Wearing contact lenses offers many benefits, and many people prefer to wear them exclusively for vision correction. If that describes you, it’s important to remember that wearing contact lenses requires care and commitment on your part so that your eyes stay healthy, and you can continue to experience comfortable, clear vision every day.
We will share some contact lens care and safety tips to help you avoid irritating or damaging your eyes.
As a rule, it’s always best to consult with your eye care professional before making any changes to how you care for your lenses or your lens wear schedule.
Wash Your Hands Thoroughly Before Handling Your Contact Lenses
You should always wash your hands with soap and water and dry them completely with a lint-free towel before handling your lenses. This helps remove any deposits or irritants that may be on your fingers, which could transfer to your lenses and cause discomfort.
Avoid using hand lotion before handling your lenses, as this can make it difficult to insert the lenses. If you must use hand lotion, wait at least 15 minutes after applying it before putting in your lenses.
Only Use Fresh Solution
If you aren’t wearing a one-time daily-use contact lens and need to remove and store your contact lenses at night, never reuse the solution in your contact lens case—always discard it and start with a fresh solution each time you clean or store your lenses. Reusing old solutions can lead to deposits forming on the lenses and an increased risk of developing an eye infection.
Store Lenses Properly
After cleaning and disinfecting your lenses, place them in fresh solution in their proper storage case until you’re ready to wear them again. Don’t leave them sitting out of the case for extended periods of time, as this can cause them to dry out or become damaged.
Don’t Rub Your Eyes
Rubbing your eyes while your contact lenses are in your eyes can damage or dislodge your contact lenses, and even worse, can damage the cornea (the front surface of the eye).
Don’t Shower While Wearing Contact Lenses
There are tiny microorganisms in the water that can get on your contact lenses if you shower with them in your eyes, so remove them before taking a shower.
Don’t Overwear Your Contact Lenses
Follow your prescription on when to replace your contact lenses to avoid developing serious infections.
Remove Your Contact Lenses if Your Eyes are Irritated
Don’t wear your contact lenses if you have red, itchy, or irritated eyes. You should have a “back-up” pair of eyeglasses in case your eyes are sore, red, infected, or if you feel unwell.
Conclusion
By following these simple tips, you can help keep your contact lenses clean and safe so that you can enjoy comfortable vision all day long. Remember to consult with your eye care professional if you have any questions or concerns about caring for your lenses.
Dr. James Barton and the team at Ensight Eyecare in Andalusia are experts at providing care for contact lens patients. If you’ve been struggling with your contact lenses or simply need a contact lens exam, contact us to book an appointment today!
