hospital, regaining full vision in the damaged eye after only three months! While Nicholas’s case is perhaps as much a testament to the skill of the surgeon as it is miraculous, a true ‘miracle’ treatment can come from the most unlikely of sources.

An 82 year old security guard at the Monticello Raceway in New York experienced just such a phenomenon, 64 years after losing over 95% of the sight in one eye, thanks to a shrapnel wound inflicted during World War II. While carrying out the routine task of putting a collar on a famous race horse, the animal head butted the security guard, instantly causing sight to return to his damaged eye! While vision in the previously damaged eye was not perfect, it was something of a shock for a man who had seen nothing through the organ since 1942! The attendant ophthalmologist suggested that the head butt had effectively reversed the displacement of the eye which originally resulted from the shrapnel wound, making the horse’s head butt one of the luckiest work place injuries ever recorded!

Unusual treatments can also come about by design, rather than freak luck. Following 27 years of blindness caused by an adverse reaction to an epilepsy drug, a 42 year old woman from Suffolk in England had her sight restored by some pioneering surgery. Using part of the root of a tooth, an ophthalmologist was able to use this nerve tissue to reinforce the optic nerve in her eye, restoring her vision – pretty miraculous, I think you’ll agree!