Contact lenses – the do’s and don’ts

With wedding season in full swing, you definitely don’t want to go there with your glasses on, that’s for sure. Weddings are also a time when people who don’t wear glasses can play and have a little fun changing their eye color with contact lenses. But what matters most is your safety.

About 80-90% of contact lens infections are bacterial. Having red, irritated and itchy eyes is so common and we would like to protect you from all possible infections.

Here are some do’s and don’ts about using contact lenses that will protect your eyes and contacts:

Not to do

1. First, you need to know exactly which category your lenses belong to. The main types are daily wear, extended wear, and disposable lenses. Whether it’s prescription lenses or just to give your eyes a pop of color, you shouldn’t overuse lenses to avoid infections.
2. Do not touch your lenses with unwashed hands.
3. Do not store your lenses in a broken or poorly closed case. The container must be airtight, otherwise bacteria can enter and grow on your lenses, causing eye infections. Contact lenses can also dry out and harden if the case is not closed tightly, and once the contact lens hardens it loses its shape and even after being rehydrated with the contact solution it can sting in the eyes. .
4. Do not apply your lenses without properly washing them with a lens solution/wash. (Keep reading for the steps).
5. Do not rub your eyes while wearing contact lenses.
6. Never use tap water to clean your lenses!
7. No makeup should get on your lenses, be careful when wearing lenses.
8. Do not share your contact lenses with anyone.
9. Give your eyes a rest if they are already red and irritated.
10. Do not try to pinch your contacts if you have long fingernails, this could damage the lens and the eye.

1. Before wearing the lenses, use a mild soap to wash your hands thoroughly.
2. Let your hands air dry instead of drying them with a towel or tissue. Dust particles and other contaminants can transfer to your hands and stick to your lenses.
3. Change lens solution daily, be sure to remove old solution before refilling with new solution.
4. Change your lens container every 3 months.
5. Once a week, use soap with warm water to clean your lens case and dry it.
6. Remove your lenses before sleeping.
7. Make sure you remove your lenses before washing your face, using makeup remover, and taking a shower.
8. Only use lens solutions created specifically for lens care and from companies you trust.
9. Soft contact lenses can tear while you clean, pick, apply or remove them. Be careful.
10. Always use your fingertips to handle your lenses, never use your fingernails!

Now that you know the most important do’s and don’ts, you must have realized that cleaning your lenses properly is the most important part of caring for your lenses and protecting your eyes.

How to clean your contacts

Wash your hands thoroughly, take one lens at a time. Using your fingertips, place the lens in the palm of your hands.

Add the lens solution to the top and around the lens. Use your fingertips to lightly rub the lens back and forth. Remember to gently rub the lens to clean it.

Be sure to clean both sides of the lens.

Hygiene is extremely important when it comes to using lenses and avoiding bacterial infection.

Properly store your lenses

Do not store your lenses in the same side of the lens case, storing them individually is important to avoid cross contamination.

Remember to thoroughly soak your lenses in the solution. Your case should be filled to the top, just below the edge of the case so that your lenses don’t dry out.

Never use water to store your lenses, only use contact solution with Edetate disodium to care for your lenses.