Ernest, one of the principal clinical investigators of the Natural Lens, has participated in lectures and workshops on the topic in Florence, Italy-Nice, France, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and elsewhere.Because of this professional involvement, Dr. Ernest has been selected to by the manufacturer (Alcon Laboratories of Fort Worth, Tex.) to introduce the Natural Lens in Michigan.Bill Graham, senior director for clinical sciences for Alcon Laboratories, said the AcrySof Natural Lens was introduced in Europe six months ago and has sold very successfully there. "The lens mimics the transmission curve of the healthy human lens of a patient aged 50-53," said Graham. "The lens is being introduced in Michigan because of Dr. Ernest's role as a principal investigator for Alcon." "TLC Eyecare & Laser Centers will be one of the first in the U.S.

to receive the AcrySof Natural Lens," says Dr. Ernest. "With this product in hand we are now in a position to offer rather remarkable improvements for our lens implant patients. Rather than waiting until the blue light waves are absorbed we can filter out these harmful waves before they reach the retina."The Natural Lens has a yellow chromophore bonded to the plastic that acts as a filter," adds Dr. Ernest.

"This filter does not alter color vision, and does not alter the ability to perceive things under a dim light. There's no down side, only the up side of mimicking the human lens."Dr. Ernest points to research done by Dr. John Marshall and Dr. Janet Sparrow who found that blue light may be a contributing factor to macular degeneration, a debilitating loss of central vision.

"There are many factors that cause this disease. So we must realize that the Natural Lens is not a cure-all but its positive effects are very powerful," says Ernest."Ophthalmologists have undergone retrofits of blue light filters in operating microscopes to prevent retinal damage," says Marshall. "We now have the ability to protect our patients for the rest of their lives with the AcrySof Natural Lens."Dr. Carmelina Gordon, a retinal surgeon at TLC Eyecare & Laser Centers explains that persons with the advanced stages of macular degeneration cannot focus, read, tell time, see faces, drive, write checks, or do other close up work. "It is not a reversible disease and actually is progressive," says Dr.

Gordon. "Smoking and hypertension can aggravate macular degeneration and we know that diet and genetics also have a relationship to who gets this disease."A large scale study found that patients who had cataract surgery in one eye had a greater chance of having macular degeneration in that eye than in the eye that still has the cataract," says Dr. Gordon. "The yellowing of the cataract offers a protection against ultra-violet and blue light waves damaging the macula. The AcrySof Natural Lens filters most of the blue light." TLC Eyecare & Laser Centers have offices in Lansing, Jackson, Battle Creek, Chelsea, Ann Arbor, Farmington Hills and Kalamazoo Michigan.

For information or an appointment, call the center at 1-800-551-7347 or visit the company's web site at www.tlcmi.com..

Clarkson recommended that the FTC should change the definition of "business hours" to include Saturdays since most ophthalmic practices are open on Saturdays, and this would allow AC Lens to offer customers faster prescription verification and order delivery.The FTC also solicited comments on "Private Label" lenses, which some eye doctors prescribe in order to lock patients into purchasing those lenses from the eye doctor or a specific retail outlet because the manufacturer of these "Private Label" lenses does not make the lenses available to alternative channels, such as Internet and mail order. This practice generally leads to higher prices for consumers because there is no price competition on these products. Fortunately, companies who manufacture these lenses often have a generic equivalent that can be purchased at a discount through mail order companies and the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act allows substitution of generics for the "Private Label" lenses that the eye doctor prescribed.Dr. Clarkson also pointed out a disturbing development in the ophthalmic industry where "Prescriber Only" brands of lenses were being promoted to eye doctors as a way of "control the purchase price and keep 100% of the profits." Dr. Clarkson commented, "These lenses are clearly anti-consumer ? there is very little product innovation, the main reason a doctor would prescribe such a lens is to try and force the patient to buy the lenses from the eye doctor and not from discount channels."Dr.

Clarkson summarized the comments he submitted as helping the FTC to tackle the challenge of fostering competition in the contact lens industry while ensuring that the health of contact lens wearers is not compromised. "AC Lens is committed to working within the new rules and hopes to partner with other members of the eye care industry to better serve patients and customers."The full text of Dr. Clarkson's comments as well as the full text of the FTC's proposed Contact Lens Rule (Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act, 15 U.S.C. 7601 et seq.16 C.F.R. Part 315: Contact Lens Rule16 C.F.R.

Part 456: Ophthalmic Practice Rules) will be available on the FTC's website (http://www.ftc.gov/). For more information, or copies of Dr. Clarkson's comments, please contact: Philip Dietrich at 614-921-9857.About AC LensArlington Contact Lens Service, Inc. (AC Lens), sells brand name contact lenses directly to consumers via its website www.aclens.com and toll-free telephone 1-888-248-LENS. Operating from a custom-designed call-center and warehouse facility in Hilliard, Ohio, the company has been selling contact lenses online since 1996 and has established a reputation as an on-line leader in service, convenience, and discount prices for consumers.CONTACT INFORMATION:Philip DietrichAC Lens614-921-9857Fax: 614-921-9866http://www.aclens.com/.

1. Modern contact lenses vary in quality; make sure that your doctor prescribes the contact lenses that are healthiest for your eyes. See suggestions on advanced contact lenses
2. Clean your lenses every time you handle them (before putting contacts in your eyes and after removing them). Give each lens a gentle 10-15 second rub in solution. The only exception to this rule is color lenses - rinse, but don't rub them; it might damage the color.
3. Handle only one lens at a time, so you don't confuse them.

   Train yourself to start with ether the right or the left lens.

4. When cleaning your lenses don't forget to take care of the lens case as well. Wash it with unperfumed soap and let it dry. Doctors also recommend that you replace your contact lens case every 2 or 3 months.
5. Never put your lenses in the same solution twice; replace the solution every time you handle your lenses. Usually you shouldn't use any solution 6 months after the bottle has been opened, and definitely not after the expiry date. Store your contact lenses and solution in a dry, cool place.

   The refrigerator door is ideal.

6. Soft contact lenses shouldn't be allowed to dry up. The lens should be either in the eye, or in a special solution. If you accidentally let the lens dry up, throw it out, it is no longer good.
7. Don't wear contacts if you have got a cold, cold sores or another infection. You don't want any germs to get into your eyes. It is handy to have a pair of glasses for such occasions.
8. If you wear make-up, apply your eye make-up after putting your lenses in, and try to use water-based mascara.

   Lenses are very sensitive to deodorants and hair sprays, so either spray before you put the lenses in, or close your eyes very tightly while spraying.

9. Don't forget to replace your contact lenses on schedule. Daily disposables - every morning, 2-week replacements - every fortnight and so on. A couple of days delay wouldn't make any difference, but wearing 2-week replacements for a month is definitely not healthy for your eyes. See more information about disposable contacts.
10. Avoid smoky or dusty rooms; soft contact lenses collect every tiny particle and your eyes will feel uncomfortable.
11. If your eyes feel uncomfortable or irritated, take the lens out.

    It is possible that something is stuck under it or the lens is torn. If your lens isn't damaged, wash your eye and the lens, and put it back. If the unpleasant sensation doesn't go away, take the lenses out and don't wear them until you can see your optometrist. Damaged lenses should be thrown away, no matter how expensive they are. A torn lens can do serious harm to your eye.

12. Don't sleep in your contacts.

    Lenses designed as day wear block oxygen flow to your eyes and the eyelid puts extra pressure on the lens, so your eyes would feel terrible after you wake up. The only exception is extended wear lenses, like Focus Night and Day or Acuvue; they are designed for continuous wear and sleep.

1. Alternating
2. Concentric
3. Simultaneous

If you have small pupils this arrangement can be reversed this would put the far vision layer in the centre and near vision on the outer ring.In Simultaneous bifocal lenses both layers are in the centre of the lens, this may seem strange but your eyes learn to adapt to each correction layer. This of course may take a little time but you're eye care specialist can advice more on this.Some people may find it difficult to get used to bifocal contact lenses, if you have adapted to bifocal, trifocal, or progressive eyeglass lenses, you'll already understand the basics of using translating bifocal contact lenses, in which the distance zone is straight ahead and above center, while the reading zone is lower. With simultaneous designs, your eyes will learn to focus near or far as needed. Whatever your particular lenses design, your eye-care specialised will make sure you understand how to use it.Bifocal contact lenses come in soft and rigid gas permeable (RGP). In general soft contact lenses can become cloudy with protein deposits over time, they have also been known to be easy to tear.Gas permeable contact lenses are more durable and made from a stronger plastic that stays clearer over time.

When you have RGP bifocals they last longer but you may need new ones only when your presbyopia progresses so that you need a stronger near vision prescription.(c) www.2020-contact-lenses.comReprint Rights feel free to publish this article on your website but you must agree to leave all active links contained within 'About The Author' intact and "as is" and NOT hidden behind a java or redirect script..

Opaque coloured lenses are able to transform even the darkest natural eye color into a brighter or lighter shade. These lenses are clear in the center so that the wearer can see through the pupil, but the colorless part is surrounded by a wall of color. This allows for the most dramatic change even on the darkest background.For those who have lighter eyes, enhancement lenses are usually the more natural option. These are still available as non prescription coloured contacts, but instead of being completely opaque, they augment the wearer's natural eye tint with more subtle and flattering hues.For people who have a wilder streak about them, then there's a broad range of non-prescription novelty contact lenses that are currently all the rage. You can now look like an alien, as though you have cat's eyes, flaming eyes, or any other possible appearance that you could ever want.

Essentially, if you want it, they have it.Surprisingly enough, changing the look of your eye isn't the only reason that non prescription contact lenses exist. Many hospitals and clinics will utilize a special type of clear lens as a sort of bandage for the cornea, especially after the patient has undergone surgery for a cataract. Also, sports players and fanatic spectators will choose to use contact lenses that include filters for certain lights and colors so that they can better see the ball or whatever other target they may need to see.No matter the reason that you choose to buy non prescription contact lenses, they're certain to be comfortable and satisfying for you. Take advantage of a free offer from your favorite brand, and give them a "test drive", so that you know that you can use them comfortably and without irritation..

Entrants will automatically be placed in the random drawing that will take place on September 10, 2005. ???The winner of this prize package will receive access to an MTV show taping of the winner's choice (for example TRL, Punk'd, MTV Movie Awards, etc.), roundtrip airfare for 2, first class hotel suite, VIP access to show, roundtrip Limo transportation from airport to hotel and venue, and spending cash for the weekend. No purchase is necessary to enter this contest, and the survey that is required takes only a few minutes to complete. The survey is located at http://www.aclens.com/mtv_sweepstakes.asp, and this prize package is only available through http://www.aclens.com/. About AC LensAC Lens is an online contact lens and contact lens accessory retailer and sells brand name contacts, reading glasses, and vitamins and eye drops, directly to consumers via its website at http://www.aclens.com/.

Operating from a custom-designed call-center and warehouse facility in Hilliard, Ohio, the company has been selling contact lenses online since 1996 and has established a reputation as an on-line leader in service, convenience, and discount prices for consumers. Visit AC Lens on the web at http://www.aclens.com/.CONTACT INFORMATION:Brian FrankMarketing CoordinatorAC Lensphone: 614-921-2558fax: 614-921-9866http://www.aclens.com/. --.

The "Contact Lens Success Program" guarantee will give eyecare practitioners a full refund on up to two (one box if the Rx is the same for both eyes) opened and partially used boxes of disposable contact lenses. A patient name will be required at the time of order specific to their prescription. Whether ECPs order one box or eight for their specific patient, Imperial will credit the purchase price of the entire order when the unused and undamaged boxes are returned with the opened and partially used box(es) (some restrictions apply ? see terms of guarantee at: www.imperialoptical.com/contactlenssuccessprogramguarantee.aspx ).Imperial Optical, Inc., founded in 1989, is the largest independent wholesale contact lens distributor in North America specifically focused on providing eyecare professionals with one-stop access to a superior selection of value-priced, top quality, branded contact lenses and a commitment to customer service known throughout the industry as the "Imperial Advantage." To learn more about Imperial Optical, Inc., the "Imperial Advantage" or how to become an Imperial Optical Strategic Partner, visit www.imperialoptical.com..

"But, it just looks like your eye, because it's painted," Wacker explains, "They take pictures of your good eye and then paint the contact to look exactly like it."New York City optician Cary Hirshfield says the optometry group he's affiliated with, Farkas Kassalow & Resnick, has been working with Adventures in Color Technolgy for about 12 years now."When we prescribe hand-painted lenses, it's usually to fix a trauma or congenital problem, Hirschfield says, "But Adventures in Color Technology also creates hand-painted lenses for theatre. And that's a pretty important component here in New York City."Adventures in Color Technology is miles ahead in the industry - in terms of customer service, accessibility and the staff's willingness to help practitioners with their patients' problems. In most cases, their delivery time is also better," Hirschfield explains.Denver businessman Gordon Milliken, 75, has been wearing an Adventures In Color prosthetic lens for about the past 10 years. His eye had been injured as a boy and he simply didn't know that a lens with a hand-painted iris was an option. Now he is never without several prosthetic lenses, just in case he loses one and needs a spare."It's not noticeable to people on the street with the contact lens on.

And it makes me feel more comfortable," Milliken says."More than 20 million people suffer from serious untreated vision problems, and most of those people don't realize a solution like ours is available," says Stan Harper, CEO of Adventures in Color Technology and former president of the Contact Lens Society of America.Roughly two percent of the population has suffered a serious eye injury as a result of an accident, and others have vision problems as a result of unsuccessful eye surgeries or birth defects. The company uses various Federal Food and Drug Administration approved colors and designs specifically applied to soft contact lenses.Adventures In Color Technology, Ltd., serves eye care practitioners both in private practice and at teaching hospitals and universities throughout the world, developing colors and patterns for patients and continuing research for other retinal problems. Hopefully, to soon help patients with macular degeneration, a debilitating loss of vision as the macula in the back of the eye becomes less and less responsive to light entering the eye through the pupil. This condition is the leading cause of blindness in our older population. The company's headquarters is located at 1511 Washington Avenue, Golden, Colo., 80401.

Harper may be reached at 303-271-9644, toll-free at 1-800-537-2845 or by e-mail at e-mail protected from spam bots. The company website is http://www.techcolors.com..

"We've developed technology in-house that gives us the exclusive ability to work directly with healthcare providers and practices wishing to provide the additional benefit of online contact lens purchasing to their members," stated AC Lens CEO Dr. Peter Clarkson. "No Internet contact lens retailer has offered assignment of vision benefits." A major retailer and several vision insurers are already successfully utilizing the program, and early results show that this innovation benefits the consumer and the insurance provider. AC Lens now has the ability to build branded websites for healthcare providers, and include a shopping cart that will deduct the total benefit amount for the member from the total, and then either prompt for further payment, or finish the order. The back-end functionality offers a turnkey solution for partners, and allows customer service representatives to authorize the benefits, and then finalize the order.

Dr. Clarkson added, "This seamless process provides the best experience for the patient, and the smallest amount of effort by the provider."About AC LensAC Lens is an online contact lens and contact lens accessory retailer and sells brand name contacts, contact lens solutions, and ocular vitamins, directly to consumers via its website at http://www.aclens.com/. Operating from a custom-designed call-center and warehouse facility in Hilliard, Ohio, the company has been selling contact lenses online since 1996 and has established a reputation as an on-line leader in service, convenience, and discount prices for consumers. Visit AC Lens on the web at http://www.aclens.com/.CONTACT INFORMATION:Brian FrankMarketing CoordinatorAC Lensphone: 614-921-2558fax: 614-921-9866http://www.aclens.com/.

You notice, I didn't say cure the vision or makes them to see colors better. They just see more differences."For example, if someone is red deficient and they look at a tree - dark green leaves, dark brown bark - what's the difference? The amount of red. So the red deficient person might have a hard time seeing the differences. With the tinted lens on, they'll say 'ah, there's something different between the two.' Will they say 'that's green and that's brown?' Not necessarily. But now they can see there's a difference.

When they get dressed, they can look and say 'that tie doesn't match,'" Dr. Schlanger explains.New York City optician Cary Hirshfield says the optometry group he's affiliated with, Farkas Kassalow & Resnick, has been working with Adventures in Color Technolgy for about 12 years now."The therapeutic application we've used from Adventures in Color Technology is for red/green color deficiency. That's where we take a custom tinted lens with about a 5 mm red dot and put it on the non-dominant eye. It usually gets the patient through whatever test they have to pass for civil service or whatever the case may be."Adventures in Color Technology is miles ahead in the industry - in terms of customer service, accessibility and the staff's willingness to help practitioners with their patients' problems. In most cases, their delivery time is also better," Hirschfield explains."The other good thing about Adventures in Color," Dr.

Schlanger adds, "Is that they customize the diameter of the tinted area on the contact lens. Let's say it's an orange or a magenta tint, they can make it very close to the exact size of the patient's pupil. That's very important with the magenta lenses we use for color vision."????"More than 20 million people suffer from serious untreated vision problems, and most of those people don't realize a solution like ours is available," says Stan Harper, CEO of Adventures in Color Technology and former president of the Contact Lens Society of America.Adventures In Color Technology, Ltd., serves eye care practitioners in private practice throughout the world, developing colors and patterns for patients and continuing research for other retinal problems. Hopefully, to soon help patients with macular degeneration, a debilitating loss of vision as the macula in the back of the eye becomes less and less responsive to light entering the eye through the pupil. This condition is the leading cause of blindness in our older population.

The company's headquarters is located at 1511 Washington Avenue, Golden, Colo., 80401. Harper may be reached at 303-271-9644, toll-free at 1-800-537-2845 or by e-mail at e-mail protected from spam bots. The company website is http://www.techcolors.com..