Is Your Child Ready For Contact Lenses?

By Karen Bianchi

If your pre-teen or teen wears glasses, chances are, you've been discussing the option of contact lenses. As a parent, you may be wondering if your child is old enough to wear contacts.Dr. Thomas Soviar, O.D., of Sears Optical says the most common age for kids to start wearing contacts is 11 or 12. "I do have some patients who are as young as 8. Their parents wanted them to have the contacts and they're working out just fine for them."

There are benefits and potential consequences to wearing contacts. Knowing the facts can help you make the right decision for your child.

Better Vision.

Contact lenses sit directly on the eye, so they offer a clearer view with less distortion. Spectacle wearers do not enjoy the same peripheral vision as their contact lens wearing counterparts. Frames on eyeglasses block the outer vision, forcing the wearer to turn their head more. Some studies even suggest wearing rigid contact lenses may slow the progression of nearsightedness.

Sports Advantage.

"Contact lenses are much more conducive to playing sports than glasses," says Dr. William Goldstein, MD, an ophthalmologist in Shelby Township, MI. " Contacts offer better peripheral vision and they stay in place." Perspiration on the face can cause eyeglass lenses to fog up and the frames to slide down the nose. Sharper vision and comfort can increase athletic performance. Wearing contacts also enables your child to wear protective eye wear while participating in his or her favorite activity.

Self-esteem Boost.

It's no secret that appearance is very important at this age. Most kids feel they look better without their glasses. Increased confidence and better vision can improve grades and the desire to become more active in school activities.

Maturity Level.

If you have problems getting your child to willingly perform such tasks as washing his hands or brushing his teeth, you may want to consider if now is a good time to start wearing contacts. Dr. Goldstein notes, "When a young patient asks about contacts, the first thing I do is turn to the parent and say 'this cannot be another thing for you to remember at the end of the day. If it is, it's a bad decision.' Kids need to be able to take care of their own lenses."

Health Risks.

According to Dr. Goldstein, the two biggest risks behind kids wearing contacts are improper cleaning, which can cause infections, and over-wearing the lenses, maximizing risk of potentially blinding corneal ulcers.

If you wish to explore the option of contact lenses, your child will need to have an eye exam to make sure he or she is a candidate. Conditions such as allergies and dry eyes may call for special measures to make wearing contacts possible. For a child with healthy eyes, however, wearing contacts can make life more pleasant and in some cases, safer.

Karen Bianchi is a freelance writer and the editor/owner of http://www.AwesomeMomsNetwork.com To receive the free monthly Awesome Moms Network newsletter, send a blank email to subscribe@AwesomeMomsNetwork.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Bianchi

How Safe is Laser Eye Surgery?

By Derek Miller

Tired of hunting around for those pesky lost spectacles? Well laser eye surgery might be the answer to your problem because it can rectify visual defects rapidly and easily.

There are two different types of corrective eye surgery by use of laser, PRK and LASIK. PRK differs from the latter because it involves a surface ablation procedure. This technique removes the outer layer of the cornea, or epithelium. Think of it rather as scraping away the outer layer of cells, rather like hosing away leaves on an autumn day. In LASIK, on the other hand, the laser is used to cut a flap in the cornea. These techniques might make it easier to read the newspaper of search for those missing car keys, but they might not suit everybody! So before embarking on what might be an expensive bout of surgery that causes you risky complications it pays to ask your ophthalmologist a number of searching questions, and don’t let the specialist get away with it if you receive a series of evasive answers.

First you need to know how effective your eye doctor thinks the procedure will be in your own particular case. Then how accurate will the re-shaping, or mapping of the eyeball be. You always want a global figure that will probably be a percentage of the number of patients who have undergone corrective eye surgery without having to resort to a second or subsequent intervention. In other words you want to be re-assured that the surgeon can get it right the first time. Of course another key question is whether or not there are side effects and what these could be. If your eye specialist is up to speed, you will have a body of evidence at your finger tips to help you make the decision of whether to proceed or not.

How effective is laser eye surgery? Sometimes expectations are not met as people can experience a halo effect, find glare particularly disturbing and lose the ability to see clearly in the dark. All of that can have serious effects on night driving for example! Moreover, experts note that 20/20 vision from laser corrected surgery may differ considerably from that experienced by the use of corrective lenses. Sometimes it might just be better and simpler to stick with the eyeglasses.

However, like everything in life you get what you pay for. It seems the more expensive the technique the less likelihood there is of risk and possible side effects. So the best advice one can give for those considering corrective eye surgery by laser is to research the subject extensively before embarking on the treatment and don’t skimp on the cost!

Interested in this subject? Try this link for more of the same.

http://www.eyesurgeryglance.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Derek_Miller

The Reality Of Workplace Eye Injury

By Joe B. Russell

Almost 2,000 workers, in the United States alone, suffer from workplace eye injury per day. You read that right... 2,000 workplace eye injuries PER DAY.

Around 700 of these daily injuries require emergency care. Around 5% of them incapacitate the victim from doing work for at least a day.

Around 60% of workplace eye injuries are caused by small particles that manage to strike the eye. Around 30% is caused by contact with chemicals that are harmful to the eyes.

Almost 2% of these workplace eye injuries cause permanent blindness.

Though most workplace eye injury is physically caused, a number of them can be attributed to harmful substances that come in contact with the eyes. Worse, these harmful substances can cause other diseases detrimental to the victim. Such disease can be something as trivial as minor conjunctivitis or temporary soreness, or something quite serious as hepatitis or a case of avian flu.

Hence, the statistics above do not really represent the total extent of eye-related injuries. They just point to actual workplace eye injuries which can immediately be determined.

Nonetheless, the statistics above deliver some grave news.

These alarming statistics have given birth to calls for stricter measures to make eye protection mandatory in industries that are plagued by hazards to the most important of the body's senses. Eyeglasses, goggles, face masks, respirators and the likes should be made available for those engaged in industrial undertakings, highly technical work, health care, janitorial jobs, laboratory work and animal handling.

Such eye protection should satisfy the following requisites, least they bring more problems than solutions:

• They should be comfortable to wear and in no way should they impair the use of the wearer's other faculties.

• They should not hinder the wearer's peripheral vision.

• The protection they will provide should be commensurate to the danger level that the hazard poses.

• They should be adjustable so that they can easily accommodate multiple wearers or size changes that a particular wearer may exhibit.

• They should be made of industrially safe materials.

• A highly effective anti fog product such as Fogtech should be included as an added safety measure

Workplace eye injury is one of the most common work-related accidents in this day and age. As such, employers should really make it a point to consider and implement necessary precautions to minimize, if not totally prevent, the happening of such disasters.

The statistics presented at the start of this piece are warning signals.

They tell us that eye injuries are real, and they happen so frequently. They tell us that there are many dangers to our eyes and that utmost care should always, always be observed. They remind us of the old adage, that an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure, and they emphasize the importance of eye protection in many industries.

Joe Russell is the President/CEO of http://www.iatcenterprises.com and http://www.fogtech.ca IATC is a distributor and retailer of Fogtech and WileyX protetcive eyewear as well offering other products and accessories for extreme sports applications and industrial safety.

IATC Enterprises also provides marketing consulting as well other business services to small, medium or large companies and corporations.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_B._Russell

Lasik Surgery Orange County Style

By Kenneth Myers

I am sure many of you have stories about the time you noticed that your sight wasn't what is used to be. I can still remember that fateful day. I lay in bed, ready to get into my favorite book and it appeared that someone put a dimmer bulb in the bed lamp. Nope! Turns out that the head lamps were going dim a lot longer than I was aware of. It is fact of life that affects many of us and for me; it was around my 40th birthday. It wasn’t enough that I was going over the hill, its out I was having a hard time even seeing the hill.

Until recently, Lasik Surgery Orange County candidates with a refractive error had limited options. Eyeglasses and contact lenses were the only options available for correcting your vision. But since the arrival of refractive surgery, some people with myopia or nearsightedness or hyperopia or farsightedness 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 light directly on the retina to produce clearer vision.

The LASIK procedure is usually takes about fifteen minutes and is performed as an outpatient procedure. The surgeon uses a microkeratome which creates a flap in the cornea. The second step is to use the cool beam of an excimer laser to remove a layer of the corneal tissue. The process of removing the corneal tissue permanently reshapes the cornea.

Once the procedure is complete a shield will be put in place for the first day and night. Since the lasers remove the tissue from the inside of the cornea, healing is often less painful than with other methods of refractive surgery. Because the surgery is less painful eye-drops may not be needed but if they are it is usually only needed for about a week.

A second surgery is sometimes necessary if you experience under-correction or over-correction which can cause night blindness. Some of the more rare but serious complications include dislocated flap, epithelial ingrowth and inflammation underneath the flap. Permanent vision loss is rare and most complications can be managed without any loss of vision.

Who is the ideal candidate for LASIK? It is the person with a stable refractive error that falls within the correctable range, free of eye disease and must be at least eighteen years of age. This person must be willing to accept the potential risks, complications and the side effects of LASIK.

Surgery in any form has its risks. As with all things it’s important that you consult your professional physician for a complete eye examination.

Kenneth L Myers is the contributing author of this site. Visit us at: http://bestlasicsurgery.com/ar/lasik-surgery-orange-county.php Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kenneth_Myers

Finding A Lasik Center That Works For Your Needs

By M. Xavier

Lasik is a procedure performed thousands of times a day all over the world. Just as contact lenses slowly replaced eyeglasses as the vision correction of choice, Lasik has become the new way in which to correct vision and avoid the cost and inconvenience associated with glasses and contacts.

Of course, deciding on Lasik means weighing the advantages and disadvantages, as well as consulting with your physician and eye doctor to ensure that you are both an appropriate candidate for Lasik and in good enough health to undergo a procedure of this kind. And, finally, you must choose the Lasik center that will meet your needs effectively and affordably.

As with any sort of surgical procedure there is much to consider before embarking on the journey. Not only do you want to consider those centers that are close to home and logistically convenient, but you want to find a Lasik center that has a vast amount of experience under its belt when it comes to performing Lasik and can answer your questions and concerns in an informative, respectful, and professional manner.

First and foremost, think of the pre-procedure process as an interview of sorts. Visit the Lasik center in which you are interested and get a feel for its policies and procedures. It is important to ensure that you are dealing with a center that is committed to patient care, as well as being clean, organized, secure, and professionally staffed.

Speaking of staff – it is important to get to know the people with whom you will be working through this process. Thoroughly research the surgeons who will be performing the procedure; find out where they were educated, how much experience they have, and their reputation in the industry. But don’t stop there when it comes to getting to know the staff; the front office staff and medical support staff are just as important as you will be dealing with them for billing and follow-up. You are looking for organization, helpfulness, and professionalism.

The next best resource for research purposes is the Internet - allowing you to quickly and easily find exactly what you are looking for, thus narrowing and speeding your search significantly. Conduct a specific search for a Lasik center nearest your home and began your research from there.

Finally, ask for references. A Lasik center should have a comprehensive list at their disposal of patients who are willing to speak on their behalf. Or ask around to family and friends; no one is in a better position to tell you about the experience of Lasik – and a particular Lasik center – than someone who has recently had the procedure performed.

This process may seem long and a bit frustrating, but remember that the effort is well worth it. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that you are in the best hands possible and that your comfort and results are paramount. In this way, you can ensure that your procedure is successful – not just for now but for a lifetime.

http://www.TheLasikZone.com brings you the latest on Lasik. Lasik is very popular, and we want to bring you the most up to date information online! Be sure to check out our latest information page on Lasik plus.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M._Xavier

Lenses In Raleigh Designed To Fit Your Needs

By David Dumase

You may have a few questions about what sort of eyeglasses that you need. Luckily when you buy lenses in Raleigh you will be able to find whatever you are looking for, including sunglasses which are not just for summer anymore. Protecting your eyes from UV light is important year round.

When deciding on your choice for lenses in Raleigh, one option will be prescription lenses to treat nearsightedness, astigmatism, farsightedness, or as a replacement for your natural lenses following cataract surgery. Your eye care professional can best help you decide exactly what type of lenses you need, but there are many stylish designer frames that can help accommodate any of your needs.

If you go shopping for lenses in Raleigh, be aware that some frame designs do not accommodate very strong prescriptions well. Your specialist may be able to use new high-tech lens materials to increase the lens choices that are available to you. There's no harm in asking, even if you have asked before in previous years and been told that rimless or other special designs were not available at that time.

Special needs call for a certain type of lens for safety. For protection against UV rays to combat the effects of cataract development you may want to consider lenses that automatically adjust to light and dark. This will save you the expense of having separate sunglasses, but you may want them anyway as there are many fashionable sunglass designs available. The modern technology of light sensitive lenses is much more efficient than in the past, making them a must see option.

Others who are very active will want special safety lenses for sports and other activities. Modern lenses are usually shatterproof, but for sports, a special design for lenses and frames can both look great and protect your eyes better. Always tell your eye care professional about your activities to help pick the right eyewear for you.

Eyestrain is a possibility when continuously working at a computer. This can be mitigated with eyewear specifically designed for ergonomic and continuous work in front of a monitor. With eyestrain relieved, work can be more pleasant, and your productivity will be greatly improved. Consult a vision professional about your computer use and follow his recommendations.

There are a number of different factors that determine a person's need for corrective lenses. Presbyopia, which is a type of farsighted disorder caused by the decay of the eye lens and the connective tissue surrounding it. People suffering from such a disorder will generally only need reading glasses, most commonly known as bifocals. Styles have certainly changed from the image of the classic "granny glasses", and many a stylish pair of glasses are now available.

When you are buying lenses in Raleigh, for all your eye wear needs you may have questions about the types of eyeglasses available in Raleigh, and the choices you have to make. And even though summer passes by, sunglasses in Raleigh are recommended year around to prevent eyestrain, and to help prevent cataract formation. Styles have certainly changed from the image of the classic "granny glasses", and many a stylish pair of glasses are now available. There are a great number of eye care professionals who can help you find the perfect eye glasses in Raleigh.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Dumase

Lenses In Raleigh Designed To Fit Your Needs

By David Dumase

You may have a few questions about what sort of eyeglasses that you need. Luckily when you buy lenses in Raleigh you will be able to find whatever you are looking for, including sunglasses which are not just for summer anymore. Protecting your eyes from UV light is important year round.

When deciding on your choice for lenses in Raleigh, one option will be prescription lenses to treat nearsightedness, astigmatism, farsightedness, or as a replacement for your natural lenses following cataract surgery. Your eye care professional can best help you decide exactly what type of lenses you need, but there are many stylish designer frames that can help accommodate any of your needs.

If you go shopping for lenses in Raleigh, be aware that some frame designs do not accommodate very strong prescriptions well. Your specialist may be able to use new high-tech lens materials to increase the lens choices that are available to you. There's no harm in asking, even if you have asked before in previous years and been told that rimless or other special designs were not available at that time.

Special needs call for a certain type of lens for safety. For protection against UV rays to combat the effects of cataract development you may want to consider lenses that automatically adjust to light and dark. This will save you the expense of having separate sunglasses, but you may want them anyway as there are many fashionable sunglass designs available. The modern technology of light sensitive lenses is much more efficient than in the past, making them a must see option.

Others who are very active will want special safety lenses for sports and other activities. Modern lenses are usually shatterproof, but for sports, a special design for lenses and frames can both look great and protect your eyes better. Always tell your eye care professional about your activities to help pick the right eyewear for you.

Eyestrain is a possibility when continuously working at a computer. This can be mitigated with eyewear specifically designed for ergonomic and continuous work in front of a monitor. With eyestrain relieved, work can be more pleasant, and your productivity will be greatly improved. Consult a vision professional about your computer use and follow his recommendations.

There are a number of different factors that determine a person's need for corrective lenses. Presbyopia, which is a type of farsighted disorder caused by the decay of the eye lens and the connective tissue surrounding it. People suffering from such a disorder will generally only need reading glasses, most commonly known as bifocals. Styles have certainly changed from the image of the classic "granny glasses", and many a stylish pair of glasses are now available.

When you are buying lenses in Raleigh, for all your eye wear needs you may have questions about the types of eyeglasses available in Raleigh, and the choices you have to make. And even though summer passes by, sunglasses in Raleigh are recommended year around to prevent eyestrain, and to help prevent cataract formation. Styles have certainly changed from the image of the classic "granny glasses", and many a stylish pair of glasses are now available. There are a great number of eye care professionals who can help you find the perfect eye glasses in Raleigh.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Dumase