Contact lenses offer improved vision, comfort and convenience. While these are clear benefits, many people still have doubts about using them because of several contact lens-related problems, like infections. The truth is, these problems sometimes happen because lens users fail to handle and care for their contact lenses properly.
In this post, your low-vision specialist talks about four common mistakes contact lens users make.
1. Touching Your Contact Lenses With Unwashed Hands
The number one rule when it comes to using contact lenses is to wash your hands thoroughly before touching them. Keep in mind that your hands are home to bacteria and come in contact with a lot of things that carry infectious microorganisms. Thus touching your lenses with unwashed hands can open the door to infections.
2. Using Contact Lenses Longer Than You’re Supposed to
Another common mistake made by contact lens users is they use and reuse their contact lenses longer than the prescribed time. Keep in mind that contact lenses are engineered with a replacement schedule because they can only be worn safely for a certain time. Daily disposables, for example, are called that because they are supposed to be disposed of after using them once.
3. Sleeping With Your Contact Lenses On
Contact lenses are generally not designed to be worn while you are asleep. They may dry up overnight, causing your eyes to become irritated in the morning. You may also have a hard time removing them. Unless your eye doctor prescribes ortho-k lenses, remember to remove your contact lenses before sleeping.
4. Not Cleaning Your Contact Lens Case
Contact lens care not only involves the proper handling of your lenses, it also means cleaning your contact lens case regularly. Contact lens cases must be cleaned and disinfected. Your eye doctor also recommends replacing it at least every three months.
To learn the proper ways to care for your contact lenses, you can reach us at (717) 609-4443 or fill out our contact form. We serve PA residents in Shippensburg, Greencastle and the surrounding Pennsylvania communities.