To See or Not to See Clearly

There is no doubt about it: reading glasses are a pain. They are an obstacle that must be overcome. How exactly does one overcome one’s reading glasses you may be asking? With a set of lenses — not lenses for your specs, but lenses for your eyes. A pair of contacts may be just the ticket you need to hop on board the youth train. After all, there are few items, short of a cane or walker, that belie a persons age more than a pair of reading glasses perched at the end of the nose.

The condition is innocuous enough — indeed it translates to “old man eyes” — but presbyopia is one of the more irritating. Squinting and holding items at arm’s length to read them is a tremendous hassle. Moreover, it really makes a body feel old. Just as contacts help self-conscious people avoid the “four eyes” stigma, a pair of multi-focal contacts can help keep age-based guesses a decade off.

What casues presbyopia is not known. The specific mechanisms at work with presbyopia are still a relative mystery. We know the eye cannot see fine items at close range, but we do not have a definitive explanation of why this happens. It is generally accepted as an age-based manifestation of decrepitude. Whether it is a deterioration of the cornea, iris, or rods is not known.

Between the ages of 40 and 50 the eyes begin to go. It is as simple as that. Think of it as comparable to graying hair or the loss of bone density. Though many sufferers would appreciate a surgical solution, the simple fact its causes are not quite understood makes surgically treating presbyopia impossible. There are two viable solutions, however, neither of which requires the use off a scalpel.

First off most people hit the local drugstore to buy a stodgy pair of reading glasses. To be sure, they work, and work well, but seldom do wearers hail their comfort or “elderly” connotation. There is nothing young or attractive about a pair of reading glasses clinging to the bridge of your nose. A second solution is a pair of multi-focal contact lenses. These can be worn all day, require no fuss and are designed to allow for smooth visual transitions from “regular” vision to close-range fine print.

Renew Old Man Eyes

Time has a curious quality of never stopping. Seasons pass, the days wind down, and the years accumulate. It is inevitable and we march on towards our fate always somehow three steps ahead of ourselves. The moment is never enough as we are constantly striving to plan, pressure and cajole a brighter future for ourselves. It seems one of the tenants of Zen Buddhism may have it right when it claims now is all we ever have.

Being in the moment is crucial. But even if we were to embrace the moment, it is the small tells that let us know about times passage. Our bodies know the present very well — our minds may well be elsewhere, but our bodies are keenly aware of decrepitude. As the fourth and fifth decades come to fruition, one of the most common irritations in the blurring of vision.

The Greek word, presbyopia, carries with it a kind of ominous, tragic connotation. But the word simply translates as “old man eyes.” It is an adequate, if not sexist, description of the condition. Though this is not a serious condition, it is a very vexing one. There is nothing more irritating than having to hold a menu at arm’s length in a dim restaurant.

There two paths you can go by. The first is investing in a pair of bifocals or reading glasses. This will require some substantial trial and error phases as a pair of stylish reading glasses are few and far between. Indeed, even if you find a stylish pair, wearing them is as good as standing and proclaiming the march of time. A far more discrete solution is buying a pair of multifocal contact lenses. Like normal contacts, multifocal lenses cover the entire iris, but whereas regular contacts affect your entire scope of vision, multifocal lenses will only bring items toward the bottom of your vision into focus.

Each pair is customized for an individual. This requires an appointment with a licensed optometrist. Once fitted, however, you can wear them all day, like normal contacts. They will have to be cleaned and soaked like normal contacts as well, though it is possible to have daily disposable multifocal lenses ordered on your behalf. Furthermore, like all soft-contact lenses, multifocal contact lenses are made from oxygen-permeable materials that allow the iris o receive vital oxygen.

The Multifocal Fight

The signs are slight. In fact, they are so imperceptible you may think nothing of it. It is the slow, steady blurring of the fine print that is a sure sign you have passed over into a new reality, a new phase. Welcome to presbyopia. As middle age progresses towards upper-middle-age, you may begin to notice that irritating blurring and begin to conjecture a more serious condition than the one actually affecting you.

Cutting to the chase: this is a case of age-related farsightedness. It is far from a serious condition, but it can seriously hamper your reading enjoyment. Most people who suffer are still very active and involved in sports and social activities. Hiking, biking, climbing will not be affected. The only problem is when the lights are low and there is small print to read.

There are two possible treatments for presbyopia at present. The first and most common is investing in a stylish pair of bifocals. This can be problematic, as most people hate the idea of brandishing a pair of bifocals to read a menu or the newspaper. The second, and far more discrete treatment for presbyopia is being fit for a pair of multifocal contact lenses.

These prescription lenses are designed to fit the shape of your eye, providing the same benefits as a pair of glasses. They are designed in such a manner as to allow the wearer smooth transitions from regular vision to reading. Most multifocal contact lenses are made of gas-permeable materials that allow oxygen to reach the eye while resisting debris and the accumulation of irritating proteins.

In summation, ailments like presbyopia are easily treated with simple solutions. Whether you decide on a pair of cumbersome reading glasses or light-as-air multifocal lenses, the menu will become easier and easier to read. The days of eye strain will be a thing of the past. Though getting older is inevitable and is not without its quick fixes.

How to Clean Designer Sunglasses

Sunglasses, also commonly referred to as “shades” are dark tinted glasses used to help protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and help facilitate your vision in bright sunlight. Many people use sunglasses when outside in the sun, whether they are driving, bicycling, walking, jogging or lounging at the beach. Nowadays, there are thousands of styles, colors and brands of shades to choose from. If you are shopping for a new pair, make sure you verify that they provide adequate UV ray protection for your eyes.

Sunglasses are also viewed as an accessory, and many people use them as a fashion statement to accent their personal style. Many fashion designers, from the everyday to the high-end style houses also design sunglasses under their respective brands. It is not uncommon to see designer sunglasses on celebrities, socialites, or even average people walking around on the street.

Designer shades can accent your personal style and protect your eyes from the sun. Popular brand names include Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Prada, Chanel and Hermes among others. Prices for these fashion statements can range anywhere from $50 to thousands of dollars. Whether you spend only fifty dollars or over five hundred dollars, your designer sunglasses are an investment that you will want to protect.

Protect Your Investment In order to protect your shades properly, you must take care not to let them get any scratches on the lenses or the surface of the frames. To do this, make sure you only place them on soft surfaces. If a case is not included in your purchase, invest in a hard case that snaps shut where you can store your sunglasses when you arent using them. Also, make sure you learn how to clean your sunglasses properly and carefully. The guide below will help you.

Clean Your Sunglasses The first step to keeping your sunglasses clean is to make sure they are properly stored when you are not wearing them. If you leave your designer glasses on a table or shelf, they are likely to need more frequent cleaning as they will gather dust there. If you toss your shades into your purse without properly storing them in a case, they are likely to gather dust and debris as well. Keeping your glasses in a case will help prevent the need for frequent cleanings, thus keeping them new-looking and scratch-free.

When it is time to clean your designer shades, make sure you use clean water and a bit of soap. Even using just water is okay, but do not, under any circumstances, wipe your designer sunglasses down when they are dry. Wiping your shades without at least moistening them first can cause scratches and damage to your lenses or frames.

Make sure you are not using a regular towel, tissue or cloth when cleaning your sunglasses. Coming into contact with the wrong type of textile can easily scratch or damage your expensive shades. Instead, use a very soft cotton cloth, such as a chamois, in order to protect your glasses. Another option is to invest in a soft optical cloth to clean your glasses safely and properly.

These days, sunglass care and cleaning kits are available at eyewear boutiques or department stores. Try asking the retailer that sold you your sunglasses if they sell any such kits. Generally a sunglasses cleaning kit will include a small bottle of cleaning solution that is safe and effective for use on expensive shades, a soft cloth made of cotton or microfiber, and a carrying case. If the kits sold at your local retailer seem pricey, simply shop around online for a better deal.

How do You Insert Contact Lenses Properly?

If you wear glasses or have recently been diagnosed with a vision problem (such as astigmatism, myopia, presbyopia or something else) that requires corrective lenses, you may be considering using contact lenses.

Contact lenses are a great alternative to glasses and are popular with many people because of the comfort that freedom from bulky frames they provide. Many people also like the increased peripheral vision they enjoy as a result of the contact lenses moving with their eyes in any given direction. There are many different types of contact lenses. Some of these include soft contact lenses, rigid gas permeable lenses, daily wear lenses, extended wear contacts, colored contact lenses and more. Your eye care professional will work with you to ensure that you get the pair of contact lenses that are best for your eyes and your lifestyle. He or she will also go over the basics of inserting, removing, and caring for your contacts. If you familiarize yourself with the process of inserting your contact lenses properly before visiting your eye doctor, you will be armed with questions and may even impress your doctor!

Prepare to Insert Your Lenses The absolute most important thing about wearing contact lenses is being clean and hygienic about it. If you stray from this rule even a little bit you are opening yourself up to possible eye infection and damage. For this reason, you must wash your hands thoroughly with hot water and soap before you begin to prepare your contact lenses for insertion. After washing, dry your hands with a lint-free towel. Make sure to avoid contact with lotions or cosmetics between washing your hands and handling your lenses.

Opening the Contact Lens Package Many contact lenses will come in whats called a “multipack.” Look for the opening flap on the front of the multipack and pull it in order to break the seal. Inside you will find six individually packaged lenses. The lenses are packaged this way to ensure maximum sterility for each lens. While there may be some slight variation in how lenses are packaged from manufacturer to manufacturer, the instructions below will help you open up your contact lens package properly.

Shake an individual lens package gently and check if you can see the contact lenses floating in the enclosed solution. Next, peel back the foil covering carefully to reveal the lens. You can stabilize the lens package by placing it on a flat surface (such as your bathroom counter) in order to avoid splashing. Sometimes, a lens will adhere itself to the foil covering when opened. This will not affect the sterility of your lens.

Handling the Lenses Try to get used to handling the same lens first (right or left) every time so that you develop a habit and dont get mixed up. Remove the lens from the pack or from its storage case and examine it to ensure that it is clean and free of debris or tears. If you notice any damage on the lens, do not use it. Confirm that the lens is not turned inside out by placing it on your forefinger and looking at its profile. The lens should look like a bowl. If the lens edges point outwards, it is inside out.

Placing the Lens in Your Eye Once you have verified that the lens on your forefinger is not inside out, use the middle finger from that same hand to both steady your hand and pull down your lower lid gently. Using your other hand, lift your upper lid. Center the lens and gently place it on your eye. Release your eyelids and blink. The lens will automatically center itself.

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