What causes lazy eye? And what treatments are available?

Apr 30

What do Paris Hilton, Abraham Lincoln, TV’s Colombo, Johnny Rotten, and Melissa-Joan “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” Hart all have in common? That’s right, they all have or had lazy eye.

Lazy eye, also known as ‘amblyopia’, is an eye condition that cannot be corrected by glasses or online contact lenses. It is not caused by any disease, rather the brain does not fully recognise images seen by the affected eye. The condition usually only affects one eye, but may sometimes affect both, resulting in a reduction of vision in each eye. It’s important to remember that lazy eye doesn’t lead to a loss of vision, only a reduction.

So, what causes lazy eye? Different things can cause it, such as the constant turning of one eye (strabismus), different vision in each eye (anisometropia), and a blockage in an eye due to a cataract, a drooping lid, or other trauma. Lazy eye can be treated when you’re still young, so if you have children then it’s a good idea to get them checked out sooner rather than later.

The most common of these causes is anisometropia. Usually, the eyes have the same qualities in terms of vision and light refraction, whereas with anisometropia, they are different. This can be corrected with glasses, or you can look for online contact lenses. Soft disposable lenses can be used, though if you have other problems such as astigmatism, then custom-made contact lenses are the best course of action. As usual, check with a doctor.

Other treatments include forcing the lazy eye to be used, by patching over the unaffected eye or by using topical atropine eye drops in it. This has to be managed well, as it can result in reverse lazy eye in the good eye – hardly the situation we’re aiming for.

Contact lenses are often the standard method of dealing with lazy eye – good news for us all, thanks to their ease of use. Children who don’t fully understand their condition, or their treatment, can use contact lenses and not have to go through the difficulty of wearing glasses.

How does melatonin work?

Apr 27

Put those packets of crisps away, straighten those ties, and tuck in those shirts – it’s back to school for you, and first class is science. Here at Vision Direct High we want to give you the best knowledge that free online blogs can offer, so get those textbooks at the ready as we delve into the dark and mysterious world of melatonin.

Right, pipe down class, and turn to page 103. Read from the top of the page, would you Johnson? Melatonin is a hormone that is found in people, animals, and plants. In humans and animals, it’s produced by the pineal gland in the brain, and it affects different biological functions. It is a powerful antioxidant, and protects strands of DNA.

Thank you, Johnson. Jones, continue boy! In humans, melatonin helps control the sleep-wake cycle by causing drowsiness and lowering the body temperature. This is called the circadian rhythm. As a person ages, the amount of melatonin produced decreases, meaning that you sleep later and wake later as you get older.

Good. Now you, Davies. Melatonin shouldn’t be confused with melanin, which affects skin and eye pigmentation. Melatonin production is affected by light that enters the eye through the retina. When less light enters the retina, melatonin production is triggered, leading to drowsiness and the need to sleep. Small amounts of melatonin can shift the circadian clock, meaning that you sleep and wake earlier than before. This will affect you even if you wear contact lenses. Online stores stock glasses that allow you to adjust to different times and earlier hours, as they block certain light, meaning that you sleep earlier.

Right, there’s the bell for break. Don’t forget your homework, and I want to see your books on my desk at the beginning of each class.

Sunglasses from A to Z

Apr 27

We noticed the most popular search terms in combination with sunglasses and based on this, we created a list of A-Z with our comments included.

Sunglasses At night

We are hoping that you are referring to a song and not seriously considering sleeping with your sunglasses on? We realize you are probably fond of them, but we think sunglasses are best used in sunlight.

Sunglasses Brands

Looking for branded sunglasses? Luxurious sunglasses are easy to find online to excellent prices (at Vision Direct, you even get a nice discount if you buy designer sunglasses with your contact lenses).

Sunglasses Case

To store sunglasses is important for durability and avoiding scratches and although most branded sunglasses will come with a case included, an extra case could be useful. Get a stylish wooden case with silver print for your sunglasses, or a black and slick case.

Sunglasses Designer

For the fashionable sunglasses wearer, check out the latest Ray-Bans, Versace, Oakley, Police, Dolce&Gabbana, Head.

Sunglasses Emoticon

Sunglasses For round faces

To match your head shape with sunglasses can be tricky. For round faces, we recommend:

Model: Large
Square and rectangular frames
Accentuated and decorated arms will enhance definition of a round face

Sunglasses Guide

Check our posts on sunglasses for some more info on designer sunglasses, fishing sunglasses, sunglasses for skiing or polarized lenses.

Sunglasses Hard case

The case we recommended already is a hard case but also fold-able which means it is really easy to bring along when travelling with your sunglasses.

Sunglasses Insurance

Do you plan to stomp on your designer sunglasses? We hope not. Getting an insurance for a mobile phone is one thing, for sunglasses quite another. If you save money when buying sunglasses, perhaps you can afford being without the insurance altogether?

Sunglasses Jokes

I don’t think cops should wear mirrored sunglasses. The whole time the guy was chewing me out, all I could think was ‘I should cut my bangs. / Bonnie McFarlane

Sunglasses Kids

Get sunglasses for children in size small for smaller heads.

Sunglasses Lenses

Are you wondering whether you can wear contact lenses underneath your sunglasses? You can, but preferably do not get too hot as they might dry up. For reading, a better option may be stick-on lenses or a pair of ready readers to complement.

Sunglasses Meme

We suspect you are thinking of getting a pair of cheap sunglasses that are not branded therefore slightly cheaper than branded sunglasses.

Sunglasses Next day delivery

Can you get next delivery with your sunglasses? Yes, just have a look on the shipping options for your destination. Be sure to check stock levels prior to purchase.

Sunglasses Online

Buy sunglasses online by clicking here.

Sunglasses Prescription

To get prescription sunglasses is something many of you are looking for, it seems. The risk of getting these is that you spend a lot of money on a pair of pricey branded sunglasses and your prescription changes. A better alternative may be to use contact lenses with your designer sunglasses.

Sunglasses Quotes

Are you looking for a good deal or discount on your sunglasses by any chance? Simply buy some contact lenses with your designer sunglasses and you get £10 off.

Sunglasses Repair

If you skipped that insurance on sunglasses, a toolkit may come handy.

Sunglasses Shop

There are plenty of shops for sunglasses, but how do you know if they are genuine and which one to choose? Vision Direct has been one of the first companies supplying contact lenses in the UK 1998 and has ever since offered eye wear. Therefore you can be sure to only receive authentic products at competitive prices at Vision Direct. For any questions, you can easily contact our live chat (and yes, we are real people at the other end).

Sunglasses To suit face shape

In general, you want to achieve balance. If you have a round face, go for sharper edges. If you have a sharp face, go for smoother and rounder edges. Models are available in small, medium or large to make it easier to get glasses that fits.

Sunglasses UV rating

Poor UV protection may actually do more harm than good, as your pupils will dilate but sunlight still comes through. Be sure to only purchase sunglasses with proper UV filtering to care for your eyes.

Sunglasses Vector

Webdesigners looking for product images perhaps?

Sunglasses Wholesale

For wholesale requests, feel free to send an email to info[at]visiondirect.co.uk with your request and we will come back to you.

Sunglasses X ray

Some people playing laser games or just looking for some fun can find sunglasses enabling them to see infrared light. Pretty cool, we think!

Sunglasses Yeah

Searching for this term, the first video popping up is a Youtube clip from CSI. In Florida you get some sun, so granted you need cool sunglasses too.

Computers and eyes: how to prevent eye strain.

Apr 25

Today we’re talking about computers and eyes – don’t worry, not computers with eyes, so there’s no chance of a T1000 coming back from the future to make off with your lunch money, and no spaceship controlling super computers will be reading your lips as you decide to shut them down. I wouldn’t venture out of the escape pods just yet, though, as were looking at reasons that your eyes suffer from strain when you use computers – and what can be done about it.

If you wear contact lenses, you will need to pay extra attention to how long you stay in front of a screen. It’s not always the screen itself that causes eye strain or dry eyes, but there are other factors at work. It might be the lighting of the room, or how often you take breaks that causes your eye strain. It’s important to use proper lighting, as this stops your eyes from straining to see the screen. You can eliminate exterior light by closing the blinds, and try to reduce interior lighting, too. If you have an office with white walls and desks, then the glare can be quite strong. In this instance it’s best to take a break. Go get yourself a cup of coffee – it’ll do wonders for your eyes.

Another tip for avoiding eye strain is of course to keep your eye drops to hand. If you wear contact lenses, then your eyes will dry out faster than if you don’t, which is an uncomfortable thought. You might want to try blinking more, too, as believe it or not you actually blink less when you use a computer. Sitting and staring at a screen is without doubt a short-cut to dry eyes, and it’s worth keeping these ideas in mind when you’ve got an all-nighter of essay writing/a great Xbox game on the cards.

Even if you’re reading a book rather than glazing over in front a screen, it’s a good idea to keep your eyes exercised. You can do this by shifting your focus away from the screen, and onto other points. For example, take a look around the room. Doing this is great exercise for your eyes. And stops them from getting tired.

Famous phrases about eyes – where did they derive from?

Apr 24

We at Vision Direct take an interest in all things eye related, and it’s no wonder we get all giddy with excitement when we think about our burgeoning eye lexicon. It’s not just contact lenses and contact lens solution soup here at Vision Direct towers – oh no. We know a good time when we see one, and word games are right up there. So without further ado, it’s time for us to walk down that optic nerve of fun and check out some of the eye phrases that have been catching our, er, eye recently.

There are heaps of famous quotes related to eyes, and some, like “An eye, an eye, my kingdom for an eye”, that we made up. A great quote related to eyes comes in the form of “The eyes are mirrors to the soul”. Now, Mrs Vision Direct was sure that this was Shakespeare, but a bit of research tells us that it is in fact an old proverb – Yiddish, to be precise. It’s fairly self-explanatory, but captures the beauty that first attracted us to the eye, and led to a grand career in contact lenses and other eye products.

The Bible can be a source of refuge for Vision Direct in our darker moments, not least because of the wonderful quotes on eyes contained therein. Well, they’re not exactly beautiful, but they’re certainly well known. “An eye for an eye” is a good one, coming as it does in the Old Testament, which is often full of vengeful heroes like Samson and Gideon. This was developed further in the New Testament through Jesus, and became the famous “turn the other cheek” maxim. Much later, Gandhi and Martin Luther King, jr, said that an eye for an eye “leaves everyone blind”. And how right they were.

Moving on, it’s time to talk about fruit. Apples, to be precise. They’ve played an important role in history, from Sir Isaac Newton to Steve Jobs and his shiny toys, and, of course, they make an important appearance in the Good Book. For did the serpent not tempt Eve with the fruit from the tree of knowledge? True, but you can also talk about the apple of your eye, which again comes from the Bible. This particular phrase refers to something or someone that you cherish – that is the apple of your eye.

Animals also have eyes, and form the basis of some other great phrases. You can have eagle eyes, or eyes like a hawk, meaning that you can spot delicious looking voles and carrion whilst on the wing. There’s also the “eye of the tiger”, a song made famous by the film Rocky III. It’s best to focus on the heroism part of this phrase, rather than the descent into self-parody which comes later.

Eye test 101: everything someone can expect from an everyday eye test.

Apr 23

Eye tests are pretty routine, and are really nothing to worry about. You don’t have to face any needles, for a start, and you can do it sitting down. What’s not to like about that? We’re not talking Clockwork Orange-style sitting down – in case you were wondering – and you certainly won’t be hearing any Beethoven. There are different stages to eye tests, and whether you’re thinking about prescription lenses, coloured contact lenses, or just a simple check up, there are some things worth checking out.

The optometrist will want to check different aspects of your eye, such as pressure, focus, your retina, optic nerve, and the outer surfaces of your eyes. Each of these checks uses different techniques and equipment, and each one is as painless as the other.

Firstly, lets look at the classic test, the ophthalmoscope. This is the special torch used to look at the retina at the back of the eye, and can reveal information about your optic nerve. Your eye doctor will darken the room, and shine a light into your eyes. This might leave shadows in your vision, but can help your eye doctor find out it you’re susceptible to diabetes or high blood pressure.

There are a couple of very precise eye tests which are used to detect more than just eye health. A well-known test, called the Schirmer’s test, measures the health of the tear duct by detecting a person’s tear quantity. For the contact lens wearer, the Schirmer test is important because uncomfortable contact lenses can dry out the eye – finding the right pair is important.

Another well-known test is the TTT/NIBUT test. Not to be confused with the Schirmer test, the NIBUT test measures a person’s lachrymal film. In terms of contact lenses, this is a very important test as it is essential for the eye to retain the tear film after each blink. The eye’s lachrymal health can be measured before starting to wear contacts.

Another test commonly used by doctors involves using a slit lamp, which is a powerful, illuminated microscope. This is used to check the outer surfaces of your eyes, such as the lens, cornea, and iris. Your eye doctor will use it to check for scratches or abnormalities. If you wear contact lenses or colour contact lenses, then this is an important test.

When your eye doctor tests the pressure in your eyes, he’ll use something called a tonometer. This blows puffs of air at your eyes, which is then bounced back to the machine. This allows it to read the pressure of your eye, which can indicate the onset of glaucoma.

To test the focus of your eyes, the eye doctor will use an autorefractor, which can help tell your doctor what type of glasses or contact lenses you need. With all these different checks, your eyes are in good hands. It’s important to remember to have regular eye checks, even if you’re thinking of using coloured contact lenses.

Toric contact lenses for astigmatism – FAQ

Apr 21

This post is dedicated to the beginner on toric contact lenses or for you who just want to learn more about:

What toric lenses are and how they function
How to know if you need toric contact lenses, also for children and dry eyes
Disadvantages and risks of toric lenses, toric silicone lenses (extended wear)
Comparing various toric lens types
Cleaning and care for toric lenses
Travelling with toric lenses, what is good to keep in mind
Advice on where to find toric lenses on the Internet at discount prices

What are toric lenses? Toric lenses correct astigmatism which is a refractive visual defect. Astigmatism occurs due to a defective shape of the lens inside the eye, or more usual is a de-shaped cornea. Instead of a circular shape it assumes an oval shape which causes the light to break incorrectly on the retina.

How do I know if I need toric lenses? Are there toric lenses for children, or dry eyes? Both children and adults must obtain a prescription and fit of their lenses to know what kind of size and material that is required for the lens. This is also the case for dry eyes. Identify a prescription for astigmatism by finding the base curve (BC), axis (AXIS), cylinder (CYL), diameter (DIA) on your paperwork from the optician (along with other information). Often the name of the toric lens is mentioned in the paperwork, but this is not always the case. Therefore, if you have been supplied with trial lenses, always check the package rather than the paperwork. In a prescription for spectacles, base curve and diameter will be missing, so be careful not to confuse the two different prescriptions! It is common to need correction for a very mild astigmatism for glasses, without needed it at all for contact lenses. It is less common to need astigmatism correction for both glasses and contact lenses.

Is toric lenses bad for your eyes and are there toric silicone hydrogel lenses? There are several toric silicone lenses that also are commonly fitted as continuous wear or extended wear. Biofinity Toric (also called Eye Q, made of the material comfilcon) are popular around the clock toric lenses, produced by CooperVision. Another well-established toric 24 hour lens is PureVision Toric from Bausch & Lomb, which can be used either as a toric monthly lens, or recommended as extended wear lenses for night and day use, up to a month. There are discussions about continuous wear and the potential effects. In United Kingdom, it is quite common to use lenses for up to 30 days without removing them for cleaning, while in other countries such as France, the lenses are prohibited because according to the French, there are no scientifically strong studies that clearly proves that extended wear lenses are harmless. As always, be sure to consult with your optician for individual suitability before using a lens, this also goes for wearing schedules.

What are different toric lens types and are some better than others? There is no super lens that is “best in test” and fits all, but some manufacturers have chosen to historically invest in the production of toric lenses and are worth keeping an eye on. CooperVision manufactures a number of other contact lenses, but is particularly specialized in toric corrective lenses for astigmatism. For example they early produced a unique toric monthly lens called Proclear Toric that later also came in an XR version (extended range) that have higher cylinders than most other lenses (up to -5.75), which is invaluable for those with severe visual defects. Historically, CooperVision Biomedics Toric have also been widely used. For toric daily disposable contact lenses, the current situation only offers a selection for correction of mild astigmatism. Johnson & Johnson released the latest addition, 1 Day Acuvue moist for astigmatism where the maximum cylinder is -2.25. Ciba Vision produces Focus Dailies Toric which is a very popular daily toric lens is also available in larger packaging which is handy if you plan to buy torics in bulk.

What about the durability of toric lenses? Expiry date should always be marked on the packaging of toric lenses and on the lens container / blister. A rule of thumb is, the lower the water content, the sturdier and easier to handle the lens. Often, however, this will compromise comfort. More water in a lens presents a fragile lens that is more comfortable, but also thinner and more difficult to handle thus therefore breaks and tears more easily. For toric lenses with high water content, a lens inserter or applicator/remover can simplify handling. Durability of a lens is important, but more important is to get toric lenses fit properly by an optician, because individual needs means that comfort and suitability for a type of lens can vary greatly from one person to another.

How to care for and clean toric lenses? Can I put toric lenses in water? Proper cleaning and caring for toric lenses is important to ensure durability of the lens and avoid nasty eye infections. Tap water contains bacteria that can cause eye infections (avoid fruit juice as well, for that matter), so instead only use fluids designed for eyes when you clean your lenses. If you do not take care of your contact lenses properly or do not bother to consult your optometrist for a fitting, you may experience discomfort, the lenses can break easily or you get dry eyes.

Can I bring my toric lenses in the hand luggage when travelling? If you are traveling, you can bring toric lenses, but since the packaging contains liquid it is recommended to put the lenses in a transparent plastic bag within the EU, where no more than 100 ml of liquid is allowed to bring along. Always read instructions before you travel as the rules and laws can change. You may as well buy a travel-friendly flight pack contact lens solution.

Where can I find toric lenses with fast delivery at discount prices and can you buy toric contact lenses for only one eye? There are no lenses designed for only the left eye or right eye. A lens is a piece of plastic with prescription inside. In essence, you can buy two (or more) packages for “two eyes” but choose the same strength on both and just use all the lenses in your left eye, for example. You can find toric lenses at excellent prices online with fast delivery at Visiondirect.co.uk. If you have any questions regarding prices or toric lenses, please feel free to contact us.

How optical illusions trick the eyes

Apr 20

Everyone has seen an optical illusion before – you know, is this a rabbit or a duck? – but not everyone knows how they work. Optical illusions should really be known as visual illusions, as they do play tricks with your mind, after all. And it’s these tricks that make M.C. Escher drawings look like never ending staircases, or a couple of faces look like a vase. Or is it a vase that looks a couple of faces? It’s difficult to tell. Whether you’re wearing contact lenses or not, optical illusions can be a bit of fun, or some serious art.

There are many different types of visual illusions. Some are to do with shape, others to do with colour, and there are a host of other illusions that relate to pictures, or size, or distance, or geometrics, or just sensory perception itself. Some illusions rely on voluntary eye movement to produce an illusion, whilst others rely on us to focus on a particular point of the image. Other illusions occur without any other stimuli other than the image itself.

Illusions happen because of the different cells and receptors of the eye perceive images and colours at different rates. This means that a “false” image is relayed to the brain. The eye only perceives a limited amount of visual information at any time, but the brain keeps constructing and reconstructing that information – this gives us the experience of sight. But because the brain is constantly processing a limited amount of information, if that information is distorted, or contains a certain combination of shapes, colours, or other stimuli, then it creates the experience of a visual illusion.

All complex stuff. But don’t fret: even if you’re wearing contact lenses, you’ll still be able to enjoy visual illusions like Magic Eye puzzles.

Make sure you get the right contact lenses to catch sight of The One!

Apr 19

Love at first sight?

Ever wondered if there’s a little biology behind this fabled saying? When you’re sitting pretty at a bar or party and you catch sight of the man or woman of your dreams, what you see is setting off a whole load of nervy triggers around the body.

Behind all the thrill and excitement of seeing someone that gets your heartbeat racing is some solid science. There is a reason why your beholden seemed to hit a nerve as soon as you saw them – it’s because they did.

Our eyes are highly complicated nervous systems. The Optic Nerve, in particular, is the most important. The optic, also known as the cranial nerve II, is a continuation of the axons of the ganglion cells in the retina. The optic nerve, which acts like a cable connecting the eye with the brain, actually is more like brain tissue than it is nerve tissue.

To you and me, it means that this extra-special nerve carries all the vital, visual information from the eye to the brain. Indeed, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but it is also in the hands of the brain. When we set our eyes on a physical specimen that sets of lustful desires, a message is sent from eye to brain. With approximately 1.1 million nerve cells in each optic nerve, there is some pretty complicated and epic activity at play! What we see hugely effects the way we think and in a split second, we can feel like we’re falling…

So what if you’re eyesight isn’t so good and you miss out on this life-changing wonder? For love at first sight, make sure you’re wearing the right contact lenses. You never know what you might be missing out if you don’t – the love of your life might pass by and your brain will never have the privilege of seeing who he or she was…

There are things that are worth seeing – like your future partner. Don’t let blurry vision stop your optic nerve sending the right messages.

How to rejuvenate our eyes.

Apr 18

Ah, the ancient wisdom of the Chinese. They say that rubbing the lower part of your eyes is good for them, as it increases circulation, and stops them from getting tired. They also claim to have invented spaghetti, but why would people who eat with chopsticks invent something you need a fork to eat? Anyway, they have a lot to answer for, the Chinese – gunpowder, printing, even football. They also have some different ways of thinking about the body, thoughts that aren’t all bear gall and tiger appendage. So if you wear contact lenses and like your medicine a little more holistic, then this is for you.

Chinese medicine is all about balance and harmony, with parts of the body related and linked together. The eyes are linked to the liver, so a problem with your eyes can be solved through understanding how they are interrelated. This makes sense in an empirical way, as the liver processes beta-carotene, which helps keep the eye healthy.

There are other factors to take into consideration when viewing health holistically, as it’s not only the body that gets looked at. It’s important to think about the type of work you do, as well as for how long. According to some researchers, 90% of accountants are nearsighted, whereas 10% of farmers are. It’s quite clear that their type of work has had an affect on their eyes and sight, and that if they want to improve their vision, then it will take more than just investing in some glasses or contact lenses. Contact lenses might offer a correction, but to really change your eyesight, then you’ll have to change your career completely – easier said than done these days.

Other factors besides work also come in to play, such as your lifestyle and computer use. If you drink alcohol or coffee, for example, then the pressure in your eyes increases together with your blood pressure going up, and frequent consumption can lead to problems. If you have problems with your eyes, then addressing what you drink – and eat – is an important step towards resolving those problems.

Chinese medicine is heavy into natural remedies, which are mostly preventative. For some problems – including with eyes – acupuncture and acupressure are sometimes used. Locations around the eye and other parts of the face are used to release pressure and keep the eye healthy. These remedies aren’t for everyone, and it’s no good doing it yourself. If you really want to give it a go, let an expert do it.