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(From HealthNewsDigest.com) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is taking steps to improve contact lens safety by reminding consumers of the importance of following proper cleaning and storing procedures. Consumers who do not follow instructions for proper contact lens care and use increase their risk of serious eye infections that can lead to impaired vision and, in some cases, blindness.

To support proper cleaning and storage, the FDA has developed a new video on contact lens safety, which can be found on the FDA’s Web site (www.fda.gov), along with an in-depth Consumer Update article. The video and the article stress the importance of emptying the solution out of the contact lens case after each use and using the rub-and-rinse method for added effectiveness. Other important lens care tips include: don’t top off or reuse lens cleaning solution; use a contact lens solution to clean, rinse, and then air dry contact lens cases after each use; don’t expose contact lenses or lens storage cases to any type of water or other non-sterile solutions.

For further information or to book an appointment please call any of our three Rochester, NY Cornerstone Eye Associates locations in Gates (585-328-0153), Brighton (585-244-2200) or Irondeqouit (585-266-7880).

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There is, more often than not, a distinct difference between an eyeglass and a contact lens prescription. Moreover, considering that a contact lens is placed directly on the eye it will most likely need to have its power adjusted accordingly. This is more evident in moderate to higher prescriptions. In addition, the actual fitting parameters need to be documented. Here is a sample contact lens prescription:

O.D. -2.00 8.6 14.0 Brand
O.S. -1.50 8.6 14.0 Brand

Letters and Numbers - The first thing we see are the initials O.D. (Ocular Dexter) for the right eye and O.S. (Ocular Sinister) for the left eye. Next we see -2.00 and -1.50 which represents the power of a lenses. Some people with slightly higher prescriptions may notice that there is a power variance between their spectacle prescription and contact prescription. This is to compensate for something called vertex distance. The closer or further a lens is moved the more the power will change. In the case of an individual with a plus or magnifying lens the closer the lens is moved toward the eye the weaker it will become. This individual may require a little more power for their contact lens prescription. In the case of a person who wears a minus or minifying lens the closer the lens is to the eye the stronger it will become so the wearer would need a little less power.

Additional Parameters - After the lens power we come to the lens base curve. With contact lenses, the base curve is the curve of the back surface of the lens within the optical zone of the lens. Contact lens base curves are designated in millimeters (e.g. 8.3mm, 8.6mm, 8.8mm). This number is the measurement of the radius of curvature in millimeters of the inside curve. The doctor tries to match the lens curvature to the patient’s cornea. Furthermore, because of their flexible nature soft lenses tend to fit more corneas with a smaller number of base curves. Rigid contact lenses on the other hand need to have a more accurate fit because of their rigid nature a lens that is too steep or too flat may cause discomfort.

After the base curve we come to the lenses diameter in millimeters. Like base curves soft lenses come in a limited amount of diameters due to their rather forgiving nature when it comes to fitting. Again like base curves the doctor will be more precise in specifying the diameter of a rigid contact lens.

Contact Lens Brand(s) - Lastly we have the brand of contact lens. The doctor chooses which lens is best for you based on several factors including: tear quality and quantity, intended wearing schedule, work and hobby conditions and specific vision requirements. The lens that has been chosen by your doctor meets your particular individual requirements.

For further information or to book an appointment please call any of our three Rochester, NY Cornerstone Eye Associates locations in gates (585-328-0153), Brighton (585-244-2200) or Irondeqouit (585-266-7880).

Cornerstone Eye Associates - your VISION for LIFE

Biomedics EP multifocal contact lenses for emerging presbyopes are now called Proclear EP, says manufacturer CooperVision. The company changed the name to emphasize that the same PC Hydrogel lens material that is used in its other Proclear contact lenses is also used in Proclear EP. This lens material is the only one that is FDA-approved to improve comfort for people who normally experience eye dryness during contact lens wear. Proclear EP is meant for people who are in the early stages of presbyopia, providing up to +1.25 diopters of near vision correction. For further information or to book an appointment please call any of our three Rochester, NY Cornerstone Eye Associates locations in gates (585-328-0153), Brighton (585-244-2200) or Irondeqouit (585-266-7880).

Cornerstone Eye Associates - your VISION for LIFE

CooperVision has announced that their Avaira contact lenses are now available in a toric design. These lenses offer consistent comfort due to CooperVision’s own Aquaform Comfort Science which retains water within the lens, minimizing dehydration as well as allowing high levels of oxygen permeability. The new Avaira Toric lenses provide the wearer with exceptional stability, vision and comfort. For further information or to book an appointment please call any of our three Rochester, NY Cornerstone Eye Associates locations in gates (585-328-0153), Brighton (585-244-2200) or Irondeqouit (585-266-7880).

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SynergEyes has introduced the newest addition to their hybrid contact lens family–the ClearKone lens for keratoconus and other corneal irregularities. The ClearKone lens is a new option for keratoconus patients who may benefit from a hybrid CL but cannot successfully wear the other SynergEyes lens designs. For further information or to book an appointment please call any of our three Rochester, NY Cornerstone Eye Associates locations in gates (585-328-0153), Brighton (585-244-2200) or Irondeqouit (585-266-7880).

Cornerstone Eye Associates - your VISION for LIFE

Bausch & Lomb has relaunched Renu Fresh multipurpose solution in a clear bottle that allows CL wearers to see exactly how much solution they have remaining and the new packaging is, according to B&L, easier to recycle, making it more environmentally friendly. For further information or to book an appointment please call any of our three Rochester, NY Cornerstone Eye Associates locations in gates (585-328-0153), Brighton (585-244-2200) or Irondeqouit (585-266-7880).

Cornerstone Eye Associates - your VISION for LIFE

 Step 1 -Wash and dry hands thoroughly.

Step 2 - Close sink drain before removing lenses and place a towel down, to catch the lens if you should drop it.

Step 3 - Place a few drops of a wetting solution in the eye to loosen up the lens.

Step 4 - Look up and use the index finger to gently slide the contact lens in a downward direction. As soon as it is down, use the thumb and index finger to gently grasp the lens and pull it off the eye. Once removed, if the lens is folded, very gently rub the lens to unfold and restore it to its original shape.

Step 5 - Place lens in storage case and cover it with contact lens solution. Replace storage case lid with correct marking (right or left). Repeat process for second lens.

For further information or to book a contact lens appointment with one of our doctors please call any of our three Rochester, NY Cornerstone Eye Associates locations in gates (585-328-0153), Brighton (585-244-2200) or Irondeqouit (585-266-7880).

Cornerstone Eye Associates - your VISION for LIFE

Just like medicines, contact lenses are a prescription item in the United States. And even though you may already have an eyeglass prescription, you will also need a separate contact lens prescription. The reason a prescription is needed is that a contact lens is considered a medical device. If not prescribed properly, you may not be able to see well, and, even more importantly, a poorly fitting lens (or one manufactured from a material not well-suited to your eyes) can mean discomfort, inflammation, swelling, abrasion, or, in rare cases, result in permanent eye tissue damage. By law contact lens prescriptions are valid for one year. So, when your prescription expires, you won’t be able to purchase any more contact lenses until you get an updated prescription. This involves a chekup by your Eye Care Professional to be certain the lenses you’re currently wearing aren’t adversely affecting your eyesin any way–as well as providing the best possible vision. For further information or to book a contact lens appointment with one of our doctors please call any of our three Rochester, NY Cornerstone Eye Associates locations in gates (585-328-0153), Brighton (585-244-2200) or Irondeqouit (585-266-7880).

Cornerstone Eye Associates - your VISION for LIFE

CRT, which stands for Corneal Refractive Therapy, is a procedure used to correct nearsightedness that employs hard contact lenses to reshape the corneawhile you sleep, so you can see more clearly after you remove the lenses. This therapy can be used as a non-surgical alternative to laser vision correction that is both safe and reversible. The only caveat is that the effect is only temporary–generally enough to get you through a day or so, but you must wear the special lenses each night to maintain their effects. For further information or to book a contact lens appointment with one of our doctors please call any of our three Rochester, NY Cornerstone Eye Associates locations in gates (585-328-0153), Brighton (585-244-2200) or Irondeqouit (585-266-7880).

Cornerstone Eye Associates - your VISION for LIFE

CooperVision has announced their Biofinity Toric lenses now have expanded parameters of +8.00D through -10.00D. For further information or to book an appointment please call any of our three Rochester, NY Cornerstone Eye Associates locations in gates (585-328-0153), Brighton (585-244-2200) or Irondeqouit (585-266-7880).

Cornerstone Eye Associates - your VISION for LIFE