Posts Tagged ‘contacts’
Posted on January 4th, 2012 by Nancy D
Although many people think of winter as the wet season because of the precipitation, the atmosphere is really a lot dryer during the winter months, which often causes your eyes to be more sensitive.
Your optometrist can assist you in selecting the best options to hydrate your eyes during the arid winter season. Even before you step outside, you can help prevent dryness by using a humidifier in your home.
Be sure to take additional protective measures once you’re outside. Protect your eyes from the wind and cold by wearing a brimmed hat and well-fitting sunglasses. The point is to keep the swirling winds away and stop evaporation of your eye’s tear film.
If your dryness is persistent, consider artificial tears. These may help relieve the irritating symptoms of dry eyes. Consult with your optometrist before you start using any eye drops to ensure they are the right solution for your condition.
Don’t forget—if you wear contacts, it’s important to be especially careful in the colder months. If able, make use of rewetting drops. While you may not realize it, lenses are like sponges and are required to stay lubricated to maintain their shape. If they begin to dry out, the contacts can lose their form and stick to the eyeball, causing pain and cloudiness. So let your lenses drink up and make sure to keep them moisturized this winter. With a little awareness and planning, you can avoid the dangers of the cold, dry weather and keep your eyes safe and cozy the whole season!
Visit The Center for more information and to find a doctor near you.
File under: Contact Lenses, eye health | Tagged: artificial tears, cold, contact lenses, contacts, dry eye, eyes, rewetting drops, VSP, weather, wind, winter
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Posted on November 16th, 2011 by Gail V
Well, in our preferred future dream world they can. Today, you still have to be pretty careful with your contacts. There are a ton of pluses with contacts: they don’t slip down your nose, they don’t fog up, your entire field of vision is in focus—and they match everything you wear! But if you get sloppy with them, you can put your eyes at risk of infection.
In addition to the obvious ones spelled out by the manufacturer, keep these tips in mind when caring for your contacts.
- Spit won’t get it done: No matter how desperate you are, don’t put your contacts in your mouth to clean them. Wait until you can use the solution your doctor recommended.
- Lenses out before you jump in: Don’t wear your contacts swimming, whether that’s in a chlorinated pool, the ocean, a hot tub, whatever. Dangerous microorganisms can live in those environments, and if they latch on to your contact lenses or get trapped under your lenses, they can cause real trouble. If you forget and dive in with your lenses on, be careful to remove them as soon as possible.
- In with the new: Your eyes will thank you if you dump your storage case lens solution after each cleaning, and replace the case itself every three to six months.
For more handy advice on contacts, plus a terrific selection of lenses to choose from, check out eyeconic.com.
File under: Contact Lenses, Eyeconic | Tagged: contact lenses, contacts, discount, Eye Safety, free shipping, online, order, refill, safety tips, save, selection, variety, VSP benefit
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Posted on October 4th, 2011 by Tammi B.
Trick or Treat is around the corner! Halloween happenings are in the planning stages, and you might be looking for something to give your costume that extra ooomph that could win you first prize in a costume competition. Have you seen the variety of colored contact lenses available that can enhance your look? If you envision yourself as a vampire with amber eyes a la Twilight or you are going gaga over the anime look in the video Bad Romance, here are some things you should know to keep your fantasy Halloween look from becoming a nightmare.
Contact lenses are classified by the FDA as medical devices and it is illegal to sell them without a prescription, even if the lenses themselves are non-prescription. Avoid the temptation to order these lenses online or off the rack. We all come in different sizes, shapes, and colors and this applies to our eyes as well. A properly fitted contact lens may enhance your costume or character, but an improper fit can do serious harm to your eyes.
VSP’s The Center has more information about colored contacts, including makeup tricks as an alternative. But remember, a simple visit to your eye doctor for a fitting and for information on what safe options are available to you will keep your eyes healthy and help you avoid risks like infection, eye damage, and even vision loss – things that are truly frightening!
File under: Contact Lenses, Eye Safety | Tagged: contact lenses, contacts, eye injury, fantasy, Halloween, Lady gaga, twilight
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Posted on August 15th, 2011 by Gail V
Gail V uses the virtual try-on feature for Eyeconic
You know what you like, what you don’t, and what looks good on you. But how do you check out your eyewear options online before making a purchase? In a word – Eyeconic!
What’s Eyeconic?
Our new online optical store, where you can browse the latest styles in sunwear. When you find a brand you like, we help you find a VSP doctor who carries that brand. You can also choose from hundreds of brands of contact lenses. We always encourage VSP members to purchase an annual supply from their VSP doctor when they get their eyes examined, but if you’re looking for online convenience or need replacement boxes, Eyeconic can be your trusted source.
What looks good on you?
Let the Eyeconic Personal Shoppers help you! Is your face heart-shaped, round or oval? Are you looking for sunglasses that are sporty or professional? We’ll help you make the smart choice from the many designer brands and styles we showcase.
With Eyeconic’s high-tech try-on, you can see the glasses on your face—in real-time! Then, after pre-selecting your style, you can get a list of nearby VSP doctors who carry them. When you go in to make your purchase, you can get your fitting taken care of, too. Fashion made easy!
Your doctor stays in the loop.
When you purchase on eyeconic.com, we work with your prescribing doctor to make sure your prescription is right before filling your order. And we encourage you to return to your doctor for information about the contacts. That’s also a good time to buy the sunglasses that you picked out on Eyeconic!
Your purchase makes a difference.
For each box of contacts ordered on eyeconic.com, $1 goes to the American Red Cross. You get to purchase with a purpose—and we make the donation for you.
Find your Eyeconic style on eyeconic.com today!
File under: Contact Lenses, Eyeconic | Tagged: contacts, designer sunglasses, Eyeconic, free shipping, online glasses, order contacts, VSP, VSP Vision Care
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Posted on November 22nd, 2010 by Lisa P.
Jeffry D. Gerson, O.D., F.A.A.O.
Today’s guest blog post is from Jeffry D. Gerson O.D., a VSP provider at WestGlen Eyecare & Omni Eye Center of Kansas City. He also lectures frequently on the topics of retinal disease and systemic disease and most notably has been our speaker at the VSP Eye on Diabetes Campaign.
There are many joys associated with being in private practice. Of course, the biggest one is knowing that you have helped a patient. Usually it involves helping somebody see better with glasses or contacts (and although this is rewarding, it doesn’t compare in magnitude to additional opportunities), but often forget the greatest thing we can do for our patients…save their lives. Although that may sound a little dramatic, eye doctors have the opportunity to dramatically improve our patients’ quality of life by helping them get their diabetes diagnosed earlier.
Eye doctors absolutely play a critical role in helping people with diabetes, and I take that responsibility very seriously. I take advantage of opportunities to help people understand their diabetes and how to prevent complications. I make sure that people understand A1c, the importance of self monitoring their blood glucose and general diabetes information. Too often, people have changes in their eyes from diabetes before they even know that they have diabetes. Approximately 20% of people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes have “diabetic retionpathy” at the time of their diagnosis! It is often the changes to the eyes that lead to the diagnosis.
Just last week I had a patient come in and on screening retinal imaging I saw 2 peripheral dot hemes. After questioning and further examination, I determined that this patient most likely has diabetes. I sent him to his primary care physician for confirmatory diagnosis. There is no greater satisfaction than knowing that because of prompt referral and likely treatment, this person may not suffer amputation, blindness or other consequences of long-term uncontrolled diabetes.
Annual visits to the eye doctor are a great way to not only keep your vision great, but to make sure you are healthy in general.
File under: diabetes, eye health, Eye Safety, Private Practice Doctors | Tagged: blindess, contacts, diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, eye doctor, eye on diabetes campaign, glasses, Jeffry D. Gerson, optometrists, private practice doctors, Type 2 Diabetes, VSP Vision Care
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Posted on September 7th, 2010 by Lisa P.
Looking to find stylish, quality eyewear without having to purchase it in a costly retail location? Check out Eyewear Promotions and discover how you can choose from a wide variety of today’s most popular eyewear and contacts, available to you at affordable prices from your local private practice eye doctor.
Eyewear Promotions is a service provided by a growing group of eyecare practices who are dedicated to providing you with quality eyewear at a great value. They believe that private practice delivers the most personalized, quality eyecare that is matched by an enjoyable shopping experience that includes tremendous value on designer frames, sunwear, premium lenses, contacts and much more. There’s truly something for everyone.
With back to school season in full swing, you can even find great offers for your child’s glasses at Eyewear Promotions. As the kids head back into the classroom, make sure they have an annual eye exam. An undiagnosed vision problem can have negative effects on your child’s performance in school. Eyewear Promotions can help you find a practice that can provide durable, children’s eyewear at a great price. Visit www.eyewearpromotions.com today and explore the latest offers available to you, locate a local participating provider, and sign up for the monthly newsletter.
Be sure to also check out Eyewear Promotions on Facebook.
File under: fashion, Frames & Lenses, Private Practice Doctors | Tagged: affordable, contact lenses, contacts, eyewear, Frames, lenses, private practice doctors, promotions, quality, stylish
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Posted on August 4th, 2010 by Lisa P.
Guest Blogger: Judy Malm, program manager for VSP’s Individual Plan.
Having access to vision insurance isn’t only through employers. VSP Vision Care offers individuals access to comprehensive vision coverage through it’s Individual Plan. Anyone in the U.S. can sign up to receive benefits that cover a comprehensive eye exam and glasses or contacts! Through the Individual Plan, you get to select from over 22,000 VSP doctors nationwide that’s right for you.
Don’t take our word for it, here’s what our Individual Plan members have to say:
“This plan is easy to use, convenient and quite affordable for my family,” said Dorothy Grubbs. “It’s the best eyecare plan we’ve ever had. My husband had VSP with a previous employer and we were so happy when it was available for individuals,” she added.
The plan was simple to use and a great reminder for my spouse and I to get an annual eye exam as part of our benefit, said Linda Farley. “It’s a great deal when we get the best care for our aging eyes, and we save money on the exam and new glasses every year,” she added.
With all the changes the economy has made to our lives, here is one thing we can hold on to. Go to www.vspforyou.com to find out more about the plan.
File under: eye health, Frames & Lenses | Tagged: contacts, eye exam, glasses, individual plan, vision coverage, vision insurance, VSP, vsp doctors, VSP Vision Care
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Posted on July 14th, 2010 by Lisa P.
Lady Gaga looking doe-eyed. From her "Bad Romance" music video
Lady Gaga has become a trend-setter around the world. This time, it’s not about her racey outfits but more for her eyes. In her recent music video for her track “Bad Romance,” her eyes have sparked a new trend here in the U.S. known as the “circle contact lens.”
Originating from South Korea, and illegal in the States, these lenses take a new spin on the traditional colored-contact lens. “The lens extend beyond the iris, the colored part of the eye, making the eye appear larger. It’s purely cosmetic,” said medical correspondent, Dr. Jennifer Ashton with the CBS Early Show. These contacts give a doll or doe-eyed appearance (see Lady Gaga on the right) and have become popular among teens. Dr. Ashton goes on to stay the risks of these cosmetic lenses include infection, corneal ulcer & abrasion, vision impairment and lack of oxygen.
Watch the full interview with Dr. Ashton on the CBS Early Show
File under: eye health, Eye Safety, fashion, Frames & Lenses | Tagged: abrasion, Bad Romance music video, CBS Early Show, circle contact lens, contact lens trend, contact lenses, contacts, corneal ulcer, doe-eyed, doll eyes, Dr. Jennifer Ashton, eye trend, Lady gaga, South Korea, teen trend, vision impairment
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Posted on December 14th, 2009 by Vernon D.
File under: Frames & Lenses | Tagged: contact lenses, contacts, IBN, Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, sunglasses, sunwear alternative, Technology Review, Transitions, ultraviolet, UV
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Posted on August 25th, 2009 by Liz B.
Connie V. is VSP's Industry Relations Manager within Provider Services.
Guest Blog: Connie V. VSP’s Industry Relations Manager, recounts her recent eye surgery.
I go to the eye doctor once a year for my comprehensive eye exam, glasses, and contact lenses. My eye doctor, Dr. Sheilah Titus suggests I see an ophthalmologist once a year because I have narrow angles. I think I heard her explain it to me as the angle between my iris and cornea is so small or narrow that the fluid has a hard time passing between the back and front of my eye. This can lead to glaucoma.
Between my ophthalmologist and optometrist it was decided at my last visit it was time for me to have a preventative surgery called laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) to make sure I don’t end up with glaucoma in my later years. My doctor said, “it’s no big deal, you show up with no eye make up, we laser a hole in the iris in both eyes, then you go home, no big deal.”
I didn’t really give it much thought, I told friends and family about it and the reaction was the same, “Eye surgery … good luck with that, yuk!” On Friday, the hospital nurse called to make sure she had all the correct information including the person who was driving me and would be responsible in case something went wrong. Just in case something went wrong?!
I thought this was no big deal! Now I’m nervous. I’m used to taking people for procedures – not having procedures. The night before the surgery I didn’t sleep. I thought about some kind of brace on my eye lids keeping my eyes open and from moving. Every time I shut my eyes that’s all I could think of.
File under: eye health | Tagged: contacts, eye exams, eye health, eye surgery, eyecare, laser peripheral iridotomy, laser surgery
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