Posts Tagged ‘fashion’

Should You Wear Contact Lenses Instead of Glasses?

Monday, June 29th, 2009

Are you tired and annoyed with wearing eyeglasses? Are you thinking about maybe switching to wearing contacts instead? Wearing contact lenses probably isn’t as difficult as you may think and there are a number of advantages as well. Find out more by taking a minute to read this short article about wearing contact lenses.

A Little History

Early contact lenses amazingly date back into the 19th century. At that time, they were made of brown glass and were not easy to wear. They were, however, helpful to people that could not wear eyeglasses. Contact lens technology improved in the 1940s and 1950 when they were able to make them from plastic instead. These were made out of a plastic material called polymethyl methacrylte and worked well. The only problem was that they did not allow oxygen to easily pass through them. Since then, the plastic material has improved and is now rigid gas permeable, allowing oxygen to get to your corneas. This is necessary because your corneas get the oxygen they need from the air, not your bloodstream.

Even in the last few years there have been an increase in technology in contact lenses as lenses are now being made for people with astigmatism and even for people who need bifocal lenses.

Why is it Good to Wear Contact Lenses?

People wear contact lenses for cosmetic advantages as well as:

* Unlike glasses, the lens moves with your eye so there is no image distortion.

* The frame of glassescan block your side / peripheral vision.

* It’s annoying when eyeglasses steam up when you come from the cold outside into a warm room.

* Sometimes contact lenses are the only solution for people who need vastly different lenses for each eye.

* An injured cornea can heal faster when its protected by contact lenses.

How Do You Go About Getting Contacts?

The next step, if you’re interested, is to to see your eye care professional to get a prescription for contact lenses since you can’t order contacts with a prescription for glasses. You’ll go through some easy vision tests that only take about 15 minutes or so. You should also get the test for Glaucoma, which is the one where there’s a tiny puff of air that gets shot into your eye. Jennifer Aniston’s character, Rachel, from Friends made a big deal about it, but it’s actually no big deal at all.

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How expensive is Lasik surgery?

Tuesday, May 19th, 2009

A LASIK procedure can be expensive, and there aren’t many insurance companies that will cover the surgery. Those facts make it difficult for a lot of people to afford. But, the procedure can be a little more affordable, if you learn from the pointers offered in this article.

Make sure your surgeon has a good reputation. Picking a trustworthy doctor can not only save you time and money, but it is also essential to the health of your eyes. A lot of newer, inexperienced surgeon might suggest unnecessary surgeries in addition to the LASIK procedure, and they may also have a higher rate of complications. Don’t skimp when it comes to eye surgery. On the other hand, be alert. Some surgeons may overcharge you knowingly. Do some research, and choose a doctor that you’re comfortable with. Don’t just settle for the first one you meet.

Try to avoid discount and package deals. A city doctor might try to lure you by promising that you’ll get perfect vision, or they’ll offer a huge discount. Generally, there’s no guarantee with LASIK surgery, because the doctor cannot surely predict what will happen. Doctors that offer discounts usually can afford to do so because they also offer less service.

If you’re intending to get LASIK surgery, and you think that you will qualify for the exemption if you do so, there couldn’t be a better opportunity to save..

You may also save by not having to buy glasses or contacts yearly, and you won’t have to worry about exams and fittings. Although, you should consider that you may still need corrective lenses after you get LASIK, and if you don’t need them immediately, you will most likely need them when you get older.

Quite a few work places have a program that permits employees to set aside a little money every month in order to be able to pay for medical procedures and medicines. Use your flexible spending account to pay for LASIK because it’s tax free.

As mentioned before, LASIK isn’t covered by insurance, and it can be pricey. Quite a few surgeons are now accepting monthly payments. These plans sound like a good idea on the surface, and they can save money. But, as with all contracts, read the fine print so there are no surprises.

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