Spring 2012 Could Be Worst Ever for Allergies – ABC News

Spring 2012 Could Be Worst Ever for Allergies – ABC News.

More on Contact Lens Handling and Care…..

Our thanks to Dr. Alan N. Glazier for sharing this training video with us!

Cooper Vision Contact Lens Handling Video….

Having difficulty learning to handle your new contact lenses?  This video is a great tool to help make you a pro!

 

More on Daily Disposable contact lenses…..

We have made a concerted effort in our practices, over the last couple of years to put as many of our patients as possible into daily disposable contact lenses.  The ease, comfort and improved eye health benefits, which have been evident to us for many years are now becoming clear to more and more of our patients.  As the number of different daily disposable contact lens choices has grown, we have many more options to choose from when fitting our patients with this type of contact lens.  Most recently, Vistakon®, (Acuvue), introduced TruEye, which I believe is the best contact lens on the market.  Not only has it been a problem solver, and has allowed many patients who have become intolerant to all other contact lens materials to remain in contact lenses, but it is quickly becoming my contact lens of choice for any patient interested in daily disposable contact lenses.  With the availability of daily disposable contact lenses for astigmatism, such as Focus Daily Disposable (Cibavision®), Clearsight One Day Toric (Coopervision®) and Soflens Daily Disposable Toric (Bausch and Lomb®), we can now fit patients with astigmatism as well.  Once thought to be best for the occasional contact lens wearer or a patient with allergies, daily disposable contact lenses are now mainstream….With better pricing and generous manufacturers rebates, they more affordable than ever.  And remember, there is no care involved, so there is no need to purchase expensive solutions.

Bryce Harper crushing ball after eye exam – Sports Blog – CBS News

Think you’re seeing your best?  Click on the link below for an “eye opening” look at the importance of good vision…….

Bryce Harper crushing ball after eye exam – Sports Blog – CBS News.

Eye Health and Allergies

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We are happy to share the following letter with our patients regarding Eyes, Allergy and contact lenses:

Dear Doctor:

For millions of Americans, the arrival of Spring brings with it ocular allergy symptoms such as itching, tearing, and redness. In the United States, ocular allergies affect 1 in every 5 individuals, and it is estimated that 50 percent of individuals with seasonal and indoor allergies also experience some degree of ocular allergy.

For contact lens wearers, Spring can be particularly frustrating. According to a survey conducted by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), the leading patient advocacy organization for people with asthma and allergies, nearly half (45%) of contact lens wearers say that their eye-related allergy problems often prevent them from wearing their contacts, and one in eight (12%) admits to having dropped out of contact lenses because of their allergies.

As you well know, failure to follow recommended wearing and replacement schedules is also a contributing factor to why many of these patients experience discomfort and/or drop out of contact lenses.

Studies have shown that daily disposable contacts can be a healthy and more comfortable option for many people, including those with eye allergies. Putting in a clean, fresh lens every day minimizes the potential for accumulation of allergens and irritants that can often build up with repeated use of the same pair of lenses.

While many eye care practitioners and consumers have told us that they favor daily disposable contacts because of their health and convenience benefits, they have also told us that cost sometimes factors into a patient’s decision to choose a daily disposable lens.

That’s why I am pleased to let you know that VISTAKON®, Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., is offering a variety of rebates on both the 30- and 90-pack sizes of 1•DAY ACUVUE® MOIST® Brand Contact Lenses. There are different rebate offers for new and current wearers, as well as a special $100 new wearer rebate for any patient who buys an annual supply. Now, all your patients, including your allergy sufferers, can have the convenience of a daily disposable lens, while enjoying the benefits of LACREON™ Technology.

Furthermore, once again we are offering a free educational brochure titled Eye Health and Allergies to provide your patients with useful information on how eye allergies occur, common signs and symptoms, and practical advice on how to treat eye allergies. This brochure also includes helpful information about eye allergies and contact lenses, including advice on the benefits of daily disposable contacts.

Helping you educate your patients about eye care is a core component of our company’s educational efforts. We think you will find this brochure a great tool you can use to further demonstrate your commitment to the health and well being of your patients.

Sincerely,

 

Colleen Riley, O.D. MS, FAAO, Dipl. CL

Vice President, Professional Development & Medical Affairs

Click the link below for more information

http://www.visioncareprofessional.com/emails/vistakon/22/AAFA_BROCHURE_4.15.081.pdf

 

Sleeping in Contact Lenses….Maybe not such a good idea….

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Many patient sleep in their contact lenses.  Some patients do this because they have the approval of their eye doctor, many patients sleep in their contact lenses because, frankly, they are too lazy or too tired at the end of the day to remove them.  With the introduction of more breathable contact lens materials in the late 1990′s, we thought that finally materials were available that would allow for safe overnight contact lens wear.  Certainly, these materials, which are known as silicon hydrogels, have been a boon to contact lens wearers, as the increased oxygen permeability that they provide allows for safer contact lens wear overall.  And certainly we have approved patients for overnight wear with these contact lenses (Purevision, Air Optix Night and Day, Biofinity, Oasys).  However, over the last year or two, I personally have seen one too many problems with overnight wear, even in patients wearing these more breathable contact lenses that are approved for this method of use.  I was moved to write this post because my colleague Dale Stein and I are currently treating one of the worst corneal ulcers that I have seen in 25+ years of practice.  A corneal ulcer is a very serious infection of the cornea which can lead to permanent loss of vision.  Fortunately, the patient is responding to treatment.  He was wearing an contact lens approved for overnight wear.  I now feel more reluctant than ever to recommend or approve overnight wear for any patient.  My take home message is this:  It is much safer to take your contact lenses out every night, even if wearing more breathable, approved materials.  Sleeping in contact lenses will increase your risk of corneal inflammation and or infection, and could lead to permanent loss of vision, or at the very least the inability to wear contact lenses.  Contact lenses are wonderful medical devices that should be worn according to your doctor’s recommendations, non-compliance can lead to serious problems.  And if you are looking for the safest, healthiest way to wear contact lenses, ask about daily disposable contact lenses.

Related Articles

• An Overview of Bacterial Corneal Ulcer (brighthub.com)
• Top Safety Tips for Contact Lens Wearers (everydayhealth.com)
• Eye Infection From the Use of Contact Lenses (brighthub.com)

A cautionary tale about buying glasses and contact lenses on the web.

Click on the links below for interesting reading……..buyer beware!

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/40421249/ns/today-the_new_york_times/

http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/12/02/5567082-google-sucker-punches-online-retail-bully?gt1=43001

Related Articles

• For DecorMyEyes, Bad Publicity Is a Good Thing – NYTimes.com (jeffpruett.wordpress.com)

Use Your Vision Benefits Before December 31st!

The end of the year is quickly approaching.  2011 will be here before we know it!  No time is better than now to have and eye examination!  Don’t forget to use your vision benefits before they expire, and don’t lose flex spending dollars!  You can use your flex spending for an examination and materials such as contact lenses and eyeglasses.  Don’t delay, visit us at www.snjeyecare.com to book and appointment online, or call one our four convenient locations.

Children and Contact Lenses

Are contact lenses an option for children?  What is the appropriate age to start with contact lenses?  Theses are questions we are asked on a daily basis.  Click the link below for all the answers and more!

FFContactLenses.pdf (application/pdf Object).

“Contact lenses provide
significant benefits
to children beyond
correcting their vision”