Do you practice good contact lens habits?

If you own a pair of contact lenses, odds are, you already know the basics of contact lens care. But, are you sure that your doing the right things? Keep reading and find out if you’re really practicing the right habits for proper contact lens care.

Do you know that most contact lens users have bad hygiene habits that could lead to eye infections? In 2014, a study by the Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, CDC, showed that approximately 50 million people use contact lenses in the United States alone.

Surprisingly, 99% of these users have at least one hygiene behavior that could lead to eye problems. Additionally, a third of these contact lens users have visited a doctor due to a red or painful eye.

Reasons why we can’t follow proper contact lens care

With the endless stream of modern medical studies and information, our eye doctors can’t help but focus their efforts on more prominent medical matters.

However, this shouldn’t be a reason for us to slack off on our responsibilities as contact lens wearers.

The Daily Grind

Like most of us in the world, you’re probably guilty of common contact lens habits that you just can’t seem to shake off —like sleeping with your contact lenses on, using tap water as a substitute for the solution you forgot at home, or just wearing your contact lenses nonstop for an entire day. Don’t worry, it’s a happened to all of us.

A Busy lifestyle

The crazy pace of modern life puts us in a situation where taking care of our health becomes more of a burden and less of a priority. But the daily grind shouldn’t stop us from keeping ourselves out of harm’s way.

With all the technology and information at our fingertips, we are responsible for the outcome of our health. So keep reading and find out how you can learn the proper contact lens care habits that you deserve.

Cleaning Habits for Your Contact Lenses

You won’t have to worry about eye problems as long as you follow our top cleaning tips for proper contact lens care.

Your cleaning habits should match the type of contact lens that you’re using. To give you and idea, disposable lenses need minimal care while generic soft lenses need a more management.

1. Handling Your Contact Lenses

Here’ a couple of hygiene tips that you can follow before you handle your contact lenses.

2. Wash and Rinse

Always remember to wash your hands with a little bit of soap and water. Make sure that you wash off all the soap after your rinse. Washing your hands is very important because oils, creams, lotions, and perfumes can irritate your eyes.

3. Dry Your Hands

Never handle your contacts while your hands are wet. Who knows how much bacteria is lurking in those damp conditions. Remember to dry your hands completely and use a lint-free fabric if you can.

4. Trim Your Nails

Long untrimmed fingernails can scratch and damage your contact lenses. You won’t only save you lens from scratches when you trim, but you’ll also look clean and dashing.

5. Hair Spray First

If you’re fond of using sprayable products, particularly hairsprays, then you should use them before you put on your contact lenses. The mist of chemicals from your spray could get into your eyes and damage your lenses.

6. Make Up After

Always wear your lenses before you apply makeup to avoid any unwanted particles on your hands that could irritate your eyes. Also, you should remove your contact lenses first before washing your makeup off.

7. Contact Lens Solutions

Are you aware that some contact lenses required special types of products and solutions? Always use the solution, eye drops, or products that your eye physician recommends. Other products and solutions may not be suitable for your contact lenses.

8. Avoid Tap Water

You should only put your contact lenses in its proper casing and solution. Tap or even distilled water can have particles or bugs that can harm your eyes.

9. Don’t Put Your Lenses in Your Mouth

Despite what others tell you, it is not hygienic rinse your contact lenses by putting it in your mouth. Please, do not tolerate these types of hoaxes, instead, you should promote our proper contact lens care.

10. Cleaning Your Contact Lenses

Do you know how to rub and clean your contact lenses? This is not a joke, it is indeed safe to gently rub your contact lenses with your finger. Just place it on the palm of your hand and use your fingers to carefully rub your lenses to remove any dirt buildup.

11. Clean Your Lens Case

Just cleaning your contact lenses isn’t enough. You should also clean the casing for your lenses whenever you use it. Just pour in some solution or hot water and let it dry out. Also, it is advisable to replace your contact lens case every 3 months.

Tips for Wearing Contact Lenses

Most eye physicians prefer to prescribe daily disposable contact lenses for the comfort and health of their patients. A study by the Clinical Research Scientist and Consultant, Berkeley, CA shows that approximately 90% of eye physicians agree that daily are very safe for the eyes.

They also report that disposable contact lenses compliment the patient’s lifestyle and that they offer long term health benefits.

As safe and as effective your lenses can be, you should always be mindful of how often and how long you should be wearing them. Here’s our top wearing tips for proper contact lens care.

1. Daily Contact Lens Usage

Though it’s safe to wear your contact lenses daily, you should only wear them according to your doctors recommendations.

2. Track Your Lens Schedule

You should always know when and how often to wear your contact lenses. Try and ask your doctor for a chart to help you track your contact lens schedule. Or, you can also take the initiative and just a make a schedule for yourself.

3. Never Share Lenses

We should never share used or unused contact lenses. When you use another person’s contact lens, you’re at risk of transmitting foreign particles that can lead to eye infections. So, it’s a good practice to never ever share contact lenses with your buddies.

4. Keep Your Solution Clean

Don’t leave your contact lens container and solution open. Dust and other particles can contaminate your solution and lead to unwanted eye complications.

5. Irritated Eyes

If you feel some irritation while wearing contact lenses, you should take them out immediately. Don’t wear your contact lenses to avoid possible irritation and infections.

If you need your contacts for your daily routine, just consult with your eye physician about this matter right away.

6. Never Swim With Contacts

Water can contain particles or organisms that are harmful to the eyes. Stick to goggles because wearing contact lenses can double the risks of irritation and infection.

Whether your in a pool, a beach, or a like, never forget to take off your lenses and follow the proper contact lens care before taking a plunge.

References:

Contact Lens Wearer Demographics and Risk Behaviors for Contact Lens-Related Eye Infections — United States, 2014

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5779588/

Eye care professionals’ perceptions of the benefits of daily disposable silicone hydrogel contact lenses

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30878378

Wearing and Caring for Contact Lenses

http://www.bausch.com/your-eye-concerns/wearing-contact-lenses/wearing-and-caring-for-contact-lenses

How to Care for Your Contact Lenses and Eyes

https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/caring-contact-lens