Daily Contact Lenses VS Monthly Contact Lenses

The Difference Between Daily Contact Lenses & Monthly Contact Lenses

When you meet with your optician to discuss contact lenses, the first matter that will be discussed is whether you want daily or monthly contact lenses.  They may make a recommendation based on the type of vision correction you need or any other conditions that effect your eyes, such as astigmatism.  But if there is no particularly recommendation, then what are the difference between the two?

Are Video Games Damaging your Eyes?

Video games such as the Call of Duty and the Grand Theft Auto series have become hugely popular, and many young men and women are spending more and more time playing these games.

Now the big question is,

Will spending to much time staring at a television / PC screen have a negative effect on your eyes?

This is something that so many people have asked me in practice, I have worked at The Optical Gallery for over 5 years now as a qualified Optician and I here this question on a daily basis.

So if you like many others are seeking an answer then please read on and I will reveal all.

Dangers to Vision whilst Gaming

CVS - Posture - Vision

These days video games are becoming more and more in depth, not only the graphics, audio and overall experience are becoming more advanced, but probably the biggest influence on the eyes is the length of time needed actually starring at the screen to complete the game.

It doesn't stop there!

When you do eventually complete the main storyline there is usually an on line section to the game, as we have seen in call of duty and grand theft auto, that can be just as addictive (if not more so) and generally will go on for as long as you are willing to
 play with no real ending. Meaning a lot of strain on your eyes.

What you Will Experience in Your Vision

A few symptoms that you may experience if you are a gamer, and you may find that your friends or family who watch a lot of  television or work a lot with computers may experience the same.

Symptoms

Headaches
Blurred Vision
Near sightedness (if regular breaks are not taken to relax your eyes)

What you May also Experience

You could experience symptoms similar to what's called CVS ( Computer Vision Syndrome ) this is caused by prolonged time at a computer and again not taking regular breaks to relax your eyes. Jobs that involve alot of computer work will be more at risk of developing CVS as well as computer gamers.

Symptoms

Blurry Vision
Light Sensitivity
Eye irritation

These are caused by the way that computers create an image on the screen. They create it using pixels (blocks of light) and starring at them for prolonged time without relaxing your eyes can cause all of the symptoms listed above.

As well as the effects this can have on the eyes it is also interesting to know that many people who work with computers and also gamers can suffer from neck and shoulder aches and pains all due to their posture when they are sitting at the computer or television, click here for a guide to good posture technique.

How to Maintain Great Vision

Protect Your Eyes

I am now going to share with you a few different ways to prevent deterioration of your eye site.

1. You want to be sitting the correct distance away from the television, now depending which size TV you own will determine what the best viewing distance is.

(26" - 31" = 3.5 feet), (32" - 36" = 4 feet), (37" - 39" = 4.5 feet), (40" - 41" = 5 feet), (43" - 45" = 5.5 feet), (46" - 49" = 6 feet), (50" - 52" = 6.5 feet)

2. Frequent breaks from the screen is always going to benefit your eyes. A simple rule I learned from my lecturer whilst I was studying was the 20 20 20 rule. This works for both computers and television screens.

( Every 20 minuets, look 20 metres away, for 20 seconds )

3. Glare from other light sources can force your eyes to work harder. What you want to do is turn your screen, if possible, so the light is not hitting the screen. If this isn't possible then you will need to close curtains to reduce light hitting the front of the screen this will reduce how much you are having to strain your eyes.

A lot of people forget one of the priorities to good eye health which is a skill that is essential to overall good health, which is making sure you are getting the correct nutrients and vitamins that your eyes crave.

These consist of:

Vitamin A - Feeds the retina helping it to function properly.
Lutein - Prevents Macular Degeneration and Cataracts.
Selenium - Helps the body to absorb other nutrients.

If you find that trying to get a good balanced mixture of these vitamins, and other essential vitamins for good health, in to your diet a bit difficult then you can use multivitamin supplements to aid in getting the correct ones.

The Big Question Answered

Do Video Games Damage Eyes

And the answer is:

They do if you don't take breaks.....

But if you do take your breaks and have a good supply of vitamins then they could actually benefit your eyes.

How can they be beneficial to your eyes? I hear you ask.

The answer is quite simple and I will list the reasons below.

1. Improved Hand Eye Co-ordination - as you know a lot of action games need very speedy reactions from what you see to clicking the correct buttons and still being aware of your surroundings. Now Call of Duty is a great example as, personally speaking, this is a very in depth demanding game and especially the on line features are amazing, so if your kid or yourself is taking breaks, eating the right vitamins and a Call of Duty fan then you could be on to a winner.

2. Contrast Sensitivity Function Enhanced - This is something that usually deteriorates with age which is being able to distinguish between different shades of colour on a uniform background. So in short your eyes should stay healthier for longer improving night time driving and also reading.

In summary to this lens of is gaming bad for your eyes, it can be but it can also be beneficial and to get the most out of your eyes you should have a combination of a healthy diet, playing (action orientated call of duty, grand theft auto) for a healthy period of time taking into account the 

20 20 20 rule and probably the most important part of healthy living in general is to get outside every now 

and then and enjoy the natural beauties and entertainment that this world has to offer!

What if I wear Glasses / Contact lenses?

If you wear spectacles or even contact lenses then this can still all apply to you as a prevention method of your eyes getting any worse so you can experience the same benefits as everyone else.

Also if you are a contact lens wearer you are probably feeling the pinch as Christmas approaches. I am going to share with you a little tip. If you buy contact lenses online whether it be Clariti contact lenses or Acuvue contact lenses or any other brand, they are exactly the same as you would get from your high street store just a lot cheaper as they don't have all the overheads.

A website I would recommend is Quality Eyes as they are a team of qualified opticians that can offer advice and help, but as always before ordering make sure you have had an up to date contact lens check so we all know your eyes are healthy for contact lens wear.

New Member to the Clariti Family

Introducing Clariti XR Toric

These new high astigmatism lenses are now here to give you that same fresh feeling you love along with pure clarity in vision.

Using technology from the original Clariti Toric lens, this new edition to the Clariti contact lenses family is custom made and combines Sauflons innovative silicone hydrogel material and proven toric design. This provides the ideal solution for patients with higher levels of astigmatism.

The advanced design provides a highly stable consistent vision for the most demanding astigmatic prescriptions, this combined with a constant edge thickness and comfort chamfer, ensures comfort throughout the day imitating the comfort that the whole Clariti contact lenses family are known for.

So if you have astigmatism and you’re looking to buy contact lenses online give Clariti Toric XR a try. You won’t regret it.

Quality Eyes

1 DAY ACUVUE® TruEye®- The Best

Modern living in a city can take a toll on the health of your eyes. 1 DAY ACUVUE^® TruEye^® Contact Lenses by Johnson & Johnson are the daily disposable contact lenses specially designed for the demands of urban areas and the health of your eyes.

1 DAY ACUVUE^® TruEye^® Technology:

• The first-ever fusion of superior oxygen delivery,

•  Highest UV protection

• Ultra-smooth HYDRACLEAR^®1 technology in a daily disposable lens. 

Why Try 1 DAY ACUVUE^® TruEye^®

The only contact lens of its type to give you all these benefits:

• You want a lens that is specially designed for the demands of modern day living and the health of your eyes

•  Live your life to the fullest and need a lens that keeps up with you

•  If want to wear contact lenses all day and into the evening or just want to wear lenses a few days a week

• Healthy, clear and bright eyes (almost 100% of oxygen available to the eye)

• The highest UV protection of any daily disposable lens contact lens

• An ultra-smooth lens design for comfortable eyes

• The convenience and health of a fresh, new lens every day

Visual Correction

•  Short sightedness (myopia)

•  Long sightedness (hyperopia)

Acuvue 1 Day Trueye contact lenses are an amazing breakthrough in contact lens technology and must be tried to believe it.

Buy Acuvue 1 Day Trueye from QualityEyes 

Types Of Contact Lenses EXPLAINED

Daily Disposable

These are soft lenses designed to be worn once only and then disguarded after each use. Each lens is sterile and packed individually to ensure safe and easy wear.

Daily Disposable contact lenses can be worn everyday or just occasionally & are also available in various colours.

Buy Daily Disposable Contact Lenses

Monthly & Weekly Disposables

These lenses are more suitable for frequent wear. They are design for everyday use and need to be cleaned and stored after each use.

Monthly contact lenses are also avaliable in various colours.

Buy 2 Week Disposable Contact Lenses
Buy Monthly Disposable Contact Lenses

Toric Contact Lenses

Toric Contact Lenses are necessary for people with astigmatism (asymmetry of the front surface of the eye) to provide clearer vision.

Toric contact lenses are avaliable in daily, monthly and extended wear.

Buy Toric Contact Lenses

Progressive (Multifocal) Lenses

These lenses are suitable for people who need a correction for both far and near distances (this is called presbyopia)(this is also suitable for varifocal wearers).

Mulitifocal contact lenses are avaliable as daily, monthly or extended wear.

Buy Multifocal / Varifocal Contact Lenses

Top 5 Daily Disposable Contact Lenses

Voted by Quality Eyes Contact Lens Practitioners

1) Clariti 1 Day

- Award winning contact lens of the year 2011 & 2012.

- Is one of few Silicone Hydro-gel materials available in daily disposables.

- Very reasonable in price compared to its competitors.

- Longer wearing time.

- High levels of comfort.

- Good fitting lens and stable vision throughout the day.

Buy Clariti 1 Day Contact Lenses

2) ACUVUE 1 Day Moist

- High levels of comfort due to its built in moisture lock.

- Longer wearing time.

- Hydro-gel material.

- Choice of fitting sizes (Base Curves) (fits wider range of eyes)

- Good fitting lens and stable vision throughout the day.

- It's only downfall is the cost (ACUVUE brand lenses are quite pricey)

Buy ACUVUE 1 Day Moist Contact Lenses

3) Focus Dailies All Day Comfort

- Built in moisturiser that is released throughout the day for all day comfort.

- Longer wearing time.

- Reasonable price.

- Good fitting lens and stable vision throughout the day.

Buy Focus Dailies All Day Comfort Contact Lenses

4) Proclear 1 Day

- Very good for dry eyes.
- Hydro-gel material.
- High levels of comfort (uses a unique material found in human tears)
- Comfortable fitting lens and stable vision throughout the day.
Buy Proclear 1 Day

5) Biomedics 1 Day Extra

- Hydro-gel material.
- Comfortable lens.
- Very, very reasonable on price compared to its competitors.
- Good fitting lens and stable vision throughout the day.
Buy Biomedics 1 Day Extra



Smoking and Eye Health

Avoiding or quitting smoking, is one of the best investments you can make for your long-term eye health.

Smoking, even in your teens or twenties, when your senior years seem far away, increases your risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the future. The more a person smokes, the higher the risks.

The good news is - that after people quit smoking, the risk factor for these eye diseases becomes almost as low as a non-smoker.

Smoking also increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases that indirectly influence your eyes’ health. Tobacco smoke, including second-hand smoke, is an irritant that aggravates dry eyes, a very uncomfortable eye condition that is most common in women after menopause.

Smoking increases the risk of serious vision loss in people who also suffer with other eye diseases. When women smoke during pregnancy they are more likely to give birth prematurely, putting their babies at higher risk for a potentially blinding disease called retinopathy of prematurity as well as other health problems.

By Antonios (QualityEyes Contact Lenses)