How to Get the Most Comfortable Pair of Contact Lenses

Contacts can be awkward for the first time user, and feel especially uncomfortable. Finding the most comfortable pair of contact lenses for your eyes can be a test of trial and error for you and your eye doctor. The eye doctor part is essential to the comfortable contact equation. Doctors must determine the measurements that your contacts need to be in order to fit them correctly. Without the doctor, contacts may not fit properly and can harm your eyes. Still there is more that you can do to increase the comfort of your contact lenses.

Avoiding Dry Eye

Dry eye causes eyes to appear red and feel gritty. All About Vision offers that this could come from over the counter medicines and prescription medicines, from antihistamines to blood pressure medications. The best way to take care of this when you have contacts is to use contact drops that contain artificial tears. These drops must be for contacts only, as other contact drops can discolor contacts.

Nutrition, Nutrition, Nutrition!

All About Vision offers that one of the most essential ingredients to having healthy eyes and a comfortable contact experience is nutrition. Drinking lots of water and less caffeine and alcohol is important to maintaining eye health. Also, nutritional supplements may help, especially omega-3 fatty acids that are naturally found in salmon, flaxseed oil and many other fish.

The Environment

The environment in which you surround yourself is an integral part on how comfortable your contacts are going to feel in your eyes. Dusty work areas or a house with pets may increase the chances of getting debris caught between the contacts and the eyes. Also, contact wearers should not touch their eyes after using soaps, cleaners, or other similar products. Keep rewetting drops available if you spend much time on the computer or if you smoke. All of these things can keep your contacts from feeling their most comfortable.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Vision-Doctor.com. He provides more contact lens tips and discount contact lenses that you can research and purchase in your pajamas on his website.

Contact Lenses on Vacation 7 Simple Tips

When you are on vacation, contact lenses are great convenience - they are invisible and you don?t have to take them off while swimming. However, contact lenses can also spoil your vacation, if you don?t take precautions. Here are some simple things you can do, to prevent it happening to you.

1. Make sure that you have a spare pair of lenses

Even if the lenses you wear aren?t frequent replacement lenses, it is always recommended that you have spares. A lens can get lost or damaged, and replacements might be difficult to find. If you wear daily disposable lenses, take the amount of lens you need for your vacation plus several extra - just in case.

2. Don?t forget your contact lens case and solution.

Most brand name solutions can be bought in smaller bottles, which are excellent for traveling. And you can get a case that clips onto a solution bottle, so the pieces don?t get separated in your luggage.

3. Don?t let water in your eyes when swimming

Contact lenses are great for swimming and all water sports, but it is best to prevent their contact with water. However, water contains myriads of bacteria, which can get onto your lens and cause keratitis. So it is best to wear tight goggles, when swimming. If seawater gets into your eyes anyway, you should take your lenses out as soon as possible and clean them before putting them back in.

4. You still need sunglasses

Most modern contact lenses, like all Acuvue or Focus lenses, block harmful UV rays. However, the lens only can protect the area it covers, which is not the entire surface of your eye. Also, contact lenses don?t reduce glare. So it is safest to wear sunglasses with high UV protection over your lenses, and a sunhat.

5. Don?t neglect caring for your lenses

If you are tired after a day of sightseeing, it might be tempting to fall asleep still wearing your contacts. This is not a good idea - unless you wear extended wear lenses, of course. No matter how tired and relaxed you feel, take your contact lenses out for the night. See tips for contact lens and eye health

If you don?t want to care for your contacts during vacations at all, ask your doctor if extended wear contacts would suit you. Acuvue 2 can be worn without removal for up to 7 days, and Focus Night and Day for up to 30 days; they are great for vacations.

6. Be careful with sunscreen creams and inset repellants

Be very careful to avoid getting sunscreen or insect repellant in your eyes. If it gets into your eyes, it can cause serious irritation. If this happens, take your lenses out and give them a good clean.

7. Wear glasses on long flights

During long flights, most contact lens wearers feel miserable. This is because in an airplane, both atmospheric pressure and humidity are low. As a result, your soft contact lenses dehydrate and draw moisture from your eyes. Many people also nap during a flight, and sleeping in contacts isn?t recommended. If you can wear glasses as well as contacts, it is a good idea to do so in the plane. If glasses are not an option, use special eye drops and make sure you drink plenty of water during your flight.

Keep these simple rules in mind when going on vacation, and your contacts shouldn?t cause any problems to prevent you enjoying your holidays.

Tanya Turner is a contact lens expert and a founder of Contact Lenses Consumer Guide.com/, where you can find unbiased information about eye health and all types of contact lenses with reviews and pictures

Can You Afford LASIK Eye Surgery?

LASIK eye surgery is generally considered to be more expensive than other more conventional surgical procedures. This can in part be attributed to the use of high-tech equipment such as lasers.

Having said that, I think it is worthwhile to mention that the cost of LASIK continues to come down. This is in part due to improvements being made to the overall process, such as the use of more efficient and cheaper lasers.

According to the FDA the average cost of LASIK eye surgery was in the region of $1,344 in 2005. This is a significant reduction from the original numbers listed in 2002 of nearly $1,600.

However, be as it may, when deciding on the type of LASIK eye surgery or surgeon, price should never be the overriding factor. Remember you?re not buying shoes you?re taking a risk, so why not take the best calculated risk by going to someone who has built up a good reputation?

Here are a few things that may help you understand why the costs of LASIK laser surgery are high.

? The fee of leasing the building where the surgery is located

? The leasing or purchase of the laser as well as maintenance of the blades or lasers can increase LASIK cost. Surgeons may also be upgrading to newer and more efficient lasers.

? There may be additional, per eye fees to be paid to the developer or manufacturer of the laser, if the machine is leased.

? You may need special gowns, masks, gloves, medications, or surgical solutions to keep the operating room sterile and safe.

? There may be Advertising and insurance for the office.

When you are considering different LASIK surgery options it may be a good idea to ask your surgeon the following:

? What is and what isn?t included in the cost of the LASIK eye surgery?

? What if complications occur or if enhancements are needed. Will I be charged and if so, how much?

? What about the cost of LASIK medications such as anti-inflammatory or painkillers?

? Will I need temporary contact lenses after LASIK? Are they included in the cost or will they be paid for separately?

? What about follow-up visits after LASIK? What are the costs if they are not included in the fee for the surgery?

Don?t forget to contact your insurance company to determine if they cover the cost of LASIK laser surgery. Some insurance companies don?t cover the cost of LASIK because they see it as a cosmetic enhancement.

If financing is not a problem you should strongly consider using a LASIK surgeon who best fits your needs and addresses your concerns.

For those who already had successful LASIK procedures, the cost of LASIK laser eye surgery is a small price to pay compared to the joy offered by their newly improved vision.

The author L Jimmy Roos writes widely, offering solutions on various topics that affect the human condition. For more information on Lasik laser eye surgery and how it can help you, please visit now http://www.lasikeyeadvice.com