How to Care for Your Contact Lenses

There are many uses for contact lenses today, and as such, millions of patients wear contact lenses on a daily basis. Contact lenses can be used to correct vision affected by nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, as well as a range of other eye conditions and diseases. With the popularity of contact lenses, it is important that patients are educated on how to care for their contact lenses. Proper care and maintenance of contact lenses can ensure the safety of the eyes, and make these products last as long as they are designed to. In this blog post, the Nashville optometrists of Choate Eye Associates explain how patients should care for their contact lenses.

Wash Your Hands before Handling Lenses

Patients should avoid touching their eyes as much as possible to minimize the risk of contamination. However, the eyes must come into contact with the eyes and lenses when contacts are put in or removed. Prior to handling the contact lenses, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap and fresh water. Then dry your hands thoroughly with a clean, dry towel.

Remove Lenses at Night

Many contact lens products are supposed to be removed at night. If your lenses do not need to be removed at night, be sure to remove them as directed by the product manufacturer. Removing the contact lenses as directed reduces the risk of infection and eye injury, and prolongs the lifespan of the lenses.

Clean the Lenses and Lens Case after Each Use

When you remove your contact lenses, it is critical to cleanse them with an approved disinfectant solution. After removing the lens, pour several drops of the solution onto the lens and rub it in gently with your fingers to distribute the solution, remove surface debris, and clean the lens. Then, rinse the contact lens and store it in a clean container.

In the morning, after applying your contact lenses, rinse out the container with fresh disinfectant. Do not use water to clean out the container, as this can increase the risk of infection. After the case has been cleaned, allow it to air dry.

Minimize Contact with Water

It is also a good idea to reduce contact between your lenses and water, such as in showers, pools, hot tubs, or fresh bodies of water. Contact with water can increase the risk of infection.

The Dangers of Improper Contact Lens Care

The most common problems that can result from poor care and maintenance of contact lenses include eye infection and eye ulcers. Failing to wash the hands or disinfect the lenses and lens case can increase the risk of infection. Infection can result in corneal ulcers.

Overuse of contact lenses can lead to corneal tears or abrasions. Removing the lenses as directed to allow the eyes to breath can reduce the risk of corneal abrasions.

To learn more about the care and maintenance of contact lenses, or to schedule a vision exam and discuss the use of contact lenses, contact Choate Eye Associates today.