Enter to win one of 12 Eyeglass Lights! All you need to do to enter the draw is 'Like us' on our Facebook page. This will allow you to tag yourself on the Christmas tree image. Once tagged, your name will be entered into the draw. 12 winners will be randomly chosen from names tagged on the photo on December 31st. Winners names will be posted on the facebook fan page on New Years Day! Help us to spread the word by sharing this with your facebook profile. Click here for the competition.
Eye Care
Sunday, 18 December 2011
Christmas Competition
Enter to win one of 12 Eyeglass Lights! All you need to do to enter the draw is 'Like us' on our Facebook page. This will allow you to tag yourself on the Christmas tree image. Once tagged, your name will be entered into the draw. 12 winners will be randomly chosen from names tagged on the photo on December 31st. Winners names will be posted on the facebook fan page on New Years Day! Help us to spread the word by sharing this with your facebook profile. Click here for the competition.
Sunday, 25 September 2011
Thursday, 08 September 2011
Is Your Vision Still Fit To Drive?
Recent research shows an astounding number of motorists are driving without meeting the minimum vision requirement. Several think that they are safe since passing the number plate eye test on their driving test which in some cases can be decades ago!
There are new new driving eyesight standards due to be introduced into UK law by 2013 as part of EU Directive 2009/113/EC.
It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure his/her eyesight is within the law for driving safely.
This problem can only be exacerbated by the Department of Transport who have been reviewing the outdated number plate test with proposals to make it easier rather than harder making it less safe on Britain’s roads. The decision for this has been postponed until at least October this year.
If the D. O. T. want to help decrease accidents on the road then they would do well to make it harder by scrapping the number plate test and getting new driving applicants to take a proper eye test by a registered optician before the applicant can take the test.
Written for Kontrol Sports who retail prescription driving sunglasses.
Monday, 15 August 2011
Cataract Surgery - What Is Involved?
Cataract surgery was once conducted with scalpels on a level that modern professionals would find unthinkable, but medical technology and modern electronics have transformed the procedure into a painless outpatient procedure with an extremely rapid recovery. Patients generally experience no discomfort and return to normal activities the very next day.
The eye is essentially a sphere with an opening, called the pupil, to let in light. A transparent crystalline lens is positioned within the pupil, and the interior of the eye is filled with a clear, gelatinous fluid. The shape of the lens is adjusted by the iris to focus the light entering the pupil. The lens is held in place by a thin, transparent layer called the cornea.
Light must pass through the cornea, the lens, and the gelatinous fluid inside of the eye to reach the retina. This is where light is transformed into the signals transmitted by the optic nerve to the visual cortex of the brain. If the transmission of light is impeded in any way, vision is impaired.
A cataract is a cloudiness that develops in the lens of the eye. Most patients with cataracts are elderly, but certain chronic illnesses can increase the likelihood of developing cataracts at earlier ages. Without treatment, the cloudiness can increase to such a level that almost no light passes to the retina.
In modern cataract surgery, a tiny incision is made through the cornea at the side of the lens. The lens is fragmented with high frequency vibrations and removed, and an artificial lens is inserted to replace it. Patients are anaesthetised but conscious for this procedure.
There are multiple varieties of artificial lenses, and all are extremely flexible. They are folded to a fraction of their normal size and unfolded once they have been inserted. This allows the corneal incision to be much smaller than the diameter of the lens and to heal rapidly.
The artificial lens has a certain corrective element. Patients who wear eyeglasses prior to cataract surgery often require far weaker prescription lenses afterward. New eyeglasses are not prescribed until the incision has completely healed and the pupil has gradually recovered from chemical dilation.
Cataract surgery has potential issues which may concern patients. Although patients can return to normal activities the day following the surgery, functioning with uncorrected vision in the post-operative eye can be troublesome.
Most cataract surgeries require a follow-up treatment approximately one year after surgery. The thin layer of cornea that holds the artificial lens in place gradually develops a yellow tint after surgery. An ophthalmologist treats this condition by using a laser to remove the yellowed layer. The treatment is required only one time, is completely painless, and is usually completed during an office visit.
Les writes about laser eye surgery for Personal Eyes where you can find out more about eye procedures to suit your lifestyle.
Thankyou Les for this informative article for Kontrolsports who provide suitable eyewear for post op eye surgery to help relieve pain from sensitive light.
Thursday, 09 June 2011
Eye Vitamins for Macular Degeneration
The importance of good sight is known to all; unfortunately the percentage of people who managed to keep and protect the quality of their eye sight is very little. Among the most common type of eye – related problems is Macular Degeneration, this is the breaking down of the macula of the eye. Macula is a tiny region at the back of the eye that enables a person to see small, fine details vividly. When this macula is damaged, it tends to malfunction thus, blurriness or darkness happens in the center of the vision making activities like reading, sewing and threading a needle either challenging or impossible.
There are however, ways to keep the eyes healthy from diseases using sunglasses for example may be beneficial to counter macular degeneration, not reading in the dark and not watching the TV too close may also be helpful for the eyes. But still, vitamins are your best bet when it comes to taking care of the eyes, supplements like vitamin C, beta carotene, zinc and vitamin E are all rich in nutrients and antioxidants that may help one battle macular degeneration as well as other eye – related diseases. Not only will they reduce your chances of acquiring and developing eye problems, they may also help in optimizing your vision.
Vitamin A leads the pack as it is very important for night vision. It is likewise significant in wound healing and effective function of the immune system. Since beta – carotene is vitamin A's precursor; it was also placed by AREDS in their formula. The benefits of beta carotene include boosting of the immune system, acting as antioxidant and in some cases, may also help in reducing risks of cancer. AREDS stands for Age Related Eye Diseases Study. It was a study sponsored by the National Eye Institute that belongs to the National Institutes of Health based in the United States. They focused on exploring the history and risk factors of macular degeneration and cataract as well as the effect of zinc and antioxidants with respect to the two conditions.
After A comes B but in a complex form. Vitamin B-complex that contains vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12 folic acid, biotin and choline are believed to may help lessen chronic inflammation. According to studies, vitamin B complex may have a significant contribution to lessening the risks of macular degeneration as well as aid in the treatment of uveitis, known to cause blindness. In the same way it is known to prevent elevated homocysteine levels, which has been linked with vascular problems
Vitamin C is also part of the AREDS formula. Vitamin D, on the other hand, is greatly linked to decreased risk of macular degeneration. Vitamin E is likewise part of the ARED formula. Vitamin E deficiency is characterized by muscle weakness, involuntary movement, poor coordination, nerve damage and breakage of the red blood class that may eventually result to anemia.
Aside from these mentioned vitamins, Lutein, a kind of carotenoids, Omega – 3 and bioflavonids which makes vitamin C absorption better, are also believe to prevent macular degeneration and bring about healthy eye sight.
Byline:
Kontrol Sports, would like to thank Oktay for providing this guest article. Oktay is a health enthusiast and he has written several articles about the advantages of healthy living and regular intake of supplements. He has discussed the benefits of beta–carotene and vitamin C benefits to name but a few.
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Ophthalmology Tools
As health is a growing concern among the general populace, it’s important to remember proper eye care. Your eyes are very tender, vulnerable organs that can be easily damaged by factors in your everyday existence. Exposure to intense sunlight, for example, can severely damage your eyes, and we’re all familiar with mother’s qualms about reading in the dark.
Fortunately, professional ophthalmologists and optometrists are ready to examine and treat your eyes with numerous tools in the event of any damage.
Ophthalmology vs. Optometry: What’s the Difference?
In terms of service and procedures, you can generally expect the same from an ophthalmologist and optometrist. They both provide eye examinations and prescribe glasses or contacts. They are both capable of diagnosing and treating any eye diseases and disorders
The real difference is in the title. An ophthalmologist is an M.D; a medical doctor of the eyes, which is different from an O.D; or Doctor of Optometry.
Ophthalmologists are also responsible for the more complex surgeries and are often involved in eye research studies. In performing surgeries, ophthalmologists require quite a few hefty tools.
Ultrasound
Though ultrasound is generally known as a tool for the imaging of developing babies, it can also be applied to the field of ophthalmology.
Ophthalmic ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to create cross section images of the eye. This can be used to view opacities in ocular media and to evaluate tumors. Recent innovations allow for interpretation of the status and position of vitreous.
Excimer Lasers
An excimer laser is an ultraviolet laser that is used for eye surgeries, mainly LASIK, though it is also used for constructing microelectronic devices. The laser is capable of removing very fine, precise layers of surface material, leaving surrounding tissue or material intact, which makes the laser perfect for LASIK surgery.
Excimer lasers come in a few types and can be fitted with wavefront aberrometers, which measure any aberrations in the eye, to better guide the system.
- Slit scanning: This type of excimer laser uses small beams emitted from gradually enlarging slit holes in a rotating device. The beams scan across the slits, creating a uniform beam with smooth ablations.
- Spot scanning: These excimer lasers are most frequently used in LASIK procedures. Spot scanning lasers emit small diameter beams scanned across the patient’s cornea to create an ablation zone. This laser creates the smoothest ablations and is one of the best treatments for irregular astigmatism.
Kontrol Sports would like to thank http://usa.nidek.com/ for this Guest Post to our Sports Sunglasses blog
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Contact lenses and pregnancy
Dry and irritated eyes are quite common during pregnancy. Hormonal changes are responsible for most of pregnancy signs and symptoms, and dry eyes are no exception. Many women tear more easily, experience burning sensations in their eyes, have itchy eyes or constantly feel like there is something in their eyes. Contact lens wearers are more likely to have these kinds of symptoms, especially from the second trimester onwards. Some women may want to stop wearing lenses altogether while they are expecting, but fortunately there are some steps you can take to be more comfortable.
When I got pregnant with my first child, it never occurred to be that I might have trouble wearing lenses. The eyes can swell and change shape during pregnancy, and as my pregnancy progressed, I constantly had irritated and red eyes. The feeling of wearing lenses was very similar to wearing lenses with a bit of dirt or fibre on them. It was so uncomfortable that I decided to wear glasses for the remainder of my pregnancy, and for quite some time after that too.
If your experience is similar, a simple change in the lenses you are wearing might make all the difference. Even if you have been wearing the same kind of lenses for years, they may suddenly irritate you when you have a baby on the way. Some women also find that using eye drops helps keeping their eyes hydrated. Before you try this, visit your optometrist – some ointments are not safe during pregnancy, while others are not suitable for lens wearers.
Keeping a humidifier in your home or workplace can also help combat dry eyes. An alternative to this would be opening the windows for a while, or keeping plants nearby. Some women even find that gently massaging their eyelids, while not wearing lenses, makes them feel more comfortable.
Remember that your prescription can actually change while you are pregnant, either temporarily or permanently. If you notice any change in your eyesight, a visit to your optician is warranted. Getting an eye test after you deliver is also recommended.
Trying To Conceive is a blog dedicated to fertility, pregnancy, and other reproductive issues. Those who are hoping to get pregnant can use their free ovulation calendar to find out when they are likely to be most fertile.
Kontrol Sports would like to thank Tania at http://www.trying-to-conceive.com for providing this eye care guest post to our Sports Sunglasses blog
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
Are 3D Glasses Safe?
Electronics retailers are all awash with the latest in entertainment with the exciting 3D TVs.
But does anyone know of the long-term impact of wearing 3D glasses for long periods? Many customers are wary of this and the optical trade doesn’t currently have an answer due to the sudden implementation of these TVs on the market and lack of testing unto now.
The GOC (general optical council) cannot offer guidance until the release of prescription 3D glasses later this year although currently you can purchase non prescription 3D glasses off the shelf unaware of the long-term affects. Some people suffer from a reduced binocular vision which in fact will give them no 3D effects at all. The GOC is powerless to act on these as they are non prescription and out of their jurisdiction.
With around 25% of households believed to be owning a 3D T.V by 2015, it is vital that guidance is given for customers to make the right choice.
Written by Steve Hocking for Kontrolsports who retail prescription sunglasses
How to Save Money on Prescription Contacts
This is a guest post written by Mindy Clairbel. Mindy runs MyCCFinder, a website that offers several Online Coupons promo codes, and hot deals on just about everything.
If you have bad eye sight, I’m sure you already know the frustrations that come along with it. Between not being able to see right when you wake up, not being able to fall asleep watching TV with your contacts in, and even the large amounts of money you spend just on correcting it, while not even fixing it are just a few of the things that come along with bad eye sight.
People spend millions of dollars each year just on prescription lenses. Whether you like your designer glasses or your convenient contacts, it will put a nice hole in your wallet. Although fixing your eye sight temporarily probably won’t ever be free, it can definitely be cheaper. To find ways to save on your prescription contacts, consider these ideas below.
Discounts: Some eye doctors will give you a discount on your lenses just for signing up for an eye exam. Be sure to look out for these discounts. They can be a certain percentage off or as much as $25 sometimes!
Brands: Take the brand of contacts into consideration. If you don’t care about having the “most comfortable” and “breathable” lens currently on the market, tell the cashier that. Let them know you want your prescription the cheapest way possible, even if that means using last year’s model.
Bulk: Be sure to buy your contacts in bulk! By going to stores like Costco, you can save money on buying more sometimes. Not to mention, stores like Costco usually have the best deals to begin with.
Shop online: Shopping online is another thing to consider. I’m sure you’ve heard of 1-800 Contacts! You can visit their website online, and get a coupon either off the Internet or get one out of your newspaper’s ads. This is another great way to save! Just have your prescription ready, and compare the prices.
One thing you don’t want to do to save money is wear your contacts longer than you should just to get more use out of them. Contacts are no good after a certain amount of days or weeks for a reason. When they’re supposed to be disposed never go longer than a few days after if you have to!
As you can see, there are a few different ways to save on prescription contacts. So if you’re sick of spending a large amount on your eye sight, consider a few of these money saving ideas. Unfortunately our sight is something we never want to go without so it’s important that we spend this money so we can see.
Kontrol Sports would like to thank Mindy for providing this Guest Blog for our Sports Sunglasses website
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
The Benefits of Waiting until After Pregnancy for Laser Eye Surgery
This is a guest post written by Lauren Dzuris. Lauren runs FindMyCarSeat, a Baby Car Seat website that helps soon to be parents find the right car seat for their child, while giving them tips and advice on everything from pregnancy to caring for your baby.
If you’ve experienced poor vision the majority of your life, I’m sure you’ve suffered from great amounts of frustration. There is nothing worse than waking up in the morning and not being able to see without some help from lenses.
Although we’d all like to take care of our eye sight as soon as possible, it’s important to find the best time to do it. Certain times for certain people might not have the best results. Whether you’re 8 years old, or you’re pregnant, it’s probably best to wait. What are the reasons you should wait until you’re done having children? Continue reading below to find out!
Surgery: First of all, when you get Lasik, it is still considered “surgery”. So no matter what medications you’re getting, there is always some type of risk. It is best to wait until after surgery just in case the medications have some type of side effect, or something doesn’t go as planned.
Hormonal changes: When you’re pregnant, you will face a lot of hormonal changes. It isn’t uncommon to be a little depressed, anxious, or even overly excited at times. Hormonal changes are common, and they do have certain side effects. When our hormones change, our body can change. Therefore, your vision may change a little bit as well. Just like your feet can even grow to be larger. Our body does strange things during pregnancy so it’s best to just wait until you’re done having children.
Normal changes: It’s also best to put this off for a while until you’re at least in your late twenties just because we want to give our eyes time to change. I’m sure you’ve noticed that your prescription changes a little bit each time you go to the eye doctor. Normal changes happen, so it’s best to get the biggest changes out of the way before we get the surgery.
There are a few different reasons why you should wait until after pregnancy, and until you’re totally done having children in general. You want to make sure this is something you’re ready for, and something that has as little side effects and complications as possible.
Kontrol Sports would like to thank http://www.findmycarseat.com for providing this guest blog for our Sports Sunglasses blog
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