Can You Swim with Contact Lenses?

This summer when it’s hot outside and you have the opportunity to jump into a nice cool pool, it may be tempting to do so without taking out your contact lenses. That process can be a bit of a pain and you may think that it’s no big deal if your contacts get some water on them. However, it is highly recommended that you remove your contacts before going for a dip in the water – this includes pools, hot tubs, lakes, and oceans. There are a variety of reasons for this.

Microbes and Bacteria

Water everywhere contains thousands of viruses and bacteria that can be harmful to your system. One dangerous organism known as Acanthamoeba can cause your cornea to become infected if it comes in contact with your lenses. In severe cases, this can lead to permanent loss of vision or require surgery to fix your cornea, including a potential cornea implant.
This is just one kind of dangerous bacteria that can be made worse by contact lenses. If you don’t wear your contacts, your body generally has a way of flushing these bacteria out. However, as they become attached to your contacts, the bacteria have the opportunity to grow and become more likely to infect you.

Irritation

Water can cause contact lenses to swell or dislodge, causing discomfort in your eyes. It may also wash away your natural tear film which will cause your eyes to feel dry and irritated as they lose their natural lubricating properties. As your eyes become drier, you will find it more and more irritating to put in your contact lenses in the future, especially if they fall out while you are in the pool.

The potential loss of contacts

Due to the dislodging, that takes place in the water, you put yourself at risk of losing your contacts if you swim with them in. This may not be as big of a deal if you wear daily disposable contacts, but it can be expensive and frustrating if you have permanent contacts.

What to do if you accidentally wear contacts in the pool?

If you forget to take your contacts out when you go swimming, it’s important to remove them and clean them as soon as possible. Make sure to disinfect them with your solution and allow them to dry thoroughly before wearing them again. If you wear daily contacts, throw out the pair that was exposed to water and put in a new pair.
You also need to take care of your eyes, so rinse them out with re-wetting drops or artificial tears. This will re-lubricate your eyes and help ensure that you don’t suffer from dryness as the day goes on. If you have any long-lasting issues after swimming, make an appointment with Twenty Twenty Eyecare as soon as possible.
If you must wear your contacts while swimming, be sure to find a pair of airtight, waterproof goggles. These will protect your eyes from chemicals and bacteria in the water and help keep your contacts from falling out or dislodging

Tips For Choosing UV Resistant Sunglasses

4 TIPS FOR CHOOSING UV RESISTANT SUNGLASSES

4 tips for choosing UV resistant sunglasses to get through summer safely
Sunlight can be very harmful to your eyes. Ultraviolet light, or UV light, can cause radiation and damage your eyes over time. The best way to protect your eyes is simple— wear sunglasses when it’s sunny out. But it’s important to wear the right kind of sunglasses. Some do not protect as well as others. Here are some tips on selecting the right kind of sunglasses.

LOOK FOR THE STICKER THAT SAYS “BLOCKS OUT 100% OF UV RAYS”

A lot of sunglasses don’t block out all UV rays, and the way a pair looks and is labeled can be misleading. For example, if a pair is polarized, that may sound like they block out more light and thus more UV rays, but polarization only cuts down on glare. It does not actually block out UV light. You may also think a darker lens blocks out more light and more UV rays, but this isn’t true, either. It may be harder to see through darker lenses, but harmful light can still reach your eyes. The only real way to know if a pair of sunglasses is UV resistant enough is to look for a label that says they block out 100 percent of UV Rays. Anything less than 100 (or 99 percent if that’s all you can find) won’t cut it.

GO FOR THE LENS COLOR YOU LIKE BEST

Lenses come in a variety of different colors, the main ones being gray, brown, and amber. Different colors make it easier to see certain things. For example, gray is the best color if you want to be able to see the most color contrast when wearing your sunglasses. But no color protects better against UV rays than any other. So choose which color works best for you. Just be sure that whatever color you choose, it’s uniform over the whole lens. If the color is different in certain areas that could mean the lens is distorted and won’t work as well.

MAKE SURE THEY’RE BIG ENOUGH

Don’t sacrifice form for function. If your sunglasses don’t cover enough area, light can get under them and still damage your eyes. Ideally, when you try on a pair, you shouldn’t be able to see past the edges of the frame in your peripheral vision. For the best coverage, opt for a pair of wrap-around sunglasses. This ensures no light can get in under the edges.

DON’T SPEND A FORTUNE

It isn’t too hard to find sunglasses that are big enough, uniform enough, and have 100 % protection against UV light. It also doesn’t have to be expensive. Sunglasses from designer brands that sport labels saying that they’re polarized and ultra-effective against Ultraviolet light are really no more effective than any other pair that has 100 percent UV protection. Don’t look for fancy labels and whatever claims are advertised. Just make sure that whatever pair you use is right for you. You don’t want a cheap pair that doesn’t block out UV light, but as long as you have that 100 percent guarantee, you have quite a few reasonably priced options.
Have general eye questions? Schedule an appointment with one of the doctors at 2020 Tulsa!

Three Alternatives To Lasik

3 ALTERNATIVES TO LASIK

Did you know that there are 3 alternatives to LASIK that you can consider?
You may have heard of all the amazing opportunities that LASIK can provide you. No longer worrying about broken glasses or missing contact lens solution are just a couple of the benefits that people who have gone through with the procedure enjoy every day. However, not everybody can receive LASIK. Certain risk factors may make them ineligible to receive surgery. Hope is not lost, however, as there are a number of surgical vision correction options that can circumvent these unfortunate disqualifiers. Here are some LASIK alternatives and why they might be a better fit for you.

PRK

Photorefractive Keratectomy, or PRK for short, is considered an alternative to LASIK, though it was actually created before LASIK. It is generally chosen over LASIK for patients that have abnormally thin corneas. This is because LASIK requires you to have a certain amount of corneal tissue in order to avoid problems while recovering from the surgery.
In both LASIK and PRK, an opening in the topmost layer of the cornea is created so that the underlying corneal tissue can be shaped. In LASIK specifically, the tissue is left attached so that it can be placed back over the incision like a trap door, making healing easier. PRK, on the other hand, removes the small section of cornea entirely, letting it heal over on its own. PRK is less favorable than LASIK due to its extended recovery period but is nevertheless a solid and safe option for those whose corneas do not meet the requirements for LASIK.

RLE

RLE is the abbreviation of “refractive lens exchange”. In this procedure, the eye’s natural lens, which is located behind the cornea, is completely removed. Then, an artificial lens called an IOL (intraocular lens) is carefully inserted. These lenses are designed to correct refractive errors similarly to normal contacts, except they remain in your eyes at all times, making the enhancement permanent and removing the hassle that comes with having to deal with contacts.
RLE is most often associated with cataract surgery, though it can also be helpful for some people who cannot have LASIK due to severe farsightedness. In order to receive LASIK, your vision must be within a certain prescription to ensure a good outcome. For other questions about eligibility to receive LASIK, feel free to set up a consultation!

PHAKIC IOLS

Phakic IOL surgery is similar to RLE, though it has one major difference. With phakic IOLs, there is no need to remove your eyes’ natural lenses. Instead, the IOL is placed in front of your lens and behind your cornea.
Phakic IOLs particularly excel at providing a solution to nearsightedness. The implants are undetectable, except for the vision correction, so there’s no need to worry about “feeling” them after the surgery.
Our eyes are completely unique to us. If your eyes prevent you from being able to receive LASIK, chances are there’s another option for you to take advantage of. Find out what 2020Tulsas Eye Care Specialists can do for you with a consultation!

What Do You Need To Know About Pediatric Eye Care?

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PEDIATRIC EYE CARE?

Children's Eye Care
It’s never too early to start taking care of your eyes, and in the case of children, it’s very important! Pediatric eye care can help diagnose vision problems early on.
Early diagnosis can prevent escalation, improve academics, and increase confidence. This can also instill good eye care habits that will last a lifetime. Before bringing in your child for their first eye appointment, here is an inside look at what to expect.

SYMPTOMS OF A CHILD WITH VISION PROBLEMS

Kids need their eyesight to be in good condition so that they can experience all that life has to offer. In fact, some studies suggest that as much as 80% of learning is visual. Without proper eye care, a child is at risk of falling behind.
Common symptoms of vision problems include blurry vision, headaches, and bad grades. You should also watch out for difficulty with reading. If you notice any of these symptoms in your child, it could be a sign that they are having a hard time seeing.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU SCHEDULE PEDIATRIC EYE EXAMS?

The frequency of eye exams depends most on the age of the patient. This is one of the biggest risk factors with eye problems. As you get older, you are at a higher risk of developing conditions like cataracts or glaucoma. This means that you’ll need more eye exams as you age.
For children, vision tends to fluctuate more often. As a result, they need more eye exams than adults do. A child’s first eye exam should happen when they are six months old. Their next exam usually happens around the age of three.
Another eye exam isn’t necessary until your child is about to start school. It is important to take your child at this age to make sure they have not developed vision problems. Once they have started school, they should have an eye exam every two years. If a vision problem is found, they will need to come in every year.
You may also consider setting up an eye exam when your child receives their annual physical to be safe. There’s no right or wrong way as long as your child has eye exams when they need them.

WHAT PEDIATRIC EYE EXAMS LOOK FOR

A baby’s first eye exam ensures that your infant is reaching milestones as they develop. At six months old, many vision processes have yet to develop, so it’s important to find any problems early.
Between the ages of two and five, children begin to learn hand-eye coordination. It is important to have a strong foundation with fine motor skills. This foundation can encourage a child’s ability to perform well in school, be creative, and have fun.
A child’s vision will continue fluctuating until reaching adulthood. This is normal and is why it is so important to have frequent eye exams.
Does your child need a pediatric eye exam? Schedule your appointment with the experts at 2o2o Tulsa, today! It’s never too early to start a lifetime of visual excellence