Contact Lens Do's and Dont's
To my contact lens wearers,
Here are some contact lens essentials to adopt into your routine so that you are taking well care of your contacts, while also keeping your eyes healthy and safe.
DO
Always wash your hands before handling contact lenses. Use mild soap and dry them thoroughly with a lint-free towel.
Always replace your contact lenses as instructed by your optometrist 2-week contacts are FDA approved as 2-week replacement lenses; therefore, they need to be replaced every 2 weeks, NOT monthly.
If you prefer to replace your lenses on a monthly basis instead of 2 weeks, then it's best to switch to a monthly-replacement contact lens.
If over-wearing your contacts is an on-going struggle, then I highly recommend switching to daily disposables as the safest modality for contacts. This will ensure that your eyes are staying healthy, free of any risk of infection, and the cost typically evens out by the end of the year with the number of bottles of solution that you are saving yourself from buying.
Monthly lenses last for consecutive 30 days Once you unseal the contact lens from its blister pack, it is good for 30 days, NOT 30 uses. (Same goes for 2-week contacts.)
Clean your contacts properly to remove surface buildup Place the lens in the palm of your one hand. Rub the lens with multipurpose solution gently with the index finger of your other hand. Inspect the lens to make sure it’s clear of debris. Soak the lens in solution in its case overnight, filled to the line.
Clean your lens case Pour solution into the case, then rub with your clean finger. Air dry uncapped and face-down during the day.
Rule of thumb: Whenever you replace your solution, replace the case (Max: Every 3 months).
Make sure your contact lens solution is not expired The simplest thing, yet commonly overlooked.
For my patients who wear contacts occasionally, be sure to check the expiration date of your lenses before each use.
Put your contacts on before applying makeup and remove them before washing off.
Remove contact lenses before swimming or hot tub. Public water sources are breeding grounds for acanthamoeba, a sight-threatening infection that could go from bad to worse in a matter of a day if left untreated. If you experience eye pain, light sensitivity, or excessive tearing, remove your contacts immediately and contact optometrist promptly.
Wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection to protect against the harmful sun’s rays. Just because it’s cloudy outside doesn’t mean the sun’s radiation can’t seep through the clouds.
Visit your optometrist for your annual contact lens and eye exam Your contact lens evaluation not only allows us to renew your prescription, but it’s also our time to assess the health of your eyes and make sure that the brand and replacement modality of your current lenses are still suitable for your eyes.
During your exam, your optometrist looks for signs of dehydration, infection, inflammation of the inner eyelid from constantly rubbing against the lens while blinking, any allergic reaction to the lens or solution, etc. Your eyes could be showing any one of these signs without you even noticing it.
It also gives you the chance to let us know how you are doing with your contacts. If you’re curious about a better option or a different replacement schedule, we can introduce you to the latest design that may turn out to be your new favorite brand.
DON’T
Use tap water to clean or store your contacts. This contaminates your lenses and may damage their integrity. A high risk for potential sight-threatening infections.
Sleep in your contacts unless they are approved to be slept in. When you close your eyelids, it deprives the contact lenses of oxygen. Contacts that are not designed for sleeping in begin to accumulate and fester pathogens that risk causing serious infections from forming in the eyes.
Overwear your contacts Also a major risk of infection that may cause irreparable damage to the eyes, in some cases prohibiting your eyes from tolerating contacts any longer.
Reuse old solution even if you don't use your lenses daily.
Put contact lenses in your mouth It contains bacteria that is harmful for your eyes and a source of infection.
Use just any eye drop if your lenses are drying out your eyes. Consult your optometrist for recommended rewetting agents.
Share lenses with others Your contacts are customized to your power, eye curvature, and your eyes’ contents. Using someone else’s contacts risks spreading germs from their eyes to yours.
Put torn or damaged contacts in your eyes It’s uncomfortable and might cause an abrasion on the surface of your eyes.
Purchase contacts at flea markets or shady websites They may be cheap and easy, but there is no telling how old they are or what they are made of, which brings in a slew of danger to your eyes.
Purchase contact lenses without a prescription Don’t risk your eyesight to save a few dollars. Contact lenses are medical devices that need proper assessment before continuing to trust them for your eyes.
Put your contacts on if you are experiencing red eyes or mucous discharge coming out of the eyes; suddenly notice blurriness in your vision; or feel pain, irritation, or light sensitivity while your contacts are on. Remove your contacts immediately and see your optometrist as soon as possible.
Contact lenses are excellent options for recreational sports, dance, working out and various work conditions. They are also a great choice for moderate to high prescriptions and active lifestyles. In order to be able to continue taking advantage of their benefits, we need to do our due diligence by following proper care instructions and using them safely. If you have not been doing the Do’s and have been doing the Dont’s, it’s never too late to change habits. Be proactive about your eye health so that, together, we can keep your eyes healthy and seeing your best in contacts.
Love always,
Dr. K.
https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/contact-lenses/dos-and-donts
https://nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/healthy-vision/contact-lenses
https://www.reviewofcontactlenses.com/article/what-is-happening-in-your-contact-lens-storage-case