Zen and the Art of Contact Lens Maintenance
Millions of people use contact lenses every day. They are a perfectly safe alternative to glasses and often allow their users greater freedom and comfort. However, contact lenses, like anything that comes in direct contact with your eyes, can be a potential source of infection. If contacts are worn too long, not cared for properly, or improperly stored, then the risk to the user of infection dramatically increases.
The best way to insure the longevity and comfort of your contact lenses, while simultaneously reducing the risk of eye infection that you are exposed to, is to properly care for your contacts. And you should always do this by following your eye doctor or the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter. Additionally, you’ll want to minimize your eyes’ contact with water while wearing your contacts, and take care to clean and store your contacts correctly. Read on for more information on the proper care of contact lenses.
Proper Cleaning of Contact Lenses
The risk of eye infection from contact lenses can vary a bit depending on the type of lens you’re wearing. Of course, disposable lenses, intended to be used for a single day and then thrown away, are the safest as they do not require cleaning or storage.
If however, you are either uncomfortable with throwing your lenses out every day, or need to wear rigid gas permeable lenses for your specific eye condition, effective cleaning and proper storage are the best ways to prevent infection and keep your lenses functioning properly.
Before handling your contact lenses, make sure that you’ve washed your hands thoroughly with soap and water, rinsed them, and dried them with a cloth towel (paper fibers can scratch lenses). Contact lenses should come into as little contact with tap or any other water as possible, whether in your eyes or during the cleaning process.
Make sure that you are wearing and replacing your contacts per your eye doctor’s instructions, and that you’re following the cleaning instructions that came with them.
Use a recommended contact lens cleaning solution for your lenses, rubbing and rinsing them in the solution, prior to storing them in a proper contact container. The lenses should be completely submersed in solution before you secure the lids to each side of the case. Also, make sure to replace your container at least every three months to avoid bacterial build up.
It is also important to clean your contact case with extra lens solution, or with some warm water, but don’t use soap or any other cleaning substance. Make sure to fully dry the container after washing it as bacteria is more likely to grow in damp spots.
Keep Your Eyes Healthy and Comfortable
Following the manufacturer or your eye care professional’s instructions for wearing, cleaning, storing, and replacing your contact lenses, along with keeping them away from water and using an approved cleaning solution should keep your contact lenses effective, comfortable, and infection-free for the duration of their life.
[Photo via: Allaboutvision]