OPTX Optometry - Los Angeles & Valencia

At the start of spring I can't wear my contact lenses comfortably as my eyes itch - why is this?

You are probably suffering from an eye allergy. Spring often brings about more sneezing and increased pollen counts along with all the daffodils. Certain susceptible individuals will experience a reaction in the eyes and an allergic conjunctivitis results. The itching is usually confined to the upper and/or lower lids and possibly the corner of the eye closest to your nose. If you wear contact lenses, the best thing to do is switch to spectacles for the duration of the allergy and buy a small supply of daily disposable lenses so that you can use them for a few hours out in the evening if you are desperate. Daily disposables would be the best lens type if your allergies are fairly chronic and you refuse to wear glasses. For relief from the itching certain anti-histamine containing drops can be bought from your local pharmacy. Most cannot be used in conjunction with contact lenses. Other types of drops can be used over a sustained period of time to strengthen the membranes of the cells that cause the symptoms of allergy. These drops have a longer-term effect and are called mast-cell stabilizers. The active ingredient is usually sodium cromoglycate. Ask your Optometrist or pharmacist for more information.

Can I use any contact lens solutions or fluids for my lenses?

No. Always discuss your solutions with your Optometrist if you are thinking of changing types. It is quite possible to change from one brand of multipurpose solution to another, however, it is not wise to change from a multipurpose solution to a peroxide type where neutralization is required. Many contact lens wearers have made the mistake of using 3% hydrogen peroxide as a multipurpose solution.

I feel odd in my new spectacles even though they are made to the same prescription as my old ones -

A change in your prescription is not all that causes a new pair of specs to feel weird. The frame change requires adaptation as you may be looking through a smaller or larger viewing area and the lenses may be closer or farther from your eyes compared with before. The lenses may also be tilted at a different angle in the new frame and perhaps the frame does not wrap your face as much or as little as it did previously. The type of lens design in the new specs will also influence your vision. For example, thinner, flatter, aspheric high index lenses often seem less clear when looking through the extreme periphery of the lens. Perhaps the centers of the lenses are higher or lower than before. This can also influence your initial comfort. Perseverance is the key to adaptation, but after 3 weeks without improvement, please see our spectacle collections team for further assistance.

Sometimes I see flashing lights, my vision goes 'watery' & I get a headache. Is this an eye problem?

No. You have probably experienced a migraine attack. Your GP would be the best person to advise you on what to do. Flashing lights that seem fairly constant are more serious as this may indicate a problem with your retina. Fairly urgent assessment of your eyes is then required and you should see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible

What is LASIK surgery?

LASIK stands for Laser In Situ Keratomileusis. It is a form of refractive surgery, which corrects near or far-sightedness and Astigmatism. It cannot correct Presbyopia, but treatment is sometimes aimed at leaving one eye slightly short-sighted in order to account for this condition. For more information on presbyopia, see our Optical Terms section. LASIK can only be performed by an eye surgeon.

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Glossary

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There are 16 entries in the glossary.
Pages: 1

Term

Definition

Bifocals

The gradual decrease in ability of the eye to focus is a natural part of the aging process. Bifocals contain two prescriptions for correcting vision at different distances. Bifocals aid both near and far vision, with a visible line dividing the two areas of power prescription.

Blended multi-focals

These lenses have two focal corrections without the noticeable lines. The area that fuses the two powers together is unusable area.

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