Proper care should be taken while using and storing contact lenses. Below are few important guidelines for taking care of your contact lenses.

• Always wash your hands with warm water and soap while handling your contact lenses. After washing your hands, you should dry them with a clean towel. It should be made sure that no soap particles or chemical remains sticking to your hands which can cause pain and vision issues in your eyes.
• You should follow doctor’s prescription for contact lenses. If specific timings to wear them have been mentioned then you should wear them accordingly.
• Always use eyecare products recommended by your doctor as different types of contact lenses require different/ special care.
• Always clear your contact lenses after every use with sterile solution.
• Never use plain water directly on contact lenses.
• Clean your contact lenses by gently rubbing them with index finger. With “no rub” solutions you can rinse contact lenses without rubbing.
• If there occur irritation or any kind of infection like burning feeling, redness or tearing; discontinue the usage of lenses and talk to your eye doctor immediately about the issue. Wearing infected/ contaminated lenses can damage your eyes.
• Never wear contact lenses used by other persons.
• Do not sleep with contact lenses; unless you have been prescribed “Extended Wear” eye lenses. If you fall asleep while wearing contact lenses, do not remove them immediately, put eye drops and wait a few minutes before removing them.
• Always put the contact lenses before applying makeup else it may get contaminated with makeup chemicals or lotions and may damage your eyes. If you are wearing eye lenses after applying makeup, thoroughly wash your hands before handling the lenses.
• Protect tip of solution bottle from getting contaminated by touching other surfaces like finger tips, contact lenses etc.

Following these tips can make sure your contact lenses stay infection free and good to use. Contaminated or damaged contact lenses can be harmful for eyes.

You may contact Killeen Eyecare Center for complete diagnosis, and treatment for different eye problems. You can also procure contact lenses.

Contact Lenses Harker Heights - Optometrist Fort Hood

Macula is small area located in the centre of the eye. It is an important structure of the retina as it is responsible for the central vision and fine details of the objects in front of the eye. It is also responsible for the color vision.

Age related macular degeneration (AMD) – the cells of the macula become damaged slowly as the age progresses.

AMD is of two types

1. Dry AMD - The cells in the macula gradually degenerates and there is gradual loss of the central vision, the early symptoms include blurred vision followed by complete loss of the central vision.
2. Wet AMD - in wet AMD the loss of vision is very fast. In this type of AMD, an abnormal blood vessel of the retina grows under macula. These blood vessels tend to break down very often that damage the macula. Macula damage in the WET AMD is faster than that in dry AMD.

Causes of AMD

Age related AMD as the name suggest, is caused by the aging process. However there are some risk factors that may increase the chances of developing AMD in some individuals. These include:

• Hypertension
• Family history of AMD
• Smoking
• Obesity

Symptoms of AMD

Dry AMD –

• Blurred vision
• Blind spot in the middle of the eye

In wet AMD distorted vision as the blood vessels the leak in the eye raising the pressure in the eye.

• People with AMD may need more light to read and write
• Diminished color vision

In advanced AMD there is complete loss of the central vision

Diagnosis for AMD

• Certain tests that may detect the AMD include
• Visual acuity test
• Dilated Eye examination

Treatment for AMD

• Laser therapy
• Low vision aids like special lenses
• Surgery

Eyecare

• If you have genetic history of macular degeneration or initial stage of macular degeneration below mention points may help you
• Increase in Vitamin intake especially Vitamin C, E, and Zinc
• Weight control
• Smoking cessation
• Controlled blood pressure

Contact Killeen Eyecare Center for diagnosis and consultation for Macular Degeneration. Killeen Eyecare Center serves Killeen, Harker Heights and Fort Hood areas in Texas.

It has been observed that certain thyroid diseases can affect the eyes. The most common thyroid disease having eye manifestation is ‘Graves disease’. Graves disease is an autoimmune disease in which the thyroid hormones are produced in excess. The thyroid gland is over stimulated to produce excess of thyroid hormone. In "Graves disease" the body itself produces antibodies against the thyroid gland that over-stimulate the thyroid gland. Theses antibodies also affect the eyes.

How eyes are affected?

• The antibodies affects the orbit of the eyes. These antibodies cause over-stimulation of the cells of orbit that in turn produces certain chemical that causes damage to the eye. Swelling within the eye may cause optic nerve damage in the later stage.
• Inflammatory reaction is initiated around the eye which may lead to swelling and redness around the eye.
• The cornea of the eye may become dry due to the inflammatory changes in the eye.

Symptoms

• Pain in the eye
• Upper lid retraction
• Swelling and redness in the eye
• Dryness in the eye
• Impaired vision
• Double vision
• Widening of the space between the eyelids
• Forward protrusion of the eyeball

Treatment

• Thyroid disease is treated to ensure the optimum levels of thyroid hormone in the body
• For less severe cases where dryness is the common complain, frequent lubrication of the eyes by artificial tears.
• Non-Steroidal anti-inflammatory eye drops for inflammation and redness
• Surgery may be requires in severe cases. Most common type of surgeries performed is Orbital decompression surgery, Eye muscles surgery and Eyelid surgery

Eyecare For Graves Disease

• Smoking cessation – It has been observed that smoking can aggravate the eye manifestation of the graves disease.
• Regular treatment of thyroid disease
• Cold compresses can provide relief in pain and also provide moisture to the eye
• Protect the eye from direct sun contact by using sunglasses.

For complete eyecare contact Killeen Eyecare Center: Serving Killeen, Harker Heights and Fort Hood areas in Texas TX.