LASIK, Contact Lenses & Dry Eyes

“Contact lenses of all types can cause dry eyes and this should be addressed as part of your LASIK consultation,” said Birmingham LASIK Surgeon & Corneal Specialist Marc Michelson, M.D. of Michelson Laser Vision. This is important information to know about contact lenses and dry eyes for contact lens wearers considering LASIK. “Dry eyes can be a very real problem for both rigid and soft contact lens wearers. Researchers reporting in the Eye & Contact Lens: Science & Clinical Practice showed that both rigid and soft contact lenses negatively impact the tear film surface quality,” said Dr. Michelson. “This research is important to keep in mind when contact lens wearers present for LASIK consultations since the evaluation of the tear film quality and quantity is a critical consideration of determining the patient’s candidacy for any type of Laser Vision Correction-but especially for LASIK surgery,” further explained LASIK Specialist Dr. Michelson “Given that a considerable number of our patients having LASIK are contact lens wearers, we need to be aware that some of the tear film abnormalities that we find during a consultation are actually due to their contact lens wear. Fortunately, with a sufficient amount of time without contact lens wear many contact lens wearers who want LASIK will recover a normal tear film surface quality and be able to proceed with Laser Vision Correction,” noted Dr. Michelson.

Contact lens patients considering LASIK or any type of Laser Eye Surgery for vision correction are encouraged to find the best LASIK Surgeons in their area and have a thorough evaluation, examination and consultation in order to find out if they are good candidates.

If you or someone you know has a question about LASIK, contact lenses, dry eyes or would like to schedule a Free LASIK Consultation please call Michelson Laser Vision at 205-969-8100, visit Michelson Laser Vision or facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision are leading Birmingham eye care practices with offices at 327 Summit Boulevard, Birmingham, Alabama 35243, and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, 1201 11th Avenue S., Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205.

Contact Lens iPhone App for Birmingham Patients

“Birmingham contact lens wearers should take a look at the iPhone app to help them remember their contact lens replacement schedule,” commented Birmingham Optometrist Dr. Catherine Murphy at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center. The contact lens app is available for use on iPhones and iPads and provides a convenient way to keep track of how many times you have worn your reusable contact lenses. No more having to wonder if it's time to replace your contacts. This is a nice way to help keep your contact lenses safe and your eyes healthy,” commented Dr. Murphy. “Proper lens replacement is critical to your eyes' health when wearing contacts. The app is available at iTunes for contact lens wearers to have a look at.

If you or someone you know has questions about contact lens care, handling and disinfection please call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visiting Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham staffed by a team of specialists including eye doctors who are fellowship trained cornea specialists and cataract and lens implant specialists-all board certified Ophthalmologists & Corneal Specialists-as well as Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser eye surgery such as LASIK for laser vision correction, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and fitting of eyeglasses and eyewear.

Birmingham Contact Lens Specialist: Healthy Vision Tips

Birmingham Contact Lens Specialist Dr. Catherine Murphy, an Optometrist at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center gave us some tips for wearing contact lenses and maintaining healthy vision. “With all the advertising and mail order contact lenses it’s pretty easy to forget that contact lenses are a medical device. Even contacts worn purely for cosmetic purposes, should be prescribed and properly fit by a licensed eye care professional," explained Dr. Murphy. "Too many patients forget this and end up buying and wearing contact lenses without proper medical guidance and a valid prescription. Then, often without even realizing it, they put themselves at risk for serious, even blinding eye infections," stressed Dr. Murphy. 

Following the instructions given to you by your eye doctor-carefully and completely can go a long way to help avoid contact lens problems and complications. "Our experience clearly shows that by not following instructions on proper wear and care, contact lens wearers are more likely to have discomfort and may actually put themselves at greater risk for infection or other serious complications, such as microbial keratitis," said Dr. Murphy. “We often find that improper storage, handling and disinfection of contact lenses really predispose patients to unnecessary risk.” 

Some good contact lens care, handling and disinfection tips to follow include: 

• Always wash your hands with soap before inserting or removing your contact lenses.
• Always empty the storage case of disinfection solution after removing your lenses, and fully refill with fresh solution before storing them. 
• NEVER clean your case with tap water. 
• REGULARLY-even daily- clean your case.
• REGULARLY-at least monthly- replace your case. 

If you or someone you know has questions about contact lens care, handling and disinfection please call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visiting Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or facebook.com/michelsonlaservision. 

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham staffed by a team of specialists including eye doctors who are fellowship trained cornea specialists and cataract and lens implant specialists-all board certified Ophthalmologists & Corneal Specialists-as well as Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser eye surgery such as LASIK for laser vision correction, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and fitting of eyeglasses and eyewear.