There are some things in life you just don’t care if they get damaged: your broken down car your grandmother handed down to you against your will, patio furniture Aunt Mildred gave you as a wedding gift, or even that awful “man cave” your husband and his buddies built in your backyard. Let’s face, there are something we can just live without. Unfortunately, your eyes aren’t one of them.

Our eyesight is something we hope to have throughout our entire life. Could you imagine not being able to clearly see your children or grandchildren, squinting at plays and recitals, or even photographs? Could you imagine not being able to take in a sunset on the beach to its true depth or even the colors changing with the season for their true vibrancy?

We can’t either. That’s why at America’s Best, we encourage you to take the best care of your vision that you possibly can.

As we age, our eyes become more susceptible to eye conditions and eye diseases. We may not always be able to cure certain diseases, but we can certainly detect them early and control them. This is precisely why an annual eye exam is so important, whether you wear eyeglasses or not.

During an eye exam, your doctor of optometry – better known as an optometrist – will not only check if there’s refraction in your vision, but will also scan your eye for signs of eye diseases, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. If necessary, the doctor may also dilate your eyes to see the back of your retina.

Your eyes aren’t just the window to your soul; they’re your window to your world. Having annual eye exams, contouring your diet to better meet the needs of your eyes, and following general good health practices when it comes to your eyes are all small things you can do to ensure the longevity of your healthy eyes.

To find your local America’s Best to schedule eye exam or learn more about how to better care for your vision, visit  us at www.twopair.com

Dear Daily Disposables,

How I love thee. Let me count the ways:

1)      You are disposable.

For me, that means no hassle with carrying contact cases or even having to replace my contact case every 3 months. No worrying about having to buy bottle after bottle of contact solution, or dreading the last squeeze when I forget to stop by the store.

2)      No more hunting down travel size, TSA-friendly contact solution bottles.

3 ounces? Pshf. How about NO ounces?  Nothing says “Bon Voyage” better than going through security knowing you’ll make it through without having to unpack your entire luggage.

3)      I can sleep in peace.

No more adding in the time to clean my contact case, squirt my contact solution, rub the protein build-up off my lenses, and gently store them away. No, sir. A simple wash of the hands, pop out one contact lens, pop out the other and kindly usher both to the trash bin.

4)      No more burning eyes.

If your solution is hydrogen based and takes 6 hours to neutralize, you’ll love the simplicity of daily disposables, if for nothing else then not encountering the awful burning sensation in the eye that’s caused by a miscalculation of time. With daily disposables, you get a fresh new pair every morning, whenever you want.

5)      Healthy eyes.

The best part of having you, daily disposable contacts, isn’t even how convenient you are. It’s how healthy you are for my vision. All the particles and dust my eyes are exposed to, all the protein that builds up on my lenses, all the bacteria my eyes potentially face from coming contact with things like water…all gone after a day. Daily disposable contacts monumentally decrease my risk of an eye infection because I start with a brand new pair each day.

Oh, daily disposable contacts. I grateful I am to have you in my life and more importantly, in my eyes.

Sincerely,

Your Biggest Fan

So, we’ve covered a blog post about wearing your contact lenses at the pool – but what about the beach?

It’s true that the risks to your contact lenses change depending upon the body of water. Where chlorine can dry out your eyes in a pool, bodies of water such as lakes, rivers and beaches impose a much larger risk of infection.

Because of so many organisms that live within natural bodies of water, your contact lenses are exposed to many of them, some of which may stay on your lens long after you’ve left the beach. If you can at all avoid wearing your contact lenses in the water, that’s definitely recommended. But if you are going to wear your contacts in the water, be prepared to dispose of them directly afterwards.

Contact Lenses Underwater

Also, never open your eyes underwater. Ocean water has more saline than “normal” water, which can cause your lenses to literally float off of your eyes. Also, think of all the things the ocean has put in it. From the thousands of animals that live in there to the toll that humans to put on it, ocean water is exposed to a million different elements every day. Exposing your eyes and your contact lenses to contaminated water can result in eye infections; therefore opening your eyes underwater is not a good idea in general. If you need to open your eyes, only do so when wearing swimming goggles or other proper swimming eyewear.

Backup Eye Wear for Your Trip

Also, take an extra pair of lenses, lens solution and your favorite pair of eyeglasses(s). Once you’re out of the water, dispose of the contact lenses you had in and give your eyes a little break. Microorganisms can still get on your eye contacts even if you didn’t open your eyes underwater from water on your face or hands. So it’s best to discard those lenses; give your eyes a break and pop a fresh pair in when you’re ready. For this purpose, daily disposable contact lenses are ideal!

Talk to Your Optometrist

It’s not a bad idea to consult your doctor before heading on that big beach vacation this summer. And if you do go in the water, call your doctor immediately if you experience any lasting irritation, pain, sensitivity, or redness in your eyes afterward.

Dry eyes are irritating and uncomfortable. You’re constantly either re-wetting them or wiping them because they’re watery. But did you know what you eat doesn’t just affect your weight or your health in the way you think, but it can also have an effect on your eyes? In fact, you can increase prevention and decrease risk for a lot of eye disease just by making little tweaks to your diet.

Hydrate Your Eyes

According to Health Magazine, easing up your eye discomforts can be as easy as changing just a few things in your diet. Such as, drinking more water. Lots of water can be helpful in preventing your eyes from feeling dried out. Staying hydrated is essential for your body as it is, but it has a high impact on your eyes. Think about it, if you drink alcohol or caffeine excessively, your eyes become dry and then watery and maybe even bloodshot. Watery eyes, ironically enough, is a sign of dry eye.

Fruit and Vegetables Help Eye Health

Along with water, changing up your diet a little bit may be helpful to your eye health.  A diet high in saturated fat and sugar may increase your risk of eye disease. However, in contrast, a diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables can prevent health problems, including certain eye diseases.

Also, foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids work to keep dry eyes and possibly even cataracts. They keep your eyes comfortably lubricated by suppressing inflammation that causes dry eyes in the first place. A great way of getting these acids is a simple supplement of fish oil and flaxseed oil.  Snacking on walnuts and using canola oil in cooking helps get these good fats into your diet.

Fiber Fights Eye Disease

Fiber. Whole grains have come a long way in taste. Replace half your daily grains and cereals with 100% whole grains, and not only do you cut out the foods (sugar and refined white flour) that increase your risk of age-related eye diseases, but you also feel more full and therefore consume less calories.

Protein is also very important in any diet. Your ideal sources are lean meats, fish, nuts and eggs. Most meats add a good amount of zinc to your diet, which is aides your body’s immune system by generating new cells and healing any damage. Try and cut back on red meat and dairy products that may increase your risk of macular degeneration.

High Sodium Linked to Cataracts

And last but most definitely not least, sodium. High intake of sodium has been correlated to an increased chance of developing cataracts. So, it’s best to keep your sodium consumption as low as possible (ideally below 2000 mg/day).

Of course, before making any major changes to your diet, you should consult your physician. If you are suffering from excessive dry eye or notice a change in your vision, schedule an eye exam with your optometrist inside your local America’s Best store today.

So, allergy season is creeping up on us once again. Trees are sprouting new life, flowers are sprouting new buds, and nature is coming together to give us the wonderful gift of spring…and spring allergies.

As a contact lens wearer, allergy season can be an uncomfortable time. It isn’t unheard of that contact lens wearers either change their routine when it comes to contacts in springtime or just stop wearing them all together to avoid the irritation.

However, there are a few methods you can put in place to help you ease your way through this spring season.

Top 5 Tips for Contact Lenses and Allergies

1)      Clean Your Contact Lenses

When you have any sort of foreign object in your eye that causes irritation, such as pollen or dust, your eye naturally produces tears to help your eye flush it out. However, if these allergens are stuck on your contact lenses, they can also cause dry eyes, and your body will continue to water, making it appear as though you’ve been crying. Instead, consider taking time to clean your contact lenses more often in allergy season. After washing your hands, just take out contacts one at a time and rub them with contact lens solution and pop them back in. Do this during your day and it will provide your eye with some relief from having to constantly battle irritation.

2)      Use Eye Drops

If you’re not in a position where you can go and take your contact lenses out to clean them, keep your eyes clean by using eye drops to help wash out irritants.

3)      Wear Your Eyeglasses

Irritants can easily adhere to the surface of contacts lenses causing continuous annoyance and discomfort. Give your eyes a break and wear your eyeglasses as often as you can. In fact, allergy season is a great time to expand your eyeglass collection.

4)      Daily Wear Contact Lenses

If you must wear contact lenses during allergy season, consider wearing daily wear contact lenses. Put in a fresh pair every day, and simple throw it out every night. With daily wear contact lenses, your eyes get a fresh start every morning.

5)      See the Optometrist

If your allergies are causing you severe pain, discomfort or irritation, schedule an eye exam with your optometrist at your local America’s Best as soon as possible to confirm there aren’t any underlying problems. And if it is just severe allergies that you are suffering from, your eye doctor can prescribe medicated eye drops to help get you and your contacts through this beautiful allergy season.

Photo by: SCA Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget

As a contact lens wearer myself, I’ll go ahead and plead guilty to many of these offenses. Yes, there have been nights I’ve fallen asleep in my contact lenses. Nor do I replace my lenses on the exact day they should be replaced every month (I probably shouldn’t even be admitting this. My optometrist would be so upset!)

However, the truth remains, many of us don’t take care of contact lenses the way we should. Heck, many of us don’t take care of our health the way we should. Studies show that 35 percent of patients that have glaucoma do not use their IOP-lowering drops as they should, 38 percent of people with Type II Diabetes don’t stick to their insulin regimens, and 40 percent of people that have osteoporosis don’t take their medicine.

And according to studies, we contact wearers are following the same trends as well.

Keep Your Contact Lenses Clean

According to a study referenced to in Contact Lens Spectrum, only 56 percent of contact lens wearers wash their hands with soap and water before handling their contact lenses. That means almost half of us are increasing our risk of eye infection by touching our lenses with unwashed, dirty hands.

Replacing your lenses on their prescribed schedule also plays a big role of keeping your eyes healthy and your lenses fresh. However, many patients wear their lenses past their prescribed date (guilty as charged).

If you have a hectic schedule and you know you’re going to miss that replacement date, consider asking your optometrist about daily wear contact lenses. They’re simple, easy and greatly lower the risk of infection.

Wear Your Contacts Overnight

Again, I feel guilty just writing this because I know I am an offender when it comes to taking out my contact lenses every night.  But sleeping in your contacts is a major no-no. Not only does it increase your risk of eye infections, but it also substantially decreases the amount of oxygen delivered to your cornea.

Oxygen deprived corneas are not happy corneas. In fact, if your cornea doesn’t get enough oxygen due to suffocation via contact lens, your eye can start to grow new veins into the cornea as your body’s attempt to deliver oxygen to your eye.

This is also why it’s important to have a pair of prescription eyeglasses as a contact wearer. It takes away from the temptation to wear contacts to bed, because you can take out your lenses when you get home or see the book you’re trying to read before bed without struggling.

Don’t Expose Your Contact Lenses to Water

Did you know that in a study done, 96 percent of the contact lenses worn for 30 minutes of swimming tested positive for contamination?  30 minutes! It is highly encouraged that you keep any water away from your contacts. Surprisingly, even tap water has bacteria that are bad for your contact lenses.

For instance, when you rinse your contact lens case, your contact lenses should never come in contact with tap water. Wash your cases with non-cream based soap and hot water until completely clean and then dry it with a clean, dry cloth. (Personally, after cleaning it, I always just give it a little rinse with some contact lens disinfecting solution. Just for good measure.)

Eye care professionals recommend replacing your contact lens case every 3 to 6 months and with every use, make sure you completely empty and replace the solution in your cases.

Rub Your Contact Lenses

Okay. Last thing I am admitting to, but I’ll admit. I hate rubbing my contact lenses. For the longest time, to me, it was just an extra step between me and bed. In fact, according to surveys, it’s an extra step for about 75 to 77 percent of contact wearers.

However, rubbing your lenses is very important. Rubbing your contact lenses helps to remove the microbial load on the surface of your lenses. It’s highly beneficial when trying to get your contact lenses clean and trying to keep your eyes healthy.

Even if your solution boasts, “No Rub,” it’s always a good idea to give your contact lenses a good little massage and rinse before laying them in their case to rest.

In Conclusion…

Contact lenses are great. But what’s even greater? Great eye health. Take care of your eyes and your health by taking proper care of your contact lenses. At your next eye exam, ask your optometrist what are the best kind of contact lenses for your eyes and your lifestyle.

Source: Flickr Photographer: geishaboy500

Contacts and sunglasses are like two peas in a pod.

As a contact lens wearer, your eyes should be in a committed relationship with sunglasses when you’re outdoors. There’s just no excuse.

After all, though a few contact lenses do protect against UV-Ray exposure, the rest of your eye and surrounding eye area need protection, too.

Sunglasses are Vital to Eye Health

Sunglasses are a vital part. If you wear eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses are a great option. However, if you’re committed to wearing contact lenses, sunglasses are a vital part of your eye health.

Not only are sunglasses an amazing and recognized fashion accessory, but being a contact lens wearer gives you the flexibility of choosing any non-prescription sunglasses you set eyes on.

But like all good sunglasses, you need to be sure that your non-prescription sunglasses offer complete UV protection with quality lenses that have been coated properly to protect from glare and reflections which may cause eye strain.

UV Protection

Ultraviolet (UV) rays are undoubtedly harmful, not just to your skin, but they can also damage your eyelids, cornea, lens and other parts of your eye. Exposure to UV rays can also lead to diseases such as cataracts or macular degeneration. Extended UV exposure can also cause signs of premature aging. Yikes.

This is why it is incredibly important to have proper sunglass protection. And though you may find a pair of cheap sunglasses or knock-off designer sunglasses, they can’t protect your eyes in the necessary manner.

Sunglass Lenses

Lenses are by far the most important part of your sunglasses.

The ideal pair of sunglasses are made of a high quality lens and block 99 – 100 percent of UV rays. In addition to blocking harmful rays, you want a pair of sunglasses that have polarized lenses.

Polarized lenses reduce reflection from surfaces such as water or snow. They eliminate glare thereby reduce eyestrain and increase comfort.

Colored sunglass lenses are not recommended. As cute and fun as a pair of red lenses may be, colored lenses are not able to decrease UV ray absorption – sometimes they aren’t even really able to decrease light.

Brown or amber are ideal for absorbing UV and blue light, therefore enhancing contrast. Grey shaded lenses do not distort color, but with polarization, are able to block UV and reflected glares effectively.

The Right Sunglasses for You

Get your sunglasses from a place you trust. Get it from the same people you trust your eye health to: America’s Best.

At America’s Best, we have hundreds of designer sunglasses for discounted prices every day. From brands like Ray-Ban® to Vogue™, we don’t sacrifice anything when it comes to sunglasses; not price, not style – and definitely not health.

So the next time you come in for your eye exam, to pick up your contact lenses, or just before that big beach trip you’ve been planning all winter, check out our great sunglasses selection at America’s Best.

Source: Flickr Credit: Conanil

In some cultures, it’s considered good luck. But typically to the person suffering from it, it’s just considered annoying.

The irritating, uncontrollable…

eye twitch.

A villain we all know, some all too well.

Could you imagine sitting in a job interview for a company you really want to work for? And as you sit there, you make direct eye contact with you hopefully future boss, and just as you finish telling him what a great asset you’d be to his team *twitch twitch* goes your eye. And now you’re left thinking, “Oh goodness. He thinks I just winked at him!”

What is an Eye Twitch?

The truth is eye twitching, often referred to as myokymia, is a muscle contraction. And like most all other contractions, this one too is completely involuntary. It’s a small twitch which typically takes place in your lower lid, and though it may feel like everyone can see it, it’s usually hardly noticeable.

Why is My Eye Twitching?

The specific cause of eye twitches is unknown but it is most usually triggered by:

-Stress
-Fatigue
-Eye Strain
-Allergies
-Dehydration from alcohol or caffeine
- Dry Eyes
- Nutritional imbalances

How to Stop an Eye Twitch?

Eye twitching happens spontaneously, and usually the condition is not regarded as threatening. However, if you have concern about or discomfort in your eye, you should schedule an appointment with your optometrist.

A typical eye twitch, however, can be dissolved if you take care of the reason causing it.

Eye strain, stress, and fatigue can be cured with rest and meditation.

Allergies and nutritional imbalances can be addressed by a visit with your primary physician.

Dry eyes are something you may want to speak to your optometrist about at your next eye exam.

And dehydration, instead of coffee and alcohol beverages, bottoms up on water and drinks that contain electrolytes.

So, before heading to your next job interview/date/public speech/client meeting, take a moment to breathe, eat a healthy snack with your allergy medicine, and shut your eyes and take a little nap!

The Difference Between Hard Contact Lenses and Soft Contact Lenses

Personally, I often wondered the difference between hard contacts and soft contact lenses. I always just reduced it down to personal preference.

But that’s far from the truth.

As a soft contact lens wearer myself, the idea of wearing semi-rigid permeable lenses (RGPs) – also known as hard contact lenses – never really crossed my mind.

Hard Contact Lenses

Originally constructed from glass, the concept of hard contacts has been along since the time of Leonardo da Vinci. However, technology and materials that were developed around 1970s made contacts practical and useable.

With modern technology, however, hard contacts are made of material similar to plastic and silicon, which makes them more “flexible.” Hard contact lenses move slightly when you blink to allow oxygen thru and are custom-fitted to each individual eye.

Benefits of Rigid Lenses

Since they are hard contacts, they maintain their shape better and are more durable compared to their soft counterparts.

Hard contacts do not tear, nor do they contain water. They provide high quality, crisp vision and, since they confine your cornea in a round shape, they can slow down the development of nearsightedness to some extent.

However, there are always two sides to the grass (or so they tell me). There are things you have to consider before assuming the responsibility of hard contacts. Hard contact lenses are not as comfortable as soft contact lenses. Some sources say that if you wear RGPs, you are constantly aware of them. They move every time you blink, and they tend to fall out more frequently than soft contacts.

Also, it is recommended you wear your RGP contacts on a daily basis; otherwise you have to re-familiarize your eye to your lenses.

Benefits of Soft Contact Lenses

Often preferred because you can get accustomed to them the first time you put them in, soft contact lenses come in different corrections and even different colors. You also have more flexibility with soft contact lenses, as they come in disposable varieties (such as dailies) and therefore lower your risk of infection.

Because they contain water, soft contact lenses are thinner than hard contacts, and they can be worn comfortably for an extended period of time.

Besides being more comfortable and more ideal for extended wear, soft contact lens wearers can switch between contacts and eyeglasses without a hitch in comfort or any accustoming your eyes.

However, soft contact lenses are more susceptible to collect proteins and lipids as well as pollutants that, if not cleaned properly, can lead to infections. (Daily disposable contact lenses don’t typically encounter this problem, however.)

How to Choose Which Contact Lens is Right for You

For further information on which type of contacts are the best fit for you, schedule an appointment your optometrist.  But no matter which kind you decide to get, remember to keep your eyes healthy by taking good care of your lenses by properly cleaning them and disposing them on time.

Photo Source: Flickr by spakattacks

Now that the holidays have passed, it’s beginning to look a lot like - allergy season.

With the blossoming flowers and reemerging leaves, allergies too are returning. And a majority of allergies affect the eyes and cause severe discomfort.

However, when you have an allergic reaction, you’ve got to remember it’s your eyes response to something going on in your body, and it may not necessarily be harmful. For instance, dust usually gets a reaction out of those with eye allergies. As a response or reaction, the eyes produce tears or mucus as protection, but dust is harmless to most people.

However, allergies that continue for an extended period of time can trigger other conditions, such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) or asthma.

Symptoms of eye allergies:

• Swollen, red and/or itchy eyes
• Sneezing or coughing
• Runny nose
• Itchy nose, mouth and/or throat
• Headache from sinus congestion
• Fatigue or lack of sleep

Causes of eye allergies

The cause of eye allergies vary, but typically are irritants such as pollen, dust, pet dander and mold. If you have a family history of eye allergies, you are also more likely to suffer from them as well.

Certain medications, cosmetics, or topical creams cause adverse reactions in your body, and therefore, trigger eye allergies.

Typically, however, it is airborne allergens that affect the eyes more so than things like food or insect bites.

The Simplest Way to Treat Allergies

The easiest way to treat allergies is to avoid the things that cause them in the first place. With itchy eyes, it’s important to keep your home extra clean, dust-free and free of pet hair and dander. If you spend a lot of time indoors, you may want to consider investing in an air purifier, and make sure you change your air filter on your air conditioning unit on time. The filters work to catch the allergens as they circulate in and out of the unit, keeping them on the filter and out of your eyes.

Outdoors you should always protect your eyes, and the easiest and best way to do that is a great pair of sunglasses. These not only protect from harmful UV rays, but from pollen and allergens coming into contact with your eyes. Also, remember to wear safety eyewear when appropriate.

Medication is another way to help remedy your eye allergies. Over-the-counter allergy medications are available for eye relief. If you need something stronger, you should visit with your doctor and get an Rx for prescription medication. Eye allergies can usually be lessened with the use of eye drops that contain antihistamines and decongestants as active ingredients.

Remember, if you have any additional symptoms or if your symptoms get severe, you should visit your doctor immediately to make sure you aren’t suffering from something more than allergies. Call America’s Best to make your appointment today.