For people with poor eyesight, contact lenses are often an integral part of everyday life. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, a contact lens is a clear plastic disc that is placed over the eye to improve a person’s vision. Unlike glasses, these thin lenses sit on top of the eye’s tear film, which covers and protects the cornea of ​​the eye. Ideally, contact lenses would go unnoticed, helping people see better.
Contact lenses can correct various types of vision problems, including nearsightedness and farsightedness (according to the National Eye Institute). Depending on the type and severity of vision loss, there are several types of contact lenses that are best for you. Soft contact lenses are the most common type, offering the flexibility and comfort that many contact lens wearers prefer. Rigid contact lenses are harder than soft contact lenses and may be difficult for some people to get used to. However, their rigidity can actually slow the progression of myopia, correct astigmatism, and provide clearer vision (according to Healthline).
Although contact lenses can make life easier for people with poor vision, they require some care and maintenance to function at their best. If you don’t follow the guidelines for cleaning, storing, and replacing contact lenses (via the Cleveland Clinic), your eye health could be compromised. Here’s what you need to know about contact lenses.
Jumping into the pool or walking on the beach wearing contact lenses may seem harmless, but the health of your eyes can be at risk. It is not safe to wear contact lenses in your eyes while swimming, as the lenses absorb some of the water that enters your eyes and can collect bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and harmful germs (via Healthline). Long-term eye exposure to these pathogens can lead to eye infection, inflammation, irritation, dryness, and other dangerous eye problems.
But what if you can’t delete your contacts? Many people with presbyopia cannot see without contact lenses or glasses, and glasses are not suitable for swimming or water sports. Water stains quickly appear on the glasses, they easily peel off or float away.
If you must wear contact lenses while swimming, the Optometrist Network recommends wearing goggles to protect your lenses, removing them immediately after swimming, thoroughly disinfecting contact lenses after contact with water, and using hydrating drops to prevent dry eyes. While these tips won’t guarantee you won’t have any problems, they can reduce your risk of developing an eye infection.
You can attach great importance to the thorough cleaning and disinfection of contact lenses before and after each wear. However, the often neglected contact lenses should also be an important part of your eye care. If you don’t take care of your contact lens cases, harmful bacteria can grow inside and get into your eyes (via Visionworks).
The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends cleaning contact lenses after each use, opening and drying them when not in use, and replacing contact lenses every three months. Following these steps will help keep your eyes healthy by making sure your contact lenses are sanitized and stored in a clean, fresh container after each use.
Visionworks also tells you how to properly clean contact lens cases. First, discard the used contact solution, which may contain dangerous bacteria and irritants. Then wash your hands to remove any germs from your skin that could get into the contact box. Then add some clean contact fluid to the case and run your fingers over the storage compartment and lid to loosen and remove any deposits. Pour it out and flush the body with plenty of solution until all deposits are gone. Finally, lay the case face down, let it air dry completely, and reseal when dry.
It can be tempting to buy decorative contact lenses for embellishment or dramatic effect, but if you don’t have a prescription, you could end up paying the price for costly and painful consequences. The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) warns about purchasing over-the-counter contacts to prevent eye injuries that can occur when wearing lenses that don’t properly fit your eyes. The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) warns about purchasing over-the-counter contacts to prevent eye injuries that can occur when wearing lenses that don’t properly fit your eyes. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns against purchasing over-the-counter contact lenses to prevent eye injury that can occur when wearing lenses that do not fit your eyes. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns against buying over-the-counter contact lenses to prevent eye injury that can occur when wearing lenses that don’t fit your eyes.
For example, if these cosmetic lenses do not fit or fit your eyes, you may experience corneal scratches, corneal infections, conjunctivitis, vision loss, and even blindness. In addition, decorative contact lenses often do not have instructions for cleaning or wearing them, which can also cause vision problems.
The FDA also states that it is illegal to sell decorative contact lenses without a prescription. Lenses are not included in the category of cosmetic or other products that can be sold without a prescription. Any contact lenses, even those that do not correct vision, require a prescription and can only be sold through authorized dealers.
According to an American Optometric Association article, AOA President Robert S. Layman, O.D. shared, “It is very important that patients see an ophthalmologist and wear only contact lenses, with or without vision correction.” Must dabble in tinted lenses, be sure to see an optometrist and get a prescription.
While it may be shocking to realize that your contact lens has somehow moved to the back of your eye, it is not actually stuck there. However, after rubbing, accidentally hitting or touching the eye, the contact lens can move out of place. The lens usually moves to the top of the eye, under the eyelid, leaving you wondering where it went and frantically trying to get it out.
The good news is that the contact lens cannot get stuck behind the eye (via All About Vision). The moist inner layer under the eyelid, called the conjunctiva, actually folds over the top of the eyelid, folds back, and covers the outer layer of the eyeball. In an interview with Self, AOA president-elect Andrea Tau, OD explains, “The [conjunctival] membrane runs across the white of the eye and up and under the eyelid, creating a pouch around the perimeter.” back of the eye, including glossy contact lenses.
That being said, you don’t need to panic if your eyes suddenly lose contact. You can remove it by applying a few contact hydrating drops and gently massaging the top of your eyelid until the lens falls off and you can remove it (according to All About Vision).
Running out of contact solution and no time to run to the store? Don’t even think about reusing the case sanitizer. Once your contact lenses have been soaked in the solution, they can harbor infection-causing bacteria and harmful irritants that will only contaminate your lenses if you try to use the solution again (via Visionworks).
The FDA also cautions against “discontinuing” a solution that is already being used in your case. Even if you add some fresh solution to your used fluid, the solution will not be sterile for proper contact lens sterilization. If you don’t have enough solution to safely clean and store your lenses, the next time you decide to wear contact lenses, it’s best to throw them away and buy a new pair.
AOA adds that it’s important to follow the care instructions provided by the manufacturer of the contact lens solution. If it is recommended that you keep your contact lenses in solution for only a limited period of time, you must close them according to this schedule, even if you do not intend to wear contact lenses. Typically, your contacts are kept in the same solution for 30 days. After that, you will need to discard those lenses in order to get new ones.
Another common assumption that many contact lens wearers make is that water is a safe substitute for storing contact lenses in the absence of solution. However, using water, especially tap water, to clean or store contact lenses is wrong. Water can contain various contaminants, bacteria, and fungi that can harm your eye health (via All About Vision).
In particular, a microorganism called Acanthamoeba, commonly found in tap water, can easily adhere to the surface of contact lenses and infect the eyes when they are worn (according to the US Environmental Protection Agency). Eye infections involving Acanthamoeba in tap water can cause painful symptoms, including severe eye discomfort, foreign body sensation inside the eye, and white patches around the outer edge of the eye. Although symptoms can last from a few days to months, the eye never fully heals, even with treatment.
Even if there is good tap water in your area, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Only use contact lenses for storing lenses or choosing a new pair.
Many contact lens wearers extend their wearing schedule in hopes of saving some money or avoiding another trip to the optometrist. Although it happens unintentionally, not following a prescription replacement schedule can be inconvenient and increase your risk of eye infections and other eye health issues (via Optometrist Network).
As the Optometrist Network explains, wearing contact lenses for too long or beyond the recommended wearing time can limit the flow of oxygen to the cornea and blood vessels in the eye. Results range from mild symptoms such as dry eyes, irritation, lens discomfort, and bloodshot eyes to more serious problems such as corneal ulcers, infections, corneal scarring, and loss of vision.
A study published in the journal Optometry and Vision Science found that excessive wearing of contact lenses every day can lead to a buildup of protein on the lenses, which can cause irritation, reduced visual acuity, enlargement of small bumps on the eyelids called conjunctival papillae, and the risk of infection. To avoid these eye problems, always follow a contact lens wearing schedule and change them at the recommended intervals.
Your eye doctor will always recommend that you wash your hands before wearing contact lenses. But the type of soap you use to wash your hands can make all the difference when it comes to lens care and eye health. Many types of soap may contain chemicals, essential oils, or moisturizers that can get on contact lenses and cause eye irritation if not thoroughly rinsed out (according to the National Keratoconus Foundation). Residue can also form a film on contact lenses, blurring vision.
The Optometrist Network recommends that you wash your hands with an unscented antibacterial soap before putting on or taking off your contact lenses. However, the American Academy of Ophthalmology notes that moisturizing soap is safe to use as long as you thoroughly rinse the soap off your hands before contact lenses. If you have particularly sensitive eyes, you can also find hand sanitizers on the market specifically designed to work with contact lenses.
Applying makeup while wearing contact lenses can be tricky and it may take some practice to keep the product from getting into your eyes and contact lenses. Some cosmetics may leave a film or residue on contact lenses that can cause irritation when placed under the lens. Eye makeup, including eye shadow, eyeliner, and mascara, can be especially problematic for contact lens wearers because they can easily get into the eyes or flake off (via CooperVision).
Johns Hopkins Medicine states that wearing cosmetics with contact lenses can cause eye irritation, dryness, allergies, eye infections, and even injury if you’re not careful. The best way to avoid these symptoms is to always wear contact lenses under makeup, use a trusted brand of hypoallergenic cosmetics, avoid sharing makeup, and avoid glittery eyeshadow. L’Oreal Paris also recommends light eyeliner, waterproof mascara designed for sensitive eyes, and liquid eyeshadow to reduce powder fallout.
Not all contact lens solutions are the same. These sterile fluids can use a variety of ingredients to disinfect and clean lenses, or to provide extra comfort for those in need. For example, some types of contact lenses you can find on the market include multipurpose contact lenses, dry eye contact lenses, hydrogen peroxide contact lenses, and complete hard lens care systems (via Healthline).
People with sensitive eyes or those who wear certain types of contact lenses will find that some contact lenses work better than others. If you’re looking for an affordable solution for disinfecting and moisturizing your lenses, a multipurpose solution may be right for you. For people with sensitive eyes or allergies, you can purchase a mild saline solution to rinse contact lenses before and after disinfection for optimal comfort (according to Medical News Today).
Hydrogen peroxide solution is another option if the all-purpose solution is causing a reaction or discomfort. However, you must use the special case that comes with the solution, which converts the hydrogen peroxide into sterile saline within a few hours (FDA approved). If you try to put the lenses back in before the hydrogen peroxide has been neutralized, your eyes will burn and your cornea may be damaged.
Once you get your contact lens prescription, you may feel ready to live. However, contact lens wearers should have an annual checkup to see if their eyes have changed and if contact lenses are the best choice for their type of vision loss. A comprehensive eye examination also helps identify eye diseases and other problems that can lead to early treatment and improved vision (via the CDC).
According to VSP Vision Care, contact lens exams are actually different from regular eye exams. Regular eye exams include checking a person’s vision and looking for signs of potential problems. However, a contact lens check includes a different type of test to see how clear your vision needs to be with contact lenses. The doctor will also measure the surface of your eye to prescribe contact lenses of the right size and shape. You will also have the opportunity to discuss contact lens options and determine which type is best for your needs.
While it may be shocking for an ophthalmologist to mention this, it is important to know that saliva is not a sterile or safe method of rewetting contact lenses. Do not hold contact lenses in your mouth to rewet them when they dry out, irritate your eyes, or even fall out. The mouth is full of germs and other germs that can cause eye infections and other eye problems (via Yahoo News). It’s best to throw away the faulty lenses and start with a new pair.
One eye infection commonly seen when saliva is used to moisten lenses is keratitis, which is inflammation of the cornea caused by bacteria, fungi, parasites, or viruses that enter the eye (according to the Mayo Clinic). Symptoms of keratitis may include red and sore eyes, watery or discharge from the eyes, blurred vision, and increased sensitivity to light. If you’ve been trying to moisten or clean contact lenses by mouth and are experiencing these symptoms, it’s time to make an appointment with your optometrist.
Even if you think you have the same prescription as a friend or family member, there are differences in eye size and shape, so sharing contact lenses is not a good idea. Not to mention, wearing someone else’s contact lenses in your eyes can expose you to all sorts of bacteria, viruses, and germs that can make you sick (according to Bausch + Lomb).
Also, wearing contact lenses that don’t fit your eyes can increase your risk of corneal tears or ulcers and eye infections (via WUSF Public Media). If you continue to wear inappropriate contact lenses, you may also develop a contact lens intolerance (CLI), which means you will no longer be able to wear contact lenses without pain or discomfort, even if the lenses you are trying to insert are prescribed for you ( according to the Laser Eye Institute). Your eyes will eventually refuse to wear contact lenses and see them as foreign objects in your eyes.
When you are asked to share contact lenses (including decorative contact lenses), you should always refrain from doing so to prevent eye damage and possible contact lens intolerance in the future.
The CDC reports that the most common risk behavior associated with contact lens care is sleeping with them on. No matter how tired you are, it’s best to remove your contact lenses before hay. Sleeping in contact lenses can increase your chances of developing eye infections and other symptoms of problems—even with long-wear contact lenses. No matter what type of contact lenses you wear, the lenses reduce the supply of essential oxygen to your eyes, which can affect your eye health and vision (according to the Sleep Foundation).
According to the Cleveland Clinic, contact lenses can cause dryness, redness, irritation, and damage when the lens is removed while it is bonded to the cornea. Sleeping in contact lenses can also lead to eye infections and permanent eye damage, including keratitis, corneal inflammation and fungal infections, the Sleep Foundation added.