The Ultimate Guide to Contact Lens Care and Maintenance
Contact lenses are a popular choice for correcting refractive errors, but they require careful maintenance to ensure eye health and safety. In this guide, we’ll cover the essential steps for caring for your contact lenses, as well as when to avoid wearing them.
When to Avoid Wearing Contact Lenses
Certain conditions can make it unsafe to wear contact lenses. These include:
– Eye infections
– Severe allergies
– Dry eyes
– Dusty or windy environments
– Inability to handle lenses properly (e.g., due to hand tremors)
Care and Maintenance of Contact Lenses
To keep your contact lenses clean and safe, follow these steps:
1. Clean and disinfect lenses immediately after removal. This helps prevent infections and kills germs.
2. Clean the lens case thoroughly. Replace the case every three months.
3. Use a new solution for each wash. Never recycle solution or use water (even boiled or distilled) to clean lenses.
4. Use prescribed lens solution or enzymatic cleaners. Avoid homemade cleaning solutions, which can cause serious eye infections.
5. Handle lenses with clean, dry hands. Wash your hands before handling lenses.
6. Avoid sharing lenses or wearing someone else’s lenses.
7. Follow a wearing schedule and replace lenses as prescribed.
8. Avoid sleeping in lenses unless they’re designed for extended wear.
9. Use hair spray and eye makeup safely. Apply hair spray before wearing lenses, and put on eye makeup after wearing lenses.
Additional Tips for Safe Contact Lens Wear
– Keep your fingernails short to prevent scratching lenses.
– Avoid wearing lenses while swimming.
– Wear sunglasses with UV protection when exposed to direct sunlight.
– Monitor your eyes for signs of discomfort or infection, such as pain, itchiness, redness, discharge, or blurry vision.
By following these guidelines, you can enjoy safe and comfortable contact lens wear.
References:
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/glasses-contacts/contact-lens-care
http://ksos.in/ksosjournal/journalsub/Journal_Article_17_272.pdf
https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/caring-contact-lens
https://www.umkelloggeye.org/conditions-treatments/contact-lenses