Health
Can Halloween Costume Contacts Cause a Corneal Abrasion?
Want a Halloween look that’s so authentically creepy it turns heads and stops hearts? Costume contact lenses can transform ordinary eyes into a vampire’s piercing glow, a zombie’s lifeless stare, or a demon’s terrifying glare in seconds. Decorative lenses aren’t just costume props. The FDA classifies all contact lenses, even non-corrective ones, as medical devices. […]
Why Is Driving at Night So Much Harder?
Darkness severely limits your field of vision and strips away contrast, making pedestrians, lane markings, sharp curves, and roadside hazards much harder to spot. Throw in blinding headlight glare, reflections off wet pavement, or late-night fatigue, and the challenge multiplies fast. The latest crash data further shows how much of the fatality burden falls during […]
What Are Those Tiny Specks Floating in Your Vision?
If you’ve ever noticed tiny specks, delicate threads, or cobweb-like shapes drifting lazily across your field of view, you’re in good company. Eye floaters are remarkably common. Large population-based surveys show that around 20% to 30% of all adults experience noticeable floaters, and clinical autopsies reveal that up to 80% of individuals over age 60 […]
Common Reasons To See An Eye Doctor
Eye health declines so gradually that early damage goes completely unnoticed. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 11 million Americans aged 12 and older require vision correction, with many sight-threatening conditions showing zero early symptoms. Comprehensive eye exams bridge this gap by detecting microscopic and structural changes early, expanding […]
What Causes Dry Eyes?
Your eyes should not feel like they are running on low battery by lunchtime. Gritty, burning, watery, or blurry eyes can turn simple things like screens, reading, driving, and wearing contacts into a daily hassle. Dry eye affects nearly 16.4 million Americans, according to the National Eye Institute, and it can make everyday things like […]
How to Manage Myopia
Myopia is becoming increasingly common, particularly among children and teens. A 2025 global analysis of 276 studies involving more than 5.4 million participants found that childhood myopia prevalence rose from 24.3% in 1990 to 35.8% in 2023. Researchers project that nearly 40% of children and adolescents, more than 740 million worldwide, could have myopia by […]
Why Do Optometrists Dilate Your Pupils?
You’ve just stepped out of your eye doctor’s office wearing a pair of temporary, disposable sunglasses. Even with them on, you find yourself squinting at your phone, which suddenly looks as though someone is shining a bright flashlight directly into your eyes. That’s the temporary side effect of pupil dilation. It’s a completely normal reaction […]
The Truth Behind Blue Eyes
While blue eyes are romanticized for their rarity, the medical science behind it is frequently misunderstood. The truth is a complex mix of genetics, evolutionary history, and optical physics. Here is the real science behind this striking trait. Why Do People Have Blue Eyes? A person gets blue eyes when the outer layer of the […]
What Causes Crusty Eyes?
Table of Contents In old European folklore, the Sandman visited people after dark. He’d slip quietly into bedrooms, sprinkle sleepy dust into their eyes, and help them drift into dreams. By morning, the tiny grains left in the corners of the eyes were said to be proof he’d been there. It’s a charming explanation for […]
Can Astigmatism Get Worse with Age?
Astigmatism is a common eye condition that can make objects appear blurry, stretched, or distorted. It can affect people at any age. For some, the prescription may change gradually over time. Does astigmatism get worse with age? It depends on several factors, including natural eye changes, overall eye health, and certain conditions that affect the […]
What Are Monolids?
Table of Contents What Are Monolids? Monolids are a type of eyelid shape where the upper eyelid doesn’t have a visible eyelid crease. Instead of folding into a defined line above the lashes, the lid looks smoother from the lash line to the brow bone. This gives monolid eyes a distinct look compared with double […]
The Evolution of Our Eye Colors: A Story of Genetics, Migration, and Culture
Before eye color became a family trait, a beauty marker, or a symbol in art and myth, it was pigment reacting to light. Today, we give that variation a few familiar names: brown, blue, hazel, green, gray, and amber. Brown dominates the map, with more than half of the world’s population having brown eyes. Green […]
Is Bad Eyesight Genetic? Top 7 Eye Conditions That Run in Families
Table of Contents Maybe your parents wore thick glasses. Maybe your sibling’s astigmatism genetics are on full display every time they update their prescription. Or a grandparent had glaucoma or macular degeneration, and now you are wondering whether your eyes are headed in the same direction. That is why family history is useful, not something […]
2026 Research on LRG1 in Diabetic Retinopathy: New Findings and When to Seek Care
Table of Contents You can have diabetic retinopathy and still feel like your vision is normal. In the earliest stage, damage can begin in the tiny retina blood vessels before you notice blurry vision, floaters, or other vision changes diabetes can cause. That is why a yearly diabetic eye exam dilated exam matters so much. […]
How to Manage Screen Time & Prevent Digital Eye Strain
Table of Contents According to CooperVision, about 69% of people experience digital eye strain (DES) at least once a week due to screen use. The bad news is, screens are literally everywhere, and avoiding them completely is unrealistic. The good news is, you can still protect your eyes and reduce strain with the right habits! […]
Why Does a Superior Epithelial Arcuate Lesion (SEAL) Develop? Common Causes and Recovery Tips
Explore superior epithelial arcuate lesion causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention for soft contact lens wearers.
How to Prevent Contact Lenses from Tearing
Table of Contents Wearing contact lenses provides convenience and clear vision, but they require proper handling to prevent damage. Soft contact lenses, preferred by millions of wearers, are designed for comfort and oxygen flow to the cornea. Their delicate nature makes them prone to tears, which can be frustrating and costly. A torn contact lens […]
Sleeping with Daily Contacts: Risks, Eye Infections & Safe Removal Tips
Daily contact lenses offer convenience, hygiene, and comfort, but only when used as intended. Sleeping with daily contacts, even accidentally, can lead to serious eye health risks. If you’ve ever woken up with your lenses still in, you may have experienced dryness, discomfort, or even difficulty removing them. But the risks go beyond irritation, prolonged […]
Top 10 FAQs About Presbyopia Answered: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & More
In this blog post, we’ll shed light on some of the frequently asked questions about presbyopia, from its causes and symptoms to the latest in treatment options. Whether you’re just starting to hold menus at arm’s length or have been struggling with reading glasses for years, we’ll provide essential insights into managing life with presbyopia.
Dry Eyes or Eye Allergies: How to Tell the Difference
Understanding the difference between dry eyes and eye allergies is crucial for both comfort and choosing the right treatment, especially if you’re a contact lens wearer.
Fact vs. Fiction: 14 Contact Lens Myths Debunked
Contact lenses are nothing short of revolutionary. Since their inception, they’ve allowed millions of people to experience the world without the physical constraints of glasses. But as with many innovations, contact lenses have become shrouded in a fog of myths and misconceptions. These tales range from the slightly exaggerated to the utterly unbelievable, so much […]
What Happens if I Wear My Contacts for Too Long?
Contact lenses give you a natural field of view and don’t fog up or get in the way like eyeglasses. They’re also easy to put in, even for beginners.
But did you know that wearing contact lenses for too long can be dangerous? In this post, we’ll discuss the dangers of contact lens overwear and how to prevent them.
Can I take a 20 Minute Nap with Contacts On? How About for 10 minutes, 15, 30, or 60 minutes? 2025 Update
Overview | Can I nap while wearing contacts? | Does the duration matter? | What if I accidentally napped in contacts? | Are there contacts you can sleep in? | Conclusion Updated August 1st, 2025 – Don’t do it! Read on, but unless you are wearing extended-wear contact lenses, the short answer is “don’t.” Everyone faces […]
What can your eyes tell you about your health?
A comprehensive eye exam can reveal eye issues. However, they can do much more than that. Comprehensive eye exams can also show health problems that could be unrelated to your eyes. This is why getting regular comprehensive eye exams is vital not just for your eyes, but also for your general well-being. Curious to know […]
What You Need to Know About Eye Allergies
Eye allergies are common in the United States. And if you wear contact lenses, you may experience worse eye allergy symptoms than someone who doesn’t wear contact lenses. But what exactly are eye allergies? Despite the prevalence of eye allergies, there seems to be quite a bit of mystery surrounding them. Lens.com is here to […]
What You Need To Know About Your Eye Color
Your eyes have color just like everyone else, but have you ever thought about what exactly gives your eyes their color? At one point or another, maybe you’ve wondered how many other people have eyes that are the same color as you, or how color enhancing contacts can subtly change the way your natural shade […]
How Can You Protect Your Eyes During Allergy Season?
If you are prone to allergies or have sensitive eyes, most seasons can feel like allergy season. In the spring, pollen from flowers and trees can affect your eyes and make them itch. In the summer, it’s the pollen from grass, and Ragweed pollen can sting your eyes and make them red in the fall. […]
What’s the Best Option For Treating or Correcting Astigmatism?
A normal cornea is perfectly symmetrical like a dome and has matching curves in all directions. When an individual has astigmatism, their corneas have asymmetrical or mismatched curves. Astigmatism is a disorder of the cornea. When someone has astigmatism, their vision is blurred at all distances. Other symptoms include eye strain or discomfort, headaches, and […]
The Benefits of Wearing Contacts vs. Glasses While Working Out (pros and cons)
Intro Many of us have gone through incredible lifestyle changes in the last year, especially adjusting to working or studying remotely. While we transition into a digital-based social lifestyle, we expose ourselves to a lot more screen-time than we typically would. The bright screens could lead to a lot of eye-straining, making our eyes tired […]
How Often Do I Need to Get A Comprehensive Eye Exam?
“How often do I need to get an eye exam?” is a question many people ask, whether they have clear vision or wear corrective lenses. However, the answer isn’t so clear-cut. The frequency of eye exams depends on a variety of factors such as: Your age Your medical history Refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism) […]
7 Astigmatism Facts You Need To Know
Table of Contents Updated July 13, 2026 – If you’ve recently been diagnosed with astigmatism, you may have questions about which contact lenses can correct your refractive error. Contacts for astigmatism are also known as toric lenses, and they are designed to provide stable, clear vision by staying properly aligned on the eye. If you […]
Hydrogel vs. Silicone Hydrogel: What Are The Differences?
Updated July 3rd, 2026 – Most soft contact lenses available today are made from either hydrogel or silicone hydrogel. Although both materials are flexible and designed to conform to your eye, they differ in water content, oxygen transmission, and overall performance. Understanding how these materials compare can help you navigate the different types of contact lenses […]
How to Soothe Eye Irritation During an Allergy Attack
People who have allergies tend to focus on finding quick solutions for symptoms like sneezing, sniffling, and nasal congestion, but what about itchy, burning, watery, or swollen eyes? Eye allergies, also referred to as ocular allergies or allergic conjunctivitis, affect one in five Americans. Luckily, the same treatments and strategies employed to ease nasal allergy […]
How to Protect Your Eyesight with Your Diet (2020 Update for Pescatarians)
More than 25 million people worldwide are affected by age-related macular degeneration and cataracts, which is the leading cause of blindness in those over 55. Although failing vision is generally accepted as a natural part of aging, in many cases age-related macular degeneration is largely preventable through an antioxidant-rich diet. While certain health conditions can […]
Understanding Colorblindness
Color blindness is the decreased ability to see certain colors or changes in color. It is also known as color deficiency. People who are colorblind have difficulty in seeing red, green, or blue colors and distinguishing the differences between these colors. Data shows that 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women worldwide are […]
What Are the Effects of Smoking on the Eyes?
Smoking is the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States. It’s a risk factor for cardiovascular, respiratory diseases, and cancer, but did you know it’s a contributing factor in many common eye diseases? From cataracts and macular degeneration to glaucoma and uveitis, smoking cigarettes can put you at risk […]
Improper Contact Lens Care Could Send You to the ER: Contact Lens Risks
While contact lenses are a convenient alternative to glasses, they can also present serious health problems if used improperly. In a first-of-its-kind study, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that United States’ residents make nearly a million visits to the doctor for eye infections each year. The study analyzed three national databases […]
Purpose of Eyebrows and Eyelashes: Functions and Importance
If you’re a woman, you may only think of your eyelashes and eyebrows as a means to accentuate and beautify your eyes – perfectly arched eyebrows can create a dramatic look, while long eyelashes are an everlasting symbol of feminine beauty. Although women use mascara to lengthen their lashes and spend time plucking their eyebrows […]
Botox: Good for the Eyes?
Although the drug form of botulinum toxin – most commonly referred to as Botox – is best known as a wrinkle treatment, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of Botox to treat certain eye conditions, including blurred vision, crossed eyes, and eyelid spasms. If you’ve been suffering from the above eye […]
What Your Eyes Say about Your Health
They say that eyes are the windows to the soul. That may be true if you’re very skilled at reading body language and eye contact. But did you know that your eyes are windows to your internal health, even for those a little less inclined to pick up on those soul searching eye twitches? When […]
Menopause and Dry Eyes: Reasons and Treatment
When most people think about menopause, symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and moodiness come to mind. But did you know dry eyes affect 60 percent of menopausal women, and only 16 percent of them realize menopause is to blame? If you’re experiencing dry, itchy, and irritated eyes, and are of menopausal age, it may […]
Can 3D-Printed Eye Cells Cure Blindness?
The 21st century has seen the inception and growth in popularity of 3D printing. With well-known applications in architecture, manufacturing, and engineering, the technology is now increasingly being used in medicine. When combined with organic inks and thermoplastics, 3D printing technology has enabled the “bioprinting” of a range of human body parts, including 3D-printed eye […]
Basic Eye Anatomy Terms
Sight, like the other four senses, is closely related to the other parts of our anatomy – particularly the brain. The eye works in much the same way as a camera – the iris and the pupil control how much light to let into the eye, and how we see depends upon this transfer of […]
Braille Contact Lens Technology Could Enable the Blind to ‘See’
Researchers in Israel are working on a special kind of contact lens that they say will could enable the blind to see. The contact lens would use the eye’s tactile sensors to give blind people the ability to “feel” shapes with their eyes, much in the same way their fingers feel Braille. The bionic contact […]
Can an iPad App Help Improve Your Vision?
What if there was a way to improve your vision using a $5.99 iPad app? While it might sound too good to be true, it’s actually grounded in science. UltimEyes, an app created by neuroscientist Aaron Seitz, gives your brain a visual workout and trains you to see farther than ever before. UltimEyes works by […]