Wearing contact lenses has several advantages compared to using eyeglasses. The sheer freedom you receive from using a pair of contacts gives you a better world outlook. However, since you put these directly on your eyes, there will be some problems you can expect along the way.
Some find it hard to put the contact lenses on, while others experience mild complications. For your safety and better eyesight, here are 11 do’s and don’ts you can follow when using a good pair of contacts.
DO: Wash your hands before touching your eyes and contact lenses
You must always wash your hands thoroughly before doing any activities. This is because you don’t want any bacteria or dirt to contaminate your lenses. As such, you should rinse your hands with warm soapy water before touching your lens.
Proper washing can prevent contamination and keep the skin around the eyes adequately hydrated and cleaned. Drying your hands with tissues or lint-free cloth is also important.
DO: Remove your contacts after swimming
Water and contact lens do not mix. If you swim in your goggles, you should remove your contact immediately and wash them. The same goes for water-related activities like scuba diving, sailing, and surfing.
The reason behind this is that, after spending an afternoon in the pool, it lowers your tear film. It can cause the lens to dry out. This excessive dryness is likely to cause discomfort and redness.
DO: Use special disinfecting solution
When it comes to a pair of glasses, you can clean them gently with a microfiber or paper towel.
When dealing with your contacts, though, you must be very careful. You should purchase unique disinfecting and cleaning solutions. These are effective in killing any germs present on the blade of the brush or the sponge you’re using.
If you wear your copy and reuse the same solution, there’s a possibility that your solution is contaminated. To maintain a clear vision, you should use special disinfecting solutions. These come in a spray bottle, so you can spray it on your used eyeglass, then clean them.
DO: Use eye drops
Perhaps, one of the most overlooked do to wear contacts with comfort is applying eye drops. These drops can help keep your eyes moist. Dry eyes can be very uncomfortable.
You can blame dry eye if you accidentally rub your eyeball while using your glasses. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, use eye drops for eye care. These can keep your eyeballs moisturized and prevent the contact lens from irritating your eyes.
DO: Carry contact lenses in proper storage cases and solution
Once you finish using your eyewear, you should store them in proper cases. This ensures that no dust or debris can enter them, and they can last longer. You should also keep the bottle of cleansing or disinfection material.
Also, it can help prevent your solution from evaporating. A storage solution will help prevent the solution from drying out. It can also keep any dirt and debris from entering your bottle.
DO: Talk to your optometrist
If you’re having trouble putting on your prescription, you should always consult an optometrist. They can check you and ensure you’re following the proper procedures.
They can check if your contact lens is the correct fit for you and if your vision is clear. You must consult your eye doctor if you feel uncomfortable with your sight.
DON’T: Wear your contact lens if they’re uncomfortable
One of the common tips for astigmatism users is, don’t apply your prescription if your eyes are uncomfortable. Some eye doctors advise their patients to wear the prescribed eyewear even when their eyes are irritated.
This advice prevents the user from putting too much stress on their eyes and causing permanent damage. They can recommend sunglasses for patients with this condition. But, if you have normal vision, you should follow your doctor's recommendation.
DON’T: Use tap water to rinse your contacts
Your eyes are vulnerable to dirt and bacteria, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Washing your contacts with tap water will make your cornea more susceptible to infection.
Doctors recommend that your contact lens be cleaned with sterile water or saline solution. So, always let a clean water resource run for a few seconds to remove any residue thoroughly.
DON’T: Continue wearing lenses if your eyes redden
Eye redness is a common symptom if you use lenses with the wrong power or you’re allergic to the material. If you wear your lenses consistently, especially over an extended period, expect some redness and irritation. But if you notice some pain, you must stop wearing your contact immediately.
If you continue wearing them, you risk damaging your eyeball. The doctor may prescribe another lens and advise you to take an over-the-counter medication to alleviate the pain and swelling. If this happens, you should remove those immediately and consult your optometrist.
DON’T: Rub your eyes vigorously while wearing lenses
It’s natural to accidentally bump your sensitive eye, especially when using your cellphone. But, rubbing them vigorously will only worsen your condition. Despite your annoyance, it’s best not to scratch or pull at your eyelids while you wear your contacts. This can damage your iris, and your vision will be blurry.
Remove your contacts with lukewarm water if you have an itchy or watery feeling. Using alcohol to rub them will only irritate them and cause them to dry up. So, never rub them aggressively. Do so gently if you urge to rub your itchy or watery lids. You’re better off washing your hands with soap and water.
DON’T: Share your contact lens with others
It’s natural to share things with others that we like. If you borrow your friend or family member's sunglasses, you can say that it's safe. But, when it comes to your set of prescription eyewear, it can be dangerous.
It can lead to infections and severe health conditions. Contact lenses are usually designed for your eye measurements. Sharing contacts can also irritate your eyes and whoever you share it with.
Although it’s challenging to follow all these do’s and don’ts of utilizing a good, high-quality contact lens, it will help keep your lenses on for longer. These tips will help you care for your vision by taking better care of your contacts.
