Your Eyes and Pregnancy

What you need to know Pregnancy is a truly wondrous experience. Every woman is aware that there are changes to her body that are entirely natural and obvious but many do not know or consider the effects of pregnancy upon the eyes.

It is important that you know of the changes that take place with your vision and eye health but do not be alarmed.

The vast majority of reasonably healthy women suffer no lasting eye health or vision problems during pregnancy and very many do not notice any changes whatsoever.

Natural bodily changes take place during pregnancy due to hormonal effects upon many organs, including the eyes.

These normal eye changes are brought about by a progressive decrease in the pressure of the fluid within the eye and associated fluid retention in the ocular tissues

Do Not Be Alarmed.

1. The sensitivity of the cornea progressively decreases throughout pregnancy, particularly during the last three months. This results in a risk to contact lens wearers who may damage the surface of the cornea more than usual. This can lead to red, sore eyes and an intolerance of contact lenses.

It is unlikely to cause any problems if there is no visual impairment or only corrective glasses are worn.

2. Ocular fluid retention can affect refraction and results in a temporary change in vision. Spectacle or contact lens wearers can find their existing prescription is either too weak or too strong. It is best to avoid having an eye test until six weeks or more after giving birth as it more than probable that vision will return to normal.

3. The pressure of the fluid in the eye, known as intra-ocular pressure, decreases. It is unlikely that this will be noticeable unless Glaucoma was diagnosed and being treated prior to pregnancy. Glaucoma is caused by raised intra-ocular pressure and is a serious condition affecting the ocular nerve. The resulting decrease in intra-ocular pressure during pregnancy is an advantageous side effect enjoyed by sufferers.

4. Some pregnant women suffer from dry eyes, which are normally only temporary and will disappear after giving birth. Ask your optrometrist for eye drops. He will know which drops you should use that will not have any detrimental effects on you or your baby. Otherwise the traditional and well known home beauty treatments will solve the problem. Rest with cotton wool soaked in witch hazel or simply cucumber slices laid on your eyes can only be beneficial. Try an eye mask straight out of the fridge.

5. Puffy or swollen areas around the eyelids are a frequent side effect during pregnancy. Drinking plenty of water and keeping to a healthy diet will actually limit water retention and relieve any discomfort.

6. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can lead to migraine headaches and sensitivity to bright lights.

Be sure to check with your medical advisors before taking any medication to relieve the symptoms.

There are pre-existing health problems that can affect the sight which should be considered before deciding to become pregnant and should be fully discussed with your physician and ophthalmologist.

It is recommended that Diabetics see their ophthalmologist at least once a year to be aware of diabetic eye disease.

This eye disease has a tendency to worsen during pregnancy so it is very important to increase the frequency of visits starting immediately you become aware of being pregnant.

Sufferers of diabetic eye disease should consult with their ophthalmologists before planning a pregnancy.

Blood can clot more quickly when pregnant so it is important to remain sensibly active and mobile throughout the term to keep the blood circulation from slowing. If not thrombosis of the cerebral blood vessels may develop which may lead to field of vision problems and other neurological defects.

Pre-eclampsia, which is caused by high blood pressure developing during pregnancy can have a severe effect upon the eyes. Bleeding in the retina may lead to permanent vision impairment and should be treated without delay.

In rare cases, a form of skin cancer called Malignant Melanoma can develop during pregnancy.

Due to the hormonal changes that take place, the progress of this cancer becomes quicker and first indications can appear in the eye.

Another result of the changes to the body is the occasional development of diminishing vision accompanied by blank areas in the field of vision and headaches.

This is caused by pressure on the optic nerves as a result of some Pituitary Gland tumors suddenly enlarging.

WARNING

If you are using any type of medication whatsoever including most importantly eye drops for Glaucoma check with your physician and your opthalmologist without delay.

Certain treatments for eye problems can have a catastrophic effect on an unborn baby.

There are alternative medications that can be prescribed that have no harmful side effects on mothers and their unborn babies.

Copyright 2006 Jaks Lloyd

Jaks Lloyd is a former photographic fashion model. She now lives in Spain and indulges her creative talents by writing and building innovative authority websites. http://www.hotexercise.com http://www.eyebeautytips.com

Firstly it was the need of contact lens. Secondly the need gave way to fashion. Thirdly fashion gave way to craze. Now amazing things are happening in the world of contact lens. You matched in everything, from tip to toe and in between you had forgotten the eyes. The revolutionary changes in the contact lens culture do provide you with the color of your choice for the eyes.

But these colored lenses and Halloween costume lenses require constant and careful maintenance. However, the procedure is simple. It is done with a no-rub multipurpose solution. Additionally, you require a pair of plastic tweezers and also a contact lens case. You can use any solution marked for soft contact lenses. If you have many pairs of contacts, let each one live in its own case.

It is not alone the solution, but the actual handling of the solution that matters. Solution plays a very important role in the overall handling of the contact lens. Before handling the contact lens, you need to wash your hands with soap. Then carefully pick the contact lens with tweezers and place it on your fingertip. Then rinse it with the no-rub solution. The contact lens is now ready to place it in your eye. And when you take the lenses out, one more rinse is necessary. Now keep it in its case with fresh solution till you use them again.

If you don’t wear lenses for several weeks, it is necessary to change the solution and rinse them once in a week. If the lenses remain unattended in the case over a long period, rinse them two times in fresh solution and before wearing them, let it remain in the solution for a couple of hours.

Remember, using proper solutions is related to the health of your eyes. Contact lens solutions for hard contacts need to be used in a proper way, taking this important aspect into consideration.

There is a proper order to use contact lenses solutions. The daily cleaner aspect is important. As soon as you remove them, you need to clean them by using the first of the solutions for hard contacts.

The second solution for hard contacts is the saline solution. This is used for the purpose of rinsing after you have rubbed it in the palm of your hand with the daily cleaner. Then, comes the soaking solution. Now, you need to just place your lens in the soaking solution.

So, this cleaning operation for the hard contact lenses is done once in a week. As for using the solutions, always follow the packaging instructions. These four solutions are enzymatic cleaner, daily cleaner, saline solution and soaking solution.

http://www.contactlenseclub.com/contacts/ & Contact Lens provides detailed information on contact lens, color contact lens, acuvue contact lens and more.

You’ve been wearing bifocal glasses for years, and you’re gotten sick of them. Having to wear your bifocals has stopped you from getting the fashionable sunglasses that you want for the summer. You have grown so disenchanted with bifocal glasses that you don’t bother with eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara, or any other kind of eye makeup. Why bother? They’ll be almost impossible to notice behind those thick, rather unsightly frames anyway.

While you will always be grateful to Benjamin Franklin, for inventing the bifocals, and yes your life is relatively more comfortable with them, you can’t help but wish that he had made them a little more stylish.

If this is how you feel about wearing bifocals everyday, then you will be delighted to know that as a result of technology there are finally bifocal contact lenses available in the market.

As you already know, bifocals are a special kind of corrective eyeglass lens that contains two different optical powers. Bifocals are most often used by people suffering from presbyopia, myopia, hyperopia, and even astigmatism.

Today most people will prefer contact lenses over the wearing of ordinary eyeglasses. For starters, a bifocal contact lens is less distracting, and unlike eyeglasses, you may even forget that you are wearing them. Also, they are more aesthetically pleasing, with no eyeglass frames getting in the way of people seeing your entire face, particularly your eyes. To a great many individuals, bifocal contact lenses are the obvious choice.

For those people who require bifocals, as the saying goes, bifocal contact lenses may be the best thing since sliced bread. After all, with bifocal contact lenses, you can enjoy all of the advantages of wearing bifocal eyeglasses without the hassle of the frames.

Before the bifocal contact lens was developed, people who required bifocals but wanted contact lenses would have to own two pairs, one for distance, and one for reading. Now, the bifocal contact lens solves the problem by answering your need to see clearly in the distance as well as close up.

Bifocal contact lenses are manufactured to two ways; they are either made from soft material – that is, gel-like substances that contain water, or rigid gas permeable material made of breathable plastic.

Replacement bifocal contact lenses are now readily available in the marketplace. Some, if this would be your preference, even allow daily replacement of your bifocal contacts. If constant replacement is inconvenient, in February 2006, bifocal contact lenses made of silicone hydrogel material also became available. These lenses allow you to wear them without removal up to thirty consecutive days.

However, heed this word of caution: beware of unapproved, unbranded, over-the-counter bifocal contact lenses. Always be sure when you purchase your bifocal contact lenses that they are FDA approved. Buying “off-label” contact lenses, whether bifocal or not, just to save a little money is not worth the risk. These bifocal contact lenses may cause serious harm to your eyesight, sometimes even resulting in blindness. Be smart, and safe, by only purchasing bifocal contact lenses that are prescribed by your doctor. Your eye doctor is legally prohibited from prescribing contact lenses that are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Remember, before heading out to your neighborhood optical store, be sure to visit and consult with your eye doctor who is the best person to help you pick out the bifocal contact lenses that will meet your vision correction needs, and be perfectly safe.

Carl DiNello is an Article Author whose articles are featured on websites covering the Internet’s most popular topics. To read more on this topic, please visit Contact Lens Resources!

You may republish this article on your website, or e-zine so long as none of the content, or author information has been edited or changed in any way, and all links are left active and unchanged.

What are Disposable Contacts?

Unlike extended-wear contact lenses, disposable contact lenses are designed to be worn for a specific period of time, which can be anywhere from a day to a few months. After this time, the lenses are thrown away and replaced with another pair. Because disposable lenses do not require much cleaning and maintenance, they are very popular with many consumers.

There are two broad categories of disposable contact lenses. The term "disposable" lenses is used to describe a broad range of lenses, but technically it should only include those that are replaced at least once every two weeks. Frequent replacement lenses are those that are replaced every one to three months. Most people use the term "disposable" lenses to denote both these categories.

Disposable contact lenses can come in extended-wear and daily-wear varieties. Extended-wear disposable contacts can be worn for about a week without being removed. (You can sleep without removing your extended-wear contact lenses.) After this period, they are discarded. On the other hand, daily-wear disposable contacts are worn and removed within 24 hours.

Why Disposables?

The reason you want to use disposable lenses is not merely for the sake of convenience – it can also lead to better eye health. Proteins and lipids can build up on your lenses over a period of time. These deposits make your lenses less comfortable to wear and can lead to eye irritation. Using disposables will spare you the time and expense of cleaning your lenses on a regular basis. Not only will this free up a little bit of your time, it should also save you the cost of lens cleaning products.

Jeanette Pollock is a freelance author and website owner of eye-care-hq.com. Visit Jeanette’s site to learn more about disposable contact lenses.

Because of the relatively new technology involved, most people are still unaware of the benefits, risks, and rewards of laser eye surgery. This article seeks to answer the more commonly asked questions about the process. If you are considering eye surgery to solve your ocular difficulties, then read on.

How painful is laser eye surgery?

Most people feel very little pain during the operation itself, mostly because the eye is anesthetized beforehand. When the medication wears off however, most individuals feel some discomfort and irritation. These irritations are usually minor and quickly disappear.

How long does laser eye surgery take?

The corrective surgery itself takes less than a minute. The recovery period needed is very minimal; most patients can be driven home after half an hour.

Are there any things I should not do after laser eye surgery?

Most doctors will tell you not to rub your eyes, as this may interfere with your eye’s recovery, as well as irritate the area. Most other activities are permissible though. If you have any doubts about whether or not you should be doing something, consult with your doctor.

When is an eye surgery patient able to return to work?

Many patients are capable of working a day after the operation. It really depends on you. If you feel that you can return to your normal activities without undue strain, then do so.

How long will it take for the surgery to take effect?

Most patients report dramatically improved vision three to five days after the operation.

Is the result permanent?

Clinical trials both in the U.S and abroad show that the results of laser eye treatment are relatively permanent and long-lasting. However, the need for re-treatment always remains a possibility, but usually only after many years.

Jeanette Pollock is a freelance author and website owner of eye-care-hq.com. Visit Jeanette’s site to learn more about laser eye surgery.

Do you use cell phones and computers for extended periods of time? Here are a few things you should know about electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation and how it can affect the health of your eyes:

* In 2001, German scientists found a link between cell phone radiation and eye cancer. The study investigated a form of eye cancer called uveal melanoma, in which tumours form in the layer that makes up the iris and base of the retina. The research suggests there is a threefold increase in eye cancers among people who regularly use the devices.

* According to public health scientist Dr. George Carlo, in 2006 there will be 40,000+ new cases of brain tumors and eye melanoma diagnosed worldwide directly attributed to cell phone usage. In 2010, that number will be an unprecedented 500,000 cases PER YEAR.

* A group of Israeli researchers found a link between microwave radiation and the development of cataracts. The study shows that prolonged exposure to microwave radiation similar to that used by cellular phones can lead to both macroscopic and microscopic damage to the lens and that at least part of this damage seems to accumulate over time and does not seem to heal.

* Ophthalmologic symptoms of electrosensitivity and electromagnetic hypersensitivity include pain or burning in the eyes, pressure in/behind the eyes, deteriorating vision, floaters, cataracts. It is hypothesized that the watery contents of the eye assists the absorption of radiation.

THINGS YOU CAN DO

* Minimize use of computers, cell phones, and other electrical devices. (Not a practical or convenient solution, but avoidance is always the primary intervention.)

* Eyeglass frames should ideally be made from plastic with no wires in them, otherwise they can serve as an antenna to focus the radio and cellular phone waves directly into your brain and eyes. (Dr. Mercola)

* Take anti-oxidants, particularly SOD, catalase, glutathione, and Coq10. Microwave radiation has been shown to decrease levels of these anti-oxidants in the body. Other supplements you may need are:

- Melatonin: a powerful anti-oxidant noted to prevent DNA breaks in brain cells. Also effective in preventing kidney damage from cell phones;

- Zinc: protects the eye from oxidative damage and helps preserve the levels of anti-oxidants in the blood;

- Gingko Biloba: an herb considered a powerful anti-oxidant which prevents oxidative damage in the brain, eye and kidney. Also helps support the production of SOD, catalase and glutathione;

- Bilberry extract: preserves vision and reduces oxidative damage to the eyes. (Dr. Gerald Goldberg)

* Use scientifically validated EMF protection devices. Most recommended are wearable types that effectively reduce the effects of EMF radiation on your biofield. The biofield is your first line of defense against stress. EMF radiation is known to disrupt the biofield, place stress on your body and weaken your immune system. The right protective device strengthens your biofield against this disruption and maintains its delicate homeostatic balance.

(Note: This article is shared for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you believe that you have a health problem, see your doctor or health professional immediately.)

For links to sources for this article, visit: http://www.emf-health.com/articles-emfandeyes.htm

© 2006 Taraka Serrano

Taraka Serrano is a writer and health advocate. Watch video reports on the dangers of cell phone and EMF radiation, and learn more about the right protective solutions for you. Visit EMF Protection by EMF-Health.com.

Several decades ago, laser eye surgery could only be imagined in a science fiction film or book. However, with today’s technology, laser eye surgery is now a reality. Instead of laser technology replacing sidearm weaponry, laser technology is now used to correct bad vision. While laser eye surgery may sound like it’s a complicated procedure, it is actually a pretty simple and straightforward one.

One type of laser eye surgery is lasek laser eye surgery. Lasek laser eye surgery, which is a variation of the traditional lasik laser eye surgery, is a procedure for correcting the vision of people with thin corneas. Lasik and lasek laser eye surgery both work by reshaping the patient’s cornea, thereby correcting his or her vision. After the laser eye surgery, the patient won’t need to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Laser eye surgery is a convenient procedure in that patients do not need to stay in the hospital overnight. Because laser eye surgery is an outpatient procedure, it makes it easy for those who lead a very busy life or are on a tight schedule. If you undergo laser eye surgery, you will be discharged from the doctor’s office or outpatient clinic on the same day. While there is a possibility that complications from the surgery may occur, they are rare. Laser eye surgery is a fairly safe procedure.

If laser eye surgery could be the solution to your vision problem or condition, set up consultation with an ophthalmologist. He or she will be able to give you advice as well as explain to you what a laser eye surgery procedure entails. If you have any concerns or questions, the eye doctor is the best person to reassure you or answer your questions.

For more important and helpful information on lasek laser eye surgery and LASIK eye surgery try visiting Vision-Doctor.com - A website that provides LASIK, eyeglasses and discount contact lenses information.

Contact lenses are very hot sellers today, and are available nearly everywhere - in drugstores, beauty centers, and even ophthalmologists themselves. But do you know where the fastest, and easiest place to buy is? Nowhere else but online.

There are a wide variety of contact lenses available online, and they fall into two main categories. Regular, doctor prescribed, contacts, and specially designed contacts. An example of a specially designed pair of contact lenses would be those made with silicone hydrogel. They are created with less water than regular contacts, and as a result of this, are not prone to dehydration. The wearer will feel more comfortable, especially if they have the need to wear their contacts for long periods of time.

Being able to purchase contact lenses online is a real convenience. All that is necessary is for you to do is use your mouse to click a few buttons. No need to leave your house, and in a few days, your order shows up at your door. However, the ease of your purchase does not entirely relieve you of responsibility. You must exercise some caution when choosing to buy contact lenses from online stores.

Here are a few pointers to help make your online purchase of contact lenses a little easier:

1. Don’t get so engrossed with the photo of the product that you stop reading the label. Read the product description thoroughly to be sure that you are ordering the right types of lenses. You don’t want to end up with a pair of contact lenses that you can’t use right? So review the product carefully before buying.

2. Remember just what it is you’re buying. If you have seen a doctor, and are filling a prescription great; but if you are someone who is just interested in buying contact lenses online for aesthetic reasons - don’t! Educate yourself first. Contact lenses are first and foremost for medical purposes.

3. Compare different prices. Since this is online, you can almost effortlessly click yourself from one online store to another in a matter of seconds. Match like product prices for what you are looking for, look for a store that may be offering a discount, a free, or reduced fee, or a product rebate.

4. Check the store’s inventory. Contact lenses come in different shapes, forms, and sizes. If you require a specialized design and cannot find it in the store you are visiting, move on. With the online resources available, what is not in one store, is more than likely in another. Look for a company that has loads of inventory in stock. Your chance of finding exactly what you want are much higher.

5. Be sure to deal only with a well established and trustworthy online company. Look for an online store that provides a secure shopping experience, and has a physical address, and a working phone number in their contact section.

6. Always read the sites shipping information. Need your order in a day or two? Not all sites will be able to deliver that quickly. Keep your shipping needs in mind when purchasing your contact lenses online. Also, keep your eye on shipping rates; you may find a wide variance.

Now, go ahead and shop around. Buying contact lenses online can be really should be a snap.

Carl DiNello is an Article Author whose articles are featured on websites covering the Internet’s most popular topics. To read more on this topic, please visit Contact Lens Resources!

You may republish this article on your website, or e-zine so long as none of the content, or author information has been edited or changed in any way, and all links are left active and unchanged.

For many, contact lens cases are simply two containers with screw on lids that are connected by a strip of plastic. Sure, some of them may be colored blue, white, or gray, but beyond that many people don’t give their contact lens cases any thought at all. Instead, they just go about their day to day lives, putting contacts in, taking them out, and never thinking about how much they could express with the right contact lens cases. There are many others out there, though, who know what is possible when it comes to cases for contacts. Consider some of the more popular and expressive contact lens containers.

One of the best novelty contact lens cases out there is the goggle-eyed ones. Usually a unique color like green or dark blue, these cases feature eyeballs on the two screw on lids that will move around with ease. Each time you take out your contact lenses, you will have cases that stare right back at you. They may be a little on the creepy side, but they are much farther on the very cool side of things.

Another one of the more exciting contact lens cases out there are the winking faces. Most of these come with a base color of black. The lids, then, are yellow with faces drawn on them. The left eye side of your contact case, then, has the right eye closed. The right eye side of the contact lens case has the left eye close. Clever and functional, these cases are just the thing for those with a little bit of quirkiness to them.

Third, you can look for contact lens cases that express your patriotism. There are many options out there in cases that are red, white, and blue. Some have the American flag waving on each lid while others simply use a combination of stars and strips to decorate the entire container. The end result is a patriotic and unique contact case. No matter which type you select, the red, white and blue will be looking right back at you when you put your contacts away.

As you can see, there are many options out there when it comes to contact lens cases. There is no reason to continue with your gray, white, or blue contact lens case when you can use that palate to really express yourself. Besides the faces, the colors of the USA, or the goggle eyes, you will find there are many more options as well. So go ahead and express yourself with your contact case.

For vital information on all things concerned with contact lenses visit Contact Lens

Contact lens prescriptions should come from a qualified eye care specialist. This is especially true with the contact lenses that are used either corrective or therapeutic. Stores would require a prescription before they sell a pair.

Here are the things that you have to look for in a prescription to determine its validity:

1. The patient’s name should appear in it. This important detail would prove that the person who has the prescription has gone through the necessary procedures essential to determine the right pair of contacts he or she has to get.

2. The date of the examination. The examination date has to be current. This ensures that the prescription is freshly made and that the patient is recently examined. This is very important in therapeutic contact lenses.

3. The issue date and the date of expiration of the prescription. These two sets of dates are equally important as the examination date. This solely determines if the prescription is still usable.

4. The doctor’s information. To further assure the manufacturers and the sellers of the prescription’s validity, they can proceed to call the doctor who made the prescription. They can do that to clear out anything that maybe vague or questionable to them.

5. The lens’s power. The contact lens’s power corresponds to its sphere, cylinder, or axis, when applicable. This detail is essential to determine the right pair for the intended user.

6. The material or the manufacturer of the lens. Contact lenses can be made of different materials. Some are made of Plexiglass, while some use Hydrogel. Most of the time, the brand of the contact lenses is enough to determine what kind of material is used.

7. The base curve and the diameter of the contact lens. These are the specifics of the lenses one is to buy. Here goes the actual specification as prescribed by the attending eye physician. These are determined by the tests conducted to the patient.

8. The contact lens’s manufacturer information. In case the doctor prescribed a private label contact lens, this information is needed. It would help the seller to verify the exact pair you have to get.

These are what compose a contact lens prescription. Each component is important, because it will lead you to the perfect pair. And more importantly, these are the requirement of the FTC. Contact lenses are still considered medical devices, even though if it is used for aesthetic purposes. That’s why contact lens prescriptions, with all these information, are a requisite.

For vital information on all things concerned with contact lenses visit Contact Lens