Saturday, July 12, 2008

Examining The Reasons For LASIK Eye Surgery Price

By Wade Robins

If you think you’re a candidate for LASIK eye surgery, on of the things undoubtedly on you mind is the LASIK eye surgery price. But before you go through a lot of needless worry, you should take the time to determine if LASIK surgery is really the answer you think it is, and if it is appropriate for you. If you find that it is, you can start worrying about the LASIK eye surgery price.

What Eliminates You As A Candidate

If you’re not eighteen, forget about the LASIK eye surgery; it’s not going to happen. Asmuch as you absolutely hate the way your glasses make you look, you’ll have to be patient. Until you hit eighteen, your eyes will be changing their shape and focusing capacity about as often as you change your socks. Any doctor who agrees to perform LASIK eye surgery on you before you are eighteen is simply ripping you off. So if you go to a doctor who so much as suggests it, look for another doctor.

Even if you’ve hit the big eighteen, you still won’t qualify for LASIK eye surgery until your eyeglasses prescription has remained the same for at least a year. This way the doctor can be sure that the defect in your eyes is permanent, and not simply the result of a temporary condition like pregnancy.

Next, you have to be healthy. If your defective eyesight is the result of a medical condition like diabetes, there is no point in treating it with LASIK surgery until the underlying condition has been eliminated. And your eyes themselves should be in good shape, except for the particular defects for which you want the surgery. Any infections will impede your recovery.

If You Are A Candidate

If you to not fall into any of the above categories, your chances of qualifying for LASIK eye surgery are good. So you can schedule an appointment with n eye specialist to discuss LASIK eye surgery prices. You can expect the prices of the procedure in the US to vary according your location; in some parts of the country, the LASIK eye surgery price is rising.

The Review of Ophthalmology, in 2003, performed a national survey of optical surgeons. The somewhat surprising finding was that, on the average, the LASIK eye surgery price was fairly close. But the minimum and maximum prices were widely divergent, depending on the areas of the doctors participating.

LASIK Eye Surgery Prices

The Maximum LASIK eye surgery price was highest in the West and lowest in the South. This was true in spite of the fact that the minimum LASIK eye surgery price was lowest in the West, meaning that those who live in the Western United States have a broad range of LASIK eye surgery prices from which to choose.

But when the Review of Ophthamology did a follow-up survey within a few months of the original one, it was clear that LASIK eye surgery prices were already climbing. With the introduction of each new LASIK technology, eye surgeons feel compelled to invest in the newest devices, and pass the costs of the equipment along to their patients in the form of higher a LASIK eye surgery price.

The higher prices of the new LASIK equipment are offset by the chance that they may make LASIK eye surgery a possibility for those whose visual defects were previously not treatable with LASIK. Newer LASIK devices also reduce post-operative complications, making the entire surgical process much less stressful.

You can also find more info on Lasik Cost and Lasik Eye Surgery Canada. 2020lasikeyesurgery.com is a comprehensive resource to get information about LASIK eye surgery.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Who Invented Contact Lenses? The Artistic History Behind the Lens

By Tim Gorman

Famed artist Leonardo da Vinci was the first person to create the idea of a contact lens in 1508, but it was French philosopher Rene Descartes who invented contact lenses for their modern day use.

Contact lenses are placed over the cornea of the eye for corrective, therapeutic, and cosmetic purposes. The contact lens often furnishes the same benefits of a thick pair of glasses, the difference between the two corrective vision devices being that contact lenses are lightweight and visibly untraceable.

Approximately one hundred twenty-five thousand people across the world where contact lenses. Lenses are most people in the United States and Japan. Between twenty-eight and thirty-eight million Americans sport contacts, while lens are laced by thirteen million people in Japan.

Leonardo da Vinci is customarily credited as the man who invented contact lenses. Da Vinci first suggested a method of testing the power of the cornea by submerging the eye in a bowl of water in his 1508 philosophical work Codex of the Eye, Manuel D. Leo's interest was in how the eye adjusted to exposure to certain elements. Da Vinci was not interested in using contact lenses as apart of corrective vision, as they have become, that optical innovation came with French philosopher and mathematician Rene Descartes. In 1636, Descartes suggested filling a glass tube with some type of liquid and placing the tube over the cornea. The original design called for the bottom of the glass tube to be shaped to correct vision-the design went belly up when it was deemed as making blinking impossible.

In 1801, British scientist Thomas Young developed an "eye cup" filled with liquid which is considered the world's closet predecessor to the modern day contact lens. Similar to the contact developed by da Vinci, Young's contact lens was not originally designed for optical correction. In 1887, Adolf Eugen Fick who constructed the very first successful corrective contact lenses.

Contact lenses fit three basic functions, corrective contact lenses, therapeutic contact lenses, and cosmetic contact lenses. Contact lenses for the purpose of correct faulty vision were the first in the family of visionary caps. These contacts have been called in to correct several optical disorders that cannot be corrected with eyeglasses, including the non-inflammatory disorder keratoconus and aniseikonia, a condition caused by unequal retina sizes. Corrective contact lenses are also prescribed for optical conditions like near-sightedness (medically classified as myopia), far-sightedness (hypermetropia), and irregularly shaped corneas characterized by astigmatism.

Therapeutic contact lenses, or soft contact lenses, are customarily used to treat disorders of the eye that fall into categories like dry eyes, corneal ulcers, erosion of the eye, and bullous keratopathy. Therapeutic contacts have been compared to "bandage lenses," for their protection properties for non-refractive disorders of the eye.

Cosmetic contact lenses are used to change the appearance of the eye. Chic cosmetic contacts often create color changes in the eye. The American Food and Drug Administration classify cosmetic contact lenses as "decorative contacts." The costume colors and designs associated with cosmetic lenses have been linked to causing blurred vision as well as optical burning. Theatrical and scleral are types of cosmetic contact lenses.

Want more information on who invented contact lenses and where to find discount contact lenses? Try visiting http://www.vision-doctor.com, a popular website that offers tips, advice and resources related to eyeglasses, sunglasses, LASIK eye surgery and popular contact lenses

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Cost Of Lasik Surgery - You Get What You Pay For

By Chonticha Marijne

Lasik surgery is the preferred vision correction surgery these days, despite its high cost. The procedure has grown in popularity since the 1980s and is used to improve eyesight in those suffering from vision problems like myopia, presbyopia and astigmatism. In English, that means far or near sightedness and general decrease in visual acuity brought on by age. At any rate, Lasik surgery is fast, relatively painless and can be done on an outpatient basis. No hospital stays, no delayed recuperation and best of all, no knives that actually cut deep into the surface of the eye.

That doesn't mean that just any doctor can perform Lasik eye surgery however, so make sure you find someone well trained and experienced in this method of surgery before deciding on the one who will be working on your vision. The only drawback to Lasik eye surgery is the prohibitive cost. In most cases, the cost of Lasik surgery can range from $1,000 to $2,500 an eye, depending on your particular vision problems.

Sometimes, we all see ads in magazines and newspapers that advertise a much lower price for the procedure, but such a price is offered for those with the most minor vision problems. Also keep in mind that you get what you pay for. While it's nice to save money on things, you might want to leave that to retail sales, automobiles and things like that. Your eyes are priceless, and you want only the best when it comes to eye surgery. That doesn't mean that the most expensive procedure is the way to go, however. Some doctors just charge more than they should, but that price doesn't mean that they're better than the next guy. Always check with your local medical association for reports on malpractice and complaints filed against any particular doctor or surgeon before you choose them to perform your surgery.

Unfortunately, most vision insurance companies in the United States don't offer coverage or reimbursement on Lasik eye correction surgery, as they still are of the opinion that Lasik is an elective procedure. They feel that eyeglasses and contact lenses will provide the same results, so why pay for Lasik? Perhaps, with pressure, they will eventually change their minds, but for now, very few vision insurance providers pay for it. Another option to confront the cost of Lasik surgery may be to save up for it in a separate savings account. If both eyes need to be done, figure saving at least $5,000 to be on the safe side.

Why does Lasik cost so much? Basically, you're paying for the technology that allows surgeons to correct vision without damaging eye tissues with traditional operating tools. The Lasik procedure is completed with the use of a laser light that is able to adjust the curvature of the cornea to better refract light rays for optimal vision acuity. At any rate, talk to the provider of Lasik surgeries in your area to see if they will agree to payment plans. Most of them will. Eyesight is a gift that many of us take for granted, and no one should have to suffer when the procedure is available.

Is the cost of lasik surgery stopping you from having your vision corrected permanently? Find out more at http://LasikRevealed.com

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Bifocal Contact Lenses - The Different Types

By Sean Willoughby

Did you know that there are different types of bifocal contact lenses? If you have presbyopia (trouble focusing on near objects) and are looking for effective treatments for nearsightedness and farsightedness read on to find out more. There are at least 3 different styles of bifocal contact lenses and this article will explain the different styles and you can make the best decision for your own lifestyle.

You might have heard the terms multifocal contacts, progressives, aspheric or even translating contact lenses. These terms refer to the different lens designs used to achieve the same thing, to allow you to see clearly near, far and all distances in between.

No need to suffer from blurred vision, headaches, eye strain or eye fatigue. No need to wear bulky eye glasses anymore, now you have a choice. Ok on to the different styles of bifocal contacts.

Aspheric Multifocal Contact Lens

Also known as progressive contact lens, this design works more like progressive eyeglass lenses, that is, different prescriptive powers are located across the lens letting you see clearly at all distances. These lenses do require a period of adjustment, the eyes eventually learn to ignore near objects when focusing on far objects and vice versa. Depending on your vision correction needs, the centre of the lens will be for near sight and the outer part of the lens for distance.

Concentric Contact Lenses

Also known as annular contact lens, these contacts have an arrangement of prescriptions in a bulls eye pattern in which they alternate in strength from near to far. Depending on your vision needs the centre of the lens can either be designed for near vision or far vision.

Translating Bifocals Contact Lenses

These lenses work much like bifocal eyeglasses. There are two distinct prescription areas, one for near vision and the other for far vision. Depending on your visual needs the lens can have either near or far vision at the top or the bottom. Bifocal contact lenses tend to rotate when you blink, to avoid the lens from rotating the bottom is weighted (ballasted) and/or flattened (truncated). This helps to keep the lens in the proper position.

Which one is right for you? It really depends on your lifestyle and in what situations you are mostly going to be using your bifocal contacts. Your eye doctor or eye care professional will guide you through which ones will be most suitable for your situation.

It is very important that you are properly fitted for your bifocal contacts by your Optometrist, otherwise when you blink your lens might slide around on your pupil causing distorted vision. Your eye doctor will also teach you how to handle them, how to put them in, how to remove them and how to wash them (if required). He/she will also tell you if they are disposable and if not find the right contact lens solution for your specific needs.

Contact lenses are considered medical devices and you must have a prescription especially if you are buying your bifocal contact lenses online. Many of the major contact lens manufacturers offer free samples and you can use this to your advantage to see which brand feels best.

Hopefully you found this article on bifocal contact lens types informative. Here's to your clear vision, near, far and all distances in between.

Happy contact lens hunting.

Sean Willoughby is the owner of http://www.bifocal-contact-lens-info.com the premier source for contact lens info. Sean also operates the blogs http://www.bifocal-contact-lens-info.blogspot.com and http://www.noveltycontactlens.blogspot.com

Monday, July 7, 2008

Contact Lens Case Helps To Protect and Extend The Life Of Your Contact Lenses

By Mark Clifton

Your contact lens case is your contact lenses’ best friend. Having a case that is dirty or one that doesn’t seal properly can cause many problems.

When you don’t properly clean your case you are increasing the risk of bacteria settling into your lenses and causing a very painful and costly eye infection. The same can happen if you do not change the solution every time you store your contact lenses. If you find that your case doesn’t seal properly and solution leaks out, you are in danger of your contact lenses drying out into a crunchy powdered mess.

There are several different styles of contact lens cases. And yet, there are some things that they all have in common. All of them will be labeled with the words, "left" and "right". It is imperative that you always place the correct contact lens into the appropriate side. It is generally recommended that you get into a habit of always starting with the same eye whenever you are putting your contact lenses in or taking them out. Having your contact lenses switched is like wearing your eyeglasses upside down for the day! Not only will your vision be blurred, but you could also suffer from quite a headache as a result.

Another feature that all contact lens cases have is an airtight seal. Keeping your contacts as clean as possible is what prevents eye infections. You should always start out with a clean case and fill it with new cleaning and disinfecting solution each time you store them. If the seal is damaged or the lid has become misshapen, bacteria could enter the case and infect your lenses and consequently, your eyes. Always throw away any case that has become defective.

Most cases are made of a hard plastic base that has two wells. The two hard plastic lids are usually labeled with "left" and "right" and screw on to the base over the two wells. The other main style is called the flip top style. These are made in a variety of colors and are made of a more flexible plastic. The lids are attached to the base with a narrow piece of plastic and the lid simply "flips" on or off the wells on the base. These types are very inexpensive, but they tend to leak or become misshapen.

Other than those aforementioned similarities, contact lens cases can be as different as night is from day. You can purchase a case to match any personality. They come in every color of the rainbow plus some. You can even purchase a case to store your contact case in! Those cases can have one of thousands of pictures on them. If you love Golden Retrievers or your favorite sports team is the Chicago Bears, you can get a case that represents it.

Some contact lens cases are made of a new silver ion that is supposed to combat microorganisms from developing. If you are someone who loves high tech, you can even get one that includes a digital LCD readout. The display will tell you the time and include an alarm that will tell you when it’s time to throw out your old contacts and replace them with a new pair. Now that’s progress.

Don't miss out on the huge savings with online contact lenses by visiting http://www.contactlensesguideonline.com, a popular eye sight website that provides discounts on Ciba Contact Lenses and information on free sample contact lenses so you can see better and clearer.

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Versace Sunglasses - Useful Information About Versace Sunglasses

By Anton Kal

A name that says luxury and a brand that provides. Versace sunglasses are a part of the Versace Collection and other lines of the Versace Company geared towards a younger age group. An Italian company founded in Milan in 1978, Versace has since expanded into two segments of the market, one high end and the second geared towards the youth market and it includes the Versace Collection, Versace Sport, Versace Jeans Couture and Versus Brands. There are 81 free standing boutiques with these lines around the world and 123 name brand corners in department stores around the world.

Eyeglasses by Versace are mini statements of Gianni Versace's artistic style. Cutting edge, luxurious with bold Mediterranean influences. Many of Versace's designs have been risqué with barely there dresses and see through tops being paraded around on the red carpet by Hollywood elite.

Versace favors sunglasses with a lighter lens, often making use of color gradation to create a lens with darker shade towards the top and lighter shading at the bottom of the lens. This is ideal for conditions when the sun is directly overhead, but also makes a unique marker for the Versace brand.

Most Versace sunglasses come with oversized lenses too. Those that feature a standard lens size curve to fit the face or are set at a jaunty inverted angle. Their half size lenses come attached to bold boxy shaped frames that set one in mind of a high paid movie director on his set or the Italian business man schmoozing in Milan.

Colors in Versace sunglasses are darker or neutral, no bright shades here. Frames are popular in blacks, browns, grays and tans. The statement making model Versace 4103 comes in a range of frame colors all in those shades. One is a daring transparent purple for the adventurous woman with light purple to blue lenses. Purple is still a dark color as is fitting with Versace's style.

Color aside every frame from this sunglasses and fashion designer comes with a Versace symbol on the side of the temples. This consists of usually, the imprint of a Greek key, medusa or either the vertical gold or silver strip or an embossed horizontal name, Versace.

Sunglasses from Versace range in price from $150 to as much as $350 and maybe more depending on where you do you're shopping. You may find Versace in a New York Boutique or in the name brand corner of a major department store.

Though Gianni Versace, died 1997, is no longer around his family is dedicated to running and keeping the ideal alive. The company is currently one hundred percent family owned, with all major shares being split between three members of the family.

Designs are still created for each new season by a series of teams of designers and stylists who are dedicated to a specific fashion line or label. Every team also works under the close supervision of, Donatella Versace, sister to Gianni Versace, to ensure that the fashions carry the essence of Versace.