Contact lenses are divided into two groups: soft lenses and rigid oxygen-permeable lenses. The instructions for use and care of contact lenses vary depending on their type.
Whether the use of contact lenses is to correct vision or to change the appearance of your eyes, they should be prescribed and fitted by a qualified optometrist, an optician or a doctor.
Reusable contact lenses
The following guidelines are very useful for reusable lenses - instead of disposable and disposable - the following guidelines are very useful.
After removing the lenses from your eyes, it is essential to disinfect them from microorganisms that may have accumulated on them.
Your doctor will recommend the best lens for your eyes and teach you how to care for them, which includes additional cleaning methods such as washing with deproteinizing solutions and then rinsing the lenses.
Tips for disinfecting lenses
To disinfect, keep your lenses in a special solution in your case for the amount of time your doctor recommends.
Never reuse the solution in your case. After each use, the solution in your case should be discarded and replaced with fresh, clean solution.
Use only the care products your doctor recommends and follow the instructions carefully.
Contaminated lens cases are a major source of infection.
To prevent your lenses from getting infected:
Wash your case daily and let it dry completely. And change your lenses monthly.
Clean your case weekly with a clean toothbrush and lens solution.
Disposable lenses
Daily disposable lenses do not need to be washed or disinfected. Because they are used only once and then thrown away.
Do not reuse these types of lenses. Even if you use disposable lenses, it is important to have regular check-ups with your doctor.
Extended-wear lenses
These lenses are designed for long-term wear—even overnight—and can be worn continuously for up to a month.
You should not wear your lenses while sleeping unless your doctor tells you to. Your doctor will also instruct you on how to care for your lenses if you need to remove them temporarily.
You may need more frequent check-ups if you use these lenses.
You should always:
Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before putting them in.
Have a pair of glasses with an up-to-date prescription so you can use them when you can't wear your lenses.
Keep your contact lens case and prescription with you in case your eyes react to them.
Wear your lenses only for the period of time they are prescribed.
Replace your lenses and lens solution at the intervals prescribed by your doctor.
Have regular check-ups with your doctor.
Talk to a qualified eye care professional if you have any problems with your lenses.
Ask yourself these three questions when wearing contact lenses:
Do my eyes look good?
Are my eyes comfortable?
Can I see well?
If you can't answer yes to all of these questions or have any doubts about your lenses, take them out immediately and talk to your doctor.
Remember:
If your vision is blurry or your eye is red, swollen, or painful, seek immediate medical attention.
Do not put a lens in your eye if the lens is damaged or torn.
Never use someone else's lenses.
Never rinse your lenses with tap water, and do not fill your lens case with tap water instead of contact lens solution.
Do not pour contact lens solution into smaller bottles, as this will lose its sterility.
Never wet your lenses with saliva, as this is unsterile and can cause infection.
Never wear your lenses while swimming or bathing. (Unless you have waterproof goggles on.)
What should contact lens wearers avoid?
The risk of infection increases if people:
Wear their lenses while swimming or bathing.
Sleep with their lenses in. (Unless your doctor gives you permission to do so)
Do not wash your hands thoroughly before handling or using your lenses.
Store your lenses in plain water overnight, or clean them with saliva when they are dry or have fallen out of your eyes.
Wear daily disposable lenses for longer periods of time.
Diseases resulting from poor contact lens care
Corneal infection (known as microbial keratitis) occurs in about 4 out of 10,000 contact lens wearers each year, caused by a type of bacteria that sticks to contact lenses. These microorganisms can become very resistant and dangerous.
Keratitis (acanthamoeba) is a rare type of microbial keratitis that affects about 2 out of 100,000 contact lens wearers each year, although this varies by region. This type of infection is very serious, occurring in 85% of contact lens wearers, even though they are healthy and have properly fitted lenses.
Fungal keratitis can also occur in contact lens wearers, but it is more common in people who have sustained eye injuries while gardening or farming, or in people with superficial eye diseases and immunocompromised patients.
Like acanthamoeba keratitis, this type of infection is one of the most severe Corneal infections are a common form of infection in contact lens wearers.
To keep your eyes healthy, follow these tips:
Follow your regular eye exam schedule with your optician.
Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before handling your lenses.
Always clean and store your lenses with the recommended solutions before and after each use.
Before putting your lenses in, check that the inner part that should be on your eye is not facing outward.
Put your lenses in before applying makeup.
Never:
Use tap water or any other type of water to keep your lenses in the lens case.
Do not sleep with your lenses in your eyes.
Do not wear your lenses while swimming or bathing.
Do not share your lenses with others.