Chances are if you’re reading this it’s because you’ve decided to start wearing contact lenses. This may be for a number of different reasons, such as looks, convenience, and/or practicality.
Regardless of the reason, if you’re reading this article you must be interested in learning how to care for your contact lenses (and rightfully so). Learning how to protect your investment will ensure clear, hassle-free vision.
Why do People Wear Contact Lenses?
Contact lenses have a number of different uses, but the majority of users wear contact lenses to correct their vision. Blurred vision can be a result of many things, such as a refractive error, but regardless of the reason it needs to be corrected.
Contact lenses act as the first surface incoming light rays hit when entering the eye. They work to correct ones vision by properly focusing incoming light onto the retina, thus producing clear vision.
Others may use contact lenses for aesthetic purposes. For instance, actors and actresses may wear contact lenses to change the colour of the eyes for a particular role, or you might decide to see how you look with a new eye color. Cosmetic contact lenses are becoming increasingly popular.
Taking Care of Your Contact Lenses
Taking care of your contact lenses is quite simple. In fact, you probably already do majority of the steps that’ll be outlined below. If so, good on you. If not, don’t worry. Taking care of your contact lenses is more so about breaking old habits than it is learning proper techniques.
Handle With Clean Hands
Before handling your contact lenses, make sure you wash and rinse your hands with a mild soap. This soap should be free of perfumes, oils, and/or lotions.
The reason being is that these products may leave a film on your hands. This in turn can be transferred to your contact lenses, causing eye irritation or blurred vision. Finish by drying your hands on a clean, lint-free towel.
Special Care Products
Some contact lenses require special care products to maintain them. Typically, our optometrist will notify you of any products that must be used upon receiving your lenses.
These products may include, but are not limited to: disinfecting solutions, eye drops, and enzymatic cleaners. Depending on the patient, these eye products or eye drops may or may not be safe for the contact wearer.
Practice Proper Cleaning Techniques
Everyone has their own way of cleaning their contact lenses. Whether your technique is right or wrong, the following technique should be followed.
When cleaning your lenses, rub them gently with your index finger in the palm of your other hand. By lightly rubbing your contact lens, surface buildup is gently removed. Use an appropriate cleaning solution when doing so, followed by any disinfecting solution you have been instructed to use. Also, refrain from using tap water on your lens. Tap water can be home to tiny bugs that can cause infection.
Never use your mouth to rinse your contact.
Properly Storing Your Contacts
Upon purchasing contacts, you will likely receive a case. It may seem like a no brainer, but always be sure to store your contacts in this case – not paper towel, not kleenex. Use the case you received upon purchasing.
If you are planning to spend the night somewhere other than home, be sure to bring your case with you. Proper storage is essential to caring for your contacts.
To keep your case bacteria free, be sure to rinse it with an approved disinfecting solution regularly, following by being air dried face down to prevent the accumulation of lint.
Looking For More Tips?
Visit our optometrist if you’re looking for more tips and tricks to maintaining your contacts in pristine condition. With years of experience, our optometrists are more than qualified to provide you with unconditional advice at keeping your source of clear vision protected.
