Contact lenses are becoming a popular choice for those of us who wish to correct our vision without having to deal with the inconvenience of wearing glasses. They give a natural appearance, flexibility, and convenience that glasses just cannot match. But even with all of their benefits, using contact lenses comes with responsibility. Inadequate treatment can result in corneal ulcers, severe eye infections, and in severe situations, blindness.
The concept of contact lenses has always appealed to me. They allowed me to enjoy outdoor activities without worrying about my spectacles fogging up in humid conditions or falling down my nose. However, I made several mistakes when I initially started wearing them, such as not always cleaning my hands before handling them or using them for longer than was advised. I didn't understand the need for appropriate lens maintenance until I started to suffer dryness and discomfort.
This article will show you the best ways to keep your eyes healthy while maintaining your sharp vision, regardless of how long you've been using contact lenses.
1. Consult an Eye Care Professional
The fact that contact lenses are not a one-size-fits-all solution is among the most significant lessons I learned early on. Only an optometrist or ophthalmologist can decide the ideal lenses for you because your eyes have different demands.
Get a thorough eye checkup from an eye doctor before you begin using contact lenses. In addition to verifying that your eyes are healthy enough for contacts, your doctor will examine your prescription and provide you with instructions on how to use and maintain them. Wearing poorly fitting lenses can cause pain, impaired vision, and even long-term damage, therefore this step is very important.
Regular examinations are equally crucial. Your eyes might change over time, even if your lenses feel good. I previously assumed my vision was steady and missed an eye test for nearly two years. I eventually went to see my optometrist, who informed me that I required new lenses since my prescription had changed. That clarified the sporadic headaches I had been having! Frequent eye exams guarantee that your eyes stay healthy and that you are using the proper lenses.
2. Follow a Proper Cleaning Routine
I didn't quite understand how important regular cleaning was when I initially started using contact lenses. I believed that rinsing with the lens solution was sufficient. It was an error! With time, I came to understand that if the lenses are not cleaned properly, protein deposits and germs can build up and cause eye infections.
I currently take these steps to maintain the cleanliness and security of my lenses:
- Before handling your lenses, carefully wash your hands. After washing your hands with soap and water, pat dry with a towel free of lint. By doing this, germs and debris are kept out of your eyes.
- Only use the lens solution that has been suggested. Saliva, tap water, and homemade saline solutions should never be used since they might introduce dangerous bacteria.
- Give your lenses a good rub and rinse. Even if your solution is marked "no-rub," deposits can be removed more successfully if you gently wipe the solution into your lenses.
- Replace your lens case regularly. The casing should be cleaned often and replaced every three months since bacteria might accumulate inside it.
Maintaining this practice was tiresome at first, but when it got ingrained, it came naturally. Avoiding the pain and infection dangers is worth the extra effort.
3. Avoid Wearing Your Lenses Too Much
I am aware of how alluring it is to wear contact lenses all day and into the night. You could forget you're wearing them since they're so comfy. However, excessive use of these can result in dryness, irritation, and, occasionally, dangerous infections.
I had believed that wearing my lenses for over 16 hours every day was harmless. My vision eventually became a little fuzzy, and I began to have dry, irritated eyes. My eyes weren't receiving enough oxygen, according to my optometrist. Wearing contact lenses for an extended period might lead to difficulties since they decrease the quantity of oxygen that reaches your cornea.
I now abide by these guidelines:
- Observe the suggested wear time. Take out your lenses after the recommended number of hours if they are designed to be worn every day.
- When necessary, take breaks. To give my eyes a rest, I occasionally switch to glasses in the evening.
- Pay attention to your eyes. Remove your lenses and give your eyes a break if you begin to experience any pain or dryness.
To preserve long-term eye health, it might be quite beneficial to give your eyes a rest.
4. Avoid Sleeping in Contact Lenses
This lesson came to me the hard way. On several evenings, I just fell asleep with my lenses in because I was too exhausted to take them out. "It's only one night; it won't matter," I reasoned. However, I often woke up with sore, dry eyes, and once I even got a severe infection.
The danger of eye infections is greatly increased while using contact lenses while you sleep, even if they are designed to be worn overnight. The explanation is straightforward: the contact lens traps dirt and bacteria against your cornea while your eyes are closed, reducing oxygen flow. Infections like corneal ulcers, which can cause irreversible visual impairment, thrive in this ideal habitat.
I now always take the time to take out my glasses before bed, regardless of how exhausted I am. It just takes a few minutes, and protecting my eyes is definitely worth the effort.
5. Never Share Contact Lenses
Although it may seem apparent, you'd be shocked at how frequently individuals make this error. A buddy of mine once borrowed colored contact lenses from someone else to give them a try. She got an eye infection in a matter of days, which needed weeks of care.
Sharing lenses may spread germs, viruses, and other dangerous microbes from one person to another, even if they are only cosmetic. Since your lenses are made especially for your eyes, using someone else's might result in corneal damage, allergic reactions, and infections.
Therefore, never share your contact lenses under any circumstances. The danger is simply not worth it!
6. Use the Correct Type of Lens for Your Eyes
I had no idea there were so many varieties of contact lenses when I initially received them—daily disposables, bi-weekly, monthly lenses, and even specialty lenses for astigmatism and other diseases. Selecting the appropriate kind is essential for eye health and comfort.
Monthly lenses were my first choice, but I eventually moved to daily disposables as they seemed more practical and hygienic. I just utilized a new set of lenses every day using daily lenses, eliminating the need to clean and store them. Others, meanwhile, might find that monthly or bi-weekly lenses work better.
Based on your lifestyle, eye health, and prescription requirements, your eye doctor will suggest the best course of action. The important thing is to follow the timetable. Don't wait a month to replace your lenses if they should be changed every two weeks! The accumulation of germs and sediments in old lenses might raise the risk of illness.
7. Be Cautious with Water
When I first started using contact lenses, one of my worst blunders was letting them come into touch with water. I didn't give the possibility of my lenses becoming wet a second thought whether I was swimming, cleaning my face, or even simply taking a fast shower. I didn't entirely alter my habits until I became aware of the dangers.
Hazardous bacteria, such as Acanthamoeba, which may cause a serious and excruciating eye illness known as Acanthamoeba keratitis, can be found in tap water, pool water, and even bottled water. Although rare, this illness can cause irreversible eyesight loss and is very challenging to cure.
I now take the following safety measures to protect my lenses:
- I never swim or take a shower with my glasses on. I either take out my lenses in advance or put on waterproof swimming goggles if I have to be in the water.
- I never use water to rinse my lenses. I fight the urge to use tap water even when I'm out of lens solution. I make sure to keep additional solutions on hand at all times.
- In situations when there is a lot of water, I either wear safety goggles or close my eyes. By taking this tiny action, I can stop any dangerous bacteria from soaking into my glasses.
I haven't experienced any problems with water-related discomfort or illnesses since forming these routines.
8. Keep Your Lenses Moisturized
Those who wear contact lenses frequently complain of dry eyes, and I can attest to this from personal experience. Dryness may cause contacts to feel unpleasant and scratchy, whether it's from sitting in air conditioning, spending too much time on screens, or just wearing my lenses for too long.
Using eye drops that are compatible with contact lenses is one of the greatest strategies to fight this. I always make sure to use the lubricating drops that my eye doctor has prescribed because not all eye drops are appropriate for contacts. Throughout the day, these drops keep my lenses comfy and moisturized.
Here are some more pointers that have been useful to me:
- I blink more frequently, particularly while I'm utilizing a screen. Dry eyes might result from reducing blinking frequency when staring at a computer or phone.
- I drink plenty of water. Naturally, staying hydrated throughout the day keeps my eyes hydrated.
- In dry conditions, I use a humidifier. In the winter, when indoor heating may dry up the air, this is especially beneficial.
Maintaining proper hydration and utilizing the appropriate eye drops has greatly decreased my pain and improved my contact lens experience.
9. Replace Lenses According to the Schedule
I'll confess that there were occasions when I used my lenses for longer than was advised. "They still feel fine, so what's the harm?" I reasoned. However, I soon discovered that using lenses for longer than is recommended is a dangerous habit.
There is a replacement schedule for each type of contact lens:
- After a single usage, daily disposables should be thrown away.
- Every two weeks, bi-weekly lenses should be changed.
- It is not recommended to wear monthly lenses for more than 30 days.
Protein deposits, germs, and other debris build up in contact lenses over time and are often impossible to eliminate with cleaning. The risk of eye infections, irritation, and even corneal damage rises if they are worn for longer than is advised.
I've noticed that my lenses feel fresher and that I'm not as irritated since I started rigorously adhering to the replacement schedule. Although it would be alluring to prolong their usage to save money, the risk of eye injury is not worth it.
10. Watch for Signs of Infection
As a contact lens wearer, waking up with red, stinging eyes and somewhat impaired vision was one of the scariest experiences I've ever experienced. I initially assumed it was simply an annoyance, but as the pain increased, I became aware that something was off. I went to my eye doctor right away after taking out my lenses, and he confirmed that I had an early-stage eye infection. Although I was lucky to catch it in time, it served as a reminder of how dangerous these diseases can be.
Always keep an eye out for these warning indicators if you wear contact lenses:
- Swelling or redness that persists
- Chronic discomfort or pain in the eyes
- Extraordinary tearing or unusual discharge
- blurry vision that your lenses aren't able to fix
- Enhanced sensitivity to light
Remove your lenses right once and see an eye doctor if you encounter any of these symptoms. Serious side effects, such as corneal ulcers or permanent damage, might result from postponing treatment.
The most important lesson? Never disregard discomfort. When it comes to your eyes, it's always advisable to exercise caution.
11. Use Eye Makeup Safely
I enjoy applying eye makeup, but I soon discovered that wearing contact lenses requires extra caution to prevent contamination. I once applied mascara before inserting my lenses, which resulted in microscopic particles getting on my contacts and giving me a gritty eye all day. Since then, I've discovered several crucial guidelines for makeup:
- Before you put on cosmetics, put in your contact lenses. This keeps particles of makeup from becoming lodged beneath your lenses.
- Make use of non-waterproof, hypoallergenic cosmetics. Waterproof eyeliner and mascara may irritate your lenses by flaking off and adhering to them.
- The inner lash line should not be lined with eyeliner. This may obstruct your tear ducts and introduce microorganisms into your eyes.
- Before removing your makeup, take off your contact lenses. By doing this, you can keep makeup remover away from your lenses.
- Regularly replace your eye makeup. To prevent bacterial accumulation, eyeliner and mascara should be changed every three to six months.
I haven't experienced any problems with itching or lens contamination since I started using these cosmetic safety measures.
12. Maintain Hydration
Before wearing contact lenses, I was unaware of how crucial hydration is to maintaining eye health. Dry, painful eyes and scratchy lenses can result from dehydration.
To maintain the health of my eyes, I make sure to:
- Stay hydrated throughout the day. Dry eyes can result from dehydration's impact on tear production.
- Consume a lot of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. Foods that help reduce dryness and increase tear quality include walnuts, flaxseeds, and salmon.
- Limit alcohol and caffeine. Both may lead to dehydration, which reduces the comfort of wearing lenses.
The way my lenses feel throughout the day has significantly improved since I started paying attention to water.
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