Caring for Contact Lenses: Tips for Keeping Your Eyes Healthy and Comfortable

A common substitute for conventional eyeglasses is contact lenses. They provide wearers with better mobility and more natural eyesight. However, they require regular cleaning and maintenance to remain comfortable and safe to wear. Here are tips for caring for your contacts and keeping your eyes healthy and comfortable.

Follow the Hygiene Basics

Always thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water before handling your contact lenses. Pat them dry with a clean towel, or let them air dry. Avoid using moisturizers or lotions, which can leave a film on your hands that can transfer to your lenses. Also, ensure your fingernails are short to avoid damaging the lenses or scratching your eyes.

Use the Correct Solution

Various types of lenses require different contact lens solutions because not all solutions are equal. Always use the solution your eye care professional recommends, and follow the instructions carefully. Ensure the solution is fresh and not expired. Using expired or contaminated solutions can cause eye infections and irritation.

Avoid Tap Water

Never use tap water to rinse your contact lenses, store them, or clean your contact lens case. In tap water, impurities, germs, and other microorganisms can lead to dangerous eye diseases. Among them is Acanthamoeba keratitis, which can cause irreversible eyesight loss.

Stick to the Schedule

Replace your contact lenses according to the schedule recommended by your eye doctor. Contact lens manufacturers design some types of contact lenses for single-day use. Others are good for more prolonged use. 

Follow the recommended schedule to prevent infections and other complications. Itching, discomfort, and an increased risk of infection can result from wearing contacts for longer than advised.

Do Not Sleep in Your Lenses

Sleeping in your contact lenses is not a good idea. It can lead to dryness, discomfort, and an increased risk of infection. Your contacts may trap bacteria and other microbes against your eyes, leading to corneal ulcers, inflammation, and infections. The danger of hypoxia, or lack of oxygen, can also rise when wearing contact lenses while sleeping. It may cause corneal damage and impair eyesight.

Handle With Care

Always handle your contact lenses carefully to avoid damaging or scratching your eyes. Use your fingertips to handle them, and avoid using your nails or sharp objects. Gently clean and rinse them with the recommended solution, and avoid using saliva or water to clean them.

Store Your Lenses Properly

When you are not wearing your contact lenses, store them in a clean, dry case designed for contact lenses. Rinse your case with the recommended solution, and let it air-dry before using it again. Replace your lens case every three months to prevent bacterial contamination.

Regular Checkups

Routine eye examinations are crucial for maintaining healthy eyes, especially when you are wearing contact lenses. Your eye doctor may examine your eyes, check your vision, and ensure your contact lens prescription is current. Your eye doctor can look for indications of corneal damage or other eye disorders brought on by contact lens use.

Conclusion 

Caring for your contact lenses is essential for maintaining healthy and comfortable eyes. These recommendations will help reduce your risk of eye infections, discomfort, and other consequences from wearing contacts. Contact your eye care specialist immediately if you feel pain or notice any changes in your vision.

For more on contact lenses, visit Limestone Eye Care at our Lawrence, Kansas, office. Call (785) 268-6880 to schedule an appointment today.