Eye care

More and more people are opting to wear contact lenses as a practical alternative to glasses. Their increased popularity is easy to understand – they look more natural, can give you a wider field of vision, and many people find them more convenient. But while they can be a convenient alternative to traditional glasses, adjusting to them may take some time and patience. What to expect when you start wearing contacts An adjustment period is very normal when you first get contact lenses. You may experience some blurry vision, discomfort (also known as “lens awareness”), or slight eye strain for up to two weeks after your first time wearing your lenses. Don’t give up though, it’ll be worth it once you’re used to them. Normal side effects of contact lens wear You may initially have some awareness of the lens in your eye as you adjust to your new contact lenses. Thankfully, there are ways to alleviate these issues during the adjustment period. Blurry vision Dry, tired eyes can cause blurry vision. But so can improper cleaning and storage of your reusable contact lenses, or an improper fit. Make sure you’re always cleaning your lenses after every wear with a cleaning solution made for your type of lenses and approved by your optometrist. Additionally, make sure you rinse your lenses in the solution before putting them in and after removing them, and ensure you’re storing them in the correct solution as well. If the blurry vision persists, your prescription may need adjusting – your optometrist can review this for you. Discomfort and irritation You may experience some discomfort when you’re still getting used to how lenses feel when they’re in your eyes. Don’t rub your eyes or try to poke at the lenses with your fingers. Instead, blink as normally as possible and use eye drops if your eyes or lenses feel dry. If they continue to be uncomfortable, remove the lenses and speak to your optician. Eye strain Spending a lot of time looking at computer screens can cause eye fatigue at the best of times but when you’re getting used to contact lenses it can make it feel worse. To help ease eye strain, limit wearing your contacts to just a few hours a day until you adjust. If you also notice that your eyes are dry or irritated, use eye drops or switch back to your glasses to let your eyes rest. How long does it take to get used to contact lenses? Patience is key during the adjustment period. It usually takes around 10-14 days to get used to new contact lenses. If it’s taking longer, get in touch with your optometrist as there may be a fit issue or you’re not wearing them correctly which is slowing down your adjustment. Contact lens issues to watch out for Prolonged irritation and infection are less common side effects of wearing contact lenses that may indicate improper use or len-related issues. It’s important to be vigilant so that you don’t damage your eyes. Risk of infection When wearing contact lenses, there is an increased risk of eye infections. To make sure you’re not unnecessarily introducing bacteria into your eyes, always wash your hands with soap and water before handling your lenses. You may want to avoid wearing makeup for the first couple of weeks but if you do continue to wear it, apply your makeup after you put your lenses in, and make sure you’re removing your lenses before your makeup. Cleanse your reusable lenses properly between wears and use the correct storage solution to keep your lenses clean. Tips for a smooth transition to contact lenses Gradually increase length of wear – don’t expect to be able to wear lenses for a full day right away. You will probably find that slowly increasing the amount of time you wear them for over a few weeks will be most comfortable. Proper lens care and hygiene – make sure you are caring for your lenses correctly and always have clean hands before touching your lenses or your eyes. This minimises the risk of infection and introducing bacteria to your eye. Using eye drops and lubricants – if your eyes feel dry or irritated, use eye drops to keep your eyes lubricated. Leaving dry eyes untreated can cause permanent eye damage so it’s important to take it seriously. Speak to your optometrist if you are experiencing dry eye syndrome. They may suggest a different type of contact lens or regime. Find the perfect lenses – The most important step in the journey of comfortably wearing contact lenses is finding the right lenses for your eyes. Your optometrist will measure the size of your pupils, the curvature of your eye, and your prescription and recommend the best type of contact lenses to suit you. When to consult your eye care professional Stress the importance of communication with eye care professionals, emphasising that they are key resources for successful contact lens wear. It’s vital to communicate with your optometrist and optician team if you have any issues with your contact lenses. They are a key resource for successful contact lens wear and can ensure you have the best fit, prescription, and can help you find the perfect lenses for your specific needs such as daily wear or specific conditions like astigmatism. If you want to give contact lenses a try, book your contact lens consultation today. Book your contact lens consultation Find a Leightons branch near you

Astigmatism is a common refractive error — when the shape of your eye prevents light from focusing correctly on your retina. It’s a common cause of blurry vision but, thankfully, can be diagnosed and treated with the use of corrective lenses. Read on to learn more about astigmatism and how it can be corrected. What is astigmatism? Astigmatism happens when your eyes aren’t completely round. Usually, eyeballs are round and shaped like footballs. Astigmatism happens when the shape of your eye looks more rugby ball-shaped. This can either happen gradually over time or is something you can be born with. It’s a very common refractive error. The irregular shape of your eye means that light entering your eye doesn’t focus correctly on your retina which can cause blurry vision, distorted images, and starburst effects when looking at bright lights. Types of astigmatism Regular astigmatism A healthy eye has a spherical cornea or lens, meaning the curves around the entire eye are the same. An eye with astigmatism, however, has a steep curve and a flat curve, also known as the two principal meridians. Regular astigmatism happens when the two principal meridians are 90 degrees apart, with one meridian steeper than the other. This type of astigmatism is the most common type and can be corrected by glasses, contact lenses, or laser surgery. Regular astigmatism can also be described as either “with-the-rule” or “against-the-rule” depending on which way the steepest angles of your eye face. With-the-rule astigmatism means your eye is shaped like a rugby ball lying on the ground with the steepest curves running vertically and is most common in younger people. Against-the-rule astigmatism means your cornea is shaped like a rugby ball on its end with the steepest curves running horizontally and is more common in older adults. Irregular astigmatism Where regular astigmatism occurs when the two principal medians are always at right angles, irregular astigmatism happens when the two principal medians are not symmetrical. The curvature of your cornea is uneven. This type of astigmatism is harder to correct than regular astigmatism. Irregular astigmatism is usually caused by disease such as keratoconus (gradual thinning of the cornea), corneal degeneration, corneal scarring, or ocular surface disease. Astigmatism combined with refractive errors You can also have astigmatism combined with other refractive errors. In a normal eye, the meridians work together to focus light into a single point on the retina. When you have astigmatism, the eye cannot focus light on a single point and instead creates two focal points. Combine that with other refractive errors like myopia – nearsightedness or hyperopia – farsightedness, and it’s likely that you’ll need corrective measures like glasses, contact lenses, or laser eye surgery. Simple Myopic: The combination of astigmatism and nearsightedness in which one focal point comes before the retina, while the other is on the retina. Compound Myopic: A combination of astigmatism and nearsightedness in which both focal points fall before the retina. Mixed: The combination of astigmatism, nearsightedness and farsightedness in which one focal point is before the retina and the other focal point is behind the retina. Simple Hyperopic: A combination of astigmatism and farsightedness in which one focal point is on the retina while the other is behind the retina. Compound Hyperopic: A combination of astigmatism and farsightedness in which both focal points are behind the retina. Causes of astigmatism We know that astigmatism is caused by a cornea or lens that has a different shape than normal. It can be inherited – it may be present from birth or develop later in life – or it may develop after an eye injury, disease or surgery. Astigmatism isn't caused or made worse by reading in poor light, sitting too close to the television or squinting. Diagnosing astigmatism Astigmatism is diagnosed through comprehensive eye exams. A complete eye exam such as Leightons’ Ultimate Eye Exam involves a series of tests to check eye health and refraction – which determines how the eyes bend light. Your optometrist may use various instruments, aim bright lights directly at your eyes and ask you to look through several lenses to examine different aspects of your eyes and vision, and to determine the prescription needed to provide clear vision with glasses or contact lenses. Treatment options There are multiple options available for helping to correct astigmatism. Glasses: one of the most common ways to fix astigmatism. They contain a cylindrical lens that compensates for the uneven curves in your cornea or lens. People with severe astigmatism may be better suited for glasses instead of contacts. This is often one of the most cost-effective options although wearing glasses can be inconvenient depending on your lifestyle. Contact lenses: offer similar benefits of glasses but sit directly on your eye. Whether you are offered soft or hard contact lenses will depend on your prescription and severity of astigmatism so it’s worth speaking to your optician about your options. Contact lenses are another cost-effective option but aren’t available for very severe prescriptions and aren’t ideal for those who don’t like touching their eyes. Refractive surgery: A surgery procedure that helps to improve vision and reduces the need for glasses or contact lenses. Your eye surgeon will use a laser beam to reshape the curves of the cornea, which corrects the refractive error and can be very effective for many people. Surgery can be expensive as it’s not typically offered on the NHS and comes with more complications than other methods of treatment. However the effects can be permanent and may be more suited to those with more severe vision problems. There is no one “right” way to correct astigmatism. You should choose the method that works best for your prescription, your lifestyle, and your comfort levels. Speak to your optometrist and optician to help find the best solution for you. Managing astigmatism If you’ve been diagnosed with astigmatism, it’s, thankfully, easy to manage from here on. Make sure you are scheduling regular eye exams to keep an eye on the condition and catch any changes in your vision early. You can book your eye tests through Leighton’s directly. Ensure you are taking proper care of your glasses – storing them in a scratch proof case when not in use and cleaning them regularly – and understand the importance of safe contact lens use to reduce the risk of introducing bacteria to your eye. Eye-healthy lifestyle habits can also help manage your symptoms including eating a nutritionally balanced diet and avoiding eye strain – making changes to your screen usage where possible, reading in well lit areas, and ensuring you take regular breaks. Conclusion Astigmatism is a very common vision problem but is one that can be easily and effectively corrected through a variety of different treatment options. If you suspect you might have astigmatism, or have experienced a change in your vision, reach out to your local eye care professional to determine the best treatment approach for your needs. Book an eye test