For the millions of people who wear them across the world, contact lenses can offer a handy and comfortable way to work, play, and live. Although contact lenses are typically a safe and reliable method of vision correction, they do carry some risk, particularly if they are not properly cared for. As medical devices, contact lenses must be worn, cleaned, and stored according to manufacturer's instructions to reduce the risk of eye infections.
1. How much time can I wear my contacts?
Even if you don't wear lenses every day, change them as often as the doctor advises. For instance, even if they still seem fresh, if you have single-use disposable undergarments, discard them after one use. You increase your risk of eye infections when you wear contacts for longer than is necessary or when you sleep in lenses that aren't designed for overnight use.
2. Don't Touch Your Lenses Before
Before inserting or removing your contact lenses, always cleanse your hands. Avoid using soaps that are too perfumed or greasy. Always thoroughly dry your hands with a lint-free towel since lenses can stick to moist hands and bacteria that lives in tap water can stick to lenses. Wait till after you've placed in your contact lenses if you wish to use a moisturiser. They are susceptible to sticking with lotion residue.
3. Installing Your Lenses
Each time, begin with the same eye to avoid mixing the right and left lenses. The lens can be removed from the container or case with your index finger and placed in the palm of your hand. Rinse it with the solution that your eye doctor advises. On the tip of your index finger, place the lens. Holding your upper lid with one hand while pulling your lower lid down with the middle finger of the same hand. Put the lens directly over your eye's iris. Blink after gently releasing your eyelids.
4. When Your Contacts Ache
If something is on, under, or inside out of a lens, it could feel uneasy. To get rid of the dirt or dust, remove the lens and rinse it with rewetting drops or a non-peroxide solution. If your contact lenses continue to feel unpleasant, stop wearing them. Additionally, avoid wearing them if your eyes are already irritated and red. Consult an eye doctor if you don't feel better after you stop using them.
5. Contact lenses and teenagers
Teenagers who are of legal age can wear lenses provided they understand how to care for them and can be relied upon to adhere strictly to all care instructions. One-day disposable lenses are an excellent alternative. There is no maintenance or cleaning required. Find the ideal contacts for you by consulting with your eye doctor. Never use a friend's contact lenses. Your contact lenses must be correctly fitted to your eyes by an optometrist. To make sure the lenses you choose will fit comfortably, the doctor can provide samples.
6. Tips for Lens Wearers on Makeup
Wear soft contact lenses first, then makeup. After doing your cosmetics, put on gas-permeable lenses. Always remove your lenses before removing your makeup.
- Apply non-allergenic cosmetics. Avoid using waterproof or mascara that lengthens lashes or contains metallic or glitter. These might itch or discolour your lenses.
- Avoid putting eyeliner on your inner rims or in the space between your lashes and eye.
- At least once every three months, change your eye makeup.
7. Taking Out Your Lenses
Before taking out your lenses, wash and dry your hands first. Pull down your lower lid to remove your soft contact lenses. Gently shift your lens to the white of your eye while looking up or to the side. Lift the lens off your eye by gently pinching it between your thumb and index finger. Open your eyes wide and drag the skin over the corner of your eye towards your ear to test for gas permeable lenses. Blink as you stoop over your open palm. Your palm should receive the lens as it emerges.
8. Organising and Cleaning
Lenses can be cleaned in a variety of ways. You can clean, rinse, disinfect, and store your lenses using a multipurpose solution. Some systems feature distinct cleaning and rinsing materials. While "no-rub" solutions claim that only rinsing would clean the lenses, research indicates that rubbing cleans the lenses more effectively. You place your contact lenses in a basket that is submerged in a cup of hydrogen peroxide solution to clean them. Additionally, hydrogen peroxide solution will have a red cap, so avoid getting it in your eyes directly. Before inserting the lens back into your eyes, allow the lens to soak in the solution for the allotted amount of time.
9. Sports and Contact Lenses
For the majority of sports and activities, you can wear your glasses. They seldom ever move or dislodge. Additionally, they provide you with improved peripheral vision and don't fog up like glasses. But if you swim, especially in lakes, stay out of the water with your contacts on. Even with watertight goggles, water can cause an eye infection, and if your lenses get wet, they may be challenging to remove. Use saline or rewetting drops to loosen them if you ever inadvertently wear them in the water, and take them off as quickly as you can. Then wash and sanitise them. If you wear contact lenses while swimming, it is advisable to use daily replacement lenses and discard them afterward.
10. Maintain Your Glasses
You'll probably continue to use glasses occasionally even after getting contact lenses. When your eyes need a break or if you can't wear your contacts for some reason, you should keep a spare pair of modern prescription glasses on hand. Sunglasses are a must if you want to shield your eyes from UV ray damage. Wear sunglasses that filter out 99% of UV light, particularly in the sun, while driving, and while near snow, water, or sand.
11. Cosmetic and Decorative Lenses
For Halloween, having cat eyes or changing your eye colour for fun can both look fantastic. However, make sure you acquire them from an eye specialist. Decorative and aesthetic lenses can be secure. Ill-fitting contact lenses can scrape your eye or infect it, which is why it's really against the law to sell cosmetic lenses without a prescription in the United States.
12. Lenses and Water Don't Mix
You might be tempted to rinse your contact lenses with tap water if you run out of contact lens solution. Never do it! Water occasionally contains microorganisms that can seriously infect the eyes. Even avoid wearing contacts when in the shower. Additionally, never wet your contact lenses with saliva or put them in your mouth.
13. The Case Is Important, Too
As gently as you would your lenses, clean your lens case. It should be cleaned with a disinfectant at the very least every night. To assist in getting rid of any remaining bacteria, wipe the case with a tissue and let it air dry. Replace your case at least once every three months.
14. Your Screens and Your Eyes
Teenagers and young adults spend a lot of time on their phones, computers, and televisions. Problems with computer vision and eye strain can result from excessive screen time. When we focus up close like that, we blink less, which causes eyes to become dry and fatigued. Try the 20-20-20 rule as a solution. Every 20 minutes, glance away from the screen for 20 seconds and focus on something that is 20 feet away. Use rewetting drops during the day if possible.
15. visit a vision specialist
Consult an eye doctor first if you're considering using contacts. The prescription for your glasses does not match the materials, forms, or strengths of the contacts. The proper prescription may be found and lenses can be fitted precisely to your eyes by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Even if you wish to order contact lenses online, you must first visit an ophthalmologist.