Contact Lens Care 101: Best Practices for Comfort and Hygiene

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For many patients,contact lenses in Pittsburgh, PA, are one of the most desirable paths to better vision. However, if you are a contact lens wearer, taking good care of your lenses must become a stationary part of your everyday routine. Take a look at these best practices for comfort and hygiene below.

1. Only install clean contact lenses
Always make sure contact lenses have been properly cleaned with an approved contact lens cleaning solution before installing them. Small particles, most of which are impossible to see with the naked eye, like bacteria, can linger on the lens and cause the risk of infection.

2. Remove contacts before swimming and bathing
Make it a habit to take out your lenses before showering, bathing, or swimming. Splashes of water can contain bacteria that can get trapped behind the lenses.

3. Keep your hands clean when removing and installing lenses
Just as you need to have clean lenses, you also need clean hands. Bacteria can transfer from the fingers to the clean lens during installation. So, before touching the cleaned lenses, be sure to wash your hands well with an antibacterial soap.

4. Replace contact lenses as recommended
Contact lenses will need to be replaced at different intervals depending on the type. For example, some lenses are only meant to be worn for one day and then replaced, while others may be wearable for a few days as long as they are properly cleaned between wears.

Discuss Proper Contact Lens Hygiene with a Pittsburgh Optometrist
Contact lenses can bring a few added steps to your daily routine. However, when you follow the recommendations of aPittsburgh dentist, these optic solutions can make a dramatic difference in everyday life. Reach out to the team at Lappen Eye Care with questions.

3 Major Types of Specialty Contact Lenses

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Most people will divide contact lenses into either hard or soft categories. Soft contacts are often more comfortable for people, even if they don’t always last as long as hard contacts. However, there’s a range of specialty contact lenses in Pittsburgh, PA, designed for people with different conditions. We’ll look at three major types and who they’re made for.

3 Specialty Lenses in Greensburg

The most common types of specialty lenses include:

  • RPG: Known as rigid gas permeable, these lenses are stiff enough to allow more oxygen to the eyes. It makes them more suitable for people with corneal irregularities, including keratoconus. Ortho-K contacts are a type of RPG lens that’s worn to help reshape the cornea.
  • Scleral: A scleral contact is usually easy to spot because they don’t lie flat on the eye. If the cornea is severely misshaped, the goal of the scleral contact is to bypass the cornea entirely to rest solely on the whites of the eye.
  • Toric: A toric lens is designed to correct refractive errors for people with astigmatism. It will adjust the lens based on horizontal or vertical orientation. Unlike standard lenses, these lenses are shaped like a more abstract geometrical shape rather than a perfect circle.

Eye Doctors in Greensburg, PA

There are plenty of reasons to see an eye doctor in Greensburg or Pittsburgh for contact lenses, even if you’ve assumed in the past that they weren’t for you. Today’s technology not only makes them more comfortable to wear, they may be more effective than you realize at helping you see clearly without the need for glasses. Lenses like Ortho-K may even help correct your vision, reducing your need for glasses and contacts altogether. At Lappen Eye Care, we can help you find the right option for you.

3 Major Types of Specialty Contact Lenses

/0 Comments/in /by

Most people will divide contact lenses into either hard or soft categories. Soft contacts are often more comfortable for people, even if they don’t always last as long as hard contacts. However, there’s a range of specialty contact lenses in Pittsburgh, PA, designed for people with different conditions. We’ll look at three major types and who they’re made for.

3 Specialty Lenses in Greensburg

The most common types of specialty lenses include:

  • RPG: Known as rigid gas permeable, these lenses are stiff enough to allow more oxygen to the eyes. It makes them more suitable for people with corneal irregularities, including keratoconus. Ortho-K contacts are a type of RPG lens that’s worn to help reshape the cornea.
  • Scleral: A scleral contact is usually easy to spot because they don’t lie flat on the eye. If the cornea is severely misshaped, the goal of the scleral contact is to bypass the cornea entirely to rest solely on the whites of the eye.
  • Toric: A toric lens is designed to correct refractive errors for people with astigmatism. It will adjust the lens based on horizontal or vertical orientation. Unlike standard lenses, these lenses are shaped like a more abstract geometrical shape rather than a perfect circle.

Eye Doctors in Greensburg, PA

There are plenty of reasons to see an eye doctor in Greensburg or Pittsburgh for contact lenses, even if you’ve assumed in the past that they weren’t for you. Today’s technology not only makes them more comfortable to wear, they may be more effective than you realize at helping you see clearly without the need for glasses. Lenses like Ortho-K may even help correct your vision, reducing your need for glasses and contacts altogether. At Lappen Eye Care, we can help you find the right option for you.

Do One-Day Contacts Cause Dry Eye?

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Single-use contacts have been popular with many people for a number of reasons. Not only are they easier to care for, in that you don’t have to worry about cleaning or storing them, but they’re also supposed to be fresher for your eyes. However, because once-a-day contacts are made from a thinner material, they react differently to the eye throughout the day. If you’ve noticed that your eyes are a little drier after starting this regimen, or if you’re concerned about whether you’ll experience dry eyes by switching, we’ll look at what you can expect.

Thinner Material

Because daily contacts in Greensburg, PA, are only designed for single-use wear, they’re made from a thinner material. This means that they’re less breathable than lenses designed for longer wear, which can mean that more moisture is absorbed into the lens. The less moisture in your eye, the more likely you are to feel the sting of dry eye.

How to Prevent Dry Eyes

The most basic way to prevent dry eyes is to make sure that you’re following all the general instructions. This means wearing your contact lenses for the appropriate amount of time (e.g., no longer than a day) and using artificial tears if your eyes start to feel uncomfortable. However, if you’re still experiencing severe symptoms, it might be time for a different lens.

See an Optometrist in Pittsburgh

The right optometrist can help you determine which lens is going to keep you the most comfortable over the course of the day. Visiting the staff of Lappen Eye Care, with locations in Pittsburgh, Greensburg, South Hills, and McMurray, we can make recommendations about which brands are known to give people with dry eye the most relief, whether that’s a daily contact or not.

Three Benefits of Specialty Contact Lenses

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Specialty contact lenses are those designed to work with unique corneas. Often, they counteract irregularities that affect your vision. Unlike traditional contacts that correct refractive errors and help you to see more clearly, specialty lenses serve other purposes. Your eye doctor in Pittsburgh can tell you more about specialty contacts and why they might be a good solution for you.

Three Benefits of Specialty Contact Lenses

Specialty contact lenses offer several important benefits, including:

  1. Improving your vision
  2. Easing pain and discomfort
  3. Improving the appearance of your eyes

Your eye specialist may prescribe specialty contact lenses if you have corneal disease, if the shape of your eye is changing, if you’ve recently had trauma to the eye, or if you regularly suffer from severe dry eye. For patients who struggle with these conditions, specialty contact lenses can be life-changing. They not only improve vision clarity, but they can ease pain and discomfort, too.

Will I Wear Specialty Contacts Forever?

The answer to this question depends on the reason why your eye doctor prescribed them. For instance, if you’re wearing a contact lens to ease pain after scratching your cornea in an accident, this will be temporary. And once your cornea has healed, you’ll no longer need the lens. However, if you struggle with keratoconus, a condition that causes thinning and bulging of the cornea, you may have to wear special contacts, called scleral contacts, for the rest of your life.

Specialty Contact Lenses in Pittsburgh, PA

For more information on specialty contact lenses in Pittsburgh, PA, call Lappen Eye Care today. The friendly and experienced professionals at Lappen Eye Care will be happy to sit down with you to discuss your vision challenges and provide solutions. Contact us today to schedule an eye exam and consultation.

3 Ways to Get Used to Your Progressive Lenses

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Progressive lenses are popular among bifocal wearers because they eliminate the line between the two types of lenses. This makes progressive lenses attractive. Getting used to progressive lenses can take time, but when you’re working with a reputable eye doctor in Pittsburgh, Greensburg, and the surrounding area, your eye doctor can help with this. Here’s what you can do to get used to your new progressive lenses.

1. Wear them as often as possible unless you get a headache.

Switching back and forth between your progressive lenses and your old eyeglasses can draw out the time it takes to get used to your progressive lenses. Wearing your glasses as often as possible will help you get used to your glasses faster. If you get a headache, remove your new glasses to give your eyes a break. Otherwise, keep wearing them. If you get frequent headaches with your new glasses, report this to your eye doctor.

2. Move your head to look at distances, not your eyes.

If you need to look at an object in the distance, it may be tempting to move your eyes in your glasses. Instead, keep your eyes pointed straight ahead. Get used to moving your head when looking at objects in the distance. Move your eyes when you need to read, then you can look down through the lens.

3. Have your glasses fitted by a professional.

When you get your new eyeglasses in Pittsburgh, Greensburg and the surrounding area, have your glasses fitted by your eye doctor to ensure that they fit properly. Your glasses should feel comfortable while you wear them. If your glasses push down on your ears or nose in a way that isn’t comfortable, give yourself a few days to get used to them. If they continue to hurt, ask your eye doctor to readjust them.

Want more suggestions about how you can get used to your new glasses? Call the professionals at Lappen Eye Care.

I Want Contacts: What Should I Do Now?

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Many people who wear glasses prefer contacts. Contact lenses do the same work as glasses, but without changing the wearer’s appearance. Compared to the process for getting glasses, getting contacts requires a few extra steps when you go to the eye doctor in the Pittsburgh area. Here’s what you should know about how to get prescription contacts lenses.

Get An Eye Exam, Then a Contact Lens Exam

In order to get contact lenses, you’ll need to get two types of eye exams: first, a standard vision exam to check your vision and determine whether you need corrective lenses. Once you’ve had a standard vision exam, then it’s time to measure your eyes to fit them for contact lenses, and determine what kind of contacts are right for you. This is done through a contact lens exam. Let your eye doctor know that you’d like to get contact lenses, and your eye doctor will be able to schedule both exams for you.

Come Back for a Fitting

Once the contact lenses have been made for you, you’ll come back to the eye doctor for a contact lens fitting. Your eye doctor will show you how to put in contact lenses and take them out, if you’ve never worn them before. The doctor will also tell you how to maintain your contacts, including when to clean them, when to wear them, and when to take your lenses off.

Want Contact Lenses? Contact Us

If you’re interested in getting contact lenses in the Pittsburgh area, contact Lappen Eye Care. Let us know that you’ll need a contact lens exam – we’ll be happy to make you an appointment.

3 Ways Inadequate Contact Lens Care Can Harm Your Visual Health

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Without question, contact lenses in Pittsburgh, PA are valuable to those that need vision correction. Additionally, with the proper care, these lenses rarely pose problems for the wearer. When you initially obtain contact lenses, the eye doctor will discuss proper wear and cleaning methods so that you can avoid problems. However, if you don’t adhere to the guidance, you could inadvertently put your visual health at risk. Consider a few reasons why inadequate contact lens care could harm your vision.

1. You Could Experience an Eye Infection

Contact lens wearers can be more at risk of eye infections because they are consistently putting foreign objects on their eyes. Something as seemingly harmless as not washing your hands during lens changes or wearing lenses while in the shower can allow bacteria to get trapped behind the lens. This can lead to a serious infection that puts your vision at risk if not addressed.

2. You Could Develop Issus with Dry Eyes

Dry eyes may not sound like a big deal, but having dry eyes can cause uncomfortable, burning eyes. Further, it can make it difficult to continue to wear contact lenses. People who do not change or clean their lenses often enough can be at risk of dry eyes because irritants get trapped behind the lenses and cause a reaction.

3. You Could Cause a Corneal Injury

If you have contact lenses that are damaged or overdue for replacement, avoid placing them in your eyes. Damaged lenses can put you at risk of sustaining a corneal abrasion, such as a scratch or puncture. Pay careful attention to the lenses and their condition. And, if you are advised to only wear lenses for so many days, be sure to adhere to those guidelines.

Talk to a Pittsburgh Eye Doctor for Help with Your Contact Lenses

Do you struggle with the contact lenses you currently have? It may be time for a change with the help of a Pittsburgh eye doctor. Reach out to Lappen Eye Care to schedule an appointment.

3 Ways Inadequate Contact Lens Care Can Harm Your Visual Health

/0 Comments/in /by

Without question, contact lenses in Pittsburgh, PA are valuable to those that need vision correction. Additionally, with the proper care, these lenses rarely pose problems for the wearer. When you initially obtain contact lenses, the eye doctor will discuss proper wear and cleaning methods so that you can avoid problems. However, if you don’t adhere to the guidance, you could inadvertently put your visual health at risk. Consider a few reasons why inadequate contact lens care could harm your vision.

1. You Could Experience an Eye Infection

Contact lens wearers can be more at risk of eye infections because they are consistently putting foreign objects on their eyes. Something as seemingly harmless as not washing your hands during lens changes or wearing lenses while in the shower can allow bacteria to get trapped behind the lens. This can lead to a serious infection that puts your vision at risk if not addressed.

2. You Could Develop Issus with Dry Eyes

Dry eyes may not sound like a big deal, but having dry eyes can cause uncomfortable, burning eyes. Further, it can make it difficult to continue to wear contact lenses. People who do not change or clean their lenses often enough can be at risk of dry eyes because irritants get trapped behind the lenses and cause a reaction.

3. You Could Cause a Corneal Injury

If you have contact lenses that are damaged or overdue for replacement, avoid placing them in your eyes. Damaged lenses can put you at risk of sustaining a corneal abrasion, such as a scratch or puncture. Pay careful attention to the lenses and their condition. And, if you are advised to only wear lenses for so many days, be sure to adhere to those guidelines.

Talk to a Pittsburgh Eye Doctor for Help with Your Contact Lenses

Do you struggle with the contact lenses you currently have? It may be time for a change with the help of a Pittsburgh eye doctor. Reach out to Lappen Eye Care to schedule an appointment.

Are Colored Contacts Safe?

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Colored contact lenses have a reputation for being unsafe, but is it true? The answer is: it depends. Some colored contact lenses are safe and others aren’t. Here’s what you need to know if you want to wear colored contact lenses in the Pittsburgh area.

Properly Prescribed Colored Contacts are Safe

Colored contacts are safe to wear if they’ve been prescribed by an eye doctor who has examined your eyes and determined the right prescription for you. Eye doctors know how to order contacts that are right for their patients. They also order quality lenses from respected brands that are known to be safe.

Costume Contact Lenses (Non-Prescription Lenses) Are NOT Safe

Contact lenses that were not prescribed by an eye doctor are not safe to wear. Wearing these contacts can lead to bacterial infection and may even cause permanent damage to your eyes. Some companies sell colored contact lenses as “costume contacts.” These companies are selling contacts illegally. Don’t buy them.

Do You Want Contact Lenses?

If you’d like to get colored contact lenses, get an eye exam from a licensed eye care professional. The eye doctor will examine and measure your eyes, write a prescription and order contacts that are made for you. Once the lenses arrive, your eye doctor will ensure the contacts are right in a fitting, and give you instructions for proper contact lens care.

Get Started With Your Contact Lens Prescription

You can have colored contact lenses, but the only safe way to obtain them is to see a professional. Call your eye doctor in the Pittsburgh area to make an appointment. The professionals at Lappen Eye Care can help you safely obtain colored contact lenses.