Teens in Contacts?

Needing to purchase eyeglasses is often met with great resistance from a teenager. Adolescents may cringe at the idea of being seen in eyeglasses and looking ''nerdy''. As opposed to glasses, kids and teens who opt for contact lenses feel a significant enhancement in their appearance, a newly published report shows. The research results show that starting at the age of eight, children may prefer being offered the choice of contact lenses. Results were recorded in the November issue of Eye & Contact Lens, published by the Contact Lens Association.

What is it about contacts that adolescents prefer? Young adults are self-conscious, and they often feel better about themselves if they don't have eye glasses being the center of their appearance. Contact lenses may increase a young adult's self-image by providing them a less visible alternative for their vision needs.

Although teens are generally provided with contact lenses, children under 13 are usually not offered the choice of contacts, since eye care providers or parents don't feel that children are ready to deal with them appropriately. However, with proper guidance, children as young as eight are as competent at using and caring for contacts and they should be offered the choice.

Generally before your child purchases lenses you will want to consult your optometrist to go over any possible problems your child might have. Our Rockford IL optometry practice can assist you in determining the right prescription for your teenager's contact lenses.

There are many options in disposable lenses that make lens wear both safe and convenient Dr Facchiano says. The ultimate in safety if your concerned about your child's compliance is our the daily use type available in single vision and with astigmatism. With emerging nearsighted prescriptions some patients are great candidates for our genital corneal molding programs ( CRT). The CRT programs offer device free vision throughout the day while treating the condition in just overnight wear. ( for more information please review our links under More Eye Care Resources: Paragon Contact Therapy Lenses " "> ) & Contact Lens headlines

If your pre-teen or teenager is in need of vision correction, why not consider contacts? Through just a simple contact lens, you can really change your teen's life. With the wide variety of contacts on the market, you and your eye doctor can work with your child to decide what modality is most suitable for their personality, maturity and lifestyle.

To your eye health ,

Dr Facchiano and Staff

Can I sleep in my contacts?

Yes.. and no.


There are two different types of contact lenses available daily wear (you remove them before sleeping) and extended wear (you leave them in overnight). The extended wear lenses allow for more oxygen to reach your cornea, thus making it more acceptable to be slept in. These lenses are typically allowed to be left in without removal for up to seven days.

The latest technology in contact lens material called silicone hydrogel, are approved by the FDA for up to 30 days of wear without removal. If interested, please consult your doctor about these lenses. “Continuous wear” lenses, also known as gas permeable lenses may also be worn for up to a month at a time. “After recent improvements in design and materials, these lenses now can be worn safely for the full 30 days for those who can tolerate them. Your optometrist will advise you about how your eyes are responding to extended wear and how frequently you should remove your lenses.”

So you’ve heard the “You’ll be more prone to eye infections if you leave your contacts in!” Well its true, researchers found that eye infections are greater among people who sleep with their contacts in. FDA has approved the maximum extended wear period to just seven days.

Our doctor’s still do not recommend leaving them in for a full seven-day period. Taking them out before you go to sleep will help decrease the chance of getting an eye infection significantly. Extended wear lenses are a concern for dangerous little organisms that start on your finger, may get on your contact, and then in your eye! These bacteria may lead to infections such as pink eye and in very serious conditions even blindness! If you feel you are having any problems with your contacts from extended wear, please consult with your Optometrist.

Sleeping in your contacts is possible with new silicone hydrogel lenses as they provide more oxygen to the eye than previous soft lenses. Although these materials make overnight wear safer, keep in mind the possibility for infections!

If you are interested in extended wear type contacts, please consult with your Optometrist at Dr. Facchiano and Associates. Call (815) 332-2223

Read more here: http://www.allaboutvision.com/contacts/extended.htm#ixzz1QbZ0NkfY

Comfortable Contacts You've Been Looking For!

Looking for more comfortable contact lenses? These videos from CooperVision explain the benefits of Biofinity and Proclear contacts.

HD Optics

There is a marketing buzz word going around right now for contact lenses that you might be hearing about more next year and it is called "HD Optics." If you are like me and wear corrective lenses like glasses or contacts, you might notice "halo" effects or glare from lights or other bright objects. Glasses already have an option to reduce  these sometimes bothersome effects with anti-reflective coating that helps with eye strain as well. Contacts haven't been as fortunate, until now. To put it in simple terms, "HD Optics" for contact lenses is essentially like the anti-reflective option for glasses. For people who don't wear glasses or contact lenses, trying to explain how light "looks" different with a pair of corrective lenses is actually pretty tough. That is probably why the term "HD Optics" was born, to simplify things.

One of the first contact lenses to go all out with an "HD" option is Bausch + Lomb's PureVision 2 monthly disposable lens. With this heir to the original PureVision line, Bausch + Lomb is  starting to incorporate the latest technology to sharpen up images as much as possible. I pulled an image from the B+L website that does its best to simulate what it means in terms of "HD."

The face of Big Ben doesn't have any sort of funky lighting effect, which is supposed to emulate what the PureVision 2 HD will do for patients. If you want to read up more on the lens, you can check out the official webpage or talk to your optometrist.

So that is the fuss about "HD Optics." It is a way of telling people that contacts are making progress in reducing halo and glare and now, more than ever, there will be an option for everyone if they choose to wear contact lenses.

How Multifocal Contacts Work

I've said it about a thousand times, but there is a contact lens out there for everybody. When people hit the age of 40, the eyes start doing all kinds of weird things and that is around the time patients start noticing the need for bifocals and rush to their eye doctor to get it corrected. For contact lens wearers, that shift in the need for a more specialized correction meant they had to go back to glasses. Now, there are many options available that incorporate different prescription powers so that those in need of multifocal contacts have options.

How do these multifocal contact lenses work? Most people are familiar with glasses and the no-line transitions but how multifocal contacts work is slightly different. Kinda.

There are actually a few ways that multifocal contacts correct for mutliple distances. One common method used by contact lens makers is to put concentric circles in the lens that correct for different distances. The following crudely drawn diagram I found through an image search actually does a good job at showing what I am talking about



This is just one way of correcting for multiple points of focus. There are also a few other ways to correct with multifocal contact lenses that are closer in proximity to how no-line progressive lenses glasses work, just on a much smaller scale.

Now the question becomes, how does the contact move to the right area of correction. The trick is that the the eye is the one that "moves" to focus on the right part of the contact. It is such a slight focus adjustment that people will not be able to tell the eyes have "moved." That, in a nut shell, is how multifocal contacts work. Remember, your optometrist will have more information when you go in for your next contact lens fitting if you are really looking to get the fine details on how the mutlifocal contacts work.

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How Easy, or Hard, it is to Rip Contacts

Before everyone starts stuffing themselves full of turkey, I wanted to do a very (un)scientific look at how strong contacts can be. I found some trials we have an extraordinarily large number of and decided to see how easy it was to rip them by using brute force. Just remember, the higher the prescription the more effort it takes to rip a contact. Unlike this video, the most common way people rip contacts is from inadvertently getting their fingernail caught on the lens, which weakens the material.

Colored Contacts

Customized Displays on Contact Lenses Possible

The LA Times recently ran an news story about researchers at the University of Washington who have found a way to use nanotechnology to put customized displays on contact lenses. Right now, the technology is very basic (a contact lens can display a red dot and a blue dot) but there are practical uses, like health readouts. The article mentioned the researchers are looking for ways to monitor glucose levels, which is important for diabetics. The eye contains a lot of health information so a contact medical device that would display vital information is very helpful, in theory. Eventually, entire computer screens could possibly be displayed.

It all sounds like something out of a science fiction novel, but human trials a long ways off. The eyes are a delicate and sensitive part of the body so any new technology related to contact lens wear needs to be rigorously tested first.

Halloween Contact Lenses

Our eye clinics phones have been ringing with a lot of calls lately (Madison in particular) about "monster" contact lenses. With Halloween approaching, people are scrambling to throw together the perfect costume. With the popularity of sparkly vampires, Lady Gaga and all sorts of imaginative things specialty contacts are in high demand. However, there are some things people need to know first before placing an order.

The first thing people forget is that contact lenses are actually a medical device. To legally buy contacts, a person needs to have a current prescription from an optometrist. Alarm bells should go off if they are looking at contacts that don't require prescription information. This is why it is incredibly important to talk with an eye doctor and get a proper prescription before getting any sort of contacts. A contact that doesn't fit correctly can do so many harmful things to the eye, even if it is worn "just for a night."



The vast majority of Halloween lenses are not FDA approved. Those contacts that make the eyes look bigger and the craziest types of eye changing contacts come from other countries and are actually "contraband" because they are sold without a prescription. The good news is there are FDA approved specialty contacts and, with the help of a doctor, can be worn safely. One brand that comes to mind that is FDA approved is CIBA Vision's WildEyes brand of contacts. CIBA also makes the extremely popular Air Optix normal contact lenses.

If you are still looking to get a pair of FDA approved, doctor prescribed wild contacts for Halloween the window to get them before the big night is rapidly closing. If you are looking for more information about what to avoid, check out this post about Spooky Eyes and this post about the contacts that make the eyes look larger. Both are great resources to spot the types of contacts that will harm the eyes.

If you are looking at these contacts and have any other questions, give us a call and we'll be happy to fill you in on the details.

How Contact Lenses are Made

This video speaks for itself. It's really fascinating to see how contacts are made.

50 Dos and Don'ts for Contact Lenses

I found a sheet of paper in the contact lens room that we give to our contact lens patients. It offers a lot of helpful tips on how to handle the fragile little lenses. Let's just jump right into the list-

1. Do - Follow your eye doctor's instructions and call the clinic if you have any questions

2. Don't - Wear the lenses if they have suddenly or consistently become uncomfortable

3. Do - Schedule follow up visits if you need them

4. Don't - Wear the lenses if you notice a chip or tear in the lens

5. Do - Follow the wearing time schedule as prescribed by the optometrist

6. Don't - Exceed the wearing schedule by over wearing lenses during adjustment periods

7. Do - Throughly wash, rinse and dry hands before handling lenses

8. Don't - Wear lenses all day if you haven't worn contacts in a few days

9. Do - Clean your lenses after wear and before storage to avoid build up of tough protein deposits and oily films that are hard to remove

10. Don't - Roughly handle lenses, they are made from delicate materials



11. Do - Be careful when cleaning lenses as they can easily be damaged

12. Don't - Touch contacts with fingernails (this is the primary reason contacts get damaged)

13. Do - Use fresh solution each night in the storage case

14. Don't - Insert lenses over an open sink. A dropped lens will look exactly like a water droplet

15. Do - Rinse storage case wells out with warm tap water, then with saline after each use and let the case air dry

16. Don't - Move if a lens is dropped. A wet lens can stick to just about anything

17. Do - Sit or stand near a counter when inserting contacts so they won't fall on the floor if dropped

18. Don't - Pick up a dropped lens with a fingernail or push it along a rough surface to lift it. Dampen your finger and the lens will stick to it

19. Do - Re-clean lenses that have dropped on the floor or your clothes

20. Don't - Switch to a heat cleaning system after using a chemical cleaning system (and vise versa)



21. Do - Ask your doctor about how to make the transition between cleaning systems safely, without damaging soft lenses

22. Don't - Use any other kind of solutions other than what is prescribed by your optometrist. Even ask an eye doctor before switching brands

23. Do - Close the drain if near a sink or bathtub

24. Don't - Use different brands of solution at the same time

25. Do - Wear eye protection with contact lenses for sports and activities to avoid serious injury or trauma

26. Don't - Touch the solution bottle tip to the inside of a lens or case. It will contaminate the solution

27. Do - Avoid hairspray or aerosols

28. Don't - Try to wear a soft lens that was left out of the solution or has become brittle. Put the lens back in the solution for at least two hours

29. Do - Apply hairspray or other aerosol products before inserting contact lenses. A lens that gets spray on it is uncomfortable and hard to clean

30. Don't - Wet lenses by putting them in your mouth (this has seriously happened before)



31. Do - Stay away from harmful vapors and fumes

32. Don't - Use tap water on soft lenses. Only use saline or solutions for rinsing

33. Do - Wear eye protection in dusty environments

34. Don't - Overfill storage cases. A lens can float to the top and get stuck where the lid closes or snaps

35. Do - Use caution when adjusting to temperature swings

36. Don't - Put eye drops like Murine or Visine in your eyes while you are wearing contacts

37. Do - Hold back eye lashes when inserting a contact to make it easier to put it in

38. Don't - Force apart a folded contact lens. Put solution or saline and gently massage the lens

39. Do - Keep a kit of essentials (case, solution, saline) with you at all times

40. Don't - Rub lenses with towel, tissue or shirt tail



41. Do - Apply cosmetics after inserting contacts, including lotions, foundation, mascara and eye shadow

42. Don't - Wear lenses if you have a cold of the flu

43. Do - Remove contacts before swimming or showering. Water will flush out the contact

44. Don't - Leave contacts near TVs, in glove compartments, window sills or other areas that can warm up. It will warp the lenses

45. Do - Wear eye protection when riding in a convertible car

46. Don't - Sleep in lenses without doctors approval

47. Do - Use water soluble cosmetics. Waterproof mascara is difficult to remove from contact lenses

48. Don't - Use deodorant or cold creme soaps. they leave greasy residues on hands and lenses

49. Do - Apply eyeliner below the lash line. Otherwise, it will block a tear glad that makes contact wear more comfortable

50. Don't - Use eye lash thickeners or lengthener. They contain additives that contaminate lenses

10 Normal Symptoms for New Contact Lens Wearers

When people need vision correction, they usually start out with glasses. Most people usually try contacts at some point in their life and some people get discouraged by some common symptoms of getting used to contacts. Here are 10 normal symptoms for new contact wearers as they adjust to the lenses -

Lens Movement

If it feels like the lenses are moving, that is what is supposed to happen. There is a natural fluid flow in the eye and contacts need to permit it.

Minor Irritation

The first couple of times a new wearer puts the contacts in, they will say they can "feel" the contact. It takes a bit of time for the eye to accept the contact because it is a medical device. Any feelings of discomfort should ease away in 15 minutes.

Tearing

Contact lens wearers will tear up when they put the contact in their eye. It's totally normal and once adapted to the lens, the tears will stop.

Light Sensitivity

New wearers will sometimes note sensitivity to bright lights. Like other symptoms on this list, this should go away with lens adaptation.

Burning

This symptom is cause for concern for a lot of new contact wearers. Rightfully so, a burning sensation in your eye is alarming. What it signals is that the eyes are dry and need moisture. Eye drops will do the trick and re-lubricate the eyes.

Blurring

Contact lenses are supposed to clear up vision, not blur it. If the lens is making a new wearer see things blurry it typically means there are a lot of tears generated or there are oils on the lens. Using solution to clean the lenses and reinserting the contacts will clear up the vision. If the problem persists, call your eye doctor.



Dislodged Lenses

The lens will seldomly either go "off-center" or lift off from the cornea. If this rare occurrence happens, a simple blink will reposition the lens.

Excessive Blinking

This symptom is actually beneficial to new contact wearers. Full, complete blinks when the lenses are first inserted will keep the lens comfortable.

Red Eyes

This symptom is fairly common with the burning. Basically, the eyes are dry if this is a mild case. Some saline solution eye drops should do the trick.

Itchy Eyes

This symptom usually comes paired with red eyes. Eye drops should sooth the eyes.

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It should be noted these are common for soft lenses. If problems persist, contact your eye doctor immediately. Hard lenses are an entirely different animal to tackle and have a whole other set of normal symptoms for lens adaptation. Soft contacts keep improving with more scientific advances so the symptoms of adaptation might not be as severe for new wearers as they were in the past. It all depends on the type of contact and how well it fits with the wearer. There are so many different options for contact lenses that there is bound to be a great fit for anyone.

Eye Care 101: Inserting Contact Lenses

Eye Care is one of the most important parts in the practice of Optometry. Good eye care practices are both the responsibility of patients and doctors. This series of posts will cover the basics that highlight important topics in Optometry to show how eye care is important.

So many people wear contact lenses that they are just as common as glasses wearers. Every contact lens wearer is also trained in specific ways to make sure that they keep their contacts clean and eyes healthy when they insert them each morning. As wearers get more comfortable with inserting and removing the contacts, some bad habits can form. And it all starts with inserting contact lenses. In terms of eye care, it is paramount to keep up a good regimen so contacts won't expose the eye to disease and infection. The following is the proper steps to follow when handling contact lenses to insert them. The biggest key to keeping eyes healthy with contact lenses is making sure everything is clean

• First, make sure to wash your hands throughly. A mild anti-bacterial soap is the best kind to use.


• Be sure to check for any debris or particles in the solution or on the lens.


• Double check to the lens to see if it is inside out. A good way to tell is look at the contact at eye level. If there is a slight "bell" shape to the contact, it needs to be flipped inside out.


• Avoid over handling contacts. They are made from delicate materials and can pick up germs, particles or other thing you don't want touching your eye ball.


• Once the contact is on the eye, look down and close your eyes for a few seconds to let the contact settle.

This information is generally given out during an eye exam, but it is always good to call an Optometrist if you have any questions. Here is a video with some more information about contacts from the solution brand Opti-Free. That is the brand our eye doctors use and recommend.

Online Contact Lens Ordering Available

Just a quick update about the website for our patients. Online contact lens ordering is back online. If you have have a current prescription, follow the link below to get brand new contacts shipped directly to your door.