If you wear contact lenses, you’re likely aware of their many advantages. They offer crisp vision, even at the peripherals, and give you visual freedom that glasses just can’t compete with. Despite their convenience, it’s important to understand how to properly care for your contacts to prevent discomfort, eye diseases, and even long-term eye damage.
Most people know that you need to wash your hands before handling contacts (and if you don’t — you need to start!), but there are other important, less-common tips that you also need to understand.
1. Unless otherwise instructed by your eye doctor, always remove your contact lenses at night.
Healthy eyes require a steady supply of oxygen. Wearing contact lenses overnight disrupts proper oxygen flow to the eye’s surface, which can result in corneal swelling, clouding, lowered visual acuity, discomfort, and irritation. Additionally, the chances of contracting an infection go up, which can lead to more serious long-term consequences.
2. Never store your contact lenses in water.
It’s important to only use contact lens solution to store your lenses. Contact solution helps clean and sterilize your contact lenses, removing trapped dirt, lipids, and other unwanted buildup.
Using distilled water has a very high chance of exposing your contacts to harmful bacteria. This microbial threat is also why it’s important to remove your lenses before entering swimming pools or hot tubs, because even chlorine-treated water presents a serious risk.
3. Communicate with your doctor, especially if something about your eye health changes.
Annual eye exams help your doctor stay up to date on your eyes and their health. Sometimes those changes can alter how your eyes interact with contact lenses. Some people can use the same brand and type of lens for years before developing an adverse reaction to their use, but others may need to change their contacts due to changes in their eyes’ condition.
If your lenses cause irritation, redness, or dryness — do not keep using your contacts, even if they are new! Contact your doctor immediately and use your glasses in the meantime.
4. Practice safe cosmetics use.
Mascara and makeup can irritate the eyes, so it’s important to use these products wisely. Soft contact lenses should be put in before applying makeup, except when using hairspray, which should be applied first. If you need to use hairspray after your contacts are already in, make sure to close your eyes tightly and keep them shut for 5 seconds after, to give the spray’s particles time to settle.
Do not store cosmetic materials, especially harsher substances like aromatic sprays (perfumes and colognes) and nail polish remover near your contacts. And finally, make sure to wash your hands well before putting your contacts in if you’ve already handled any cosmetics products.
5. Follow your prescription and replace your contacts when they expire.
Daily-use lenses should be thrown away at the end of each day, and monthly lenses should be only used for a month. It’s easy to keep using contacts past the expiration date, but this can put you at serious risk of developing an infection, dry eye disease, irritation, and other problems. The long-term risks you run are not worth it — following your lenses’ instructions is crucial to maintaining good eye health.
6. Replace your contact lenses’ storage case.
Your contact lens case must be sterile to serve as proper overnight storage for your lenses. Over time, bacteria will begin to build up within the case regardless of how often you clean the case, so it’s important to change out your case every three months. Also, it is important to avoid reusing old lens solution — make sure the solution is replaced each day.
7. If your contacts get stuck, don’t panic.
Run contact rewetting drops or your storage saline solution over your contact (do not use water) and give the lens a moment to soften. The solution will rehydrate the lens and reduce the suction holding it to your cornea. You may have to apply the solution more than once.
After rehydration, close your eye and gently move your finger in a circle over the eyelid until you feel the lens slide loose. At that point it is safe to remove the contact.
Personalized High-Quality Contact Lens Care
Kennedy Vision Health Center wants the best for you because to us, our patients are family. Our team of optical specialists and optometric technicians can help you find the right kind of contacts for you. For those who struggle with traditional lenses, we also offer a wide range of specialty lenses that cater to more specific needs. Ready to experience the freedom of contacts? Book your appointment today!
