Enhancing your lifestyle with contact lenses: FAQ
For those of you considering trying out contact lenses to enhance your lifestyle, here are some answers to frequently asked questions about contact lenses.
Can anyone use contact lenses?
Most people are eligible to use contact lenses. However, there are some prescriptions that are not suitable for contact lenses. It is best to check with your optometrist if contact lenses are right for you.
How long does it take for your eyes to get used to contacts?
It can take up to two weeks for your eyes to adjust to contact lenses. While your eyes adjust you may experience blurred vision and find yourself blinking more often than usual. The more you wear your contacts the quicker your eyes will adjust.
Can contact lenses get lost behind your eye?
Good news – it is impossible for the contact lens to get behind your eyeball and become trapped.
What is the difference between daily and extended wear contact lenses?
Daily wear contact lenses are disposed of daily after use. The benefit of daily wear contact lenses is there is no need to clean the lenses or by any solution as the lenses get disposed of after use.
Extended wear contact lenses can be worn anywhere from one week to one month depending on the type of contact. Extended wear contacts require a cleaning regimen to care for the contacts.
Can I sleep with contact lenses in?
Majority of contact lenses are not suitable to sleep in. There are some contact lens options that are approved for overnight use. It is bet to talk to your optometrist about which option is right for you.
Can I use contact lenses while playing sports?
Absolutely. One of the big advantages of wearing contact lenses is being able to use them while playing sport or when engaging in other physical activity. However it is not recommended to use contact lenses while swimming.
Do contact lenses expire?
Yes, they do. Even if the contacts haven’t been opened, they could still have expired. Make sure to always check the packaging for the expiration date.
How often do I need to update my contact prescription?
In Australia, contact lens prescriptions are valid for a maximum of 12 months. If your prescription is older than one year, it’s time for an eye test.
If you are interested in trying out contact lenses – make an appointment with one of our optometrists today to discuss which options are right for you.
Macular Focus in May
May is Macula month, a campaign centred around the education and awareness of macular disease.
The macula is responsible for detailed central vision, meaning we use it for activities such as reading, driving and recognising faces. It’s also responsible for most of your colour vision, so its quite shocking to learn that an estimated 1.7 million Australians have some evidence of macular disease.
Macular disease covers a range of painless conditions affecting the central retina which can be found at the back of the eye.
Conditions only affecting the macula don't lead to total blindness, instead, they impact central vision, leaving peripheral vision intact.
SYMPTOMS OF MACULAR DISEASE
You can have early signs of macular disease without knowing it. However, when symptoms do appear, they can include:
- Difficulty with reading or any other activity which requires detailed central vision (despite wearing appropriate glasses)
- Distortion, where straight lines may appear wavy or bent
- Problems distinguishing faces
- Dark patches in the central vision
- Macular disease can affect anyone, at any age, so knowing your risks, and having regular macula checks, is the only way to protect your vision.
But how do you know if you are at risk ?
Take the 'Check My Macula' quiz and in one minute, you’ll have a better idea of your risk factors.
Take Quiz
So, if you've just taken the quiz and have any vision concerns that you think might need attention, please contact us to make an appointment or visit us online.
How can the cold affect your eyes?
One of the most common patient complaints during the winter months is dry eyes. Cold and windy weather conditions can reduce the natural moisture in your eyes resulting in a burning or itching sensation.
Dry eye is a common visual condition which affects one in four people worldwide and is more likely to occur in women and the elderly. The medical name for dry eye syndrome is keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Symptoms can include burning, scratchiness or irritation, redness, watering and even blurred vision. Although dry eye is generally not a sight-threatening condition, for those who suffer from it, it is often more than just a minor aggravation. Dry eye can be caused by insufficient tear production from the lacrimal gland or an unstable lipid layer, which is the thin oily layer on the outer most part of the tear film.
Some tips to get you through the winter months:
- Talk to your optometrist about the best eye drops for your eyes
- Stay hydrated, drink lots of water
- When heating indoors try using a humidifier
- Keep distance from blowing heat sources
- No matter how irritated your eyes are, don’t rub your eyes
For more information on dry eye or any other eye disorder, contact your Optometrist.
10 Foods to Assist Your Vision
Eating the right foods can protect your vision and keep you healthy. Adding vitamins, antioxidants and minerals to your diet can improve your overall eye health. Researchers have linked eye-friendly nutrients, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc, to reducing the risk of certain eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.1 You can find these antioxidants in green leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts and a lot of other foods.
Here are the top 10 foods that will boost your eye health.1, 2
Carrots
The hype is true, carrots are good for your eyes. These crunchy root vegetables are a great source of vitamin A, which is important for keeping your cornea clear. Carrots get their bright orange colour from beta carotene, which is essential for vitamin A production in the body. Other foods rich in beta carotene include sweet potatoes, pumpkin, capsicum, mangoes, apricots and rockmelon (and any other bright yellow or orange fruits and veggies you can get your hands on).
Fish
Fish is a very good source of omega-3, which is an important nutrient for eye health. Omega-3 is a polyunsaturated fatty acid which are essential for your body to produce new cells, muscles, nerves and organs, as well as having potent anti-inflammatory properties. They benefit our eye by nourishing the retina and aid tear production to keep the eyes moist and healthy, reducing dry eye syndrome.
Leafy green vegetables
Easy to digest, easy to include into every meal, and readily available, leafy greens are great not just for your eyes, but for your overall health. The darker the green, the better they are for you. Leafy greens such as kale, spinach and green veggies are packed with lutein and zeaxanthin, which are important for keeping your retina healthy. Broccoli, avocados and peas are also good sources of this powerful combination of antioxidants.
Berries and Citrus fruits
Oranges, lemons, red capsicum and berries are high in Vitamin C – a water soluble vitamin and a powerful antioxidant that helps the body form and maintain connective tissue, including collagen found in the cornea of the eye. Vitamin C also promotes healthy bones, skin and blood vessels, including the delicate capillaries in the retina.
Legumes and Pulses
Legumes are plants, pods and seeds that belong to the Fabaceae family. They refer to foods like peas and beans, such as green beans and broad beans. Pulses are dried legumes. They include chickpeas, black-eyed peas, kidney beans, mung beans, and lentils. Not only are legumes and pulses a protein powerhouse and an excellent source of fibre, they are also full of omega-3.
Nuts
Pistachios, almonds, walnuts, whichever take your fancy, are excellent sources of Vitamin E and minerals such as zinc that help keep your eyes healthy and may decrease your risk of age-related macular degeneration.
Seeds
Like nuts and legumes, seeds are high in omega-3s and are a rich source of vitamin E to help fight age-related eye health issues. Seeds such as chia seeds, pepitas, flaxseed, hemp seeds and sunflower seeds will help protect your retina.
Extra-virgin olive oil
The queen of oils, extra virgin olive oil can help your body absorb lutein and zeaxanthin, those all-important carotenoids that are vital for good eye health.
Eggs
Two of the most powerful antioxidants for eye protection, lutein and zeaxanthin, are found generously in egg yolks, just like in leafy green vegetables. When you have them in your omelette, you’re increasing your chances of antioxidant absorption because of the high-fat content of eggs. You also get ample vitamin C and E in the egg yolk, which are believed to be helpful against macular degeneration.
Lean Meat
Protein from lean meats such as beef, poultry (chicken, duck, turkey etc) or pork can be beneficial to your eyesight. Beef is rich in vitamin A and zinc, both of which are beneficial to your cornea and your retina. Poultry and pork are also good sources of zinc.
As well as adding these 10 superfoods to your diet, you should also consider piling your plate with plenty of other fresh fruits and vegetables. Aim to get your two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables daily. The more colourful your cuisine gets, the better it will be for your eye health. As an added bonus, your overall health will benefit too.
References
1. American Optometric Association , “Diet and Nutrition,” 2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/caring-for-your-eyes/diet-and-nutrition?sso=y.
2. L. Arundel, “Top foods that can improve your eye health,” Good Vision For Life, 2016. [Online]. Available: https://goodvisionforlife.com.au/2016/08/04/top-ten-foods-can-improve-eye-health/
Back to School Eye Exams
The back to school season brings a flurry of emotions for parents of school aged children. We all know that kids grow quickly, which often means its time a new uniform as well as stationery, books and a long list of other back to school equipment. But there’s one area in particular that often gets neglected – their eyes.
As school recommences in 2022, it is important to get your child’s eyes examined. Approximately 20% of children in Australia suffer from a vision problem and worse yet, children often think that what they see is normal so they are unlikely to flag any issues with teachers or parents.
Vision problems can significantly affect learning with a recent Australian study of Year 3 children finding that those who were screened and identified as requiring glasses scored considerably lower in their NAPLAN relative to their peers.
Children of any age can have their eyes examined but it’s highly recommended that children starting kindergarten see their local optometrist to ensure they are getting the very best start to their schooling life.
Common signs of possible vision problems to look out for include:
- Frequent squinting
- Eye rubbing
- Eye turn
- Holding reading materials very close to their eyes
It’s equally important for parents to bring their children in for regular follow up eye examinations if they are already in glasses so that we can identify any changes to their script and make adjustments accordingly.
You can book an appointment with our practice today to ensure your child’s eye health.
Importance of polarised lenses
It’s summer 2022, the sun is out and there is no doubt that we are all spending more time outdoors after two years in doors. With increased levels of sun exposure, it is critical that we continue to protect our eyes.
Polarised sunglasses are a great option for anyone who spends time outdoors. They are great for high-glare activities such as being on the water. Polarised lenses help reduce glare and provide additional clarity whilst protecting your eyes.
Polarised sunglasses have changed and improved immensely over the years, with newer technology now offering lower distortion to eliminate the swim effect. High-definition polarised lenses also reduce vibration, enhance clarity, allow for faster adaptation and minimise eye fatigue. When considering polarised lenses, it’s important to also consider UV protection.
There is also now a variety of colours in polarised lenses and a large range of fashionable frames on offer. So why not update your look this summer whilst still giving your eyes the best form of eye protection by wearing polarised sunglasses.
Visit our practice and chat to us about polarised lenses and what options might suit your lifestyle.
Until Feb 28, 2022 - get $100 off a pair of sunglasses when you buy specs.*
*Redeemable with the purchase of a complete set of frames and lenses until Monday February 28, 2022. Sunglasses can be prescription or non-prescription. Not to be used in conjunction with any other discounts, packages or offers. Not redeemable on contact lenses. Valid once per patient only.
Top 10 Contact Lens Tips
Remember when you first started wearing contact lenses? You may have found it was a little daunting in the beginning. The process of inserting and removing the lenses, getting comfortable touching your eyeball and then there’s all the hygiene protocols to follow. Along the way it’s easy to forget the “must dos” for good eye health and vision. So to help you out we’ve compiled our top ten tips for contact lens wearers – you’re welcome.
- Wash your hands before touching your lens
If you don’t, you risk cross contamination by depositing microorganisms from your hands to the lens thus increasing your risk for infection. You could for example, end up with conjunctivitis or a more serious corneal infection, which can increase the risk of permanent vision loss. When washing your hands, use a disinfected soap and dry them with a paper towel to avoid getting lint in your eyes.
- Check that your lens isn’t inside out and is not torn
Wearing the lens the wrong way generally won’t affect your vision but it may feel uncomfortable. Likewise, a torn lens can cause irritation so best to keep your fingernails short to help avoid accidentally ripping your lenses.
- Have eye drops on hand
Healthy eyes need to stay moisturised and contact lenses may make your eyes feel drier than usual especially if you are in air-conditioning. Your local EyeQ optometrist can recommend which eye drop will be best suited to your individual needs.
- Wash your case after each use
If you’re being totally honest with yourself, how often do you wash your contact lens case? (is that crickets we hear)? Contact lens cases are susceptible to bacterial growth which means if you’re not cleaning your case regularly you are likely creating a breeding ground for germs. Best practice suggests disposing of the old solution, rinsing it out with fresh solution, wiping it with a clean tissue or paper towel and leaving it to air dry face down with the caps off.
- Replace your case regularly
Even if your case looks brand spanking new it’s really important to replace it every three months. A biofilm can form in your case helping bacteria hide from the disinfectant in your contact lens solution which again doesn’t support healthy eyes.
- Store your contact lens case in a clean, low humidity environment
While it makes practical sense to keep your contact lenses in the bathroom it’s probably not the best idea (how super impractical)!
You may be surprised that cultures of contact lens cases have found faecal matter in them, which occurs when the case is kept in the bathroom without the lens caps on, flushing the toilet creates a mist of spray that settles inside the case, yuck!
- Only wear your contact lenses for the recommended time
Follow your optometrist’s instructions regarding the length of time to wear and use your lenses. For example, if the lenses are designed to be replaced every month don’t wear them for two. Your risk of serious eye infections increases if you overwear your contacts.
- Don’t sleep in your contact lenses
Unless your optometrist has advised you to do so it’s important that you don’t ever sleep in your contact lenses. Doing so drastically increases your risk of eye infection. The contact lens limits your eyes from getting oxygen and hydration which it needs to fight off any microbial invasion.
- Insert your contact lenses before applying make-up
Once you’ve washed your hands you should insert your contacts before applying moisturiser or make-up. It’s easy for any residue left on your fingers to make its way into your eyes or onto your contact lenses.
- Consider daily disposable lenses
There are two major benefits to wearing daily disposable contact lenses. Firstly, they are super convenient as no lens cleaning or maintenance is required. You literally wear your lenses for the day and throw them out once removed. Bye-bye contact lens cases!
The other and more significant benefit is that daily contact lenses are healthier for your eyes as there’s a decreased risk of corneal infection.
Make an appointment to speak to our optometrist regarding your contact lens wear and cleaning practices if you have any questions or concerns.