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Contact Lens Hygiene

In our previous blog, we talked about the consequences of showering/swimming and sleeping with contact lenses. It is important to be aware of these common bad habits to avoid serious eye infections. Although contact lenses are an effective form of vision correction, they are not completely risk-free, especially if not properly cared for.There are a few safety precautions you can follow to prevent any issues.

  1. Prior to handling your contact lenses, always thoroughly wash your hands using antibacterial soap and properly dry your hands.
  2. Create a cleaning regimen for your contact lenses. Like brushing your teeth to keep your teeth plaque free, it is important to properly clean your lenses everyday. To clean contact lenses, use your fingers to rub the contact lens in your palm and rinse with fresh cleaning solution. The lenses can then be placed in multipurpose solution overnight.
  3. Storage of lenses is crucial and is just as important as cleaning them. Store the lenses in its proper storage case. Clean your case after each use. In between each cleaning, keep the storage case dry and open. Storage cases need to be replaced every 3 months or sooner, so set a reminder for yourself.
  4. Use products recommended by your ophthalmologist to clean and disinfect your lenses. When storing contact lenses, always use fresh solution. Never reuse old solution, saline solution, or tap water. These do not clean or disinfect your lenses.
  5. Take off your contact lens prior to sleeping, swimming, or showering.
  6. Follow the recommended contact lens replacement schedule prescribed by your ophthalmologist.
  7. Lastly, regularly see your ophthalmologist for eye and contact lens examination.

All in all, contact lenses are definitely safe and can pose a risk if not used or taken care of properly. I don’t know about all of you reading this blog, but I will definitely rethink the consequences before swimming or showering with contact lenses on, even if I have a hot date. This is one serious thing I would not like happening to my eyes.

Keywords: Acanthamoeba, contact lenses, colored contact lenses, contact lens fitting, contact lens hygiene, corneal ulcer, dry eyes, eye infections, eye inflammation, eye irritation, eye lenses, first time contact lens wearer, how to clean your contact lenses, negative effects of contact lenses, sleeping with contact lenses, swimming with contact lenses, torn contact lenses

 

 

Author
Kathy Lau and Angel Salgado

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