Tag: Eyes

Origin and variations of contact lenses

15 January, 2010 (04:43) | Eyes-Vision | By: admin

All of us have a general idea about contact lenses. But this topical discourse tends to give you some important information about the origin and various specimens about these lenses.

Seeking for the root of contact lenses will take us back to 1508, when Leonardo da Vinci penned a sketch of lenses but did not give any idea about its production. After 300 years of the sketch, it was fabricated and worn on the eye. The lenses which we use to wear now, that is, modern lenses and the gel used to wear it were constructed by Czech chemist Otto Wichterle and his assistant Drahoslav Lim. William Feinbloom is credited with the production of contact lenses containing both glass and plastic in the year 1936.

Usually we wear glasses for correction, and sometimes for the optimization of style quo. So, emergence of interrogation is certain about the use of the contact lenses. To begin with, we may state that, contact lenses are miraculous pieces made of plastic that allow you to rectify your vision without using glasses. If you want more specific definition, it can be said that, contact lenses are small visual devices made with curved pieces of plastic that may adapt to conform directly to the cornea of user’s eye. It is used mainly for corrective purpose of vision problems such as myopia, and hypermetropia. Additionally, critical visual problem like keratoconus and aniseikonia, which may not be accurately corrected with glasses, can be cured with lenses. Apart from these corrective measures, contact lenses are also used for therapeutic and cosmetic aspiration. However, lenses are the invisible agents of perfect vision which have transformed the stereotypical notion of eye wear. That is why around 87 million people globally are using these lenses with pride.

There are many types of contact lenses available in the market, for example, bifocal , colored, disposable, toric, extended wear, gas permeable, etc. soft contact lenses can be classified in two sections-disposable, and annual soft contact lenses. People not having enough time for daily care of their contacts, they use disposable ones. Daily disposable contacts generally can be worn for a week or two and they do not come with cleaning solutions.

The annual soft contacts can last up to one year and it needs daily care. It is used widely because it is made of soft material and allows oxygen to pass through it. This type of lenses can be worn for a maximum period of 14 hours at a stretch. The bifocal lenses have received a vivacious approach recently for its multifunctional aids for presbyopes which eye resigns focusing on near objects with progressing age. Astigmatism is a disparaging ophthalmologic condition which does not allow cornea to properly focus an image onto retina, and thus results a blurred image. For accurate rectification of this type of vision problem, toric lenses are generally used. This type of contacts provides clarity of vision.

Gas permeable classes are known for its durability and it transmits more oxygen to the eye than the soft contact lenses.

There are many contact lenses which are tinged with light colors which are mainly used for decorative purposes.

Eye Exercise

27 December, 2009 (22:36) | Eyes-Vision | By: admin

For those who always work in front of the computers, healthy eyes sound like something hard to get. Taking care of your eyes will benefit you for the rest of your life. Choose quality eyewear, including prescription glasses, reading glasses, and even eyeglasses frames. Here are some easy exercise for you to do, only taking a few minutes but very effective.

  • Sit comfortably on a chair.

Rub your hands together until they feel warm. Close your eyes and cover them lightly with your cupped palms. Avoid applying pressure on your eyeballs. Place your palms so that the nose remains uncovered, and the eyes remain behind the slight hollow of the palms. Make sure that no light rays enter the eyes, and leave no gaps between fingers or between the edge of the palms and the nose. You may still see other lingering traces of colors. Imagine deep blackness and focus on the blackness. Take deep breaths slowly and evenly, while thinking of some happy incident; or visualize a distant scene. After your eyes see nothing but blackness, remove your palms from your eyes. Repeat the palming for 3 minutes or more.

  • Close your eyes tightly for 3-5 seconds, and then open them for 3-5 seconds.

Repeat this 7 or 8 times.

  • Close your eyes and massage them with circular movements of your fingers for 1-2 minutes.

Make sure you press very lightly; otherwise, you could hurt your eyes.

  • Press three fingers of each hand against your upper eyelids, and hold them there for 1-2 seconds, then release.

Repeat 5 times.

  • Sit and relax.

Roll your eyes clockwise, then counter-clockwise. Repeat 5 times, and blink in between each time.

  • Sit about 6 inches (150 mm) from the window.

Make a mark on the glass at your eye level (a small sticker, black or red, would be perfect). Look through this mark and focus on something far away for 10-15 seconds; then focus on the mark again.

  • Hold a pencil in front of you at arm’s length.

Move your arm slowly to your nose, and follow the pencil with your eyes until you can keep it in focus. Repeat 10 times.

  • Look in front of you at the opposite and pretend that you are writing with your eyes, without turning your head.

It may seem difficult at first, but with a bit of practice it is really fun. The bigger the letters, the better the effect.

  • Imagine that you are standing in front of a really big clock.

Look at the middle of the clock. Then look at any hour mark, without turning your head. Look back at the center. Then look at another hour mark. Do this at least 12 times. You can also do this exercise with your eyes closed.

  • Focus on a distant object (over 150 feet or 50 m away) for several seconds and slowly refocus your eyes on a nearby object (less than 30 feet or 10 m away) that’s in the same direction.

Focus for several seconds and go back to the distant object. Do this 5 times.

  • Focus on an object in the distance (as far as possible) with a low contrasting background.

Do this for a few minutes every half hour or so. This does not improve your vision, nor does any other technique. It can, however, maintain your best eyesight level during the day and prevent significant further vision deterioration.

  • Make up and down eye movements starting from up to to down.

Do this 8 times. Then do the side to side eye movement, starting from left to right. Repeat this 8 times. Make sure not to add pressure to your eyes! It only worsen your vision!

A variety of eye tests

3 December, 2009 (04:06) | Eyes-Vision | By: admin

Many people can not realize that their vision is actually declining gradually that a pair of eyeglasses is needed or there should be a change of eyeglass prescription. It is highly recommended by most eye doctors that individuals should visit an eye doctor for regular eye tests. Actually an eye testing is more than offering prescription check or update. Comprehensive eye exams are also capable of detecting early signs of eye diseases such as glaucoma and cataracts. Other vision-related health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure can also be monitored.

Eye test is just a basic concept and there are a variety of eye tests. Each one has its own feature and function, which in most cases can not be replaced with another. In this case, people who are planning to see an eye doctor for an eye exam should keep clear in mind the difference of the kinds of eye tests and what they can get from certain tests.

A focimetry exam is always conducted by the doctor to determine the current prescription strength if the patient is wearing eyeglasses. To ensure the stability of the prescription, the eye doctor is also likely to give refraction, which can also verify the current prescription. In detail, an auto-refraction will first be used to determine the baseline prescription. And a second light-based exam named slit lamp exam can examine the patient’s cornea, conjunctiva, lids, iris and lens using a microscope and a small beam.

For additional information, the patient can also receive an ocular muscle assessment, which can evaluate the strength and flexibility of the eye muscles. Moreover, a tonometry exam is sometimes carried out to measure the eye pressure, which always helps in diagnosing glaucoma. At the last, the internal eye may be tested through a retinal exam, in which case eye drops are needed.

Regular vision examination is only one of the services that are enabled by consulting a health professional for everything checks. These doctors’ visits are indispensable actions to maintain a healthy lifestyle, in addition to exercising, taking vitamins, eating healthily and refraining from smoking and so on.

Methods To Improve Eyesight Naturally

29 November, 2009 (16:24) | Eyes-Vision | By: admin

There are many methods available to improve eyesight naturally, but there are some basic components of a decent eye health diet and a set of habits to maintain that are worth knowing. It will likely not be obvious initially as to exactly what the benefits are of following this plan, but the results will be self-evident over time. An increase in strength of vision and clarity is inevitable. Here is a basic guide:

  • The widely available Vitamins C, A, and E all have a role in facilitating strength of eyesight, while Vitamins A and E have antioxidant properties that are an added bonus and help a body act healthily in general.
  • Lutein, which is found in the darkest, leafy green vegetables and Omega 3 fatty acids, which are found in fish oils, are also useful to maintain and improve eye health. The fish oil, especially, helps make nerve cells stronger and is a general supplement useful in the nervous system of the body.
  • Carrots are not nearly as useful as popular legend makes them out to be, but they are worthwhile nonetheless, with a minor degree of benefit that boosts eye health.
  • There are other methods available to improve eyesight naturally that are all about simply controlling one’s interaction with devices that strain the eyes (e. G. Computers and televisions). As a general rule of thumb, include 15 minutes of eye relaxing exercises for every 45 minutes of devoted attention to a particular type of screen.
  • When taking a break away from devices that strain the eyes, there are certain activities that one can do to improve eyesight. For example, closing the eyes, concentrating, and then taking deep breaths can constitute a comprehensive relaxation exercise.
  • Meditation, an infrequently used method to improve the eyes, also yields major benefits. More importantly though, since meditation facilitates a relaxation of all muscles, it can increase hand to eye coordination, which would place less strain on the eyes overall.

How to Naturally Fortify Your Eyes Against Aging

22 November, 2009 (11:20) | Eyes-Vision | By: admin

With the growing popularity of laser eye surgery and surgical eye repairs, more and more people are growing more confident about their eyes. They worry less about straining them, and may even neglect basic optical hygiene when it comes to caring for contact lenses because they believe that anything that goes wrong with their eyesight can be fairly easily repaired.

In many cases, they’re right. However, with every surgery comes a risk, and not all people are even candidates for Lasik eye surgery. Instead of banking on an uncertainty, take precautions now that will help protect your eyes from the natural and unnatural perils that you subject them to each day.

By using natural measures and methods now, you significantly decrease the likelihood that you will ever need optical surgery at all.

  • Stop smoking. Smoking dramatically increases your odds of developing cataracts as you age. The single best thing that you can do for your eyes “and really, for the rest of your body as well ” is to give up this perilous and unpleasant habit.
  • Wear sunglasses. Exposure to UV rays can destroy your color vision and make it nearly impossible to distinguish between related colors. This not only impacts your ability to appreciate the beauty of the world, but it also seriously impacts your ability to see contrasts, which can make driving and even walking or running very dangerous as it hurts your depth perception.
  • Feed your eyes a healthy, balanced diet. Most people do not realize how important nutrition is to eyesight.

However, simply getting the appropriate amounts of zinc, beta-carotene and omega 3 fatty acids can increase your eyes’ resistance to age-related deterioration and to external infections.

While you can probably get enough zinc and beta-carotene in your diet just by adding some turkey and orange fruits or vegetables like carrots and cantaloupe, omega 3 presents something of a difficulty.

In order to get full benefits from this essential nutrient, you need a lot of it, but it can be hard to work a sufficient amount (and by sufficient, I mean literal pounds!) of fatty fish into your daily routine. Most people opt for a daily omega 3 supplement so that they do not have to change their entire eating lifestyle and run the risk of smelling, well, fishy.

When you select a fish oil supplements, make sure that it has been scientifically evaluated and certified toxin free. Many omega 3 supplements made from commercial fish like tuna and may contain traces of mercury because the FDA allows low levels of this toxic heavy metal to be left in these fish.

If you can, opt for a salmon based omega 3 fish oil instead because salmon are raised in clearer, cleaner waters than other game fish.