• Do not sleep with your contacts in place. Going to bed with your contact lenses is a big no-no! This can cause the eyes to become dry and studies continue to show that contact lenses worn at night can greatly increase the risk of getting an infection.
• Keep the contact lenses clean. If you are using reusable contact lenses, it is important to clean the lenses with sterile contact solutions recommended by your provider. Patients should also take great care in handling their contacts when placing or removing them to avoid eye problems related to contact lenses. Wash your hands each time you put your contacts in place.
• Replace the contacts regularly. The integrity of reusable contacts can still be affected over time. Reduce complications with contact lenses by replacing them as required.
• Spend time each day without contact lenses in place. Patients are advised to spend time without contacts to help their eyes “breathe.” A good rule of thumb is removing contact lenses after eating dinner.
• Avoid contacts if the eyes are irritated or red. Any problem within the eye that is present should be evaluated before contact lenses are placed. Visit your eye care provider if you have sensitivity, irritation, or redness that has developed.
• Don’t use saliva or water on contact lenses. Sterile solutions are recommended for a reason. Their use greatly reduces the risk of eye infections. If you don’t have contact lens solution on hand, do not improvise with regular water or saliva.
• Avoid showing and swimming with lenses in place. Non-sterile water and chlorine in pools can irritate the eyes and increase the risk of infection if contact lenses are worn. Consider prescription goggles if needed for swimming.
• Consider one day a week without contacts. During the weekend, or at times when patients are at home, wear your regular eyeglasses to give your eyes a break from contact lenses.
• Maintain lubrication. Some patients who wear contact lenses regularly experience dryness and irritation on a regular basis, especially if they work in a place where they are constantly in front of a computer screen. In situations such as this, patients can use daily eye drops to moisten the surface of the eye and reduce the risk of dryness.
Schedule an appointment at the Eye Care Institute today!
If you are interested in learning more about ways to maintain eye health while wearing corrective contact lenses, we welcome you to book a consultation visit with our team at one of our three convenient locations throughout the area. Call (707) 546-9800 today!