Doctor Eye Health Podcast

What are the best contact lenses in 2026? The right contact lens depends on your prescription, eye shape, replacement schedule, budget, comfort, dry eye symptoms, and whether you need astigmatism correction.In this episode of the Doctor Eye Health Podcast, Dr. Joseph Allen compares the newest daily, weekly, biweekly, and monthly contact lenses. Drawing on more than a decade of clinical experience and over 23 years as a contact lens wearer, he explains which lenses he commonly recommends and why no single brand works best for everyone.You will learn how Dailies Total1 compares with Precision1, which monthly contacts offer newer comfort technology, and how the Precision7 one-week lens bridges the gap between daily and monthly options. Dr. Allen also discusses contact lenses for dry eyes, high astigmatism, keratoconus, sensitive eyes, and tighter budgets.Choosing the right contact lens requires a professional fitting. Your eye doctor can evaluate how a lens moves, rotates, and interacts with your cornea and tear film before finalizing your prescription.What You’ll Learn✅ Which daily, weekly, biweekly, and monthly contact lenses stand out in 2026✅ How to choose contact lenses for dry eyes or sensitive eyes✅ Which toric and specialty lenses may help correct astigmatism✅ How replacement schedules, comfort, safety, and price compareTimestamps00:00 Best contact lenses of 202600:48 Best daily disposable contact lenses01:17 Precision1 versus Dailies Total102:37 Best affordable daily contact lens03:09 Best monthly contact lenses04:26 Precision7 one-week contact lenses06:16 Best contact lenses for dry eyes07:58 Scleral lenses for advanced dry eye08:31 Best contact lenses for astigmatism09:29 Blink-stabilized toric lens technology10:23 Contact lenses for high or irregular astigmatism11:36 Best budget contact lenses12:34 Contact lens safety and infection risks14:00 Why one contact lens will not work for everyoneKey Takeaways🔹 Precision1 and Dailies Total1 are strong daily disposable options. Total1 offers a highly moist surface, while Precision1 may be easier for some people to insert and remove.🔹 Alcon Total30, Bausch + Lomb Ultra, and Acuvue Vita are monthly options discussed in the episode. Precision7 provides a one-week replacement option for people seeking fresher lenses at a price closer to monthly contacts.🔹 Contact lenses do not treat the underlying cause of dry eye disease. Managing the ocular surface first may improve both comfort and vision while wearing contacts.🔹 Sleeping, showering, swimming, using a hot tub, or wearing lenses beyond their recommended replacement schedule can increase the risk of infection and permanent vision damage.🔷PRO TIP!Ask your local eye doctor or eye clinic about rebates and benefits to save money on your contacts! You will be supporting a local business and it will grant you better services and advantages than purchasing online.✅ If shopping for soft contacts online, consider purchasing from a trusted online retailer:Contacts Direct https://sovrn.co/19v6bysNext Day Contacts https://sovrn.co/13qdg3thttps://jo.my/focalopticalRelated Videos- How To Wear Contact Lenses First Time: https://youtu.be/LFfZ579oDME- Best Contact Lens Solutions Compared https://youtu.be/tgG_Sl_msUw- Daily Vs Monthly Contacts: https://youtu.be/DARDDTi3aT0Colored Contact Lens TIps: https://youtu.be/WQUMyGvW3agContact Lenses for SPORTS!: https://youtu.be/nLoRFxNdaIESleeping in Contact Lenses: https://youtu.be/IDHodybErycCan you shower in Contact lenses: https://youtu.be/vD8dUa8j-acContact Lens Myths https://youtu.be/leXYEj0NqXALet's ConnectInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctoreyehealthFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoctorEyeHealthWebsite: https://www.doctoreyehealth.comDISCLAIMER: All content in this video and description including infor­ma­tion, opinions, con­tent, ref­er­ences, and links is for infor­ma­tional pur­poses only. You should con­sult a licensed physi­cian or appropriately-credentialed health care worker in your com­mu­nity in all mat­ters relat­ing to your health. Also, some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning, at no cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. But if you click, it really helps me make more of these videos! All non-licensed clips used for fair use commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.

What can your eyes reveal about your overall health? Redness, yellowing, unequal pupils, eyelid bumps, corneal rings, and pain with eye movement may sometimes point to health concerns involving the liver, thyroid, cholesterol, nervous system, or immune system.On the Doctor Eye Health Podcast, Dr. Joseph Allen explains nine visible eye signs that may offer clues about what is happening elsewhere in the body.You will learn when red eyes may be connected to inflammation, why yellow eyes can indicate jaundice, and how a white or yellow ring around the cornea may relate to cholesterol levels. Dr. Allen also discusses thyroid eye disease, sun damage, recurring eyelid styes, optic neuritis, and unequal pupil sizes.Many eye changes have harmless explanations, but new, painful, severe, or persistent symptoms should be evaluated by an eye doctor or healthcare professional. Regular comprehensive eye exams can also reveal health concerns before they begin affecting your vision.What You’ll Learn✅ What red or yellow eyes may reveal about your overall health✅ How cholesterol, thyroid disease, and sun exposure can affect the eyes✅ When unequal pupils, recurring styes, or painful eye movement require attention✅ Why comprehensive eye exams are important even when your vision seems normalThis episode is sponsored by TearRestore Get 15% off Winq and OneDrop using code DrEyeHealth at https://www.tearrestore.com/?ref=josephallen2Timestamps00:00 What your eyes reveal about your health00:32 Red eyes, inflammation, and autoimmune conditions01:42 Yellow eyes, jaundice, and liver health02:47 Corneal arcus and high cholesterol03:49 Eyelid redness and thyroid eye disease04:35 Pinguecula, sun damage, and UV protection05:27 What pupil size can reveal07:22 Unequal pupils, stroke, and neurological concerns08:49 Recurring eyelid styes and sebaceous carcinoma10:07 Pain with eye movement and optic neuritis11:37 What causes a white or cloudy cornea?13:29 Why regular comprehensive eye exams matterKey Takeaways🔹 Red eyes can result from allergies, dry eye, injury, or infection, but deeper inflammation may sometimes be associated with autoimmune or inflammatory conditions.🔹 Yellowing of the eyes may be caused by excess bilirubin and can indicate a liver, gallbladder, medication-related, or other systemic health concern.🔹 Unequal pupils can be harmless in some people, but a sudden or significant change in pupil size may require urgent medical evaluation.🔹 Eye examinations can reveal signs associated with diabetes, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, thyroid disease, neurological conditions, and autoimmune disease before vision is noticeably affected.✅ Watch Next:Why You Need an Eye Examhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQm6iSOeLvoThis Is What Sugar Does to Your Eyeshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71YkAYB31ZIHow to Treat a Stye at Home and When to See a Doctorhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dppd3F6HVtUChalazion: Causes, Treatment, and Preventionhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfXH7_e6MNc7 Eye Diseases That Can Steal Your Vision and How to Stop Themhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqtYjKrysq4SponsorThis episode is sponsored by TearRestoreGet 15% off Winq and OneDrop using code DrEyeHealth at https://www.tearrestore.com/?ref=josephallen2Connect With Doctor Eye HealthWebsite: Doctor Eye Health https://www.doctoreyehealth.com/YouTube: Doctor Eye Health https://www.youtube.com/@DoctorEyeHealthInstagram: @doctoreyehealth https://www.instagram.com/doctoreyehealthTikTok: Doctor Eye Health https://www.tiktok.com/@doctoreyehealthFacebook: Doctor Eye Health https://www.facebook.com/DoctorEyeHealthLinkedIn: Dr. Joseph Allen https://www.linkedin.com/⚠️ DISCLAIMER: This episode is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Contact an eye doctor or healthcare professional if you experience persistent redness, yellowing of the eyes, a sudden change in pupil size, eye pain, vision loss, double vision, or another unexplained eye change.

What are the best foods for eye health? Pistachios, leafy greens, goji berries, oily fish, oysters, sweet potatoes, kiwi, turmeric, and saffron provide nutrients that may support the retina, tear film, night vision, and long-term eye health.In this episode of the Doctor Eye Health Podcast, Dr. Joseph Allen shares nine of his favorite foods for healthy eyes and explains why carrots are not at the top of his list. He explores how lutein, zeaxanthin, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C, and other antioxidants contribute to healthy vision.You will also learn how pairing certain foods with healthy fats may improve nutrient absorption. Dr. Allen examines research involving pistachios, goji berries, oily fish, turmeric, and saffron while explaining where the evidence is promising and where additional human research is still needed.No single food or supplement can prevent every eye disease. A varied diet, regular exercise, UV protection, healthy blood pressure and blood sugar, avoiding smoking, and comprehensive eye exams all play important roles in protecting your vision.What You’ll Learn✅ Which foods provide important nutrients for eye health and vision✅ How lutein, zeaxanthin, omega-3s, zinc, and vitamins support the eyes✅ Why pairing certain foods with healthy fats may improve absorption✅ How nutrition may support healthy aging and long-term visionTimestamps(00:00) Are carrots really the best food for your eyes?(01:10) MacuHealth and macular carotenoids(01:56) Pistachios, lutein, and zeaxanthin(06:38) Kale and dark leafy green vegetables(09:25) Goji berries and macular pigment(11:34) Fish roe, oily fish, and omega-3s(14:45) Eye vitamins and macular carotenoids(17:18) Oysters, zinc, and night vision(20:26) Sweet potatoes, carrots, and vitamin A(24:02) Kiwi, vitamin C, sleep, and dry eye(27:40) Turmeric and curcumin(29:33) Saffron and emerging eye health research(31:04) Building a healthy-eye grocery list(32:35) Additional ways to protect your visionKey Takeaways🔹 Eat a variety of colorful foods. Dark leafy greens, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and oily fish provide nutrients that support different parts of the eye.🔹 Healthy fats may improve nutrient absorption. Pair lutein-rich vegetables with olive oil, avocado, nuts, or seeds to help your body absorb fat-soluble carotenoids.🔹 Food is not a guaranteed treatment or form of prevention. Nutrition may support eye health, but genetics, smoking, UV exposure, blood pressure, blood sugar, and other factors also matter.🔹 Regular eye exams remain essential. Serious eye diseases may begin developing before noticeable symptoms appear.SponsorThis episode is sponsored by MacuHealth, a trusted brand offering research-backed eye health supplements containing lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin.Use code ALLENSAVE to save 20% on your first order:https://macuhealth.comSuggested Videos to WatchOmega-3 Fish Oil for Dry Eyes: How Much to Take, How to Test and Best Sources https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CswvVUpP4nMIs Your Gut Destroying Your Vision? Expert Interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUllPghICzkConnect With Doctor Eye HealthWebsite: Doctor Eye Health https://www.doctoreyehealth.com/YouTube: Doctor Eye Health https://www.youtube.com/@DoctorEyeHealthInstagram: @doctoreyehealth https://www.instagram.com/doctoreyehealthTikTok: Doctor Eye Health https://www.tiktok.com/@doctoreyehealthFacebook: Doctor Eye Health https://www.facebook.com/DoctorEyeHealthLinkedIn: Dr. Joseph Allen https://www.linkedin.com/⚠️ DISCLAIMER: This episode is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Speak with your eye doctor or healthcare professional before beginning a supplement or making significant dietary changes, especially if you have a medical condition, take medication, or have been diagnosed with an eye disease.

What should you know before cataract surgery, and how do you choose the right lens implant for your vision?Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed eye surgeries, but deciding when to have surgery, what type of lens implant to choose, and what recovery will actually look like can feel overwhelming.In this episode of the Doctor Eye Health Podcast, Dr. Joseph Allen sits down with ophthalmologist and refractive cataract surgery specialist Dr. Gary Wörtz to answer the biggest questions about cataracts and cataract surgery.They break down what causes cataracts, the early warning signs, when it may be time to consider surgery, what actually happens during the procedure, and how quickly vision typically improves afterward. Dr. Wörtz also explains the differences between monofocal, toric, multifocal/trifocal, EDOF, and light adjustable lenses, along with the benefits and trade-offs of each option.What You’ll Learn✅ How to recognize cataract symptoms and know when surgery may be worth considering✅ What actually happens during cataract surgery and what recovery typically looks like✅ The differences between monofocal, toric, multifocal, EDOF, and light adjustable lens implants✅ What to know about cataract surgery risks, glare, dry eye, astigmatism, and life after surgery👉 Want real relief from dry eye? Check out TheraTears’ Dry Eye Therapy lineup and find the right product for your eyes: https://www.theratears.com/Timestamps00:00 Cataract surgery explained00:38 What is a cataract and what causes cataracts?02:05 Different types of cataracts03:40 Early cataract symptoms and nighttime glare06:22 When should you consider cataract surgery?09:20 Can you wait too long for cataract surgery?11:58 Cataract surgery and dementia14:33 How cataract surgery works18:31 Can both eyes have cataract surgery at the same time?21:55 Cataract surgery recovery and when vision clears25:48 What to avoid after cataract surgery29:29 Should you wear an eye shield after surgery?31:18 Choosing a cataract surgeon38:18 Cataract lens options explained43:09 Toric lenses and astigmatism correction45:27 EDOF and light adjustable lenses51:02 Cataract surgery costs and insurance coverage54:11 Laser-assisted cataract surgery1:01:42 Will you still need glasses after cataract surgery?1:03:29 Glare, halos, and shadows after surgery1:06:26 Can cataracts grow back?1:10:47 Cataract surgery risks and complications1:14:30 Eye pressure, irritation, and dry eye after surgery1:17:29 Why dry eye treatment matters before cataract surgeryKey Takeaways🔹 Cataract symptoms can develop slowly. Faded colors, dim vision, prescription changes, glare, and difficulty driving at night are common signs.🔹 There is no single best cataract lens. The right option depends on your lifestyle, eye health, astigmatism, expectations, and preference for glasses.🔹 Cataracts do not grow back. Cloudiness behind the replacement lens, known as PCO, can usually be treated with a quick YAG laser procedure.🔹 Dry eye can affect surgical results. Treating an unstable tear film before surgery can improve the accuracy of lens measurements.✅ Watch Next:Castor Oil for Cataractshttps://youtu.be/RuvyCYpVOvMNAC Eye Drops for Cataractshttps://youtu.be/ZT4QQysio3sCataract Explained:https://youtu.be/Rp9JOqJ3dewTips before Cataract Surgeryhttps://youtu.be/2hl_XfQfdKwhttps://youtu.be/h5Hej-IL_0QHow to Avoid Dry Eye after Eye Surgeryhttps://youtu.be/r9pOl15NQ0EAbout our Guest:Dr. Gary Wörtz is an ophthalmologist and refractive cataract surgery specialist at Commonwealth Eye Surgery, with locations in Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky.Approximately 90 to 95% of his practice is focused on cataract and refractive surgery, including advanced intraocular lens technology, refractive outcomes, astigmatism correction, and helping patients select lens options based on their individual visual needs.Dr. Wörtz is also involved with Eye Surgery Today, an educational program designed to give patients honest, understandable information about eye surgery before and after their procedures.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garywortz/Omega: https://www.omegaophthalmics.com/Commonwealth Eye Surgery: https://commonwealtheyes.com/https://lricalc.com/Resources MentionedWebsite: Doctor Eye Health https://www.doctoreyehealth.com/YouTube: Doctor Eye Health https://www.youtube.com/@DoctorEyeHealthInstagram: @doctoreyehealth https://www.instagram.com/doctoreyehealthTikTok: Doctor Eye Health https://www.tiktok.com/@doctoreyehealthFacebook: Doctor Eye Health https://www.facebook.com/DoctorEyeHealthLinkedIn: Dr. Joseph Allen https://www.linkedin.com/⚠️ DISCLAIMER: This episode is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you notice a new or unexplained change in your eye color or the appearance of a ring around your iris, consult an eye doctor or healthcare professionalcataract surgery, cataract surgery recovery, cataract symptoms, cataract treatment, cataract lens options, intraocular lens, IOL, monofocal lens, toric lens, multifocal lens, trifocal lens, EDOF lens, light adjustable lens, LAL, laser cataract surgery, astigmatism correction, cataract surgery risks, cataract surgery complications, cataracts, YAG laser capsulotomy, posterior capsular opacification, eye surgery, ophthalmologist, eye health podcast, Dr Eye Health, Dr Joseph Allen, Dr Gary Wörtz

What is the rarest eye color in the world? Dr. Joseph Allen ranks nine eye-color appearances from the most common to the rarest while explaining the genetics, pigments and medical conditions that can influence how the eyes look.On the Doctor Eye Health Podcast, discover why brown is the world’s most common eye color, why blue eyes do not contain blue pigment and what makes green, gray, amber and hazel eyes less common.Dr. Allen explains how melanin, collagen and light scattering create different eye colors. He also explores why albinism can make eyes appear violet, pink or red and why aniridia may create the appearance of completely black eyes.You will also learn how unusual changes in eye color may be connected to conditions such as Wilson disease. Eye-color percentages are estimates and may vary among populations and research sources.Watch the video version of this episode - https://youtu.be/CCmioT9y594?si=iQwnDxYynhaN-LkW What You’ll Learn✅ How melanin, genetics and light determine your eye color✅ Why blue eyes appear blue without containing blue pigment✅ Which natural eye colors are the rarest in the world✅ How albinism, aniridia and Wilson disease can affect eye appearance🔔 Subscribe for more free eye health education and tips:http://www.youtube.com/doctoreyehealthTimestamps00:00 Ranking the rarest eye colors in the world00:39 Brown eyes and melanin01:13 How the iris creates eye color02:29 Why blue eyes appear blue03:46 Why hazel eyes can seem to change color04:27 Amber eyes and Kayser-Fleischer rings05:18 What causes gray eyes?05:49 Why green eyes are so rare06:24 Violet, pink and red eye appearances06:40 How albinism affects eye color08:00 Aniridia and the appearance of black eyes08:49 What is the rarest eye color?Key Takeaways🔹 Brown is the most common eye color worldwide because brown eyes contain more melanin within the iris.🔹 Blue eyes do not contain blue pigment. Their appearance results from light scattering through collagen fibers in an iris with lower levels of melanin.🔹 Green, gray and amber eyes result from different amounts and combinations of melanin, collagen and reflected light.🔹 Violet, pink, red or black eye appearances may be associated with conditions such as albinism or aniridia rather than a distinct natural iris pigment.✅ Watch Next:The Truth About Green Eyes:https://youtube.com/shorts/PgcsOyjRYws The Truth About Blue Eyes:https://youtube.com/shorts/e5oGROfQs6gHaving Two Different-Colored Eyes: Heterochromiahttps://youtube.com/shorts/-RTsmjDQg0Q✅ Recommended Playlists:How to Buy Good Glasses:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVPj4om505E&list=PLzi60fSuOmPBWMT-jd7GYS6EDpv3CfK5PWant to Try Contact Lenses?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlPyYkq3LnY&list=PLzi60fSuOmPBqiF3B2n-j2OMoH9QJClA2The Best Dry Eye Treatments Explained:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7roXAdaEraA&list=PLzi60fSuOmPBb_s5UP26SFqAyGp92oDV9Eye Health ProductsMy Top 5 Dry Eye Drops:https://www.amazon.com/shop/doctoreyehealth/list/15I8QLDA5IEVX?ref_=aipsflistEyelid and Eyelash Care:https://www.amazon.com/shop/doctoreyehealth/photo/amzn1.shoppablemedia.v1.collage.da009d66-35a9-467b-b355-9e32a7477d66?ref_=aipsfphotoConnect With Doctor Eye HealthWebsite:https://www.doctoreyehealth.com/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@DoctorEyeHealthInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/doctoreyehealthTikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@doctoreyehealthFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/DoctorEyeHealthLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/Sources:https://sciencenotes.org/what-is-the-rarest-eye-color/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34426658/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30844160/https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/eye-color-green.htmPhoto Credits:Herbert L. Fred, MD, Hendrik A. van Dijk, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia CommonsJudd Cahoon, 2016, James Gillman, CRA, FOPS, Project Administrator Ophthalmic Imaging Date: 7/21/2015; https://morancore.utah.edu/section-12-retina-and-vitreous/aniridia/Brice Critser, CRA, Cindy Montague, CRA https://www.eyerounds.org/atlas/pages/Congen-Aniridia/index.htm#gsc.tab=0⚠️ DISCLAIMER: This episode is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you notice a new or unexplained change in your eye color or the appearance of a ring around your iris, consult an eye doctor or healthcare professionalrarest eye color, rarest eyes in the world, eye color ranking, eye color genetics, what determines eye color, brown eyes, blue eyes, hazel eyes, amber eyes, gray eyes, green eyes, violet eyes, red eyes, pink eyes, black eyes, albinism eye color, aniridia, Wilson disease eyes, Kayser-Fleischer rings, melanin in eyes, Rayleigh scattering, Doctor Eye Health