Contact lenses are a popular and convenient option for vision correction. However, wearing contact lenses comes with responsibilities to ensure eye health and avoid complications. Whether you’re a long-time user or a newbie, following the proper eye care routine is critical for maintaining healthy eyes and preventing infections.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll discuss essential tips every contact lens wearer should know. We’ll also share advice on integrating good habits into your daily life for better overall eye health.
1. Always Wash Your Hands Before Handling Contact Lenses
One of the most basic but crucial steps for contact lens care is washing your hands. The hands touch innumerable surfaces every day and can harbour the presence of disease-causing bacteria or germs. Washing hands with soap and water before handling lenses prevents the transfer of these pathogens to the eyes.
Steps to Ensure Proper Hand Hygiene:
- Use soap and water, not hand sanitiser.
- Dry hands with a lint-free towel
- Do not apply lotions or oils prior to touching lenses, as these tend to leave residues.
2. Establish a Habit of Good Eye Care
Your eyes are entitled to special care, especially when you use contact lenses regularly. A proper eye care routine ensures that your eyes feel comfortable, healthy, and irritation-free. An ideal routine goes beyond proper lens handling; it’s practices that care for your eyes’ well-being.
Elements of Contact Lens-Friendly Eye Care Routine:
- Remove Lenses Before Sleeping: Sleeping in contact lenses significantly increases the risk of eye infections. Even extended-wear lenses should only be used as directed by your eye care provider.
- Clean and Disinfect Lenses Daily: If you’re not using daily disposables, it’s essential to clean and disinfect your lenses every night with an approved lens solution.
- Replace Lenses as Prescribed: Wearing your lenses beyond the recommended time can cause dryness, irritation, or severe eye health complications. Adhere to the replacement schedule given by your eye doctor.
Schedule Regular Eye Exams: Regular check-ups enable your eye care provider to follow up on your eye health and make sure that contact lenses are still the best prescription for your eyes.
3. Use the Correct Contact Lens Solution
Not all contact lens solutions are created the same, and using the wrong kind may irritate your eyes or simply not clean your lenses properly. Always use the solution prescribed by an eye care provider and avoid substituting it with water or a homemade concoction.
Why It Matters:
- Tap water may contain Acanthamoeba, a type of microorganism that may lead to serious eye infections.
- Multi-purpose solutions effectively clean, disinfect, and store lenses, which decreases the chance of getting infected with some contaminant.
4. Don’t Overwear Your Lenses
Overwearing your contact lenses can cause eye strain, dryness, and even corneal damage. Many users overwear their lenses, especially with the modern brands that are marketed as breathable. However, even these lenses need breaks.
Tips to Avoid Overwear:
- Follow the “20-20-20” rule to reduce eye strain. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Wear glasses when staying indoors or avoiding the eyes for some time.
- Follow the recommended hours of wear – be it 8 hours or 16 hours.
5. Change Your Contact Lens Case
Many contact lens users do not pay much heed to their contact lens cases. A dirty contact lens case can encourage bacterial growth, leading to infections.
Lens Case Best Practices:
- Clean the case daily with a clean contact lens solution and leave it to air-dry.
- Replace the case every 1-3 months, even if the case looks clean.
- Never rinse your contact lens case with water or saliva, which can harbour bacteria
6. Drink plenty of fluid to avoid dry eyes
Dehydration will make the eyes dry and uncomfortable, and wearing contact lenses can make it worse. Drinking enough water during the day will keep your production of tears adequate and your eyes moist.
Other Tips to Combat Dryness
- Use only preservative-free lubricating eye drops if prescribed by your doctor.
- Avoid sitting directly in front of any fan, air conditioner, or heater for an extended period of time.
- Blink more frequently when using digital devices to avoid dryness caused by staring at screens.
7. Be Aware of Makeup and Skincare Products
For people who wear contact lenses, selecting the right makeup and skincare products can help avoid eye irritation. Some products, such as mascaras, eyeliners, and even face masks, can irritate your eyes if not applied carefully.
Best Practices for Makeup and Skincare:
- Apply makeup after putting in your lenses to avoid smudging or contamination.
- Take off your glasses before taking off your makeup to avoid particles from getting into your eyes.
- When using skincare treatments, including how to apply a face mask, ensure that the products don’t drip into your eyes. Avoid products with harsh chemicals or strong fragrances around the eye area.
8. Protect Your Eyes From Environmental Factors
Environmental factors such as wind, UV rays, and pollution can affect your eyes, especially when you’re wearing contact lenses. Taking precautions helps minimise irritation and keeps your eyes comfortable.
Protective Measures:
- Wear sunglasses with UV protection when outdoors to shield your eyes from harmful rays.
- Use protective goggles when swimming or working in dusty environments.
- Limit exposure to smoke, strong fumes, or pollutants.
9. Avoid Touching Your Eyes Frequently
Touching your eyes can introduce germs and bacteria, leading to infections. Contact lens wearers should be especially cautious since lenses already create an environment that can trap contaminants.
How to Reduce Eye Touching:
- Wash your hands frequently to resist the urge to rub your eyes.
- Use cold compresses or lubricating drops if your eyes feel itchy.
- If your eyes feel irritated, remove your lenses and consult an eye care professional.
10. Know When to Get Expert Assistance
In some cases, even with proper care, problems will come up. In such cases, timely professional attention could prevent serious complications.
Red Flags You Should Not Ignore:
- Persistent redness, pain, or tenderness
- Blurry vision that is not corrected by blinking
- Excessive tearing or discharge
- Sensitivity to light
If you observe any of the above signs, take out your lenses and seek assistance from an eye care provider.
Conclusion
Protecting your eyes goes hand-in-hand with taking care of your contact lenses. All the above tips can be followed to ensure that your lenses are a safe and convenient option for correcting your vision. From good hygiene practices and adherence to an eye care routine to learning how to apply a face mask without risking eye irritation, every small step leads to better eye health.
Remember that your eyes are a priceless gift, so take proper care of them through the right habits and by keeping yourself up-to-date with advice from your eye care provider. Enjoy contact lenses as long as possible with healthy eyes.
