How Improper Use of Contacts Can Lead to Blindness

How Improper Use of Contact Lenses Can Lead to Blindness​

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Wearing contact lenses? Make sure you use them right.

You might not be aware but you might be wearing your contacts the wrong way. Improper use of contact lenses can cause eye damage and it can likewise lead to blindness in a worst-case scenario.

There are bad habits in wearing contacts that should be avoided to avoid any complications in your eyes. Here are some of them:

Sleeping in your contacts

  1. Sleeping in your contact lenses –Doing this deprives your eyes of oxygen and that then leads to swelling of the cornea, creating gaps that appear in the eye’s surface cells which helps germs get in faster. These little plastics can often generate germ build-up. Imagine those germs as we stick them onto our eyes? According to studies, sleeping with contact lenses can make one up to eight times more prone to getting an eye infection, which can cause damage and possibly, blindness.
    Not replacing contacts on time
  2. Not replacing contacts on time –While diligently taking off your contacts every night is a good thing, problems can also occur through delays in changing your contacts. Not replacing them on time can also be problematic as contacts have their limits, too. The longer lasting types are more durable but still, they cannot totally protect you from germs if you don’t change them once necessary.
    Not replacing storage
  3. Not replacing contacts on time –While diligently taking off your contacts every night is a good thing, problems can also occur through delays in changing your contacts. Not replacing them on time can also be problematic as contacts have their limits, too. The longer lasting types are more durable but still, they cannot totally protect you from germs if you don’t change them once necessary.
    Improper use of cleaning solutions
  4. Improper use of cleaning solutions –Cleaning solutions have instructions in terms of their right usage and that’s for a good reason. That should be followed, accordingly, instead of just topping cases with solutions right there and then.
    Water
  5. Using tap water as a replacement for cleaning solutions– Clean water is good most of the time but not in this case. Microorganisms there might be safe to drink but they are not necessarily safe for your eyes, hence, the need for specialized solutions.
    Dirty Hands
  6. Not washing hand before using and cleaning contact lenses– Our hands go through a lot every day and it is only essential for us to wash them every now and then to keep it safe from germs. Sometimes, people are too lazy to wash before using contacts and obviously, there is a good chance that there are germs there that can be transferred.

Now that you know, make sure you prevent any damage to your eyes with the proper usage of contacts. Avoid these improper uses through proper eye care for your own good to avoid any chance of blindness.

Visit Shinagawa.ph and book a consultation and our ophthalmologists from Shinagawa Philippines are ready to help you whichever way to ensure that you will continue to live your life maximizing the gift of vision.

The Hazardous Parasite that Can Lead to Blindness

The Hazardous Parasite that Can Lead to Blindness

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Do you constantly wear contact lenses? You might want to learn about a parasite that can strike and cause blindness.

Acanthamoeba is one of the most frightening parasites in the world and that’s no exaggeration. Why? It is capable of harming eyes severely and can eventually cause one to be totally blinded.

It is found worldwide in a variety of fresh water sources all over. Anyone who gets contaminated water in their eye is at risk of infection.

Acanthamoeba Kerititis

Acanthamoeba Kerititis is a rare infection and eye disease that the parasite causes. Once Acanthamoeba gets to the eyeball, it then feeds off bacteria on the outer layer of an eye but eventually, it is bound to feed off the eyeball itself, causing significant damage.

Several studies show that 85 percent of people diagnosed with this rare eye disease are wearing contact lenses as the parasite tends to use them as a tool to penetrate its way.

Causes of Blindness

In fact, those who are diagnosed with Acanthamoeba Kerititis suffer from impaired vision, discomfort, eye redness and extreme pain as the disease damages the cornea extensively. Worse, they can eventually be blinded.

Yes, it can be that devastating. Make sure that doesn’t happen to you.

Acanthamoeba, according to ophthalmologists, are extremely difficult to treat due to its impenetrable exterior, making it very hard to kill.

Aside from this terror that Acanthamoeba can cause, there are other parasites as well that can do harm to your eyes: (link of our previous blog on five parasite that can damage the eye).

Still, there’s nothing to worry about as prevention is always better than cure, particularly in this instance.

It is important to have your eye checked every time as it is necessary to ensure its health.

Visit Shinagawa.ph and book a consultation and our ophthalmologists are ready to help you whichever way to ensure that you will continue to live your life maximizing the gift of vision.

For appointment:

Patient Care Line: (+632) 368 5238 | (+63) 917 862 7454 | (+63) 921 217 0517

Luke Conde Eye Exam

Are There Good and Bad Times To Have LASIK?

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In terms of having LASIK surgery, many ponder if there’s a right and appropriate time to have it. Ideally, for 18 years old and above, the sooner, the better. Still, there are some isolated instances wherein LASIK needs to wait a bit.

Sooner or later, if one can be a good candidate whichever way, having LASIK surgery is highly-preferred. Know particularly when and why you need LASIK to make the most out of your life and when are the occasions wherein LASIK needs to wait first.

When and why NOW is the time for LASIK

Chienna Filomeno at Shinagawa

You are aching to enhance your quality of life

If not now, when? There is no better time to have LASIK than the soonest. Yes, as soon as you can. The sooner you decide to have the procedure, the better as it will enable you to have the luxury of living and seeing life enhanced for a longer time rather than having it late and wasting away precious years with poor vision.

Regardless of age and time, experiencing life in high definition, thanks to LASIK, is always worth it.

Contact Lense

When you are sick and tired of spectacles and contacts

It is very usual for one to get tired of wearing glasses and contacts and all the inconveniences they may cause at times despite the visual solution they bring. Thankfully, LASIK is always there for the taking.

Through LASIK, one can finally get rid of broken, unfit or misplaced glasses, induced infections from contact lens, not being able to see right away upon waking up, reduced physical activities that are hindered by glasses and contacts and constantly spending money every now and then to change glasses and contacts.

When LASIK may have to wait for a bit

Woman taking an eye exam

When your eyes continue to constantly change

Though it normally depends on the eye screening to see if one can be a good candidate for LASIK, 18 years old and above are more often than not advised to have LASIK if necessary. In some cases, some people, most in their early 20s, have fluctuating vision due to hormonal changes as the body evolves.

But once one’s vision finally stabilizes for at least a year, expect no problems as LASIK is very much suitable if that occurs. Still, it is always best for a patient to consult an eye or LASIK expert for the best possible advice regarding the procedure depending on vision stability.

Pregnant Woman

During pregnancy

It is quite common for pregnant women to experience constant changes to their eyesight. Reduction in visual acuity often occurs as well as blurriness to distance vision. Also, hormone changes can result in dry eyes.

No worries because luckily, LASIK can strongly be considered after one’s delivery wherein vision usually stables.

For the eyes

When you have an occurring, untreated and persistent eye condition

In some cases, a person cannot be a good candidate for LASIK just yet if screenings show that there is an untreated or persistent eye condition. When that happens, the certain eye condition should first be treated, accordingly, before the doctor can do a screening again and finally give a thumbs up on LASIK.

Again, consultation is the best way to go as doctors know best on what to do first before undergoing LASIK surgery.

Whichever way, there will come a time in terms of poor vision when enough is simply enough. Once that time comes, LASIK is the answer.

At Shinagawa, our comprehensive eye screening enables our eye doctors and experts to advise a patient if it is a good candidate and when is the best time to have LASIK surgery.

It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter when.

Once you realized that having LASIK is a must, the best first step is to schedule a consultation with our doctors and further learn why and how LASIK significantly improves life.

Visit Shinagawa.ph and book a consultation and our ophthalmologists are ready to guide you through the start of your journey towards perfect vision.

Right Habits to Observe in Makeup Usage

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Women spend a lot of their time every day to put on makeup. But are they doing it the right way? Unhealthy makeup practice can lead affect the eyes and that may eventually result to poor eyesight. Hence, it is essential to follow the right ways and habits in terms of using makeups.

Here are some eye makeup tips that may help maintain an optimum eye health:

Makeup

1. Pay attention to expiration dates

Just like any product, your eye makeup also expires. Using old mascaras and eye liners can cause bacterial infection which can damage your eyes. Your mascara wand can be a bridge for viruses to spread onto your lashes. Do not attempt to revive your dry mascara using eye drops (not everything on the internet is true!).  If it goes beyond 3-4 months, just buy a new one and toss the old makeup in the trash. Your eyes would thank you for it.

Makeup

2. Check the formulation

With the rising demand for makeup, more and more people are trying to replicate high-end eye shadows. Due to this, people opt to buy fake makeups which are more than 80% less their original price. However, anything cheap should always make you question its price and quality.

It’s almost a guarantee that most fake products do not include the real ingredients used in their original counterparts. Most likely, they would just copy and paste the label of the original product. However, reports claim that these cosmetics may contain mercury, lead, cyanide and even rat droppings. Instead of buying fake makeup, choose cheaper alternatives that can be found at the drugstore.

Putting Makeup on

3. Sharing is not always caring

Avoid sharing cosmetics especially when someone is showing signs of eye irritation. To avoid getting contagious eye diseases such as pink eye (conjunctivitis), make sure to keep your makeup to yourself. Same goes with your makeup tools such as eye shadow brushes and eyelash curler.

Eye shadow

4. Not all that Glitters are Gold

Several beauty gurus apply glitters on their eyelids effortlessly. However, if it’s your first time, be extra careful. Those tiny products can cause corneal irritation and infection. Same goes with putting fake lashes where you might accidentally poke your eye with the lash, or even put eyelash glue to your eyeballs. For starters, try doing natural makeup looks that does not require advanced skills.

Makeup

5. Sanitize before application

In using makeup testers, make sure to ask for a new stock. If limited, use a tissue with alcohol to sanitize the products. Also, always wash your hands and clean your makeup tools before you let them touch your face.

Anything that you apply near your eye is risky. Being cautious with what and how you put your makeup on is a factor in having and maintaining healthy eyes.

For more information about the dangers of not removing your eye makeup at night, click here. 

Shinagawa Lasik offers comprehensive eye checkup and vision screening top see how healthy your eyes are. For more information and appointment request, visit Shinagawa PH.

Girl lying down

Why You Should Not Sleep with Eye Makeup on

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Microscope view

There are days when we are so worn-out we couldn’t even find the time to remove our eye makeup. We go directly to our bed without realizing the dangers that beauty products can do to our eyes and skin. Instead of helping us enhance our facial features, they might be the reason why our beauty is deteriorating.

Aside from the sticky feeling it leaves on the following day, leaving makeup on can cause inflammation especially in the eye area. The number one culprit for having eyelid irritation is leaving your mascara, liner and eye shadow on for a longer period of time.

Mascara may give us longer and fuller lashes but it may also cause blepharitis. It is when the base of our eyelashes are contaminated with bacteria and dandruff-like flaking occurs. Doctors suggest that neglecting makeup is one factor that may cause eye redness, dryness and infection. Although treatable, it causes discomfort to those who wear contact lenses.

 

 

Demodex

Due to bad makeup hygiene, severe cases such as mite infection occurs. Certain critters called demodex could start creating a community on your eyelids. Demodex mites can survive in areas which gives a good food production, in this case, sebum left in oil glands. Moreover, these mites can cause discomfort especially to those who are contact lens wearers. The person with demodex infected eyelids feels as if something is hindering their vision and notices the small bumps on their eyelid margins.

Washing your face with just soap and water is not enough to remove your makeup residue. Find a remover that is suitable to your skin and can effectively remove every eyeliner mark or mascara clump. This will not only make you feel refreshed but also save you from losing your beauty.

Truly, it is fun to put on makeup which is why girls invest their time to do it every morning. However, to avoid future complications, especially with eyes, ladies should also invest their time and effort in removing their makeup. Who wouldn’t want to sleep feeling refreshed anyways?

Shinagawa Lasik & Aesthetics Center offers comprehensive eye checkup and cross-linking surgery. For more information and appointment requests, visit Shinagawa.PH.

For appointment:
Patient Care Line (+2) 368 5238 | (+63) 917 862 7454 | (+63) 921 217 0517