One of the most irritating things in the world for someone who wears contact lenses is when they have an eyelash that falls in their eye. It's a horrible feeling, and often requires you to remove the contact lenses in order to get the eyelash out. If you are the type that does not really like to share that you wear color contact lenses, that can be a huge problem.
Of course it is impossible to completely make sure no eye lash at all will ever fall in your eye while you wear your contacts, but I have mastered a trick that has really decreased the amount of times I am faced with this issue.
In the morning, prior to getting my contacts in, I close my eyes, one at a time so that the other eye is open and able to see, and gently rub and pull my eye lashes so that loose ones will come off prior to me putting my contact lenses in. You would be surprised how many eye lashes often fall out. If you do that you will most likely not have the issue of an eye lash falling in your eye during the day.
However, just in case that does happen, I recommend the following:
1) Always carry a mirror with you so you can see the problem and be able to address it anywhere,
2) Always carry contact lens solution with you to re-wet the lenses if you must remove them from your eye,
3) always carry hand sanitizer to sanitize your hands prior to handling the contacts
4) always carry a contact lens case in case your eye becomes irritated and you cannot wear your contact again for the rest of the day.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Getting Fitted For Contact Lenses
I have been a color contact lens wearer for more than 10 years. Initially, I was not fitted for the contact lenses, but I did try out different brands until I found one that felt comfortable.
Then 2 years ago I became worried that I was ruining my eyes, and decided to go to an eye doctor to be properly fitted. I thought being fitted for contact lenses meant that they would use a machine to measure my eye and tell me exactly what size contact best fit me, and test the moisture of my eye to tell me the water contact and material the lenses needed to be.
What I found out was that the eye doctor does not have such device. They simply try on different brands (which all have a patent for different lens sizes that become their unique right to produce) until I told them that I felt comfortable wearing them all day. The most they ever did was look at my contact lens through that magnifying machine to see whether there were air bubbles under my lens.
So as it turns out properly fitted lenses are achieved by trial and error - something anyone can do on their own as long as they are honest with themselves. Many people like certain brands or colors too much to give them up, so they force themselves to continue wearing them despite great discomfort. That can be very damaging.
As long as you take proper care of your lenses, disinfecting them daily, always washing your hands and drying them thoroughly before handling the contacts, and using lint-free hand towels, you should be fine. Remember, tap water, even if just a little moist of it left from improperly dried hands after washing, can cause you to have a bacterial infection in your eye. Never use anything other than contact lens solution to clean and store your lenses. You can use the Clear Care cleaning kit (and you should), and I also recommend products like enzyme cleaner and protein removers such as Myoflow to really make sure there is no debris in your contacts. Wear sunglasses outside, especially if it is windy, when you are wearing your contact lenses so no debris gets in your eye.
Then 2 years ago I became worried that I was ruining my eyes, and decided to go to an eye doctor to be properly fitted. I thought being fitted for contact lenses meant that they would use a machine to measure my eye and tell me exactly what size contact best fit me, and test the moisture of my eye to tell me the water contact and material the lenses needed to be.
What I found out was that the eye doctor does not have such device. They simply try on different brands (which all have a patent for different lens sizes that become their unique right to produce) until I told them that I felt comfortable wearing them all day. The most they ever did was look at my contact lens through that magnifying machine to see whether there were air bubbles under my lens.
So as it turns out properly fitted lenses are achieved by trial and error - something anyone can do on their own as long as they are honest with themselves. Many people like certain brands or colors too much to give them up, so they force themselves to continue wearing them despite great discomfort. That can be very damaging.
As long as you take proper care of your lenses, disinfecting them daily, always washing your hands and drying them thoroughly before handling the contacts, and using lint-free hand towels, you should be fine. Remember, tap water, even if just a little moist of it left from improperly dried hands after washing, can cause you to have a bacterial infection in your eye. Never use anything other than contact lens solution to clean and store your lenses. You can use the Clear Care cleaning kit (and you should), and I also recommend products like enzyme cleaner and protein removers such as Myoflow to really make sure there is no debris in your contacts. Wear sunglasses outside, especially if it is windy, when you are wearing your contact lenses so no debris gets in your eye.
Is It Safe To Purchase Color Contact Lenses Abroad?
Many people have become fascinated with the color contact brands from other countries, like Brazil, Argentina and Italy. Brands like Magic Top, Solotica, Waicon, and Adore are very popular now a days. It can sometimes be puzzling for Americans (since we always think our country is the best at everything) why the color contact lenses from other countries are so much better than the ones here. Of course there are brands here that are just as good, such as FXEyes and 9MM, as well as other custom contact lens designers. But when it comes to commercial brands, the US falls VERY short in quality and comfort. Freshlooks, Acuvue, etc. do not offer the same amazing color changing contacts that we can find in the foreign commercial brands. That is because the commercial brands in the US have lenses that are 1) too thin, making them move around too much, come out too easily (e.g. when one blinks), and dry out the eyes, 2) have huge pupil openings, which make the natural color too visible and the color contact too obvious, 3) not opaque enough, which means that the color of the contact is not going to be the same in your eye as it looks in the vile, and 4) are made by machines - not painted by hand as most foreign lenses are - making them very artificial looking. They look like they were printed by the computer. It usually looks obviously fake.
The FDA does not authorize the purchase of foreign lenses unless you are a citizen of that country, but we are able to do so anyway via the internet. Although it is comprehensible that our government would try to protect us from untested medical devices (which contact lenses, whether or not for cosmetic use, clearly are). However, maybe instead of trying to ban those lenses from coming in, they should realize that they are much better than the ones we have here and test them to approve them.
So, the question is, it is safe to purchase foreign lenses? The answer is, for the most part, yes. At least when it comes to the websites like Viallure and WRLens, these companies are reputable, accept paypal so you have buyer protection, and the lenses are great quality, even better than the ones here. If you are worried about the fact that you are not being "properly fitted" by a medical doctor, you have to remember that you can get the lenses and then go to an eye doctor to see if they see air bubbles under the lens or whether they think the lenses move around in your eye too much. After all, many people buy American lenses online without prescription too. I will post an entry regarding the "proper fitting" of lenses next to better explain what that means. I may have an old entry on the subject as well.
The FDA does not authorize the purchase of foreign lenses unless you are a citizen of that country, but we are able to do so anyway via the internet. Although it is comprehensible that our government would try to protect us from untested medical devices (which contact lenses, whether or not for cosmetic use, clearly are). However, maybe instead of trying to ban those lenses from coming in, they should realize that they are much better than the ones we have here and test them to approve them.
So, the question is, it is safe to purchase foreign lenses? The answer is, for the most part, yes. At least when it comes to the websites like Viallure and WRLens, these companies are reputable, accept paypal so you have buyer protection, and the lenses are great quality, even better than the ones here. If you are worried about the fact that you are not being "properly fitted" by a medical doctor, you have to remember that you can get the lenses and then go to an eye doctor to see if they see air bubbles under the lens or whether they think the lenses move around in your eye too much. After all, many people buy American lenses online without prescription too. I will post an entry regarding the "proper fitting" of lenses next to better explain what that means. I may have an old entry on the subject as well.
Magic Top Turquesa (Turquoise)
Ok, as promised, here are the Turquoise ones. They are amazing, and this picture does not do justice because it was taken in not enough lighting. The most amazing thing I should add about the Magic Top lenses is that they have a small pupil opening and do not move around in your eyes. They allow for perfect oxygen amount to penetrate and are very opaque without being too thick. They are actually hand painted (at least that is what I heard from the manufacturer).
Diamater: 14.2 mm, BC 8.2, 8.5 or 8.8 (you choose) Water Content: 38 %, Material: HEMA-NVP, Oxygen Permeability: DK: 12 , DKL: 13.5.
Price: around $105. Can be purchased online at Viallure or WRLens.
Magic Top Azul (Blue)
Despite the rave about Solotica Lenses, I have to say that when it comes to comfort, natural looking yet dramatic color change and fit, no lenses compare to the Brazilian Magic Top lenses. I have been wearing them daily for 10 years. I can wear them up to 12-16 hours without them becoming too irritating, and as long as they are properly cared for they will probably last you that long too.
These lenses are yearly lenses, cost around $105 for the pair, and come in six (6) colors: Azul (blue), Cinza (gray), Turqueza (turquoise), Verde (green), Mel (honey) and Lavanda (Lavender). They also come in three different Base Curve sizes, 8.2, 8.5, and 8.8, which allow more people to be able to find a perfect fit with them. They come in the standard 14.2 diameter.
Diamater: Water Content: 38 %, Material: HEMA-NVP, Oxygen Permeability: DK: 12 , DKL: 13.5
I have tried four colors: Blue, Green, Turquoise and Gray. Every single one of these has been UNBELIEVABLE. These lenses are the perfect size, perfect thickness, and perfect material for my eyes. I wear the 8.5BC size, and typically either the blue or turquoise colors. I will try to post the different colors for you guys so you will have an idea of what they look like.
Solotica Natural Colors Quartzo
Once again, just so you can see what the different colors have to offer, here are the NC Quartzo lenses. They are very pretty, a mix of green and gray. But they look a lot like the Cristal (Ice-Mint) Soloticas, and are much better in terms of the color change they offer. In my opinion they are too thin, and move around quite a it. This has not been other people's experience with them though, so my advice is to purchase them and try them for yourselves.
Material: 62% Polymacon, Hydration: 38%, Diameter: 14.2 mm, Base curve: 8.7,
Yearly lenses. Cost about $95.00. Imported from Brazil, and can be purchased at WRlens or Viallure (accepts Paypal).
Solotica Natural Colors Esmeralda
Just wanted to let you guys see what the other NC opaque colors look like. This one is the NC Esmeralda. As you know I have dark brown eyes, and have reviewed the Natural Colors line from Solotica in a previous entry about the Topazio color (which is by far my favorite out of all Natural Colors Soloticas).
Material: 62% Polymacon, Hydration: 38%, Diameter: 14.2 mm, Base curve: 8.7,
Price: $95.00
These are yearly lenses and can be purchased on Viallure's site as well as WR lens. Viallure now accepts Paypal which makes purchases easier and more secure. I would choose EMS shipping since Fedex can create problems with the purchase of foreign contact lenses.
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