Developments In Contact Lenses
In this issue of our quarterly newsletter, I would like to highlight some of the new and exciting developments in contact lenses this year.
More Oxygen = Healthier Eyes
Contact lenses are wonderful for helping patients see well. But any contact lens, rigid or soft, acts as a barrier to the cornea, the clear tissue on the front of the eye that helps to focus light on your retina. Corneal tissues require oxygen to stay clear and healthy. Since the cornea does not have blood vessels to supply oxygen, it relies upon oxygen in the air while the eye is open and receives a lesser amount of oxygen from the small blood vessels underneath the eyelid while the eye is closed during sleep. Varying amounts of oxygen can penetrate a contact lens depending upon the chemical makeup of the lens material and the thickness of the lens. Inadequate oxygen to the cornea can result in blurry vision and irritated red eyes. Newer lens materials are at least four times more oxygen permeable than older generation materials. With these highly permeable contact lenses patients have much whiter and healthier eyes and better comfort, especially later in the evening.
Although overnight wear is not for everyone, more patients are able to safely sleep with the newer lenses. Highly permeable rigid contact lenses are available in any prescription as rigid lenses are custom made. The high oxygen soft lens materials were initially available in a limited range of prescriptions but now include astigmatism correction and bifocals. The newest lenses also have improved designs and materials making them even more moist and comfortable.
Call our office if you would like to try these new lenses.
Compliance = Less Risk
The best thing that you can do to keep your eyes healthy if you wear contact lenses is to wash and rinse your hands thoroughly prior to touching your contacts or instilling drops. Our hands collect germs and contaminants that can be absorbed into soft contact lenses. Use a gentle soap, lather up while singing “Happy Birthday” and rinse thoroughly. Dry thoroughly with a lint-free towel.
You can also decrease discomfort with contact lenses by rubbing your lenses with the appropriation cleaning solution every time you remove your lenses. We use the analogy of washing dishes—rubbing will get them much cleaner than just rinsing. Bacteria, oils and protein from your tears can collect on your lenses. For overnight storage and disinfection be sure to discard the used solution in your case and refill with fresh solution. Re-using solution has been associated with a higher incidence of eye infection. Soft lenses will accumulate deposits over time even with regular cleaning. By discarding your lenses on the schedule that we recommend, you will reduce your risk of irritation and infection.
Replacing and cleaning your case regularly is also vital to reducing infection risk. Every morning after inserting your lenses rinse your soft lens case with contact lens solution and allow to air dry open during the day. With rigid contact lenses, rinse your case with hot water then air dry. Once a week rub the inside and outside of the lens case with your cleaner before rinsing. Even if you clean your case weekly, replace your contact lens case every three to four months as a film can grow on the inside of your case increasing the risk of lens contamination.
We hope that these hints will help you keep your eyes clear and comfortable.
