The choice of which contact lenses are right for you should be based only on an examination by your doctor or eye care professional, never over the phone. You’ll want to take simple precautions to make any contact lenses purchase safe and effective. Be careful about buying cheap lenses, they may not be the quality you want; discounted quality contact lenses are the most desirable.
Before you buy contact lenses from anyone other than your eye care professional, it pays to be a wise shopper. Always buy lenses from a reputable company; you can buy discount contact lenses without a prescription, but the company is selling you a prescription device as if it were an over-the-counter device, in violation of FTC regulations – selling you lenses without a prescription.
There are two general types of contact lenses – soft and rigid gas permeable. Extra-thin soft lenses are on the market for sensitive people. In some models, each lens corrects for near and distance vision and in others, one lens is for near vision and the other is for distance vision.
You can adjust to soft lenses within just a few days, compared to several weeks for rigid ones. Soft lenses have an added benefit in that soft lenses aren’t as likely as rigid lenses to pop out or get foreign material like dust underneath. With ‘planned-replacement lenses’, the doctor works out a replacement schedule tailored to the needs of the patient.
While the ability to hold water increases the oxygen permeability of soft lenses, it increases their fragile quotient as well. Extended wear contact lenses are used for overnight or continuous wear ranging from one to six nights or sometimes up to 30 days. The length of continuous lens wear depends pretty much on the lens type and your doctor’s evaluation of your tolerance for overnight wear.
Rigid lenses generally give you clearer vision. Disposable lenses don’t come with instructions for cleaning and disinfecting, while those labeled specifically for’ planned-replacement’ do.
There are many good contact lens retailers now on the Internet making lenses available at a good discount for prescription and non-prescription lenses. Great choices – you can buy contact lenses from an eye doctor, on the Internet, from an optical store or a warehouse club. Try to find out how long the online supplier has been in business before you buy.
If possible buy your contact lenses from a supplier you’re familiar with and know is reliable or has name familiarity. When you place your order make sure the lenses are available and not out of stock, because you’ll need them now. Make sure to focus on value, not just the price; most people looking for the best price, are really looking for the best value.
Compare the prices – get quotes from two or three online and offline suppliers. Wherever you buy, shop for quality and value and don’t forget you want to do what is best for your eye health. Check and see if your health insurance plan includes vision coverage.
The risk of corneal ulcers for people who keep extended-wear lenses in overnight is 10 to 15 times greater than for those who use daily-wear lenses only during their waking hours. Replace your contacts as recommended by your eye doctor because they will wear out as time goes by. Heat disinfection is the only method effective against the microorganism Acanthamoeba keratitis, which is a common culprit for contact lens wearers; it also kills organisms in and on the lens case.
To make sure your eyes remain healthy you shouldn’t order lenses with a prescription that’s expired or stock up on lenses right before the prescription is about to expire; it is much safer to be re-checked by your eye doctor. The FDA has approved extended-wear lenses for usage up to seven days before removal for cleaning; but there are risks with use of extended-wear lenses even for one night. The use of homemade saline solution made by using salt tablets mixed in water is one of the biggest contributors to Acanthamoeba keratitis in contact lens wearers: the FDA no longer condones the use of these salt tablets.
If your first lens fitting is performed by an eye care professional, he or she can help minimize or eliminate the cause of any eye irritation associated with the new lenses. If you are looking for cheap contact lenses, you may find that cheap materials or other ways of cutting costs will affect the quality you want for your precious eyes. Shopping for contacts online will save a lot of money; contact lenses are deeply discounted.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Contact Lenses - Shopping Secrets
Time-Tested Tips For Shopping For Discount Contact Lenses
With a prescription for contact lenses in hand, it is possible to buy your contact lenses from stores, the Internet, over the phone, or by mail. There are 75 million contact lens wearers worldwide and 31 million live in the U.S. alone. The choice of which of the contact lenses is right for you should be based only on an examination by your doctor or eye care professional, not over the phone.
In the U.S. contact lenses marketplace, 82 percent wear soft lenses, 16 percent wear rigid gas-permeable and only 2 percent wear hard. Contact lens wearers are usually surprised and happy with the level of comfort the lenses provide.
Bifocal correction is possible with either soft or rigid lenses. Soft contact lenses are made of very soft, flexible plastics that allow for oxygen to pass through to the cornea. If you plan to wear lenses for more than 18 hours for the purpose of an eye color change, then buy colored soft lenses.
People who have good distance vision but will need help for reading can get a monovision reading lens for one eye. Soft lenses have the added benefit in that soft lenses are not as likely as rigid lenses to pop out or get foreign material like dust underneath them. Soft lenses also come as disposable products — used once and discarded, or as planned-replacement lenses.
Rigid gas permeable lenses tend to be less expensive over the life of the lenses since they last longer than soft lenses. It is important for your eyes to have a rest, without lenses, for at least one night following each scheduled removal. Rigid lenses do not absorb chemicals, unlike soft lenses which will soak up residue from your hands such as soap or lotion.
In some of the models, each lens corrects for near and distance vision and in others, one lens is for near vision, and the other is for distance. There are also some rigid gas permeable lenses that are designed and approved for overnight wear.
Carefully check to make sure the company gives you the brand you ordered, the name of the lens, the power, sphere, cylinder, if any, axis, if any, diameter base curve, and peripheral curves, if any. Always buy from a reputable company. You can buy contact lenses without a prescription, but the company is selling you a prescription device as if it were an over-the-counter device violating FTC regulations by selling you contact lenses without having your prescription in hand. You can buy contact lenses from an eye doctor, or on the Internet, or from an optical store or a warehouse club.
Rebates might be available from the seller, from the manufacturer, for first-time contact lens wearers and for individuals who buy lenses and get an eye exam. Focus on the value, not just the price; most people looking for the best price are really just looking for the best value. Wherever you buy, shop for quality and value and what’s best for your eye health.
Before you buy online, check to see if there are any testimonials on the online supplier’s website. When you place your order make sure your lenses are available and not out of stock, because you’ll need them right away. Be aware of attempts to substitute a brand different from the one you want.
Microorganisms may be present in distilled water, so always use commercial sterile saline solutions if you plan to use enzyme tablets in water for any disinfections. Getting a proper fit is essential. Contact lenses that are poorly fitted can lead to eyesores, eye inflammation, and eye abrasions. Don’t wear lenses any longer than prescribed for, nor when sleeping unless you are otherwise directed.
Replace your contacts as recommended by your eye doctor because they will wear out as time goes by. One sight-threatening concern is the infection Acanthamoeba keratitis, which is caused by improper care of the lens; this difficult-to-treat parasitic infection’s symptoms are very similar to those of corneal ulcers. The FDA has approved extended-wear lenses for use up to seven days before they are removed for cleaning; but there are risks with use of extended-wear lenses – even for one night.
If you are looking for cheap contact lenses, you may find that cheap materials or other ways of cutting costs will affect the quality you want for your precious eyes. No matter which lenses your doctor prescribes, be sure to ask for written instructions and follow them very carefully. Remember to use only contact lenses that are FDA-approved and only if prescribed by a licensed eye doctor.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Contact Lenses - Facts And Shopping Tips
There are more than 75 million contact lens wearers worldwide and 31 million in the U.S. alone. Be careful about buying cheap contact lenses, they may not be the quality you want; discounted quality contact lenses are the most desirable. With a contact lens prescription in hand, it’s possible to buy your contact lenses from stores, the Internet, over the phone, or by mail.
Now it’s easy to order the perfect contact lenses online at a great discount. The choice of which lens is right for you should be based only on an examination by your doctor or eye care professional, not over the phone.
Soft lenses have the added benefit in that soft lenses aren’t as likely as rigid lenses to pop out or get foreign material like dust underneath. Soft lenses are easier to adjust and are much more comfortable than rigid lenses, because they conform to the eye and absorb and hold water. Bifocal correction is possible with both soft and rigid lenses.
Rigid lenses don’t absorb chemicals, unlike soft lenses which will soak up residue from your hands like soap or lotion. Soft contact lenses are made of soft, flexible plastics that allow for oxygen to pass through to the cornea. In some models, each lens corrects for near and distance vision and in others, one lens is for near vision, and the other is for distance.
Rigid lenses generally give you more clear vision. Extended wear contact lenses are used for overnight or continuous wear ranging from one to six nights or up to 30 days. The length of continuous lens wear depends on the lens type and your doctor’s evaluation of your tolerance for overnight wear.
Rigid gas permeable lenses tend to be less expensive over the life of the lens since they last longer than soft lenses. There are several types of lenses including: soft contact lenses, rigid gas permeable lenses, extended wear lenses and disposables.
If you have an insurance plan, the insurance plan’s seller’s prices may or may not be better than what you can find elsewhere; this should be just one option when you’re shopping for lenses. When you receive your order, if you think you’ve received an incorrect contact lens, check with your doctor or eye care professional right away; don’t accept any substitution unless your eye care professional approves it. Check out how long the online supplier has been in business before you buy.
When you place your order make sure your lenses are available and not out of stock, because you’ll need them now. Get a feel for how the retailer handles customer service calls; in case you have a problem after your order arrives. Before you buy online, check to see if there are any testimonials at the online supplier’s website.
Ask about prices at your doctor’s office when you have your eye examination, or during a follow-up visit after you get your prescription. Beware of attempts to substitute a brand different from the one you want when buying contacts. When you place your contact lens order, request the manufacturer’s written patient information for your contact lenses; it’ll give you important risk and benefit information as well as instructions for use.
Be aware that extended-wear (overnight) contact lenses – rigid or soft – increase the risk of corneal ulcers, which are infection-caused eruptions on the cornea that can lead to blindness; symptoms include vision changes, eye redness, eye discomfort or pain, and excessive tearing. Always throw away disposable lenses after the recommended wearing period. Extended-wear rigid lenses can cause unexpected, undesirable, reshaping of the cornea.
Don’t wear lenses any longer than they’re prescribed for, nor when sleeping unless you are otherwise directed. Soft extended-wear lenses bind down on the closed eye, but they are porous and allow some tears through during sleep; because they have so little form, their binding has very little effect on the shape of the eye. Daily-wear lenses are removed daily for cleaning and are a safer choice, provided they aren’t worn during sleep.
Make sure you’ve done your homework before you buy any pair of contact lenses. If you’re looking for cheap contact lenses, you may find that cheap materials or other ways of cutting costs will affect the quality you’ll want for your precious eyes. Make sure to visit a reputable eye doctor for a complete eye examination once a year, or more frequently if needed.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Contact Lenses - Save Money With These Helpful Shopping Tips
In the U.S. contact lens marketplace, 82 percent wear soft lenses, 16 percent wear rigid gas-permeable and only 2 percent wear hard. Contact lens wearers are usually surprised and happy with the level of comfort that lenses provide. All correcting contact lenses must have a valid prescription from an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
You’ll want to take simple precautions to make any lens purchase safe and effective. Always buy from a reputable company; you can buy discount contact lenses without a prescription, but the company is selling you a prescription device as if it were an over-the-counter device, in violation of FTC regulations – selling you lenses without having a prescription from you.
Bifocal correction is possible with both soft and rigid lenses. Soft lenses also come as disposable products, that is, used once and discarded, or as planned-replacement lenses. In some models, each lens corrects for near and distance vision and in others, one lens is for near vision, and the other is for distance.
Soft contact lenses are made of soft, flexible plastics that allow for oxygen to pass through to the cornea. While the ability to hold water increases the oxygen permeability of soft lenses, it increases their fragility quotient as well. Rigid lenses generally give you more clear vision.
Extended wear lenses are usually soft contact lenses; made of flexible plastics that allow oxygen to pass through to the cornea. If you live an active lifestyle, NIGHT & DAY breathable lenses will allow you 30 hours of continuous wear. You can mark rigid lenses to show which lens is for which eye; they don’t rip or tear, so they’re easy to handle.
Soft lenses have the added benefit in that soft lenses aren’t as likely as rigid lenses to pop out or get foreign material like dust underneath. Rigid lenses don’t absorb chemicals, unlike soft lenses which will soak up residue from your hands like soap or lotion.
Ask about prices at your doctor’s office when you have your eye examination, or during a follow-up visit after you get your prescription. Carefully check to make sure the company gives you the exact brand you ordered, the name of the lens, the power, sphere, cylinder, if any, axis, if any, diameter base curve, and peripheral curves, if any. Check out how long the online supplier has been in business before you buy.
When you place your contact lens order, request the manufacturer’s written patient information for your contact lenses; it’ll give you important risk and benefit information as well as instructions for use. Focus on value, not just the price; most people looking for the best price are really looking for the best value. Buy your contact lenses from a supplier you’re familiar with and know is reliable or has name familiarity
If you have an insurance plan, the insurance plan’s seller’s prices may or may not be better than what you can find elsewhere; this should be just one option when you’re shopping for lenses. Check to see if you have a health insurance plan that includes vision coverage. There are many good contact lens retailers now on the Internet making their lenses available at a good discount for prescription and non-prescription lenses.
The risk of corneal ulcers for people who keep extended-wear lenses in overnight is 10 to 15 times greater than for those who use daily-wear lenses only while they are awake. When the eyes are open, tears carry adequate oxygen to the cornea to keep it healthy, but during sleep, the eye produces fewer tears, causing the cornea to swell. Daily-wear lenses are removed daily for cleaning and are a safer choice, provided they aren’t worn during sleep.
Always throw away disposable lenses after the recommended wearing period. Extended-wear rigid lenses can cause unexpected, undesirable, reshaping of the cornea. To be sure your eyes remain healthy you shouldn’t order lenses with a prescription that’s expired or stock up on lenses right before the prescription is about to expire; it’s much safer to be re-checked by your eye doctor.
If you prefer the way you look without glasses or find glasses to be cumbersome and awkward, contacts can provide the ease, convenience and comfort you need. If you haven’t had a check-up in the last one or two years, you may have problems with your eyes that you’re not aware of, or your contact lenses may not correct your vision as well as you’d like. Make sure you’ve done your homework before you buy any pair of contact lenses.