Pinguecula

Several months ago while I was still wearing my Ciba Vision Dailies (non-toric) I looked into the mirror and noticed more veins were prominent in my eyes and furthermore, there was a small white bump in my right eye. The bump was between the iris and the white portion of the eye. I was a bit alarmed and decided to seek the advice of my optometrist. He informed me that it was 'pinguecula'.

What exactly is pinguecula? It's basically a stye or a bump that forms on your eye. There aren't any symptoms or known reasons as to why it occurs but it does seem to be more prevalent in individuals whose eyes are exposed to UV light or live in sunnier climates.

According to the articles I've read and the opinions of my optometrist, there is a consensus that there is no cause of alarm and there is not much you can do except wear sunglasses when your eyes are exposed to the elements. He states that pinguecula is common for people that live in California. As for the veins in my eyes, the eye doctor states I am simply more prone to veins than most other individuals.

Great article on Pinguecula.

Toric Lenses

It have been while since I've had any update on my contact lenses/eyes. For the past several years I've been doing fine with wearing the Ciba Vision Dailies but after my yearly exam, it turns out that I have astigmatism. It's not as bad as most individuals and I could definitely stick to the Dailies but I decided to give Toric lenses a try to see if I could benefit any. My optometrist fitted me in Dailies Toric and the 1-Day Acuvue Moist with Lacreon.

Dailies

The material in these lenses are 31% nelfilcon A, 69% water, same as my previous Dailies AquaComfort Plus. Comfort-wise they are the same. I do notice the contacts floating around in my eyes here and there but definitely doesn't bother me. If a fan is blowing or wind is blowing in my face, it does dry out my eyes with these contacts. Toric lenses are 'weighted' so it is not uncommon for them to move around; you have to blink to get them back into focus. However, your optometrist should have the ability to fit you in the correct toric lense. After 8 or 9 hours the comfort started to diminish for me and one one occasion, a noticed a red ring around my eye after taking these contacts out. However, I did happen to just hop out of the shower (you shouldn't shower with contacts, I'm sure you all know this). All in all, still not a bad lense.


Acuvue Moist

The Acuvue Moist with Lacreon for Astigmatism did surprisingly well seeing as how I'm not a huge Acuvue fan. Since all of issues that people have had with the Acuvue Oasys lenses over the past few years I decided to stray from this brand but figured it was time to give the Moist lenses a try. The material here is etafilcon A, 58% water. Both etafilcon A & nelfilcon A are 'hydrogel lenses' as opposed to 'silicone hydrogel lenses'. This was important to me when making my transition to Torics. Both have pro's and con's and you can read more about them through google. Back to my Acuvue Moist review, I must say these are FLIMSY lenses. When you take them out of the package, it is not uncommon for the lense to fold onto itself. They are very soft. However, they have a certain comfort that the Dailies could not produce for me. My eyes seemed to stay moist and comfortable all day. According to Acuvue's website, the Lacreon technology makes it so there is less friction in your eyes and the wetness doesn't go away. This time around I had to choose Acuvue Moist over the Dailies since the difference was so noticeable. *As a side note, as long as you are gentle with these lenses they will not rip as you are inserting them into your eyes. Be cautious.

DAILIES AquaComfort Plus

For quite some time, I've been using Ciba Vision's Dailies AquaComfort contact lenses. I have to say, it is convenient when you do not have to worry about the calcium build up that comes with 2 week or monthly contacts. There is no problems when I need to wear them on the go to do daily exercises and such but I find that they do dry out quickly especially after the 8 hour mark. One thing that I decided to try was to drop in some TheraTears eye drops into my eyes before hand and my eyes actually feel better throughout the day. I would recommend Dailies to others for the convenience; pricing isn't too bad either.

Bio True

Recently purchased some contacts and was given a sample of Bausch and Lomb's Bio true contact solution. At first glance, one notices the simplicity of the bottle and the clean design of it. It is the first solution that I've seen to have a clear bottle. Very attractive to consumers. However, I was quite reluctant to use it. Why you might ask? Well if you recall, in 2005 Bausch and Lomb had to recall their ReNu contact solution which you can read about here. Furthermore, in January of 2011, they recalled their Soothe Xtra Hydration eyedrops for developing mold.

They are now trying to bounce back by rebranding themselves. That being said, I have used that solution a few times and so far, it seems to be fine. No problems, redness in the eyes or irritation. But has it convinced me to switch from Opti-Free? Short answer is no. Why switch to a new brand when your current solution that you've used for years works fairly well?

Transitioning to Contact Lenses / Dry Eyes Gone?

A little over a year ago I decided to cease the use of contact lenses and strictly use glasses. However, now that a year has passed I decided that it would be the opportune time to visit an optometrist and get fitted for new contact lenses. I was set on getting CooperVision Proclear 1-Day Contact Lenses as I recall my previous optometrist saying how you needn't have to worry about cleaning them since they are daily disposables. Even though daily disposables are a bit more expensive than 2 week or monthly contacts I wanted to give them a try.

When I arrived at my appointment and spoke to this new optometrist, I learned quite a bit. After a comprehensive eye exam, he stated that my eyes were quite healthy (which was great to hear from a professional) and that he saw no symptoms of dry eye. It was a bit of a shock to say the least, especially since I use eye drops everyday. He did state that I had mild blepharitis which didn't come as a surprise to me and said that I should just clean my eyelashes with baby shampoo twice daily to help alleviate the problem. I mentioned how I still get occasional 'string' in my eyes and asked his opinion of it. The optometrist stated that it is most likely because of the blepharitis and I find it odd because I've never read of 'stringy discharge' being a symptom of blepharitis but it is something to think about.

With that being said, I now had the option of getting either daily disposables, 2 week or monthly contacts and I opted for the 2 weeks. Today has been the first day of trying CooperVision's Avaira contacts; I notice they aren't very popular with contact wearer's but needless to say they feel fresh in the eyes so far. As for contact solution, this time around, I am trying out ClearCare.

Mucus Fishing Syndrome

Suffering from strings of mucus on a daily basis? If the severity of the mucus is abundant where you insist on constantly wiping it from your eyes you might just have 'Mucus Fishing Syndrome (MFS)'. MFS includes increased mucus production through ocular irritation. However, when you reach into your eyes to remove the mucus you could be further irritating your eyes. This condition can last for years. Some times it can be embarrassing to admit to your peers let alone your optometrist but if they are not informed of this condition, the road to recovery will cease to exist.

If you think you might have MFS, pinpointing the problem is key. Are you allergic to certain things you eat but are unaware of it? Have you been neglecting your eyes through overuse of contact lenses? Make sure you know the side effects of any medications you may take as they may agitate the eyes. There is no one answer fix here but for more information please visit the websites below.

• dryeyeinfo: dry eye in depth
• reviewofoptometry: gone fishin'
• pubmed.gov: mucus fishing syndrome 
• dryeyezone: mucous fishing syndrome

Dr. Oz: Omega's

Omega's are important for great health and could prove useful in individuals with dry eyes. The 3 essential forms of omega 3's include:

• Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
• Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
• Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) 

According to Dr. Oz, DHA and EPA come primarily from fish and what fish eat. ALA (walnuts, flaxseed, soybean, etc.) is everything else and does not get converted as easily by our bodies.

Exactly how many milligrams of omega 3's should our bodies take in?

Dr. Oz states that 600mg of DHA/EPA a day is essential to our health.

The Dr. Oz Show: Know Your Omega Fatty Acids - Video

TheraTears Liquid Gel: Review

TheraTears Liquid Gel is stated to be used for individuals with severe dry eyes and is perfect for nighttime use. Compared to Refresh Liquigel, these eye drops do not crust as much and do not leave you as irritated. However, if you plan on watching a nightly movie or decide to go for a morning walk and drip some Liquid Gel into your eyes, think twice. These are "liquid bandages" after all and you do feel as though something is in your eye. I notice that whenever I go to sleep with them, in the morning my eyes feel extra dry as opposed to using regular non-vial eye drops. I still prefer regular eye drops over liquid gel products as the relief provided is minimal.

Blepharitis

Do you suffer from itching or burning eyelids? Does crust form? If so you may have blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids). This condition occurs when there is excess oil buildup near the glands of the eyes. There are products available where you can scrub your eyelids although on a personal note, the OCuSOFT Eyelid Scrub Pads seemed to attract quite a bit of dust towards my eyelids which turned out to be counterproductive. However, simply cleaning your eyes with warm water every morning can be quite beneficial.

To find out the specific type of blepharitis you may have visit : The Eye Digest.

AzaSite for Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis (Red Eye) is the swelling or infection of the eyelids due to bacteria and viruses. Usually it disappears on its own but responds well to antibiotic treatment.

Approximately a month ago, I was infected with Viral Conjunctivitis and fell ill because of this condition. A plethora of medication was prescribed to me by an optometrist (during the course of this infection):

1. Allergan Pred Forte
2. Allergan Zymaxid
3. AzaSite
4. Falcon Pharmaceuticals Tobramycin and Dexamethasone Ophthalmic Suspension
5. Falcon Pharmaceuticals Ophthalmic Solution USP, 0.3%
6. Bausch & Lomb Erythromycin Ophthalmic Ointment USP, 0.5% *Did not use
7. Azithromycin Tablets *Did not use
8. Bausch & Lomb Lotemax *Given by Ophthalmologist (Worked as intended)

In regards to AzaSite, I have read that it has worked for some with dry eye and blepharitis, but in my case, it did not help clear up the Conjunctivitis. The skin under my eye was raw/sensitive enough that I felt solid pain on my eye. It was strange since on some occasions, no pain was felt but with most instances the pain was too much to bar. Hence, I stopped taking AzaSite. Readers, be forewarned.

Refresh Liquigel: Review

Refresh Liquigel contain PURITE, the same preservative found in Refresh Tears. This product is intended for individuals with severe dry eye as they are formulated with "extra strength" gel.

I received a couple of samples from the optometrist and decided to give these a try. After a week of use, I can definitively say that these eye drops do not compare to the Refresh Tears. The gel 'clogs' up your eyes for quite some time and your eyes are accompanied with blurred vision. After a couple of minutes, unsightly crust starts to form on both eyelashes. The only way to get rid of this is to either wait it out or wash out the eyes. I would not recommend this product.

Refresh Tears: Review

Received a sample of Refresh Tears from an optometrist and decided to try it out.

From their website, it is stated that "PURITE maintains the integrity of preserved REFRESH Brand Lubricant Eye Drops without leading to the irritation or allergic reactions that some preservatives can cause... [and] ultimately breaks down into natural tear components - sodium and chloride ions, oxygen, and water - without causing cellular damage to the ocular surface. And it's gentle enough to use as often as needed." 

Pro's:

• When kept at room temperature, the drops provide a refreshingly cool sensation when they land on the eye.

Con's:

• These drops are not preservative-free. Contains boric acid which is a weak acid used as insecticides and antiseptics.

Conclusion: Refresh Tears feels great in the eye's and provides just as much relief for dry eyes as other eye drops that I have tried but I am not a fan of preservatives.

**Update: (September 1, 2010) The more I use this product, the better it feels in my eyes. I would have to say that for now, this is a terrific alternative to my usual TheraTears eye drops. It seems to last longer than TheraTears and I don't use these eye drops as often throughout the day.

Omega-3

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Overview

The University of Maryland's Medical Center has created an endless list of what omega-3's can do for you and your body.

Fish & nuts are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and not only can it improve overall health but when taken in moderation can help fight:

• high cholesterol
• high blood pressure
• diabetes
• heart disease
• arthritis
• depression
• macular degeneration
• menstrual pain
• breast cancer
• colon cancer
• prostate cancer

This is not an exhaustive list by any means but also keep in mind that omega 3's are not a miracle drug, they are simply unsaturated fatty acids that may improve overall health and well being.

Excess Tears

According to 'The Eye Center,' excess tearing or epiphora is caused by:

• muscus build up in the lacrimal glands 
• pink eye
• ingrown eyelashes
• allergies
• environmental pollutants 

Commonly, this occurs because the eyes are too dry and your body is trying to compensate for this problem. The recommended treatment includes visiting an ophthalmologist to examine your eyes and an antibiotic would be provided. Furthermore, an artificial tear duct could be suggested.

I write about this issue because today was the first day that this condition has fallen on my poor eyes. The left eye continues to produce tears and stringy discharge every few minutes. 

1. I have taken an allergy medicine (since I leave the window open in my home and am allergic to various pollen)
2. Vacuumed the room in which I sleep to reduce dust and pollutants
3. Warm compress
4. Use eye drops
5. Drank plenty of water to hydrate body
6. Take fish oil

The problem has been occurring for several hours. Hopefully this 'never ending oasis of tears' will cease tomorrow.

Preservatives in Eye Drops

Recently my choice of eye drops has done little to quench the thirst that my eyes long for. After about 20 minutes or so, I would have to insert more drops and do so over and over. I am quite careful of what I insert into my eyes and try to stay away from eye drops with preservatives as much as possible.

I never realized this, but someone on a forum mentioned that TheraTears in bottle form contains a preservative. However, it disappears the moment it touches your eyes.

What's wrong with preservatives, you ask?

Well most eye drops on the market seem to contain benzalkonium chloride (BAK), and in laboratory tests have shown to consist of toxic effects. If your eye doctor states that you should use eye drops with perservatives/steroids than you should do so under their care.

Provided are several links that give a good overview of preservatives and what to be careful of:

Preservatives Explained (dryeyezone.com)

Preservatives: The good, the bad and the ugly (pubmed.gov)

Returning to Contacts.. ?

The thought of returning to contact lenses has always been on my mind but the best thing that I have done thus far in improving my stringy discharge/dry eye condition is to cease the use of contact lenses. My overall eye health has definitely improved by simply allowing them to breathe naturally. (With the exception of the eye products that I've used.)

However, there have been occasions where the use of spectacles has been very bothersome (e.g., playing sports, working under vehicle, etc.). For these reasons, I have decided that once I hit the 6 month [1 year] mark of wearing glasses, I might then return to the occasional contact lense use.

I recall in October my optometrist stated that if I decided to start using contacts again that I should try 'daily disposable contacts.' I have been reading many articles and websites regarding the types of contacts available for individuals suffering from dry eye and started to do some comparisons. (Useful links provided at bottom of post).

Before I would wear weekly disposables:

Acuvue Oasys                              ($33.99/ box) or ($67.89/ 2 boxes : 3 month supply)

Candidates for daily disposables:

1-Day Acuvue 30 pack                  ($29.99/ box) or ($59.98/ 2 boxes : 1 month supply)

1-Day Acuvue Moist 30 pack          ($29.99/ box) or ($59.98/ 2 boxes : 1 month supply)

1-Day Acuvue Moist 90 pack        ($69.99/ box) or ($139.98/ 2 boxes : 3 month supply)

Biomedics 1-Day 90 pack              ($44.99/ box) or ($89.98/ 2 boxes : 3 month supply)

ClearSight 1 Day 30 pack              ($19.99/ box) or ($39.98/ 2 boxes : 1 month supply)

ClearSight 1 Day 90 pack              ($44.99/ box) or ($89.98/ 2 boxes : 3 month supply)

Dailies AquaComfort Plus 30p        ($27.99/ box) or ($55.98/ 2 boxes : 1 month supply)

Dailies AquaComfort Plus 90p       ($59.99/ box) or ($119.98/ 2 boxes: 3 month supply)

Focus DAILIES 30 pack                 ($22.49/ box) or ($44.98/ 2 boxes : 1 month supply)

Focus DAILIES 90 pack                 ($44.99/ box) or ($89.98/ 2 boxes : 3 month supply)

Proclear 1-Day 90 pack               ($64.99/ box) or ($129.98/ 2 boxes : 3 month supply)

SofLens Daily Dis. 90p                  ($44.99/ box) or ($89.98/ 2 boxes : 3 month supply)

*prices from 1800contacts.com as of April 28, 2010.

--

As you can see, if one were to wear daily disposables as much as they did weekly disposables, they would be spending a bit more money. Something to consider when choosing which contact lenses are right for you.

Contact Lenses for Dry Eyes (allaboutvision.com)

Contacts for Dry Eyes (buzzle.com)

Allergy Season

Spring is now in effect and that means for allergy sufferers like myself, the weeds and pollen must be avoided as much as possible. The best thing to do when outside is to wear sunglasses or have your regular glasses coated with uv protection to protect your eyes from any dry conditions.

With your eyes bothered, most likely you might notice more eye discharge than usual. Last weekend I noticed a good amount of discharge and was surprised/distraught by it but as a reminder, with dry eyes it is not something that simply disappears.

Natrol Omega 3-6-9 Complex: Finished the bottle yesterday and during the duration of use, my eyes didn't seem that dry but starting today I will either:

1. stop taking fish oil and see if my eyes feel any different

2. started taking TheraTears Nutrition once again. [May 2, 2010 - started taking TheraTears Nutrition (2 pills daily instead of 3)]

 3. new TheraTears Nutrition opened June 17, 2010.

Dry Eyes Explained (Source: University of Illinois)

Stringy Eye Discharge Update

Stats:

Eye Wear: Almost 5 months of wearing glasses, meaning 5 months free of contact lense use.

Environment: Because of my work life, I find that I am driving a bit more and I am outdoors quite often where for the past few days it has been cold and windy.

Supplement: Consistently taking 2, Natrol Omega 3-6-9 tablets each day.

Compress: Hot warm compresses that I used to do twice daily have been quite inconsistent as of late.

I have noticed that lately, the clear stringy eye discharge has not been appearing very often. It has subsided but when it does appear, it strangely does so while I am driving.

Tips:

1. Drink a lot of water; when your body is hydrated, your eyes are hydrated. (I drink plenty of water daily.)

2. Keep alcohol/caffeine consumption to a minimum for the mere fact that they dehydrate the body, thus your eyes.

Natrol Omega 3-6-9 Complex Review

I have recently tried Natrol Omega 3-6-9 Complex. The supplement purchased comes with 90 softgels and costs about $11.99, which is similar in price to TheraTears Nutrition.

Pros:

1. Product does not effect eyes any differently compared to TheraTears Nutrition.

2. I have been taking the recommended, 2 softgels daily whereas with the latter, the recommended intake is 3 tablets.

Cons: (I have read some reviews on amazon.com regarding TheraTears Nutrition and some individuals say they cannot stand the fish smell whereas I barely notice it).

1. However, with this product the lemon/fish smell is quite abundant.

2. Furthermore, the softgels are HUGE. Not to be consumed by individuals prone to gagging. I try to down the softgels with water as quick as possible.

3. (Fish supplements contain EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid), long chain forms of omega 3's, whereas ALA (Alpha Linolenic Acid) is a short form and it takes longer for your body to convert this). That being said, this product contains 70mg EPA, 45mg DHA, & 200mg ALA. TheraTears Nutrition contains 150mg EPA, 100 mg DHA, no ALA. This could be a pro depending on preference.

I am halfway done with the bottle and today I noticed an 'aroma-can' inside the bottle.  >>

From their official website, they state that these small items are placed in the bottles to help add a pleasant scent. Well I can say it most definitely does not help.

That being said, after finishing the bottle I will most likely go back to taking TheraTears Nutrition. It is a lot easier to take 3 of their tablets compared to 2 Natrol Omega 3-6-9 tablets.

TheraTears, Optive & Restasis Coupons

$2.00 Off TheraTears

- courtesy of allaboutvision.com (expires 12/31/2013)

$1.00 Off TheraTears

- courtesy of theratears.com (expires 12/31/2010)

$3.00 Off Refresh Optive

- courtesy of mytearsmyrewards.com (expires 6/30/2010)

$20.00 Off Restasis *sign up required

- courtesy of restasis.com