Contact Lens Care: Dos and Don'ts

Contact Lens Care: Dos and Don'ts

Proper contact lens care is not just about maintaining the quality of your lenses, it's also about preserving your eye health. Our eyes are delicate organs, and any negligence in contact lens care can lead to severe eye infections, corneal ulcers, and even blindness in extreme cases.

Contact lenses are foreign objects that we deliberately put into our eyes. If not cleaned and stored properly, they can become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and fungi. These microbes can then infiltrate our eyes, causing various eye diseases. Adhering to good contact lens care practices is crucial for preventing eye infections.

Improper contact lens care can lead to lens damage and degradation. Damaged lenses can scratch the cornea, causing discomfort and impairing vision. Degraded lenses can compromise the quality of your vision, making it blurry or distorted. Therefore, to enjoy clear and comfortable vision, you need to take proper care of your contacts.

Dos of Contact Lens Care

When it comes to contact lens care, there are certain practices that you should always adhere to. These are the 'dos' of contact lens care, and they are as follows:

First, always wash and dry your hands before handling your contacts. Our hands are a hotbed of germs, and touching your contacts with dirty hands can transfer these germs onto them. To minimize the risk of eye infections, keep your hands clean when dealing with your lenses.

Secondly, clean your contacts regularly with a suitable lens solution. Never use water or saliva to clean your lenses, as these can harbor harmful pathogens. Also, rub your lenses gently with the solution, rather than just soaking them, to remove any stubborn dirt or deposits.

Lastly, store your contacts in a clean lens case, filled with fresh solution. Never reuse the old solution, as it can be contaminated with microbes. Also, replace your lens case every three months, to prevent bacterial build-up.

Don'ts of Contact Lens Care

Just as there are dos in contact lens care, there are also don'ts that you should avoid at all costs. These are the practices that can harm your lenses and your eyes, and they include:

Firstly, never wear your contacts for longer than recommended. Over-wearing your lenses can deprive your eyes of oxygen, leading to discomfort and potential eye damage. Therefore, always remove your lenses at night, unless they are designed for extended wear.

Secondly, don't swim or shower with your contacts in. Water can harbor harmful microbes, which can contaminate your lenses and cause eye infections. Therefore, always remove your contacts before coming in contact with water.

Lastly, don't ignore any discomfort or changes in your vision. If your lenses feel uncomfortable, or if your vision becomes blurry or distorted, remove your lenses immediately and seek professional help. Ignoring these signs can lead to serious consequences, so always listen to your eyes.

Common Mistakes in Contact Lens Care

There are some common mistakes that many contact lens wearers make in their care routine. These mistakes can have detrimental effects on both the lenses and the eyes, so it's important to be aware of them and avoid them.

One common mistake is using water or saliva to clean or store the lenses. Both water and saliva can harbor harmful microbes, which can contaminate the lenses and cause eye infections. Therefore, always use a suitable lens solution for cleaning and storing your lenses.

Another common mistake is not replacing the lens case regularly. An old or dirty lens case can be a breeding ground for bacteria, which can contaminate your lenses. Therefore, remember to replace your lens case every three months.

Lastly, many people neglect to have regular eye check-ups. Regular check-ups can help detect any potential eye problems early, thus preventing them from escalating. Therefore, make sure to schedule regular appointments with your eye care professional.

Maintaining Eye Health with Good Contact Lens Care Practices

Good contact lens care practices are crucial for maintaining the quality of your lenses and preserving your eye health. By adhering to the dos and avoiding the don'ts of contact lens care, you can enjoy clear and comfortable vision, and keep your eyes healthy and happy.

To learn more about the dos and don’ts of contact lens care, visit Justice Vision Clinic at our office in Duluth, Georgia. Call (770) 626-7883 to schedule an appointment today.