Following the appropriate contact lens care guidelines
will ensure the health and safety of your eyes, while also extending the
lifespan of your contacts. Without proper maintenance, your contacts will be
unable to their job effectively. You also put yourself at risk for the irritating
and uncomfortable conditions that result from improper contact lens care. Keep
these tips in mind when caring for your contacts to make sure you get the most
out of your investment.
Before handing
your contact lenses or touching your eyes, make sure you wash your hands
with soap and water. Any lotions, chemicals, or bacteria on your hands can
easily stick to the surface of your contacts, causing irritation or even
disease when put into your eyes. Make sure to dry your hands with clean
towel after washing them.
Your certified
eye care specialist will give you a schedule that shows you exactly
how long you can wear your contacts for. Depending upon the lenses you
were prescribed, this length of time will vary. Make sure you follow the
schedule exactly, and never wear your contacts for longer than advised.
Your eye
doctor will recommend a specific way to store and clean your contacts
after your lenses have been prescribed. Make sure to use a clean contact
case and fresh solution each time you remove your contacts. You should
clean your contact case before each use by using solution or hot tap water
and letting it air dry. Use only the products that have been recommended
by your doctor and follow the cleaning regimen guidelines they have
provided.
It is not
recommended that you use tap water to rinse or clean your contacts. Even
distilled water can sometimes carry microorganisms that can get into your
eyes and cause damage. Avoid the urge to rinse contacts with your saliva
if no solution is available. The mouth is full of bacteria that can be
potentially damaging to your vision.
When cleaning
your contacts with lens solution, use your index finger to gently massage
the solution onto the lens. Some newer “no-rub” products do not require
you to touch the lens, and only need to be applied for the cleaning
solution to work.
If you develop
an eye condition or uncomfortable symptoms such as redness, burning, or
irritation, remove your contacts and call your eye care specialist.
Leaving your contacts in can worsen the infection or prolong its effects.
Once the infection has subsided, follow your specialist’s guidelines about
resuming contact lens use to prevent a re-emergence of the condition.
Never wear
anybody else’s contacts. This is an easy way to spread particles or eye
diseases from one person to another.
Do not fall
asleep with your contact lenses in, unless you have been prescribed
“extended wear” lenses. Your eyes tend to dry out overnight while they are
closed, which can cause your contact lenses to stick. If you forget to
remove your contacts before sleeping, use re-wetting or saline solution
and wait a few minutes before attempting to remove the lenses.
Schedule an
annual appointment with your optometrist or ophthalmologist to check your
contact lens prescription and see if anything needs to be changed or
adjusted.
Women should
put in contact lenses before applying any makeup. Reversing the order can
cause contamination of the lens and irritation of the eyes. When removing
makeup, take your contacts out first. Remember to wash and dry your hands
appropriately.
If you follow these basic contact lens care tips, you
can avoid many of the common problems that contact wearers face. If you have
any questions about putting contacts in, taking them out, storing them, or
proper care for your specific lenses, talk to the eye doctor that wrote your
prescription. They will be happy to give you advice as well as literature you
can refer back to if you have any questions in the future.