Contact Lens Infections

    SAN FRANCISCO, CA, May 02, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Do you enjoy better vision with contact lenses? Many people do. These astounding plastic lenses allow sharper, clearer vision without glasses, making life easier for individuals with farsightedness, nearsightedness or astigmatism.

Types of Contact Lenses
There are different types of contact lenses to address different vision problems and eye health problems, as well as individual preferences.
• Rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contact lenses do not modify their curvature for the eyes but instead modify the corneal curvature. They allow oxygen through to nourish the eyes and last for several years. They must be removed and cleaned every night.
• Soft contact lenses adapt themselves to the corneal curvature and feel more comfortable to most people. They are removed for cleaning each night and must be replaced often.
• Soft extended wear lenses can be worn overnight for about seven days, and replaced after one or two weeks. It is unwise to wear these lenses longer than recommended, because overnight wear decreases oxygen in the eye and increases your chance of getting infection.
• Special contact lenses can treat specific eye conditions, such as keratoconus, where the cornea progressively bulges forward, distorting vision, and needs to be held in a better shape.
• Disposable contact lenses need no cleaning as they are discarded at the end of the day. These are a good solution for someone who switches between glasses and contact lenses.

Contact Lens Problems
Contact lens use can involve many problems, some of which can lead to infection.
• Eye irritation or redness
• Blurred vision
• Worn out lenses
• Warped lenses
• Eye makeup trapped on the lenses
• Prescription changes requiring new lenses
• Poor lens fitting
• Poor lens care
• Cleaning solution sensitivity
• Difficulty removing the lenses

Some of those problems are avoidable with proper lens care. Others can be easily resolved, such as sensitivity to a particular cleaning solution or a poor lens fitting. Using the wrong contact lens solution is often a cause for concern. Always use only the solution recommended by your ophthalmologist. Certain solutions are incompatible with some lenses, or may contain substances that can cause allergies.

Problems Causing Infection
The problems that may cause an infection are those which injure the cornea. If you develop redness and irritation or light sensitivity you should have a check-up.

• Corneal abrasions are scratches on the surface of the cornea. They usually occur when oxygen does not sufficiently reach the eye's surface. Dirt or any foreign body under the lens can also be a cause, as can over-wearing contact lenses.
• Abrasions are painful and can cause scarring which will impair vision. They can lead to infection and ulcers, both of which can cause blindness.

Not everybody is a good candidate for contact lenses and if you have continuing problems you can read here about the relative safety of contacts and LASIK.

If you are tired of dealing with contact lenses an excellent option is laser vision correction. When performed by a skilled eye surgeon with years of experience, LASIK is extremely safe and very affordable. Why struggle with the expense and hassle of contact lenses when LASIK can reduce or totally eliminate your dependence on corrective eyewear?

To learn more about LASIK, schedule a free consultation with a leading ophthalmologist in San Francisco, Dr. Gary Kawesch, at The Laser Eye Center in Silicon Valley.

Source: The Laser Eye Center in Silicon Valley
Website: http://www.lasikdocs.com

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