Saturday, March 29, 2008

Astigmatism Eye Surgery Procedures

By Dr. Frank Thomnpson

Astigmatism is a refractive error of the eye that is caused by an irregularly-shaped cornea. The irregular shape of the cornea changes the way that the rays of light are refracted, and subsequently, are focused on the eye's retina.

It is characterized by distortions in your field of vision, such as blurring of lines. Another common presentation of Astigmatism is the development of eyestrain and headache, especially with prolonged reading.

Treatment may either be surgical or non-surgical. Non-surgical treatment involves the use of corrective lenses. Surgical treatment of astigmatism, on the other hand, is via refractive eye surgery.

CORRECTIVE LENSES

The conservative method of treating astigmatism is via the use of corrective lenses. These corrective lenses are able to counteract the irregular shape of your cornea. Corrective lenses include the use of eyeglasses and contact lenses. Another procedure, known as orthokeratology or ortho-K, makes use of contact lenses to change the shape of your cornea. Ortho-K requires you to use the contact lenses only at night. By doing this, the shape of your cornea gradually changes.

REFRACTIVE EYE SURGERY

Refractive eye surgery is used in the permanent treatment. Refractive eye surgery changes the shape of your eye permanently. There are several kinds of corrective eye surgery that can be used in the treatment of astigmatism.

Previously, a procedure known as astigmatic keratotomy, or AK, was used to cut the patient's cornea in order to change its shape. However, with the advent of excimer lasers and novel refractive eye surgery techniques, the use of AK has diminished significantly. Newer refractive eye surgery techniques have been able to decrease the risk of complications and have produced better results, making them more favorable for both ophthalmologists and patients.

Nowadays, LASIK eye surgery is the most common refractive eye surgery used in the treatment. LASIK involves creating a corneal flap and using an excimer laser to alter the shape of your eye's cornea. Another refractive eye surgery used in treating astigmatism is PRK, wherein only the surface of your eye is ablated. However, PRK is not as commonly used anymore. One of the newer kinds of refractive eye surgery is LASEK, wherein a thin layer of the cornea is opened so that the laser can ablate the layers underneath.

It can be adequately treated with both non-surgical and surgical techniques. Ask your ophthalmologist about the risks and benefits of these various options.

Corrective eye surgery is a must if you aren't seeing so well.

Whether it be lasik eye surgery or some other method find out more about it all now.

Get all of the pro's and cons of lasik eye surgery now!

Friday, March 28, 2008

Eyeglass Lenses

By Thomas Morva

In the last few years there has been a sudden increase of new products introduced into the optical industry. All this new technology has enabled us to satisfy various needs that we were unable to satisfy a few years ago. So if you were told that you could not get a progressive lens in the frame you really liked, odds are that now you can.

For those who are not too comfortable with lenses, but need some information on eyeglasses, look no further. Many new eyeglass lenses are available today, with their own specialization.

Aspheric is perfect for strong prescriptions because they are flatter and thinner. In addition, they provide better vision than ordinary lenses and look better because they lessen farsighted and nearsighted eye magnification. Bifocals and trifocals come in many configurations, depending on whether you sit at the computer all day, play golf, or work on automobiles. Progressive lenses can do everything a bifocal or trifocal can, but without the lines. Anti-reflective finishes, UV coatings and scratch-resistant finishes are options that make lenses more striking and longer lasting.

Polycarbonate lenses are impact-resistant, and thinner than normal plastic lenses. They're great for active people — especially children. Industrial and occupational lenses have special occupational designs which allow dispensers to customize lenses for virtually any occupational or safety requirement. Be sure to discuss with your optician the tasks you do at work, and also what you do in your spare time in order for them to judge your requirements correctly.

Computer lenses are required if you are viewing a computer video display terminal for more than two hours a day. These lenses help correct vision for the specified distance from your eye to the computer screen and its immediate surrounding area. A variety of computer-specific lenses include special filters, tints, and anti-reflective properties, which can be added to enhance eyeglass features.

Lenses provides detailed information on Lenses, Contact Lenses, Eyeglass Lenses, Camera Lenses and more. Lenses is affiliated with Red Eyes.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Is LASIK Surgery California For You?

By Kenneth Myers

Until recently, Lasik Surgery California candidates with a refractive error, eyeglasses and contact lenses were the only options for correcting your vision. But since the arrival of refractive surgery, some people with myopia or nearsightedness or hyperopia or far sightedness and astigmatism which is a cornea with unequal curves, may be candidates for having their improved through Lasik Surgery.

LASIK or laser assisted in situ keraomileusis is a two-step refractive procedure that uses a laser and an automated blade that will permanently reshape the cornea. The purpose of reshaping the cornea is to help focus lightdirectly on the retina to produce clearer vision.

The tools used to reshape the cornea are the microkeratome and the excimer. In the first step the microkeratome is used to cut and create a flap in the cornea. The second step is to use the cool beam of the excimer tool to remove the layer of corneal tissue. These procedures of removing the tissue will permantly re-shape the cornea.

Because the procedure has been proven to be less painful than other refractive surgery, eye drops if needed are only necessary for about a week. This is due in part of the laser removing the tissue from the inside of the cornea. A shield is put in place for the first day and night. Vision is usually clear the next day.

LASIK surgeries can sometimes cause over-correction or under-correction which can result in night blindness. There can be serious complications such as, a dislocated flap, epithelial ingrowth and inflammation underneath the flap but these complications can be rare. This may require a second surgery to repair but permanent vision loss is rare and most complications can be managed.

A ideal LASIK candidate must be eighteen years of age, free of eye disease and have a stable refractive error which falls in the correctable range. This candidate must be willing to accept the potential risks associated with LASIK.

As in all surgeries it is important to weigh the risks, consult a physician for a complete eye examination and see if you are a good candidate to LASIK eye surgery.

Kenneth L Myers has authored several articles concerning LASIK surgery. Visit our sites for more LASIK surgery FAQ's =>http://www.bestlasicsurgery.com/ar/lasik-surgery-california.php, http://affiliate-portal.com, and http://www.storagerentalunits.com

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Is LASIK Surgery California For You?

By Kenneth Myers

Until recently, Lasik Surgery California candidates with a refractive error, eyeglasses and contact lenses were the only options for correcting your vision. But since the arrival of refractive surgery, some people with myopia or nearsightedness or hyperopia or far sightedness and astigmatism which is a cornea with unequal curves, may be candidates for having their improved through Lasik Surgery.

LASIK or laser assisted in situ keraomileusis is a two-step refractive procedure that uses a laser and an automated blade that will permanently reshape the cornea. The purpose of reshaping the cornea is to help focus lightdirectly on the retina to produce clearer vision.

The tools used to reshape the cornea are the microkeratome and the excimer. In the first step the microkeratome is used to cut and create a flap in the cornea. The second step is to use the cool beam of the excimer tool to remove the layer of corneal tissue. These procedures of removing the tissue will permantly re-shape the cornea.

Because the procedure has been proven to be less painful than other refractive surgery, eye drops if needed are only necessary for about a week. This is due in part of the laser removing the tissue from the inside of the cornea. A shield is put in place for the first day and night. Vision is usually clear the next day.

LASIK surgeries can sometimes cause over-correction or under-correction which can result in night blindness. There can be serious complications such as, a dislocated flap, epithelial ingrowth and inflammation underneath the flap but these complications can be rare. This may require a second surgery to repair but permanent vision loss is rare and most complications can be managed.

A ideal LASIK candidate must be eighteen years of age, free of eye disease and have a stable refractive error which falls in the correctable range. This candidate must be willing to accept the potential risks associated with LASIK.

As in all surgeries it is important to weigh the risks, consult a physician for a complete eye examination and see if you are a good candidate to LASIK eye surgery.

Kenneth L Myers has authored several articles concerning LASIK surgery. Visit our sites for more LASIK surgery FAQ's =>http://www.bestlasicsurgery.com/ar/lasik-surgery-california.php, http://affiliate-portal.com, and http://www.storagerentalunits.com

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Prescription Sunglasses for Everyone!

By Fredy Riehl

There was once a time when only the very rich or famous could get cool designer sunglass frames with prescription lenses. It used to be the average joe had no option but to wear the plain off the shelf no name frames for their sunglasses or mortgage their home in the hopes that their local optometrist could file a pair of lenses to fit the flat lens sunglass frames you brought them.

Today that is all changed and now anyone with a valid prescription anyone can get a custom pair of action sports or designer name wrap sunglasses with their own prescriptions built to fit.

Give thanks to technology!
With today improvements in eyeglass lens making technology, lens manufactures can not only make lens shapes to fit your designer sunglass frame but they can also accommodate the tricky curved sunglasses that were impossible to get with even a simple prescription a few years ago.

Top brands too!
Just about all the leading sunglass brands have a prescription service plan or can have custom lenses cut to order. Top names like Oakely, Spy, Arnette, Gatorz and many more...

How do I get mine?
You will need a current fill able prescription from your eye doctor that includes your papillary distance. A connection to the internet and access to a fax machine. Once you have all that you can then visit a specialty prescription sunglass retailer, like Surfeyes.com, to pick out your frame and place your order. After you have completed check out you will need to fax the retailer a copy of your Rx prescription in order to complete the transaction. Prescription sunglasses are each custom made and take 3 - 4 weeks to receive.

Cool and Affordable!
So break free of those generic eyeglasses and step out with a very cool pair of designer or brand name frames that are custom built for you. Prescription sunglasses are easy to order, affordable and above all very cool!

Fredy Riehl has been selling prescription eyewear for 10+ years and is the owner of Surfeyes.com - "Where all we do is cool sunglasses 247 365 days a year!"

Monday, March 24, 2008

Defining LASIK Eye Surgery - How It Works

By Nicola Kennedy

LASIK eye surgery is a refractive surgery intended to reduce a patient’s dependency on eyeglasses or contact lenses. LASIK is the most prevalent of all refractive surgery types. LASIK aims to reshape the cornea in order to allow for accurate refraction, which results in the light rays falling exactly on the retina (a series of light sensing cells). This enables crystal clear vision.

In general, common refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism are caused due to the irregularities of the corneal surface. These anomalies can be corrected by reshaping the cornea. LASIK procedure makes use of an advanced laser called excimer, which is an ultraviolet chemical laser. The laser is controlled by sophisticated computer software. The computer-controlled sensors measure the eye position a few thousand times per second, and then redirect the laser to make precise incisions in the cornea. The reshaped cornea allows for the desired refraction and therefore results in enhanced visual acuity.

Conventional LASIK procedure makes use of a microkeratome, a diminutive surgical blade, to cut a flap in the corneal surface. However, variations of the traditional LASIK procedure may employ a laser to accomplish the same. Whatever may be the procedure to cut the flap, after it’s done, the excimer laser is used for precise ablation of the stroma – the middle layer of the cornea. The flap is then folded back so as to act as a natural bandage. The cornea may take a few days to heal. During this period, the patient may experience blurry vision and certain minor side-effects like halos or glare. However, these complications normally subside within a few days or weeks, when the cornea has completely healed.

Other common types of surgery, apart from traditional LASIK, are photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), radial keratotomy (RK), and LASEK. There is also a rather new procedure and it can be considered as an enhancement of the traditional LASIK procedure. It is called custom LASIK or wavefront-guided LASIK. It is a more advanced procedure and is capable of treating other vision impairments as well, apart from the common vision disorders specified above.

Nicola Kennedy publishes articles and reports and provides news, views and information about LASIK eye surgery at Your Lasik Information. The LASIK Surgeons Directory will help you find a LASIK doctor.

This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact. All rights reserved. Copyright Your-LASIK.info

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Colored Multifocal Contact Lenses

By Eric Morris

Contact lenses are a good alternative to traditional eyeglasses. They are normally placed on the cornea of the eye. A variety of colored contact lenses (both prescription and non-prescription) are available in the market today. They work better than any eye make-up. Like conventional contacts, certain colored contact lenses are also used for astigmatism or bifocals.

Colored multifocal (or bifocal) contact lenses are becoming very popular for several reasons. Besides correcting near vision and distant vision, they can totally change the color of eyes or can serve to improve dark or light eye color. Since the lens is used for two distinct purposes, multifocal contacts are designed in various ways. In some styles, near and far corrective parts are seen on the same area of the lens. But in some other designs, the two parts are placed away from each other.

There are mainly three common styles - the alternating, simultaneous, and concentric vision styles. In an alternating lens, the distant visual correction is fixed on the top half of the lens, while the near visual correction is on the bottom. This arrangement enables you to look up to distant objects, or look down to read a book. In the simultaneous bifocal lenses, the two corrective parts of the lens are placed very close to the center (almost at the pupil). In a concentric lens, the distant vision part is near the perimeter of the lens, while the near corrective is close to the center.

Among the many choices for colored contacts are visibility tints, enhancement tints, opaque color tints, and light-filtering tints. Visibility tint lenses do not affect your eye color. Enhancement tints are used for the purpose of improving the eye's natural color. Opaque tint lenses are designed to alter eye color, and consist of several tiny colored dots to attain the color change. But, center part is left clear for vision purposes. Light-filtering tints are designed to enhance certain colors and diminish others.

Colored Contact Lenses provides detailed information on Colored Contact Lenses, Cheap Colored Contact Lenses, How Colored Contact Lenses Work, Non Prescription Colored Contact Lenses and more. Colored Contact Lenses is affiliated with Non Prescription Color Contacts.