Nearly 41 million Americans use contact lenses, and about 93% of them wear soft contacts. These lenses offer sharp vision and provide an alternative to glasses, but if you don’t follow proper wear or maintenance instructions, they can irritate your eyes and cause other problems.
At Wide Eye Optometry in Encino, Santa Clarita, and Palmdale, California, Mary Demirjian, OD, and our team frequently prescribe soft contacts. These four simple tips can help make wearing them a breeze.
There are several types of soft contacts, including daily, bi-weekly, and monthly lenses. To keep your eyes healthy and comfortable, it’s important to follow the prescribed replacement schedule.
Wearing daily contacts for several weeks or bi-weekly contacts for an entire month might seem like a money-saver, but failing to change them on time increases the risk of irritation, infection, and even vision loss.
Since it’s easy to forget, make it easier by setting a reminder on your phone, in an app, or on a wall calendar. Changing your contacts at the regular prescribed intervals can help reduce eye irritation, prevent infections, and lower the risk of corneal abrasion.
Wash your hands with soap and warm water before putting your contacts in or taking them out. Use a sterile, multi-purpose contact solution to rinse and store them — never use tap water, which can contain microorganisms, including acanthamoeba, which can infect your eyes and threaten your vision.
Cleaning your contact lens case is just as important. Most people can rinse each side with fresh contact lens solution and let the case air-dry, or simply replace it every few months. You can also use a clean, soft-bristle toothbrush to remove stubborn deposits before rinsing.
About half of contact lens wearers say they frequently have dry eyes. This is often due to staring at computers and other electronic screens throughout the day, which limits blinking and reduces tear production.
To prevent dry eyes and related irritation, blink regularly. You may also benefit from using over-the-counter eye drops or drinking water throughout the day, both of which can improve eye lubrication.
Some extended-wear contacts are designed for overnight use, but that doesn’t mean you should keep them in all the time. Even breathable contacts can still dry out your eyes, so it’s important to give them a rest every once in a while.
We typically encourage contact lens wearers to switch to glasses at home or during downtime. This helps reduce irritation and keeps your eyes more comfortable. Because contact lens fit can change over time, we also recommend scheduling an annual eye exam so adjustments can be made if needed.
If you wear contacts and often experience redness, dryness, or irritation, it’s probably due to factors that can be easily addressed. For personalized guidance, schedule an appointment at your nearest Wide Eye Optometry office in Encino, Santa Clarita, or Palmdale, California, today.