Contact lenses are an excellent alternative to traditional eyeglasses, providing clear vision without the need for heavy frames. However, to maintain healthy eyes, it’s crucial to take proper care of your contact lenses. In this article, we’ll explore the dos and don’ts of caring for your contact lenses.
Dos:
- Always Wash Your Hands Before handling your contact lenses, you must wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Dry your hands with a lint-free towel to avoid any lint or residue getting onto the lenses.
- Follow the Cleaning Instructions Contact lenses need to be cleaned and disinfected daily, as recommended by your eye doctor. The cleaning and disinfecting solutions must be used correctly, and the lenses should be replaced according to the recommended schedule.
- Use Fresh Solution Every Time When cleaning and storing your lenses, use fresh solution every time. Never reuse old solution or “top off” the solution in the case. Bacteria can grow in old solution, which can cause eye infections.
- Replace Your Lenses on Schedule Contact lenses have a recommended replacement schedule, which should be followed strictly. Wearing lenses for a more extended period than recommended can lead to eye infections, corneal ulcers, and other vision problems.
- Clean Your Case Cleaning your contact lens case regularly is vital to prevent bacterial growth. Rinse the case with solution and wipe it dry with a clean tissue after each use. Replace the case every three months.
Don’ts:
- Don’t Sleep in Your Contact Lenses Sleeping in your contact lenses can cause serious eye infections and corneal ulcers. It is crucial to remove your contact lenses before going to bed.
- Don’t Swim in Your Contact Lenses Swimming with your contact lenses can increase the risk of eye infections, as water can contain harmful bacteria and microorganisms. Always remove your lenses before swimming or showering.
- Don’t Use Saliva to Clean Your Lenses Using saliva to clean your contact lenses can introduce harmful bacteria to your eyes, leading to infections. Always use the recommended cleaning and disinfecting solutions.
- Don’t Use Tap Water on Your Lenses Tap water is not sterile and can contain harmful microorganisms, including Acanthamoeba, which can cause a severe eye infection called Acanthamoeba keratitis. Always use sterile saline solution or the recommended contact lens solution to rinse your lenses.
- Don’t Share Your Lenses Sharing contact lenses with others can spread infections and bacteria, even if the other person has no visible signs of an infection. Always use your contact lenses and don’t share them with others.
Conclusion
Caring for your contact lenses is crucial to maintain healthy eyes and clear vision. Always follow the dos and don’ts of contact lens care, as recommended by your eye doctor. By taking proper care of your contact lenses, you can avoid eye infections, vision problems, and discomfort. If you experience any unusual symptoms, such as redness, itching, or pain, consult your eye doctor immediately.