When was the last time that you changed your brand or type of contact lens? If you have been using the same brand and type of contact lenses for several years, it may be time for you to learn about the newer versions that are on the market today. You may find that there is no longer the need to struggle with putting your lenses in each day, cleaning them, and messing around with those little storage containers. Extended wear contact lenses may be an option for you like they are for me. After being told five years ago that I could not wear extended wear lenses, the design of them have changed and I now wear them for an entire week before removing them! Learn more about the various contact lenses on the market today to help yourself, find some that are perfectly comfortable and less of an inconvenience!
If you are getting older, your eye doctor may suggest you get a comprehensive eye exam. This is because as people age, more eye problems are likely to happen. One problem you may have is age-related macular degeneration. Below is more information about this so you can take proper care of your eyes.
Dilate Your Eyes
The first thing the eye doctor will do is to dilate your eyes. This will allow them to detect eye diseases that the doctor could not see if the eyes were not dilated. In order to dilate your eyes, the eye doctor will put a drop of a special solution in each eye. This may sting your eyes but only for a few seconds. After a few seconds, your pupils will start to dilate and widen. This will allow more light to get in the back of the eye to give you eye doctor a much better view.
After the exam, you will be asked to wear a pair of dark sunglasses when you leave as it takes time for your eyes to get back to normal.
Check for Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) makes you lose your central vision. This will prevent you from doing things like watching television, driving, reading, seeing people directly in the face, and much more. You may have AMD in one or both of your eyes.
There are two types of AMD: wet and dry. Most people have the dry type and it is slow-progressing. The dry type of AMD progresses much faster, but it is less common.
In the first stage of AMD, you will have no symptoms at all. Intermediate AMD may cause vision loss, especially if you have wet AMD. For dry AMD, however, you will likely have no vision loss at this stage. For late AMD, you will have vision loss. If you have dry AMD, the loss will be gradual, and if you have wet AMD, the vision loss may come on quicker.
Unfortunately, there is no treatment for AMD. You can use helpful aids if you do have AMD, such as brighter lights and using a special magnifying glass when reading. The eye doctor may prescribe glasses with stronger lenses for you at the beginning of vision loss.
Talk with your eye doctor about AMD and they can give you much more information about this. Contact a company like Leader Heights Eye Center to learn more.
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