(VIDEO: Mark Feldman, M.D., an ophthalmologist with the Baptist Eye Surgery Center at Sunrise, speaks about the dangers of improper contact lens usage.)
Contact lenses have brought freedom to millions of users by allowing them to ditch their eyeglasses. For many, it’s the ability to exercise without bulky glasses; others simply feel they look better without the spectacles.
Mark Feldman, M.D. [1], an ophthalmologist with the Baptist Eye Surgery Center at Sunrise [2], stresses the importance of safe handling, wearing, disinfecting and storing your lenses to prevent the risk of developing eye infections. All too often, he sees eye infections and other complications caused by the improper care of contact lenses.
Here are some important tips to follow when using contact lenses:
- Wash your hands with soap and water. Dry them well with a clean cloth before touching your contact lenses every time.
- Don’t sleep in your contact lenses unless prescribed by your eye doctor.
- Keep water away from your contact lenses. Avoid showering in contact lenses, and remove them before using a hot tub or swimming.
- Rub and rinse your contact lenses with contact lens disinfecting solution—never water or saliva—to clean them each time you remove them.
- Never store your contact lenses in water.
- Replace your contact lenses as often as recommended by your eye doctor.
- Rub and rinse your contact lens case with contact lens solution—never water—and then empty and dry with a clean tissue.
- Store upside down with the caps off after each use.
- Replace your contact lens case at least once every three months.
- Don’t “top off” solution. Use only fresh contact lens disinfecting solution in your case—never mix fresh solution with old or used solution.
- Use only the contact lens solution recommended by your eye doctor.
SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
It’s also a good idea to have a pair of glasses available as a backup, should you need to take a break from using your contact lenses.