Eye care providers understand the freedom and convenience that contact lenses can offer compared to glasses. However, improper care of contact lenses can lead to eye infections, discomfort, and other ocular health issues. To make sure your eyes remain healthy while enjoying the benefits of contact lenses, here are a few essential do’s and don’ts for contact lens care.
Do’s
1. Do Wash Your Hands
Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling your contact lenses or touching your eyes. Dry your hands with a clean towel that is free of lint to avoid transferring germs to your eyes.
2. Do Clean and Rinse Lenses
Use only the recommended contact lens solution to clean and rinse your lenses. If you wear reusable lenses, rub and rinse them gently after removing them to remove debris and deposits.
3. Do Use Fresh Solution
Always fill your contact lens case with fresh solution. Never reuse old solution or top it off with new solution, as this can harbor bacteria.
4. Do Follow the Replacement Schedule
Follow the recommended replacement schedule prescribed by your eye care provider, whether daily, bi-weekly, or monthly. Wearing lenses longer than recommended can risk your eye health.
5. Do Attend Regular Eye Check-ups
Regular appointments with your eye care provider are crucial to ensuring your lenses are still suitable for your eyes and to check for any eye health issues.
Don’ts
1. Don’t Wear Lenses Overnight
Avoid sleeping in your contact lenses. Wearing lenses overnight significantly increases the risk of eye infections, corneal scratches, and other eye damage.
2. Don’t Wear Contacts in Water
Swimming or showering while wearing contact lenses can expose your eyes to harmful bacteria in water, potentially leading to infections.
3. Don’t Use Water to Wet Lenses
Never use water to moisten your lenses. Tap water can have small amounts of bacteria, which can easily transfer pathogens to your eyes. Only moisten your contact lenses using recommended contact solution.
4. Don’t Ignore Discomfort
If you experience irritation, discomfort, or redness while wearing your lenses, remove them immediately and consult your eye care provider. Continuing to wear uncomfortable lenses can harm your eyes.
5. Don’t Share Your Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are medical devices tailored to an individual’s eyes. Sharing lenses between persons can spread bacteria and potentially harmful conditions.
Contact lenses are a fantastic option for vision correction when used correctly and responsibly. Following these do’s and don’ts will help your eyes stay healthy and comfortable. If you have any questions about your contact lenses or eye health, always reach out to your eye care provider for guidance. Remember, taking good care of your contact lenses means taking good care of your eyes.
This blog post is meant for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice. If you have further questions or would like to inquire about wearing contacts lenses, schedule an appointment with your eye care provider.