A lot of people prefer to wear contact lenses, but they can come with a few extra considerations in comparison to eyeglasses. If not taken care of or worn incorrectly, contact lens use may result in eye irritation or other eye problems. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to minimize your risk of running into these issues.
8 Safety Tips for Wearing Contact Lenses
Whether you are a regular contact lens wearer or just got an eye exam and are trying contacts for the first time, you need to make sure you are properly and safely wearing contact lenses. Follow these tips on contact lens safety to protect your eyes.
Don’t Overwear Them
If your contacts are meant to be worn only for a specific time, do not try to wear them longer than recommended. Doing so could keep your eyes from getting the oxygen they need and ultimately you could develop serious eye problems.
Avoid Water
Even filtered or distilled water can carry bacteria that can get on your contacts and consequently in your eyes. For this reason, a common safety tip for contacts is to take them out when swimming or showering. You should also never use water as a replacement storage solution.
Always Use New Storage Solution
To keep your contacts and your lens case clean, do not reuse storage solution. Old storage solution may accumulate microbes or particles in it. You should instead replace the solution each time to decrease the chances of unwanted germs or bacteria.
Replace Your Case Regularly
A big part of contact lens safety is making sure that your contact case is clean as well. A dirty contact lens container can carry bacteria that can get on your contacts and in your eyes. To make sure your contact lens case is clean, you should replace your case every couple of months.
Remove Them If Needed
If your eyes start to feel bothered or irritated, take out your contacts. Removing your contacts may keep the problem from getting worse and make your eyes feel better. If you haven’t been wearing your contacts for some time and your eyes still feel irritated, see your eye doctor immediately.
Always Have a Backup
Whether you forget to order more contact lenses or your eyes become irritated, there will be times when you will have to go without contacts. Always have a pair of eyeglasses with an up-to-date prescription just in case.
Wash Your Hands
Your hands come in contact with a number of germs throughout the day. Always wash your hands before and after handling your contact lenses to avoid transferring bacteria to them or your eyes.
Follow Your Doctor’s Recommendations
When it comes to contact lens safety, the most important thing to do is follow your doctor’s recommendations. If you are supposed to remove your contacts before bed, do so. If you are not meant to wear them for more than one day, don’t. Get regular contact lens exams to make sure your prescription is working the way it should. When you listen to your doctor’s orders, you are less likely to run into problems.
Whether you have been wearing contacts for years or you are just exploring them as an option, let us help. At Ideal EyeCare, we can help you find the right contact lenses for you. Contact us today to learn more.
