Top Tips for Safe Contact Lens Wear
Contact lenses offer a fantastic way to correct vision, providing freedom from spectacles for millions of people. However, maintaining good eye health while wearing contacts requires diligent care and adherence to specific guidelines. Poor habits can lead to serious eye infections and even vision damage [1, 2]. This post outlines essential tips to ensure your contact lens experience is safe and comfortable.
1. Prioritise Hand Hygiene
Always wash your hands thoroughly with plain soap and water, and dry them with a lint-free towel before touching your contact lenses. This simple step is crucial to prevent transferring germs and bacteria from your hands to your eyes [2, 3]. Avoid using soaps with moisturisers or perfumes, as these can leave residues on your hands that may irritate your eyes or contaminate your lenses [3].
2. Keep Lenses Away from Water
Water, even tap water, is not sterile and can harbour harmful microorganisms that can cause severe eye infections. Therefore, never wear your contact lenses while swimming, showering, or using a hot tub [1, 2, 3]. If your lenses come into contact with water, discard them and use a fresh pair. Similarly, never rinse or store your lenses in tap water or homemade saline solutions [2].
3. Follow a Strict Cleaning and Disinfection Routine
For reusable lenses, proper cleaning and disinfection are paramount. Always use the contact lens solution recommended by your eye care professional [1, 2].
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Rub and Rinse: Even if your solution is labelled "no-rub," it's best practice to gently rub your lenses with clean fingers for a few seconds, then rinse them thoroughly with fresh solution before placing them in the case [2, 3].
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Fresh Solution Every Time: Never reuse or "top up" old solution in your lens case. Always discard the old solution and fill the case with fresh solution each time you store your lenses [2, 3].
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No Saliva: Do not use saliva to wet or clean your lenses, as it contains bacteria that can cause infection [1, 2].
4. Adhere to Wearing and Replacement Schedules
Your eye care professional prescribes a specific wearing schedule (e.g., daily, bi-weekly, monthly) and replacement frequency for a reason. Do not wear your lenses beyond the recommended time frame [1, 2, 3]. Over-wearing lenses can deprive your eyes of oxygen, leading to discomfort, redness, and increased risk of infection [1]. Daily disposable lenses should be discarded after each use and never reused [1, 2]. Always check the expiry date on your lens packaging [3].
5. Care for Your Lens Case
Your contact lens case can become a breeding ground for bacteria if not properly maintained. Rinse your case with sterile contact lens solution (not water) after each use and leave it open to air dry [2, 3]. Replace your contact lens case at least every three months, or immediately if it's cracked or damaged [2, 3].
6. Never Sleep in Your Lenses
Unless specifically prescribed by your eye care professional for extended wear, never sleep while wearing contact lenses [1, 2]. Sleeping in lenses significantly increases the risk of serious eye infections and can lead to ulcers on the cornea due to oxygen deprivation [1].
7. Don't Ignore Warning Signs and Get Regular Check-ups
Pay close attention to how your eyes feel. If you experience any discomfort, redness, pain, blurred vision, excessive watering, sensitivity to light, or discharge, remove your lenses immediately and contact your eye doctor [1, 2, 3]. These could be symptoms of an eye infection or other serious problems. Regular eye examinations and contact lens check-ups with your eye care professional are vital, even if your eyes feel fine, to ensure your lenses fit properly and your eyes remain healthy [1, 2].
When to Avoid Contact Lenses
There are times when it's best to temporarily or permanently avoid contact lenses [2, 3]:
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If you are feeling unwell or your eyes are red [3].
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If you have severe allergies or dry eyes that are hard to treat [2].
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If you work or live in a very dusty environment [2].
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If you are unable to properly care for your lenses [2].
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If a lens is ripped or damaged [3].
By following these guidelines, you can enjoy the benefits of contact lenses while keeping your eyes healthy and safe.
References
[1] Moorfields Private. (n.d.). Five golden rules for safe contact lens use. Retrieved from https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/private/about-moorfields-private/blog-articles/five-golden-rules-for-safe-contact-lens-use
[2] American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2022, April 22). How to Take Care of Contact Lenses. Retrieved from https://www.aao.org/eye-health/glasses-contacts/contact-lens-care
[3] CooperVision. (n.d.). Guidelines for Contact Lens Wear: Instructions for the Care and Handling of Soft Contact Lenses. Retrieved from https://coopervision.com/sites/coopervision.com/files/coopervision_contactlensuserguide_ltr.pdf