What Are the Important Contact Lens Tips?
1. Always Wash Your Hands Before Handling Lenses
Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before inserting or removing contact lenses. Clean hands help reduce the transfer of dirt and germs to the lens and eyes.Contact lenses can be a convenient alternative to glasses, but they need proper care and handling to keep the eyes healthy. Poor contact lens hygiene, incorrect cleaning, wearing lenses for too long, or exposing them to water can increase the risk of eye infections and other complications. People who use contact lenses can consult a General Ophthalmologist in Gunjur for proper eye examination, lens guidance, and personalised eye care.
In this Video Dr. Sanjay Kumar, General Ophthalmologist, explains some important contact lens care tips, common mistakes to avoid, and the warning signs that indicate when you should remove your lenses and seek medical advice.
Contact lenses sit directly on the surface of the eye and require careful handling. When lenses are not cleaned, stored, or worn correctly, they can increase the risk of eye irritation and infections. Following the instructions given by your eye doctor and the lens manufacturer can help reduce these risks.
Avoid handling lenses immediately after applying creams, lotions, or other products that may transfer onto the lens.
2. Use the Recommended Contact Lens Solution
Use the cleaning and disinfecting solution recommended for your particular type of contact lens. Never use tap water, saliva, or homemade solutions to clean or store contact lenses.
3. Never Sleep With Contact Lenses Unless Specifically Advised
Sleeping in contact lenses can increase the risk of serious eye infections. Unless your eye-care professional has specifically advised overnight wear for your particular lenses, remove them before sleeping.
4. Avoid Swimming or Showering With Your Lenses
Contact lenses should not come into contact with water from swimming pools, showers, baths, lakes, or other water sources. Water can contain microorganisms that may cause eye infections.
5. Follow the Replacement Schedule
Contact lenses should be replaced according to the schedule recommended for that particular lens. Do not continue using lenses beyond their recommended replacement period, even if they appear to be in good condition.
6. Take Care of Your Lens Case
If you use reusable lenses, proper lens-case hygiene is also important. Use fresh solution as recommended and never simply add new solution to old solution. The case should also be cleaned and replaced according to your eye-care professional's instructions.
7. Do Not Share Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are prescribed according to an individual's vision and eye requirements. Sharing lenses with another person can also increase the risk of contamination and infection.
8. Remove Lenses If Your Eyes Become Uncomfortable
If you develop redness, pain, unusual watering, light sensitivity, discharge, or sudden blurred vision while wearing contact lenses, remove them and seek advice from an eye doctor. These symptoms should not be ignored.
Some everyday habits can increase the risk of contact lens-related problems. Avoid:
- Cleaning lenses with tap water
- Sleeping with lenses without medical advice
- Swimming while wearing lenses
- Reusing old contact lens solution
- Touching lenses with unwashed hands
- Wearing lenses longer than recommended
- Using damaged or torn lenses
- Ignoring persistent redness or eye pain
Following basic hygiene and the recommended lens-care routine can help protect your eyes and maintain comfortable lens wear.
Conclusion
Contact lenses can provide clear vision and convenience when they are used correctly. Proper hand hygiene, using the recommended lens solution, following the replacement schedule, avoiding water exposure, and removing lenses when experiencing unusual symptoms are important parts of safe contact lens use.
If you wear contact lenses or are experiencing discomfort, redness, or changes in vision, consulting Dr. Sanjay Kumar, General Ophthalmologist in Gunjur, can help you understand the right approach to contact lens care and maintain better eye health.
FAQ’s
No. Tap water should not be used to clean or store contact lenses because it may contain microorganisms that can cause eye infections. Use the appropriate contact lens solution recommended by your eye-care professional.
Unless your eye-care professional has specifically advised overnight wear, contact lenses should be removed before sleeping. Sleeping in lenses can increase the risk of serious eye infections.
It is generally recommended to remove contact lenses before swimming because exposure to water can increase the risk of eye infections.
Remove the contact lenses and seek advice from an eye-care professional, particularly if redness is accompanied by pain, light sensitivity, discharge, or blurred vision.
The replacement schedule depends on the type of contact lens you use. Follow the schedule prescribed by your eye doctor or provided by the lens manufacturer, and do not continue wearing lenses beyond the recommended period.
