Origin Of Contact Lenses

by Amy Nutt

Buying contact lenses can be a very exciting time for a person because it changes the way they see everything. The world can be seen in a way that has little distortion, things are their correct size, and all is seen at the proper distances. In a way, it is a type of shell shock when the contacts are in and the person sees the world for the first time through them. But who invented the contact lens? Where did it come from? These are good questions since it is a mystery as to who developed the concept of the contact lens. However, you may be surprised at the history of these little round pieces of plastic that allows millions of people to see the world as it is.

The reason why it is a debate as to who developed the concept is because Leonardo da Vinci had sketched what he thought a lens that fits over the eye should look like. Then Rene Descartes came up with the idea of the contact lens in 1632. Of course at that time, nothing ever came of it until 1801 when Thomas Young developed a way to correct his own vision. He did this by putting a microscopic lens at the end of a glass tube that was filled with water.

However, 1887 and 1888 were the years in which larger strides were made to develop a contact lens and free those who felt they were restricted by their spectacles. These were the years in which glass contact lenses were made, but they were not comfortable. They only corrected a small number of vision problems, so they weren't exactly considered a success. What they were considered was a step in the right direction.

It wasn't until 1948 when Kevin Touhy immediately figured out that contact lenses could be constructed from the new polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) that showed up on the market. He was awarded the patent for the first plastic contact lenses and was much more comfortable than the glass contact lenses that had been developed sixty years before. However, it was in 1961 that Czechoslavakian Otto Wichterle developed the soft contact lens and that lens continues to be the choice of contact lens wearers. But the hard contact lens continued to be used until the soft contact lens hit the market in 1971.

Contacts continued to evolve after people all over the world started taking advantage of the soft contact lens. In 1978, gas permeable lenses were made available. These lenses are hard contact lenses that allow oxygen to flow freely through them to the cornea. This is important to allow the eye to breathe. However, the contacts could only be worn for short periods of time. It wasn't until 1981 when contacts were approved for extended wear. Still, the contacts had to be thrown away every week. If worn too long, then the wearer risked an eye infection. In 1986, the overnight wear of gas permeable contacts was approved.

But it was in 1987 that the disposable contact was introduced. These soft lenses could be worn anywhere from a single day to up to two weeks before being thrown away. It was suggested that they be taken out at night and put in every morning in order to allow the eye to receive 100% oxygen at night. These contacts are still used today, but there have been others introduced on the market.

In 2001, the extended wear disposable contact that allowed wear for up to 30 days without removing the contacts at night were introduced on the market. Now wearers are able to see 24/7. Some wearers are not able to wear these lenses, so they continue to use the two week extended wear, but these contacts have once again changed how the world sees.

About the Author
Clearly Contacts Canada is the largest online optical store in Canada. Massive selection of inventory offering all the major brands of contact lenses as well as eyeglasses and sunglasses to meet all of your vision needs.

Lasik Surgery: Determining a Good Candidate

by Dr. Brian Boxer-Wachler

A large part of the worlds population have some eye conditions and vision loss. Many of us want to have 20/20 vision and I am sure that more then a quarter had dreams of it growing up. Though the ideal goal is to get to perfect vision we must understand that not all of us can. While Lasik Surgery we are making medical advances there is still far to go. Determining if you are the right candidate for the procedure is important. As with all surgeries you must prepare yourself and the ones it will effect.
There are several things you should consider before undergoing Lasik Surgery. Below are a few things to help you determine if it maybe right for you:

Tip 1: You should be over the age of 18 in some cases you should be over 21. Under the age of 18 your eyes are still changing and you should wait until your eyes have reached maturity.

Tip 2: You should not undergo Lasik surgery if you are pregnant or nursing. When a women is pregnant many aspects of her body changes and in some the vision is affected. Waiting until you have the baby and are no longer nursing is best.

Tip 3: You shouldn't undergo the procedure if you are taking oral steroids like Prednisone or other types of medication. Talking with you eye doctor about it is a wise decision.

Tip 4: If you have some health conditions it is not safe for you to undergo surgery. Things like: Diabetes, Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or glaucoma are just a few to check with your doctor about.

Tip 5: Making sure your eyes are healthy before getting Lasik Surgery is important. Things like Myopia may change the way your eyes are affected. Myopia can effect your sight until you are in your mid 20's.

There are also risks and complications associated with Lasik surgery that should be taken into consideration before having it done. As with all surgeries there will be risks and talking with your doctor ahead of time is wise. Making sure all your questions have been answered and you are comfortable with the procedure can also help the healing process.

Below are a few side effects of Lasik Surgery:

Over or Under Correction- This is usually treated with glasses and contact lenses. Corneal Infections- As with all procedures infections can occur if the area is not properly Cleaned. Making sure you know how to care for it is important. Problems with night vision- This can be treated with glasses as well Flap Problems

In the end the decision is up to you. Knowing the benefits as well as the risks before going in can ease your stress level and give you an objective opinion. Talk with your eye doctor before deciding on this procedure and learn more about where to go for Lasik in Los Angeles.

About the Author
Brian S. Boxer Wachler, M.D., is founding director of Boxer Wachler Vision Institute in Beverly Hills, CA. Previously, he was director of the UCLA Laser Refractive Center at the Jules Stein Eye Institute. Dr. Boxer Wachler served as on the board of directors for the LASIK Institute - a non-profit educational organization dedicated to education about the LASIK procedure. Learn more about him at: www.boxerwachler.com

The Cost Of Lasik Surgery Is Worth It For Many

by Mike Selvon


These days, there is a great deal of interest in the different types of vision eye surgery that is offered. Lasik is one of the most popular of the various kinds of corrective eye surgery options because it can be done in under an hour, recovery time is very quick, and the risks are quite low.
In addition, for many with vision problems, the cost of Lasik eye surgery is quite low when they take in to account the many benefits they receive, especially not having to deal with breaking (or constantly losing) their glasses or the need to deal with the hassle of contact lenses.

In general, the cost will vary quite a bit depending on the exact type of corrective eye surgery that you need. The price of a Lasik procedure can also be affected by the type of facility you choose, whether the Lasik eye surgery center is affiliated with a hospital or not, the country where you reside and the region of the country where you live.

There are some enticing ads that claim their clinic's cost of Lasik eye surgery can start as low as $500 for each eye that is being corrected. However, with some due diligence and careful consultation and comparisons, people are more likely to discover the real starting cost to be about $1,000 per eye and this can go as high as $2,500 depending on the facility and the laser eye surgeon.

Unfortunately, aside from the many benefits of corrective eye surgery, the high cost simply puts it out of range for many people. This is especially true for those who have no type of insurance coverage to help pay for some of the expense. Even for those who do have optical insurance, many will find their coverage limited. Many insurance policies exclude this type of laser eye surgery altogether because they consider it to be optional and not necessary, since in most cases the vision can be improved with some type of corrective lenses.

However, there are many people who have sufficient resources and motivation that are not at all put off by the cost of eye surgery. Some people value the convenience of never having to wear glasses again.

Others look forward to never having to deal with the fuss of changing and cleaning contact lenses. Still other's are motivated by vanity and don't want anyone to know that they had a vision problem that needed correction.

Regardless of the reasons why people seek out corrective eye surgery, there are many laser eye surgeons being kept happily in business by the demand of this procedure, regardless of the cost. Part of the reason why it has become such a popular practice is because a large segment of the population is comprised of the baby-boomer generation, ranging in age from 45 to 65, who are experiencing vision deterioration.

When it comes down to it, no matter how much the cost of Lasik eye surgery, there are simply some vision conditions for which this type of procedure is not effective. In those cases, other types of corrective eye surgery might be suggested by your eye doctor, or corrective lenses might be your only option. Lasik vision surgery is most effective for correcting astigmatisms, nearsightedness and farsightedness.

About the Author
A free report awaits you at our laser eye surgeryportal site, where you can enrich your knowldege further about the cost of lasik eye surgery. Your comment is much appreciated at our laser vision correction blog.

Questions To Ask When Buying Contact Lenses

by Amy Nutt

Buying contact lenses is a big deal because they affect how it is you see the world around you. Since eyesight is very important, it is important to make sure that no harm can be done to our vision and that nothing occurs that can negatively compromise our vision. However, when buying contact lenses, many are not sure what to look for and there are certain things that should be evaluated before contact lenses are considered. Do you have allergies? Do you work in an environment where particles of materials and fumes can get in your eyes? Are you able to properly take care of the contact lenses? These are just a few questions you should ask yourself when bringing the issue of having contact lenses to the table with the doctor.

Once you answer the above questions and you determine that allergies, work, and proper care of the lenses are not an issue; then it is time to ask the doctor questions. Learn as much about your contact lenses as possible. Even if you are using an online service to order your contacts, get on the phone or e-mail them a bunch of questions. You want to know what your choices are and how those choices will affect your ability to see. You want to be able to see the best you can and be comfortable while doing it, so don't be afraid to ask these questions:

- What do the markings on the box mean? You should ask this question, especially if you will be ordering contacts from a source other than your doctor. The markings are your measurements such as "sph" meaning the spherical power of the lens. A negative before the number means that you are myopic, or what many call nearsighted. The "BC" is the curvature of the back of the lens and the "Dia" is the diameter of the lens. These are just a few examples of what you may see on the box.

- What are the different materials that I have to choose from? You want to know this because different people may require different materials. Some even have to try different contacts before they find one that fits them well, so don't get discouraged if this is you. This is why the doctor may offer you a trial pair. If that doesn't work, then he may offer you another until you can find one that is comfortable enough for you.

- Are soft contacts or hard contacts better for me? Hard contacts are hardly used nowadays, but there are those who wish to continue wearing them. The doctor may suggest soft lenses, but an exception may be made if you wore hard lenses in the past and liked them.

- Why is my contact lens prescription different than my glasses? The distance the lens is from your eye can have an impact on this. It also depends on what degree of astigmatism you have. Astigmatism may be corrected on one or the other.

- Can my astigmatism be corrected with my contacts? It is possible for low astigmatism to be corrected with contacts, but it is fair to say that those with severe astigmatism may find that they see better with their glasses since astigmatism can only be corrected so much with contact lenses.

And so these are questions that you must ask of your doctor to learn a little more about these very small and clear circles that correct vision for millions of people. It is important to know this information because it allows you to know more about what you're putting in your eyes and helps you make more informed decisions when choosing the contact lens that is right for you.

About the Author
Clearly Contacts is an online contact lens company offering a wide selection of contact lenses to meet your individual needs.

Beautiful Contact Lenses For Your Beautiful Eyes

by Spring H. Heart


Are you one of those who are about to endeavor in the world of putting contact lenses? Large numbers of people in need of curative lenses prefer to put on contact lenses because of the ease and a repugnance to looking terrible with the specs. The glasses burden on the ears, slide down from nose, and also have glare troubles with light. In addition, you should have special lenses and also an additional pair to stay away from the sharp sunrays when wearing spectacles. Contact lenses are very comfortable and easy to put to replace the conventional glasses by endowing excellent peripheral vision without forfeiting on the part of the outlook on appearance.

Many individuals will not be able to recognize even that you are actually wearing contact lenses, as they are virtually impossible to notice in your eyes. However, there are different types of contact lenses that are available in the market. Thus, you should always select a contact lens which will best suit your condition such as line of work, kind of vision disorder and many more. Among the various types of contact lenses the contact lenses can be either soft or hard.

Soft Contact Lenses

Soft contact lenses are basically manufactured by a plastic hydro gel polymer, which consists of 35% to 75% of water. These contact lenses are produced from soft plastic and are absolutely water absorbing by nature, which fix at the face of cornea. However, few contact lenses also provide protection from the ultraviolet rays.

The greatest advantage of wearing soft lenses is that, these lenses are generally disposable that means after using they can be disposed, depending on the kind of contact lens is prescribed. This offers a chance to the contact lens user to get a new pair of contact lenses, which further reduces the chance of having any kind of eye infection and also providing ample comfort to the wearers.

Nevertheless, the size of soft contact lens can vary from 13 to 14.50 mm and 100 um thick. These lenses also enable the oxygen comfortably to reach the cornea. Apart, it also has some drawbacks such as they quickly absorbs various pollutants such as lotion or soap from the hands, which further results in irritation in eyes. Furthermore, they can even tear or rip quite easily.

Hard contact lenses

The hard contact lenses are commonly manufactured with a rigid stuff. However, to boost the oxygen permeability, this stuff can be blend with various other plastics. These lenses are available under the range 8 to 18 mm with thickness of 100um.

The hard contact lenses are very durable but like the soft contact lenses do not provide oxygen that can reach the cornea. Nevertheless oxygen gets dissolved with the tear which in some way reaches the cornea due to eye movements because of the frequent blinking of eye. Despite of their low cost and durability these contact lenses are quite uncomfortable to put and are used by very number of people.

However, it will be feasible to contact your eye specialist before selecting any kind of contact lenses, as he/she will guide you in a better way according to your eye and requirement.

About the Author
Browsing our Contact Lenses online resources and reviews at http://www.uk-contact-lenses.com Don't miss our popular Wholesale Contact Lenses section.

Comparing LASIK and PRK

by Jennifer Kimberley


LASIK (Laser Assisted in-situ Keratomileusis) and PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) are types of refractive surgery, meaning that they change the way your eyes bend light. They both use an excimer laser to vaporize tiny pieces of unwanted tissue from the cornea, the front clear part of the eye. The laser is a cool ultraviolet laser which does not burn the eye, and is programmed according to your treatment plan to penetrate only to certain depths.
Light Refraction
When light enters the eye, it is bent (refracted) by the cornea's curved shape, and then bent some more by the eye's lens. The lens is behind the iris, the colored part.

In a 20/20 eye, the cornea and lens between them refract incoming light at exactly the right angles to make it all focus clearly on the back of the eye. The retina is the inside surface of the back, and is filled with light-sensitive cells. These nerve cells receive the light, forming a tiny upside-down image of what you're looking at. They convert this image information to neural (electrical) information and send it via the optic nerve to the brain's vision center.

Conditions Treated by LASIK and PRK
If you have blurry vision, there could be several reasons why, but not all would involve the bending of light. LASIK and PRK can improve vision only if the cause of poor vision is incorrect light refraction.

There are three such conditions:
* Nearsightedness (myopia - light is being bent too much and is focusing in front of the retina
* Farsightedness (hyperopia) - light is not being bent enough, and is focusing behind the retina
* Astigmatism - the cornea is oval-shaped like a football, with two curvatures, and is bending light two ways (more sharply on the steeper curvature and less sharply on the flatter curvature). This gives blurry vision.

How LASIK Works
Wavefront-guided LASIK is the most sophisticated and accurate of the ways LASIK is done. Your eye surgeon will have a complete LASIK system that includes both diagnostic and treatment aspects. The term wavefront refers to the diagnostic light which is shone into each eye. It reflects back to the LASIK system in a modified form - the front of the light wave is wavy in a pattern which expresses the microscopic contours of your eye.

A 3-dimensional map is made from this returning light pattern, one for each eye. Your LASIK surgeon will base your treatment plan on this information, and since the treatment laser is part of this same LASIK system, the 3-D map can guide the laser as it works on your eye.

* First, a thin flap is cut in the corneal surface, to expose the layer beneath. It is folded back out of the way while treatment proceeds.
* The treatment laser vaporizes tiny pieces of corneal tissue according to your treatment plan.
* This reshapes the corneal curvature to give your clear vision.
* The flap is folded back and smoothed down gently. It will heal without any sutures.

You will have clear vision immediately after your LASIK procedure, and can go home the same day, with someone driving you. Most people rest until the next day, and then return to normal activities.

How PRK Works
There is no flap made on the corneal surface. To expose the stromal layer below, your LASIK surgeon would remove surface tissue altogether, with a special instrument. Then laser treatment is done as it is for LASIK, and instead of folding a corneal flap back over the treated area, a bandage contact lens is inserted.

The eyes take longer to heal after PRK, and you'll feel more discomfort. But the corneal surface - epithelium - is like our skin surface in some ways. It continually discards old cells and replaces them with new ones. So the cornea can heal itself very well and quickly. You would wear the bandage contact lenses until your LASIK surgeon judged it time to remove them - probably a week or so.

As with LASIK, you will immediately have clear vision, but will not notice it so much until the eyes have healed.

Advantage of PRK
It avoids all the possible complications that the LASIK flap can cause. Sometimes that flap does not heal correctly, but forms wrinkles in itself which distort vision. A second surgery can correct that. In rare cases, the flap is created wrongly, with no hinge, or with a hole in the center, or uneven thickness. Good patient screening almost always prevents flap complications, but with PRK they are not possible at all.

Choosing between LASIK and PRK would be done in discussions with your LASIK surgeon. The first step is to schedule an initial consultation. Be sure to choose a highly-trained and well-experienced eye surgeon who is thorough in screening patients. LASIK and PRK are not suitable for everyone, and a successful outcome will depend on careful screening.

About the Author
Contact Western Laser Eye Associates today for more information about refractive eye surgery and to schedule an appointment.

Allergy-Signs and Symptoms of Allergy

by peterhutch

Allergy is a disorder of the immune system often also referred to as atopy. Allergic reactions occur to environmental substances known as allergens; these reactions are acquired, predictable and rapid. Strictly, allergy is one of four forms of hypersensitivity and is called type I (or immediate) hypersensitivity. It is characterized by excessive activation of certain white blood cells called mast cells and basophils by a type of antibody, known as IgE, resulting in an extreme inflammatory response. Common allergic reactions include eczema, hives, hay fever, asthma, food allergies, and reactions to the venom of stinging insects such as wasps and bees.

Allergies cause increased drainage which can collect in the sinus cavities or ears. This moisture is a perfect environment for bacteria to grow, and many people with allergies have chronic sinus infections or ear infections.

An allergy refers to an exaggerated reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. It is exaggerated because these foreign substances are usually seen by the body as harmless and no response occurs in non- allergic people. Allergic people's bodies recognize the foreign substance and one part of the immune system is turned on. Allergy-producing substances are called "allergens." Examples of allergens include pollens, dust mite, molds, danders, and foods. To understand the language of allergy it is important to remember that allergens are substances that are foreign to the body and can cause an allergic reaction in certain people.

You have an allergy when your body overreacts to things that don't cause problems for most people. These things are called allergens. Your body's overreaction to the allergens is what causes symptoms (see the box below for a list of symptoms). For example, sometimes the term "hay fever" is used to describe your body's allergic reaction to seasonal allergens in the air, such as grass or pollen

Normally, the body learns to defend itself through experience - by encountering, battling and remembering one enemy after another. For decades, medical science has taken advantage of this ability by using vaccination to create immunity - the immunologic "memory" of a disease. Allergic reactions occur after the immune system mistakenly learns to recognize innocent foreign substances (allergens) as potentially harmful.

Sings and Symptoms of Allergy

People with allergy symptoms often have asthma. Sometimes a cough is the first symptom of asthma, but a cough can be a symptom of other things also. Wheezing, especially at night or after exercise, is common with asthma.

Allergic reactions can be mild, like a runny nose, or they can be severe, like difficulty breathing. An asthma attack, for example, is often an allergic reaction to something that is breathed into the lungs in a person who is susceptible.

A severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis, is a rare, life-threatening emergency in which the body’s response to the allergen is sudden and affects the whole body (systemic). Anaphylaxis may begin with severe itching of the eyes or face and within minutes progresses to more serious symptoms, including swelling (which could result in difficulty swallowing and breathing); abdominal pain; cramps; vomiting; diarrhea; hives; and angioedema (hives in the throat).

Diarrhoea is an extremely common disorder which affects most people at some time during their lives. The cause of diarrhoea numerous defects in the gastrointestinal tract that lead to an increase in stool water, volume and frequency.

Hay fever causes the eyes to water, sometimes profusely, and itch. The whites of the eyes and the eyelids may become red and swollen. Wearing contact lenses can irritate the eyes further. The lining of the nose may become swollen and bluish red. Other symptoms include headache, coughing, wheezing, and irritability.


About the Author
Read about Ask Questions, Share Answer. Also read about Natural Remedies, Natural Cure and Herbal Remedies and Home Remedies Natural Home Remedy

Basic Lasik Surgery Information

by Dave Text

LASIK is a surgical procedure for eye correction or eye surgery. The acronym stands for Laser-assisted insitu Keratomileusis. It is developed to correct myopia (near sightedness), hyperopia (far sightedness), and astigmatism. After a successful operation, the patient does not have to wear any corrective eye glasses or contact lenses anymore. No more maintaining lenses, no need to continue with eye drops, no more groping for your eyeglasses. Patients will get back their healthy eyesight.

This procedure was originally conceptualized in 1963. Doctors specializing in eye diseases and disorders developed a tool called excimer laser. It makes certain invisible molecules take shape and materialize when some elements are excited. The Denver Optical Society of America announced the completion of the prelude LASIK excimer laser in 1973 and the first patent of LASIK was issued in 1989.

Not all ophthalmologists have the license to perform this operation. It is important for patients to get several opinions from different surgeons since the eye ailment may still be corrected by a non-surgical procedure. Although 95% of patients get back a 20/20 vision, there is no question about the risk that 5% of people who have undergone this operation get complications.

There are websites in the Internet like http://AboutVision.Com and http://LasikSurgeryFacts.Net that all offer valuable information regarding the LASIK procedure and its associated costs. In the former website, mentioned, a LASIK surgery candidate may look for doctors who are licensed to perform the operation. It also lets the patient review the doctor's credentials before making a decision. A patient needs to review a potential doctor's LASIK educational background, history, patient recovery, and medical philosophy. These are the things that one needs to find out to make a decision.

A lot of LASIK candidates simply reject the idea of the surgical operation once they hear the associated costs. LASIK surgery is expensive and may not be practical. The general cost is a few thousand dollars and such amount can make people think again, whether to pursue the operation or not. It is not so much a hassle to wear eyeglasses for the rest of someone's life. With the economy as it is right now, practicality plays a big part. Spending for education or some meaningful expense is a wise thing to do rather than pay for an eye surgery that can be left out if the eye problem is really not that serious. But there is good news. There are foundations and companies that offer financing schemes and loans for LASIK candidates. One of these companies is Capital One. This firm offers a loan with no down payment required. You can also select a monthly payment scheme that fits your current budget. Interest rates are low as 5.9% to 13.9%. You can also have an easy 60-monthly plan to pay your loan.

Remember to consider these things before making a decision to undergo LASIK procedure. Consult several LASIK specialists. An honest doctor will tell you that you are not a candidate for the procedure and that your eye problem may still be corrected using different and cheaper methods.



About the Author
For more information on Lasik Surgery Information please visit our website.

Now Take A Few Minutes To Do The Most Important Travel Planning Of All--Learn How To Stay Healthy While You're En To Travel

by Abrahamson Owen


Healthy Travel
* Important Note: Traveling and Illness

As you are preparing for tarvel, please be sure to continue to focus on measures to ensure your good health: eat a balanced diet, get plenty of rest, avoid smoking and be sure you are effectively managing any ongoing health issues. In the unlikely event that you become ill with a fever or respiratory illness the day prior to your scheduled departure date, please see your doctor to determine whether you are healthy enough to travel and participate in the event. Your health as well as the health of participants is important to yourself.

* Your Travel "First Aid" Kit

Be sure you bring the following to ensure a safe, health and convenient travel experience:

Your prescription medicines (enough to cover your days away from home), in their original containers with clearly identifiable labels.

If you are generally in good health, there are some typical minor ailments that travelers frequently encounter which may necessitate use of non-prescription medicines.

Consider bringing a few doses of medicine if you are prone to the following:

diarrhea upset stomach headache sinus congestion motion sickness

* During Travel

Bring enough of any required medicines in carry-on bag.

If seated next to a person with respiratory symptoms on the plane, contact the flight attendant for a change in seating if available. When a change is not possible: avoid direct contact (face-to-face); avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth; be conscious of the surfaces you touch and wash your hands frequently.

Drink plenty of fluids (preferably water) before, during, and after your flight. Not only will you feel better, but keeping up your fluid reserves also helps your body fight illness and risk of jet lag. If need be, use moisturizer and lip balm to combat the dry air in the flight cabin.

If you wear glasses, don't fly with contact lenses -- wear your glasses instead. Contacts will only dry out and further irritate itchy or burning eyes.

Take frequent walks in the aisles, stretch and exercise your lower limbs while seated to keep blood your blood flowing and prevent conditions attributed to sedentary positions (swollen ankles, muscle cramps). If you can take aspirin safely, a low dose (81 milligrams) taken on the day of departure can be helpful in preventing clot formation.

Try to get as much fresh air and exercise as you can between flight connections.

Clear your head with a hot, steamy shower after you land. Avoid smoking areas while you wait for a connecting flight and when you reach your destination.

To minimize the discomfort of pressure building in your ears, here's how to make them pop: pinch your nostrils closed and inhale deeply. Then exhale through your nose, blowing out in short, firm bursts until you feel your ears pop. Yawning, drinking liquids, and chewing gum also helps.

* jet lag

Anyone who's suffered from the fatigue of crossing time zones can attest that it's no fun being bleary-eyed and groggy for the first couple days of and after your trip. There are ways of minimizing the effects of jet lag, so take note:

Adjust your sleeping and eating patterns to the new time zone a couple days before your flight -- usually one day per time zone.

Upon boarding the plane, change your watch to the destination time zone. Drink plenty of fluids, keeping yourself as hydrated as possible. While trying to knock yourself out with a couple glasses of wine or wake yourself up with coffee may seem like good ideas while flying, think again -- alcohol and caffeine dehydrate the body, making your even more tired when you arrive at your destination.

If it's daytime in your destination, take a walk after you get settled. The exercise will stimulate your body and help convince it to stop producing sleep-inducing hormones.

Use earplugs and blindfolds to help dampen noise and block out unwanted light while sleeping.

A variety of over-the-counter products are available that purport to ease jet lag or encourage sleep on lengthy flights.

Fortunately, your adjustment in New Zealand will likely go smoothly as you will be getting plenty of exercise!!

Stay heallthy

Focusing on these key areas will help you to "Stay Health"

1. Pay attention to personal hygiene and handwashing 2. Eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of water 3. Be physically active 4. Get plenty of sleep 5. Manage strees 6. Avoid smoking 7. keep immunizations current 8. Manage any ongoing health issues

Eating a balanced diet is perhaps the most direct action you can take to nurture your immune system

- The immune system requires a balance of nutrients to function properly - Without this balance,you can become sick more easily and have a longer recovery time - Ensure your daily meals include: - vegetables(especially leafy green) - fruits - whole and fortified grains(any food made from wheat,rice,oats,cornmeal,barley or other ceral grain) - dairy products,with small amounts of fish and meat(or alternative protein sources)

Your body requires a minimum amount of daily fluid intake to maintain health

- Fluids help to keep mucous membranes moist enough to combat viruses on contact - Requirement 6-8 cups (1.4-1.9 liters) per day - Avoid drinks like coffee, tea, and colas with caffeine;they deplete your body of fluids

If you are exercising and sweating, drinking water is doubly important

- 1to2hours before exercising: 10 to 14 ounces of cold water (about a cup and a half, or 295 to 414 ml) - 10to15 minutes before exercising: 10 ounces of cold water (about a cup and a half, or 295 ml) - While exercising: 3to4 ounces of cold water every 15 minutes (about a cup and a half, or 89 to 118 ml)

About the Author
Abrahamson Owen is the professional freelance writer. He's also the webmaster of Savehealthguide.com

A Guide to Contact Lenses

by kaushik dutta

Contact lenses a.k.a "contacts" are typically used as corrective eyewear in place of eyeglasses. Contacts must be prescribed by an ECP (Eye Care Professional) who must first access the visual needs of the patient as well as the individual's eye structure and lubrication capacity (tear drops).

Though most contacts are worn to correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) or astigmatism, there are also contacts available to enhance or change the color of the eye with or without a prescription for visual correction. Theatrical contacts are also available to give the eye an appearance that matches a theatrical costume like a cat or zombie.

Contact Lens Types

 Hard Lenses: Made from PMMA, which is plexiglass or lucite, these lenses are almost never used anymore but may be preferred or required by the patient.  Soft Lenses: The most commonly prescribed contact lens are these gel-like containing plastics the size of the iris of the eye. More recently, the silicone hydrogel lenses have been introduced and are generally preferred by practitioners since they allow more oxygen to pass between the lens and the eye and are less likely to dry out.  GP or RGP Lenses: These are "oxygen permeable" lenses that are stiff, waterless plastics geared toward patients with presbyopia and a high astigmatism and a smaller than the iris of the eye.

Contact Lens Wear

Those who wear contacts may choose whether or not they prefer daily wear or extended wear lenses.

 Daily Wear contacts can be worn throughout the day but must be removed and cleaned nightly. Daily wear contact lenses come in different durations of wear time and must be eventually disposed of and replaced with a fresh pair. There are contacts that are disposed of daily, weekly or monthly depending on the preference as well as the visual needs of the patient.  Extended Wear contacts can be safely worn overnight or up to 7 consecutive days without removal. Continuous wear lenses are a type of extended wear that can be worn for up to 30 consecutive nights without removal.

There are also contact options available for more severe eye diseases and may need to be custom made to fit and serve the purpose of a special needs situation. Almost anyone these days can wear contacts, in fact 1 out of 5 people in the U.S. is a contact lens wearer. Whether the purpose for contact lens wear is a replacement to glasses or for more aesthetic purposes there is bound to be a healthy contact option available for everyone.


About the Author
Josh Chavin is a contact lens specialist with Sanders Contacts an online leader in Acuvue Contact Lens sales. Dr. Sanders is a board certified Optometrist with offices in Louisiana

Wild Eyes Contact Lenses - But Just How Wild Do You Go?

by Duncan Roberts


Wild eyes contact lenses have been gaining popularity on the party scene, dance scene and on holiday. Not surprising really if you consider how cheap it is to totally change your appearance and how quickly you can out them in or take them out!

If you do a search online you'll turn up many sites selling wild eye lenses or party lenses. Prices range from $27.99 to $80.00 depending on what you are looking for exactly. As with anything, the wilder and harder to create designs do end up costing you more.

You'll have to view this as throw away money as well. With the huge swell recently to soft, permeable lenses that can pass oxygen through to the eye, your novelty lenses will have a shelf life, unlikely to go beyond 90 days at the most with the most common life cycle lasting 30 days.

The selection you have though is staggering. From swirly eyes in different colors, through all white zombie eyes and all black vampire eyes, to werewolf, fox and snake eyes - the choice is onlky really limited by your imagination. By now - most designs will be available.

One thing does puzzle me though - well actually, two things.

Firstly - for those who have never worm glasses or contact lenses before - isn't this a rather radical and far out way of altering your appearance? It's hard enough for those of us who wear contacts every day to put them in and take them out but for those are new - this would be a big step to take.

Secondly - they do a set of novelty contact lenses that give you snake eyes. These have a centre that is a solid, slit like look upright and vertical. Obviusoly, clear where yu need to look through. But - and here's the puzzle, how do they get the vertical slit design on the lens to stay vertical. I always thought the basis of contact lenses mounting to the eye was there ability to move and self lubricate as the eye blinks.

Surely this would cause these novelty ones to move around? Not a problem for some designs - like the swirls or the all one colors - but those with a distinct design and pattern - wouldn't they just look odd, lopsided and as though your face was melting?

Someone actually told me that what the maunfacturer does is buildit with a very small weight bias to the 'bottom' edge of the lens. As you place it on your eye and blink it into place, it slowly turns and settles in the right position, the minuscule amount of weight aettling it to the right position.

Ain't science marvellous?

About the Author
Discover more about wild eyes contact lenses at http://www.contact-lens-info-online.com/discount-contact-lenses.html

Can Contacts Get Lost In Your Eye?

by Amy Nutt


For those who have never had contact lenses before, the thought of putting something in your eye, even to help with vision, can be rather scary. Fortunately, wearing contacts is not as bad as you might imagine. One of the common myths associated with contact lenses is that they can get slide behind your eye and get lost, which contributes to a lot of fear about using them!

Losing your contact lens in your eye isn't a big deal. First of all, the contact lens simply can't slide around the eyeball and into the space behind it. Your eyes are made to resist any intrusion. There is a transparent membrane that covers the inside of your eyelids called the conjunctiva. This membrane is very strong and it actually folds back to cover the front part of your eye. The white part of the eyeball is protected by the conjunctiva and it is literally impossible for a contact lens to just slide through it.

However, it is possible for your contact lens to get dislodged from its centralized position and become lodged under an eyelid. This can be pretty uncomfortable, if you have hard contact lenses. If this does happen, don't panic, it's a fairly simple maneuver to get the lens back into place and anyone can do it. Your contact lens won't get stuck under your eyelid unless there are other factors like chemicals in your eye as well.

First, locate the lens. If you aren't sure where it is, feel with your fingertip on the outside of the lids. Then look in the direction the contact lens is. For example, if the contact lens has moved up, look up. Since the lens cannot go behind the eye, this gives it the chance to reposition itself correctly. Most of the time, this is all you need to do in order to move the contact lens back into place. But sometimes it won't work, particularly if you wear hard contact lenses, which are more resistant to movement. In this case, you will need to manipulate the contact lens under the eyelid so that you can gently push it back out with your fingertip.

Don't worry, the contact lens can't get lost in your eye, only moved around a bit. There are a few reasons why a contact lens might shift out of position. Probably the most common is when you rub your eye carelessly. This can move the contact lens and lodge it under your eyelid, or even knock it right out of your eye! Care needs to be taken when rubbing your eye, rub around the contact lens if possible, rather than across the eye like you normally would.

If you are outdoors on a windy day, it is easier for the contact lens to move around, as well. The wind tends to make your eyes water and this, as well as any time you have excessive tears, can cause the lens to float, making it easier to dislodge when you blink. Sometimes the lens will actually fall out of your eye, but occasionally it will be caught under the eyelid during a blink and will need to be moved back into place.

When shifting your contact lens manually, take care not to press it into your eye. Scratches on the eye can be very painful, even if superficial and may make it impossible to wear contact lenses for some time. Being careful not to put yourself into situations where you may move your contact lens is probably the best way to avoid this problem. Don't rub your eyes too hard and be careful on windy days or anytime you tend to tear up, to avoid losing your contact lenses.

About the Author
Thinking of wearing contacts? Order online a variety of contact lenses and eye care products. Clearly contacts offers the "Buy Now Pay Later" program.

Acuvue Colored Contact Lenses - See The Benefits

by Duncan Roberts

When you are going to spend some money on a fun item, something don't have to have but want to have, you want to be sure that what you are buying is going to last, do the job it was made to do and give you a degree of pleasure - all at the same time.
We're not demanding at all, are we!

When it comes down to as frivolous a spend as buying colored contact lenses - we need to know that what we are about to buy is good quality kit and is not going to cause us any problems. This is even more important than usual, considering these will be put into a very delicate and sensitive area of the body, the eye.

One of the names that has been an originator and developer of a whole market section is Acuvue. They were the first company to release pre-manufactured soft lenses and have been at the top of the ladder in the contact lens market since day one.

What this means for you is that if you decide you want to have some fun and change your eye color, acuvue colored contact lenses would be your first point of call.

They have a colored range that splits into two sides that compliment and work for different original color eyes. Three colors are created for light eyes and these are Emerald Green, Aquamarine and Ocean Blue. They then have a further seven colors that cover and change an original eye color completely. The colors available are Pearl Grey, Chestnut Brown, Hazel Green Deep Blue, Warm Honey, Jade Green and Sapphire Blue.

I know these colors sound like a type of shower gel or something but they are supposed to give you a mental image of just what color the lenses are.

If you head over to the Acuvue website, you'll be able to test out their colored lenses in a couple of different ways.

Firstly, they have a component on the site called iMakeover. This allows you to load up a picture of your face and then try to see what you would look like with different colored eye lenses in place.

Pretty cool - it's quite easy to upload your image and you can have a hoot with some totally opposite colors.

The other method by which to find out how they'd look on you at no cost is to go to any local eye care professional and ask for a free trial pair.

So go grab a pair and try them out - better yet, don't tell anyone what you are doing and let them find out for themselves!

About the Author
Make sure you grab more acuvue colored contact lenses advice from the http://www.contact-lens-info-online.com/acuvue-contact-lenses.html

Cheap Contact Lenses - Will They Cost You More Than Money?

by Duncan Roberts


The old boast made by webmasters in the mid to late '90s that you could find virtually anything on the web was, although enthusiastic, slightly exaggerated in those days.
Wouldn't be now though.

2008 and the internet is the largest global communication system in history - and it's hard to see what could ever usurp it from such a lofty position.

As well as a few disadvantages that this huge 'goldfish bowl of chat' brings, there are a few notable advantages too.

You can find out just about anything on just about any subject you care to mention.

You can talk to, literally talk to people the other side of the world for free (discounting your broadband charge every month) using the internet phone capability as so perfectly demonstrated by Skype and associated clones.

You can sell your old tat on auction sites and buy other peoples tat to replace the tat you just sold a minute ago.

But most importantly for a lot of people - you can find and buy, in just about whatever combination you want, your everyday normal things for a lot less than if you had to rely on the local shops or centers.

As the name of this article would suggest, I'm focusing on contact lenses, cheap contact lenses to be precise.

Cheap contact lenses are very easy to find - simply go to Google, Yahoo or MSN, type in "cheap contact lenses" (including the speech marks) and you will get back page after page of sites selling lenses cheap.

Just doing that now brings up a site called Just Lenses who are selling off top of the range Acuvue lenses for nearly 40% off normal price.

Not bad!

But - and this is a 'You But', you have a responsibility to yourself if you are going to use the 'net for cheap sourcing of goods.

People , and that includes me it has to be said, blithely trust, assume and believe that what we see, read or buy from the web is legit, clean as a whistle and passed by countless quality agencies, inspections and governed by serious manufacturing checks, laws and controls.

Sadly - that's not the case.

We have to take the responsibility of checking and verifying anything we get from the web before we use it and we need to make sure that we do so doubly when it is something as potentially damaging as a contact lens.

As well as running sensible checks on the website based company you are about to purchase from (checking their returns policy, indemnity details and authenticity guarantee) we also need to make sure we give anything being delivered to us a sever check.

Can you imagine the horror if you bought something like cheap lenses from a company who markets on the web, buys their product without licence from a manufacturer in a country where checks and quality control are non existent and ships them straight out without even checking themselves.

Would you put something from a chain of creation like that into your eye?

About the Author
Find the signs to watch out for when buying cheap contact lenses from http://www.contact-lens-info-online.com/

Colored Contact Lenses - Interior Design At New Level

by Duncan Roberts


If you ever want to have a real hoot and confuse the hell out of your friends and family - why not grab a pair of colored contact lenses.
Did you know you can get them in just about any color and you can even get them with colored designs and different looks.

Seriously - you can take your dull, usual old brown eyes and change them into light blue, gray, green or even a lilac / purple color.

Now, you'll have to get used to handling contact lenses - putting them into your eyes and worse still, taking them out at night time! (That one does take a bit of getting used to,)

They will also feel really weird and odd sitting in your eye, so much so that you'll be very conscious of them to start with and will be mindful that you are wearing them.

But it's the same as anything that has to do with the human body - after a little while the mind p[lays tricks on us and we start to settle down, the body becomes normalized to the new sensation and we adapt until we forget they are there.

Also quite a boon - the colored contact lenses do not cost that much - anywhere from $24 to $45 dollars for simple colors and up to $100 for the more involved and intricate designs or patterned lenses.

They will come in permeable form which means that the allow oxygen to pass through and into the eye, ensuring that the eye does not get dry and that the lenses stay comfortable. (But whatever you do, if they start to dry, use the correct fluid to rehydrate them, do NOT use saliva from your mouth as I have seen some people do!!)

Make sure that when you buy your color lenses they are coming from a reputable, trustworthy source and check them carefully before you put them anywhere near your eye.

Go for it - change your color and freak out a family member today!

About the Author
You can also get some great colored contact lenses tips at http://www.contact-lens-info-online.com/colored-contact-lenses.html

Yellow Cat Theatrical Contact Lenses - Unleash Your Inner Beast

by Sean Willoughby

Yellow Cat Theatrical Contact Lenses - Unleash Your Inner Beast

Whether you want to be the life of the party and stand out in the crowd or you just want to let loose, go wild and unleash your inner beast, yellow cat theatrical contact lenses are for you. With their distinctive yellow outer and black centre you will no doubt be the life of the party.
Yellow cat theatrical contact lenses are made to be worn occasionally, not as an everyday wear schedule and are mostly for cosmetic or theatrical effects. These soft contacts are available either without a prescription (also known as plano lenses) or with a prescription. They can be ordered to suit your vision correction needs. Of course you will need to consult with your eye care professional who can advise you and help you make the appropriate selection.

There are a few things to consider when making you purchase and here are a couple of useful things to keep in mind:

- You do have to be at least 18 years old to order these lenses

- Under no circumstances do not share your contact lenses even with family or friends. Sharing contact lenses with family and friends can spread micro-organisms which may result in very serious eye problems.

- Although your yellow cat contact lenses are mostly for fun, keep in mind that they are a medical device and should only be worn under the supervision of an eye care professional

- These lenses are not made for overnight wear

- When your contacts finally arrive make sure you have a close look for any defects BEFORE breaking the seal. Once the seal is broken you cannot get a refund

- Theatrical contacts are also known as special effects contacts, novelty contacts, cosmetic contacts, Halloween contacts or even coloured contacts. Don’t let the different terms fool you they all pretty much mean the same thing

Ok so you are asking yourself “Where can I get me a pair of these lenses?” You can try the nearest contact lens retailer, they might or might not carry the yellow cat theatrical contact lenses. Your best bet is to order them online at one of the reputable online contact lens stores. If you are going to be ordering online and your lenses require a prescription you will need to know your OD - Right Eye; OS - Left Eye; OU - Both Eyes; BC - Base Curve; Dia - Diameter. Your eye care professional can help you with that info.

Advantages of Buying Contact Lens Online

The advantages of buying your yellow cat theatrical contact lens online are many, here are just a few that come to mind:

- Savings - Much better prices (as much as 70% in savings). Endless coupons, specials, discounts and rebates to save you even more money

- Selection - Huge almost unlimited selection (hundreds to choose from)

- Convenience - Open 24hrs a day (order in your pyjamas if you want). Plus they ship right to your door, sometimes even for free!!

What To Look For In An Online Store

Fine I have the prescription and I know the advantages, your next question might be “Where do I find a good store online?” When ordering online you want to make sure the company is reputable and here are some things to look for:

- VeriSign Secured Logo - This gives you an ease of mind to know that your online transaction will be safe and secure

- BBB Online Reliability - Is the company reputable? The reports will give you a very good indicator.

- Bizrate - What are actual customers saying about the company and their products. Bizrate will give you great feed back

- Forums - Also a good source of feedback from customers who have actually bought and used the product. Some companies actually have forums right on their sites.

Once you keep these simple things in mind you will be ready to have a blast with your yellow cat contact lenses and be the centre of attention.

Go ahead and unleash your inner beast.

Happy contact lens hunting.

About the Author
Sean Willoughby is the owner of www.bifocal-contact-lens-info.com the premier source for contact lens info.

Virtual Makeovers To Make You Beautiful And Stylish

by Sveinung Skoglund


When a person changes their appearance by using cosmetics, it is known as a make over. Through the use of computer software, many people choose to perform virtual makeovers. These programs start out by using a photograph of the person's face. The person can then use the program to try out different types of cosmetics, hairstyles, glasses, and contact lenses, all without the hassle of physically going through these changes. These days, virtual makeovers are a very popular option.
There is also a series of books, which are written for teenage girls on virtual makeovers. There are several experts who help you to perform the art of virtual makeovers. Usually makeover artists specialize in hairstyling, make-up, clothing etc. Now a days getting a virtual fashion makeover is very easy.

Years ago, altering your hairdo was rather like playing Russian roulette. You'd work on your tresses trying to get the ideal appearance and you'd often be stuck with an unbearable result. Nowadays we are fortunate enough to be able to try out virtual makeovers with a huge number of different styles to select from. All it takes is the click of your mouse and you can arrive at the hairdo you want by means of a makeover program that you can access at no cost whatsoever.

Trying a virtual makeover program has a lot of advantages. You can look at thousands of options. Try out different hairstyles, colors, tones, and highlights. You will no longer have to rely on those few magazines that you find at the beauty salon.

Before you go to the stylist, you can already have chosen your best look--without having your style changed by the person cutting your hair. At last, you will have the hairstyle that you know fits you best. Friends and family can share your virtual hairstyle thoughts before you take the plunge and get it cut.

It's easy to mimic your favorite celebrity's latest hairstyle with virtual makeover websites. There are hundreds of these websites out there, and a good way to pick one is to see how many different style and color choices they offer--keeping your eye out for ones with over a thousand variations.

So, now that you have located a computer-aided makeover program that does hairstyles, remember these things when considering a new hairdo: the outline of your face and the status of your hair. Also, be aware that there might be more expenses now to maintain your new hairstyle, as well. For example, the cut could require that you visit your salon frequently to maintain it, or you might have to get special treatments or supplies. With this in mind, the virtual makeovers are a better experience.

About the Author
When a person changes their appearance by using cosmetics, it is known as a make over. Through the use of computer software, many people choose to perform virtual makeovers. Professionals with relevant expertise assist in the virtual makeover process.

Order Contact Lens Online: Points to Consider

by Kaye Fretz

You can now order contact lens online. Aside from lens stores and your doctor's clinic, online lens stores are also legitimate places to get your lenses. There are differences though between buying online and offline. You have to determine first if online shopping for lenses is for you.
Lens Buying

There are many advantages to shopping online. One of the best advantages is the convenience. You can easily place an order without leaving the comfort of your home or office. Buying online will also give you a lot of stock options that may not always be available in a regular shop. You can also view your specific lens brand and type in different online shops and compare prices to get a better deal.

Legitimate Prescription

Buying online doesn't mean there is no form of regulation. Although online shopping offers you great freedom and convenience, online lens stores are still required by law to check your prescription. You should therefore always make sure that you have a prescription before you buy online. It would be to your advantage if you made sure that you have an updated prescription. Even if your current prescription hasn't expired, there could be changes in your eyes and vision that require a different set of lenses. Visit your doctor regularly to make sure that you still have the right prescription.

Choosing Merchants

There are very few problems when you order contact lens online. The real challenge is in choosing the online store to buy from. There are just so many options that you can easily get confused. There are large companies and very small ones. Some small shops may be able to offer you good choices and service. You have to be sure though that you are with expert and reputable sellers.

One way to check is by researching about the company name. A search engine will easily yield several pages of information about a lens company. You will be able to read about company information in forums, blogs and review sites. A company that enjoys good feedback may be worth considering.

Placing an Order

Make sure you place an order correctly and accurately. This will limit the risk of getting the wrong product and waiting for a replacement. Once your product arrives, make sure that its specifications match those on your prescription exactly. Take note though that even if you don't make a mistake, some shops may not carry your brand at all. Some shops may suggest other brands as equal replacements. Before you accept any replacement, ask your doctor about it.

Store Policies

Don't forget to read the terms and conditions of an online shop. If something goes wrong, you would want to be sure that a shop has provisions for return or exchange. Take the time too to find out if they have customer service desks that actually function.

It definitely is a relief that you can now order contact lens online. Just make sure that you are buying for the right price from the right merchant.

About the Author
Looking for the right non prescription contact lens? Find them and order contact lens online!

Contact Lens: For a Better Vision

by Peter Msn

Contact lenses are popular choices for those who want the best for their eyes and want to look good as well. There are many reasons that have helped in determining the popularity of contact lenses. The first and foremost reason is the growing consciousness among people about looks. While spectacles can ease vision they are not always conducive to looking great. But with the coming of contact lens looking good and correcting vision at the same time is no longer a problem. Added to this contact lens are available in competitive market price today, which are easily affordable.

The advantages of contact lenses can be enjoyed by almost everyone. Initially, the users used to face few problems wearing a lens. But with the advancement in technology both the designs and materials have become sophisticated so that lenses could be used in a hassle free way. In this connection mentioning disposable lens would not be irrelevant. Renowned eye specialists feel those disposable lenses are the best and safest for users. Today even colored lens is available for those fashion conscious people allowing them to change their eye color according to their attire.

Before going for any type of contact lens it is important to consult an eye specialist to find out the right type of lens that will be suitable for your eyes.

The use of lens must be followed by the instructions of manufactures and an eye specialist as well. Irrespective of the type of lens one should not wear it for more than the suggested wearing period. Replacement of contact lens on regular basis is very important for healthy eyes or else the user runs the risk of damaging eyes. An unchangeable contact lens may cause blurred vision, dryness or allergy in eyes. These are some of the common problems that are related with contact lens.

To avoid all these above-mentioned problems it is equally important to take care of the lens also. While handling the lens it is important to see that lens are touched by clean hands as dust may damage the surface. It is advisable to remove lens slowly as a hurried action may damage both the eye and the lens. After the lens has been taken out it should be placed in the middle of the palm to reduce the risk of it being dropped.

Johnson & Johnson contact lenses are popular choice for users around the world. The brand is known for its wide variety of lens. Staring from the regular daily wear contact lens to colored lens they offer a wide range at an affordable price. The company’s soft contact lens is a much acclaimed specialty.

About the Author
The author is a famous eye specialist based in Australia. For more information related to contact lens he recommends you to visit www.eyesonline.com.au

Overcoming Your Eye Phobia Before Lasik Surgery

by Miodrag Trajkovic

If you belong to the bespectacled population you would know how frustrating it could get to be forever dependant on those two little framed pieces of glass. If you wear glasses for corrective vision, it is something you have to wear day in and day out, whether you are going out or staying home. Maybe you are just fed up of doing it everyday of your life. Maybe you keep losing those glasses amidst all your reading material and end up spending the better part of the day looking for them. Or it could be that your glasses are scratched from being put down wrongly most of the time and now are so blurry you can hardly see through them. And if you wear contact lenses you could be tired of all the care involved in looking after them and just plain fed up of inserting them into your eyes everyday. Maybe it was high time you considered Lasik eye surgery. Lasik surgery is a corrective eye surgery and it helps you do away with glasses or contact lenses completely. It could give you the much longed for 20/20 vision that you have been looking for. Though the chances of something going wrong during Lasik surgery is minimal, the very thought of becoming potentially blind is a very intimidating one. Talking to your doctor as well as reading everything you can get hold of on the subject is the best way of getting over these fears. Despite all this knowledge, eye surgery in any form, even one as safe as Lasik surgery is a very difficult reality to accept and you could get the necessary courage and strength from a clinical psychologist. The best way to overcome your phobia of undergoing Lasik eye surgery is to actually watch a live demonstration while it is being performed on somebody else. You could watch the taped demonstration or better yet, if the other patient agrees, this is one surgery that doctors have no problem performing in the presence of an on-looker. If you are lucky enough to have got the opportunity to sit in at a surgery, you could do a follow up and ask the patient a host of questions relating to all aspects of the surgery - how they felt before, during and after the surgery, how they overcame their fears or any other question that bothers you most. Don't forget that old but true cliché - Knowledge is Power. The more knowledge and information you are armed with the better you are able to deal with the impending surgery. Read as much as you can on Lasik eye surgery; ask your doctor or any other qualified person as many questions as you need to. All this will go a long way towards making you feel empowered and more in control. You will find all your fears slowly fading away. If after reading everything on Lasik surgery and even watching one up close you find yourself still filled with dread at the thought of the impending surgery, then perhaps it is time to consider counseling. A good counselor is successful at helping a person get over just about any phobia and could have you ready to face the surgery in a record short time. If the phobia is really deep seated, stronger methods such as hypnosis and other visual aids could be used to help one get over these fears. Your doctor would be able to recommend a clinical psychologist that he has used before or has heard of. Another really good option is meditation. Meditation calms your body and mind and helps you get rid of stress-related headaches and can even help you get rid of your phobias. Meditation is such a beneficial practice that phobia or not this daily ritual will help calm your mind and body in preparation of the impending surgery. Though each of these methods is individually helpful towards overcoming your phobia of Lasik eye surgery, a combination of several or all of these methods may prove to be the best method of all. You are the one who knows yourself best of all. You are the best judge of how badly you want to have that surgery and what you are prepared to do to overcome your phobias and prepare for it.

About the Author

Going for any LASIK Eye Surgery ? Need more help? Now get more FREE information about LASIK Surgery today by visiting our website at http://lasik-surgery.explore-me.com/ and learn more about LASIK Eye Surgery

Will Your Lasik Surgery Be Covered By Insurance?

by Miodrag Trajkovic


Lasik vision correction surgery is increasingly becoming a preferred method for individuals wanting to improve their vision. The Lasik procedure takes just a few minutes, is painless and has a very high success rate. There is no need for hospitalization and patients can walk out of the surgery center a few hours after the surgery. Post surgery there are just a few restrictions and that too for a limited period of time. All these do not come cheap though. Lasik vision correction surgery comes with a rather high price tag, which escalates further in case of eyes that have deteriorated to a great extent. The cost of Lasik surgery varies greatly from place to place. Since Lasik surgery is elective, you will find that most insurance companies do not cover this procedure. You should check your insurance plans before you decide to go in for Lasik eye surgery. Even if you have vision insurance you may find that your plan may not cover Lasik eye surgery as it is considered an elective procedure. You should also check with your employer. Some employers have an agreement with certain Lasik centers to give their employees special rates and discounts. Some insurance companies now offer a new kind of plan called 'expanded vision insurance program plan'. This covers more than just the basic eye examinations, contact lenses and eyeglasses and could also include Lasik surgery in the plan. An expanded vision insurance program plan may not always pay the entire amount needed for the procedure, but it could offset a percentage of it and if you are lucky that could be 50%. If you do have an expanded vision health plan, go through it and see if it covers Lasik surgery. After you've decided to go ahead and have Lasik surgery to correct your vision, the next step is to check out the various surgeons that perform this surgery and the cost of the surgery. Lasik surgery costs differ greatly form one place to another and Lasik ads are often deceiving even though they may not be outright lies. What most Lasik ads quote is just the basic Lasik surgery price, which would apply to individuals who need a small degree of corrective surgery. But the higher degrees of vision correction incur higher costs. The average cost of Lasik surgery is around $2000, but it could cost more. Also a more experienced surgeon would charge much more for performing the surgery than a surgeon with less experience. Do not base your choice solely on the doctor's fees. The extra money may be well worth it if it means choosing an established and reputed doctor who has a lot of experience and access to the latest technology. You should also explore the possibilities of having your Lasik surgery in a more Lasik-friendly country. Most insurance plans in Africa, Europe, Latin America and Asia do cover Lasik surgery even though it is an elective procedure. However this is not the case in Canada and the United States, so your personal financial burden could prove to be much higher in these two countries. If possible you should opt to pay for your Lasik surgery through the flexible spending account offered to you by your employer. If you have enough money saved in your flexible spending account it could help pay for the entire surgery or at least partially cover the cost of the surgery. You need to inform your Lasik doctor if you are paying him in this manner, as there could be some paper work involved between the surgery center and your employer. You should also check the possibility of deducting the costs of Lasik surgery from your federal income tax. Your tax accountant should be able to help you out with this. It is a good idea to explore the various payment methods to help you defray the high cost of Lasik eye surgery. Talk to your Lasik doctor who will be glad to work out the most appropriate plan for you.

About the Author

Going for any LASIK Eye Surgery ? Need more help? Now get more FREE information about LASIK Surgery today by visiting our website at http://lasik-surgery.explore-me.com/ and learn more about LASIK Eye Surgery

There Are Currently More Types of Contact Lenses on the Market than Ever Before

by Steven Myros


Perhaps in the past you have hesitated about getting contact lenses due to a lack of variety. Maybe you couldn't find lenses that suited your vision correction needs or your lifestyle needs. As a result, you probably figured that it was just easier to stick with wearing your glasses. However, that no longer needs to be the case, as the quality and variety of contacts has improved significantly in recent years. In fact, everyone should now be able to find contact lenses that fit their eyes and their lifestyle perfectly. With numerous brands and types of lenses to choose from, there are currently more types of contact lenses on the market than ever before.
These days, contact lenses are for everyone. Even if you have astigmatism or require bifocal correction, there are contact lenses available in many different brands that will work for you. From minor visual corrections to strong prescriptions, contacts can help everyone see clearly. In addition to a wide variety with respect to prescriptions and visual correction, contacts also now offer excellent diversity with regards to available brands. From Acuvue and Focus contacts to Freshlook and Bausch & Lomb lenses, contact lenses are available from many major brand names. As a result, you can feel confident that you are selecting a high quality and reliable vision care product.

The modern vision correction industry also offers outstanding variety with respect to the types of disposable contact lenses available. No matter what type of prescription you require, you can obtain monthly disposable, weekly disposable or daily disposable contacts. So no matter how you use your contacts or how often you wear them, you will be able to find disposable lenses that will suit your lifestyle perfectly. Moreover, with the help of your eye doctor, you will be able to select a brand and type of contact lenses that will fit you properly, thereby improving your eyesight and your comfort. With so many different choices on the market these days, there's simply no reason to struggle with ill-fitting or inconvenient contact lenses.

As mentioned previously, contact lenses are now for everybody. This even includes people that don't require vision correction. This is because contacts can fulfill other needs as well. For example, colored contact lenses are available with or without vision correction and can be used to enhance your natural eye color or even to dramatically change your eye color. Available in a wide array of different colors including everything from emerald green to amethyst, colored contact lenses are highly popular among people who wish to illuminate their eyes and create a striking personal look.

In addition to colored contact lenses, there are also other types of lenses available that can be used by people who do not require vision correction. In particular, these include contact lenses designed specifically for athletes. Sports contact lenses provide a special form of light filtering which reduces glare and also provides UV protection. Amber-tinted sports contacts are ideal for athletes involved in sports with fast-moving balls, such as tennis, baseball and soccer. Gray or green tints are also available in sports contact lenses, providing reduced glare in bright sunlight and offering better vision for those involved in sports such as running, golf and rugby.

Special effects contact lenses are also available. Often used in the film industry, these lenses are now affordably available to regular consumers through retailers of discount contact lenses. Whether you want to look like a vampire, a cat or a zombie, special effects contacts will help to transform you and make your costume complete. From red cat eye lenses to white out lenses, special effects contact lenses will give you a unique look that will make your friends do a double take.

In addition to exceptional variety, the contact lenses industry also now offers customers excellent affordability. All of the major brands of lenses can be obtained from retailers of quality discount contact lenses. Even special effects contacts and colored contact lenses are available through dealers of discount contact lenses. Consequently, there's no longer any need to avoid using contacts because of the cost. Discount contact lenses offer excellent quality and comfort, so you can enjoy all the benefits of wearing contacts without overstretching your budget.

With such an incredible variety of contact lenses now available, you no longer need to rely on your glasses all of the time. Now you can use contacts to see clearly while still feeling comfortable. Whether you use contacts for vision correction, to enhance your eye color, to complete a costume or to protect your eyes while playing sports, there are many high quality brands and types for you to choose from. When you combine the outstanding available variety with the excellent affordability of discount contact lenses, the benefits of using contacts are even greater. With more contact lenses available on the market today than ever before, now is an excellent time to start taking advantage of contact lenses.

About the Author
Steven Myros has been a freelance writer for the past sixteen years and has worn contact lenses his entire adult life. When contact lenses first came on the market there wasn't a whole lot to choose from. In today's market the choices are plentiful; from vibrant color lenses to special effects lenses you can find great lenses for both style and comfort.

Relieve Eye Strain with These Simple Eye Exercises

by Melinda Banks

Do you have eye strain? You've been working too hard on the computer again, so you're familiar with the feeling: Your eyelids twitch, your eyes begin to water and there's that burning sensation when you close them. You're suffering from a common affliction -- eye strain.

Fortunately, simple exercises can promote the relaxation of your eyes, and some are even thought to strengthen and condition them (a type of vision therapy known as orthoptics). The American Optometric Association and the National Institutes of Health want you to know that no exercise has been proven to "improve a refractive error or cure any ailment within the eyeball," but exercises can be helpful if poor vision is caused by a weakness or imbalance of the muscles. And they can be especially useful in relieving the fatigue and accompanying physical symptoms caused by strain.

Do the following exercises regularly to help keep your eyes stronger longer:

Rolls


To improve blood and oxygen flow, close your eyes and slowly roll them in a complete circle. Then move them from left to right. Repeat this exercise three times.

Palming and cupping


Note: If you wear contact lenses, remove them before doing this exercise.

If your eyes are tired and you'd like to relax them, close them and place the base of your palms over them. Press gently for a few seconds. Then cup your hands and place them over your open eyes. Look into your cupped palms as you slowly breathe in and out through your nose for 30 seconds.

Commonplace "exercises," like blinking or yawning, also are beneficial. Both actions produce tears to help moisten and lubricate. And don't forget you can give your baby blues (or browns, greens or grays) an extra boost by taking nutritional supplements targeted for them, such as those that contain bilberry, vitamin A and lutein.

About the Author
For two more eye exercises and a full spectrum of other natural health articles, visit MyOnlineHealthArticles.com.

RayBan Sunglasses

by John Rich

Subsequent to many years of wearing glasses because of nearsightedness in both eyes and astigmatism in one eye, I determined to pay a call to my iCare specialist. I noticed in the reception area a extensive range of sunglasses including RayBan sunglasses. What took my consideration were the Ray Ban wayfarer sunglasses with polarized lenses and the Ray Ban sidestreet sunglasses. However before I carry on, permit me clarify what nearsightedness is.
The most universal problem for people who are shortsighted is clearly seeing distant items. Screwing up the eyes and frowning in order to see better is universal and this could cause headaches. Subsequent to wearing my glasses for many years and then deciding not to wear them, I began experiencing various headaches.

Nearsightedness tends to be present at birth. Eyes become nearsighted if the lens system of the eye is too strong for its length, or the eye is too lengthy for its visual power. What this means is most shortsighted eyes are healthy eyes which happen to be larger than standard.

As I persist to remain for my engagment I take the chance yet again to look at the Ray Ban Sunglasses. I observe that the pricing is a little steep at approximately two hundred to three hundred dollars. Why do I think this is a little steep? Because I also advertise designer sunglasses and discern that their markup may well be as high as two hundred to three hundred percent.

The gently old gentleman invites me into his office. I sit down and wait for his return, while he walks off into another office to finish up with another patron. As soon as he arrives, he takes me through a number of eye checks and tests and I find out that my vision has not deteriorated in the slightest in the last four or so years. The checkup is relatively cheap and will include a free pair of contact lenses for a month.

After a weeks wait I finally return to pick up my contact lenses. I notice that they are extremely hard to fit and remove. I use them for one day, then at the end of the day decide to take them out. I find one extremely difficult to take out. After trying for an hour or so I give up and retire to bed. The next morning I awake with a slightly red eye. I attempt again to take out the contact lens and finally succeed. However I have a bloodshot eye for the next day. I havent worn the contact lenses since. I might just go back to spectacles and maybe get a par of those Ray Ban wayfarer sunglasses with polarized lens that I saw in the reception area of the iCare specialist.

About the Author
Designer sunglasses from prada to Genuine Ray Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses with polarized lens. Designer prada, chanel and gucci sunglasses. Please visit our website on designer sunglasses at http://www.designersunglasses.co.nz

Lasik Profiling On The Corneas

by Miodrag Trajkovic

Lasik eye surgery is increasingly gaining popularity as the most preferred method for improving vision surgically. Lasik vision correction surgery can completely eliminate or at the very least significantly reduce an individual's dependence on contact lenses or eyeglasses in order to have 20/20 vision. Before performing a Lasik procedure the eye surgeon has to assess the patient's compatibility and risk factor with regards to Lasik surgery. The first thing the doctor does is to get the individual's complete health history, after which a thorough eye examination is carried out. Only after the individual has been deemed compatible for Lasik eye surgery does the doctor then discuss the various options available. Of the various techniques of Lasik vision correction surgery, using an excimer laser is the most common. This technique has been in use for vision correction surgery since 1987. The excimer laser profiles the cornea, enabling the surgeon to get the best results possible for surgery. Lasik vision correction surgery is the best option for individuals with moderate to low vision problems. Nearsightedness as well as farsightedness can both be improved by performing Lasik surgery, which is a painless procedure and results in almost immediate vision improvement. The outcome of Lasik eye surgery is drastically improved by the ability of profiling the cornea using the excimer laser. There are no guarantees for any surgery and Lasik surgery is no exception. While there is no guarantee that you will have perfect vision after undergoing the surgery, there is an estimated 90% success rate. A hundred percent successful Lasik eye surgery does away with the need for any other kind of corrective lenses. But this is not always the case with everybody. Some patients would still require corrective lenses even after undergoing Lasik surgery. Lasik eye surgery involves creating an extremely thin, circular flap in the outer layer of the cornea. This is done by an instrument called a microkreatome. The microkreatome performs the same functions as an excimer, but the excimer has been found to be more precise and has a higher rate of success. After cutting the flap, the cornea is then profiles. What this means is that the flap is folded out of the way and the surgeon proceeds to remove corneal tissue with the help of the excimer. The excimer laser removes tiny pieces of corneal tissue at a time using cool ultraviolet rays. How much tissue needs to be removed depends on the severity of the existing vision problem. Sometimes removing just a very tiny amount of tissue is necessary to correct the patient's vision. After removing the necessary amount of corneal tissue, the cornea needs to be re-shaped in order for it to focus better. After this is done the Lasik surgeon then places the flap back over the area. The entire Lasik corrective eye surgery takes about one to two minutes. If Lasik surgery is required in both eyes, the doctor waits a while after performing Lasik on the first eye before proceeding on to the second eye. Some patients may prefer not to have both eyes operated on at the same time. They may prefer to wait a few weeks for the first eye to heal before having Lasik on the second eye. Using an excimer laser to profile the cornea has many advantages. It has an extremely high accuracy level and produces better surgical outcomes. The excimer laser is fitted with a control unit that controls the intensity and movement of the laser beam. Often there are uncontrollable eye movements that occur during surgery. The laser beam is trained to stay at the right side of the eye even if there is a slight eye movement. This gives the Lasik surgeon full control during surgery and can positively influence the outcome of the surgery. The benefits of Lasik vision correction surgery and its high success rate far outweigh the low risks and discomfort associated with this surgery.

About the Author
Going for any LASIK Eye Surgery ? Need more help? Now get more FREE information about LASIK Surgery today by visiting our website at http://lasik-surgery.explore-me.com/ and learn more about LASIK Eye Surgery

See the world in a new way with contact lenses

by Steven Myros

Are you tired of needing your glasses to see the world clearly? If so, it might be time for a new perspective. By switching your glasses for contact lenses on a full-time or even a part-time basis, you will enjoy a newfound freedom as well as multiple other benefits that will make your life easier and more convenient. Whether you feel as though your glasses are holding you back with sports, socializing or any other aspect of your life, contact lenses can make a real difference for you. No matter what your particular vision correction and eye care needs may be, contacts can keep you seeing at your best without the hassle and inconvenience of wearing eyeglasses.

Contact lenses are worn by millions of people around the globe and are the top choice for many people who require vision correction. As mentioned previously, one of the reasons why contacts are so popular is because they offer far greater freedom than eyeglasses do. When you use contacts to help you see clearly, you don't have to worry about losing or breaking your glasses. You can even use daily disposable contacts so that you never have to worry about cleaning or caring for your lenses. Some people also find that glasses can be cumbersome and uncomfortable. If you're one of those people, contact lenses could be your ticket to increased comfort.

Many people also prefer contacts over glasses in a variety of social situations. Wearing contacts gives you the freedom to change your look and to wear non-prescription designer sunglasses. When you eliminate the need for eyeglasses, you also allow people to see your eyes more clearly when communicating so that you can create better connections with those around you. Another benefit of not needing glasses while socializing is that you don't have to worry about them slipping down your nose, becoming dirty or being knocked askew.

As opposed to the limited area of clear vision provided by eyeglasses, contact lenses provide stable vision in every direction. This is a great advantage when you're driving and when you're participating in sports or other recreational activities. In fact, contacts are particularly popular among those who live an active lifestyle, as they allow people to see the world in a clear and unobscured way. For instance, contact lenses won't steam up while you're exercising and won't become splattered in rainy or snowy weather. Moreover, wearing contacts while playing sports means that you won't have to worry about your glasses becoming broken or damaged in any way. Without such concerns to hold you back, you can then concentrate solely on performing at your very best.

No matter what your particular vision correction needs may be, you can take advantage of the many benefits that come with wearing contact lenses. Even if you have an eye condition such as astigmatism, you can enjoy a refreshing and convenient perspective on life by exchanging your glasses for contacts. Some specialty lenses have even been designed to treat eye conditions and will deliver medication to the eyes as they're being worn. With so many types of lenses available on today's market, people with all different lifestyles and needs can benefit from the freedom, comfort and improved field of vision offered by contact lenses.

If you've been considering making the switch from glasses to contacts but are worried about the health and safety of your eyes, discuss your concerns with a licensed eye care practitioner. Maintaining and promoting the health of your eyes while wearing contacts is actually quite simple. All you have to do is make sure that you follow proper lens care procedures so that you don't put yourself at risk for infections or other problems. Of course, you should also always consult with your eye doctor before using contacts for the first time or before trying a new type of contacts.

By acting responsibly where your eyes are concerned and by consulting with a professional, you can make the transition from eyeglasses to contact lenses smoothly and easily. When you do, you'll soon find that contacts have a multitude of benefits in many different situations and during all different types of activities. From work to recreation, contacts can make a significant and positive difference in all aspects of your life. So if you're ready to say goodbye to your cumbersome glasses and to say hello to freedom and convenience, it's time for you to see the world in a new way with contact lenses.

About the Author
Steven Myros is a freelance writer and contact lens user. He explains how to get a new perspective on the world by switching up your glasses for contact lenses. The convenience of contact lenses is something that you will come to appreciate when you're out in social situations. Steven shows advantage of the benefits of contact lenses