Contact Lens Use And Misuse

Contact Lens -- Use and Misuse

The disposable contact lens has joined other commodities as a personal care item with a very short life. But don't think disposable contact lenses (or any other type) are free of troubles and maintenance just because they're so convenient. Any lens can become contaminated and cause severe infections and damage delicate areas.

Here are some Do’s and Don’ts with contact lenses.

Do not sleep with contact lenses in.
Even if you have contact lenses that are labelled ‘extended wear’ it doesn't mean you should leave them on through the night. The reason: Continuously worn contacts rub away the cornea (the covering of the eyeball). This causes tiny abrasions that invite infection and may lead to vision loss. Also, covering the cornea for extended period blocks out oxygen which provide an ideal breeding ground for harmful bacteria.

Do clean the contact lenses with every use.
Whenever you take out your lenses, they must be cleaned well as per the instructions. If you wear the disposable kind, be sure to throw them away at the time prescribed and not stretch it out to cut costs.

Do clean the lens case, too.
Scrub the case with hot water with a toothbrush that's used only for that purpose.

Do not use homemade saline solutions.
Use a fresh solution each day, and use only commercial contact lens preparations. That's because homemade salt solutions might harbour bacteria that can scar the cornea and cause partial or complete blindness. And since tap water and mineral water are not sterile, they may harbour infection-causing impurities.

Do one lens-care regimen.

A disinfecting/cleaning regimen is always specified for your lens type and that shouldn't be changed. Whatever the recommended procedure, be sure to stick with it and not cut corners!

Do not wet your lenses with saliva even in emergencies.
Saliva is teeming with bacteria. If you give your lenses a spit bath, you might as well rub your lenses on the floor!!

Do remove the makeup first, lenses second.
Use water-based, not oil-based, cosmetics, and apply makeup and hair spray before you put in your lenses. Around the eyes, use water-resistant mascara and apply to lash tips only.

Do not wear your lenses while swimming.
The risk of wearing hard lenses in a pool or tub is that they may float out if your eyes get wet. With soft lenses, impurities in the water might be absorbed, which could cause infection, so if you need to see underwater, get goggles.

Do remove your contacts if your eyes turn red.
Do not take your eyes for granted and abuse them! If your eyes become irritated, remove your contacts. If the irritation doesn't go away after two to three hours, contact your eye doctor.

Tears, discharge, redness around the eyes and a change in vision are all indications of eye allergy or infection.