How to Care for Your Eyes While Wearing Contact Lenses

Though contact lenses bring to the user amazing freedom and convenience, they also mean to the user taking upon important responsibilities. Excellent eye care is a must not only for comfort but also for the sake of eye health in the long run and the prevention of serious complications that may occur. Good eye care practices are to be understood and implemented by the lens user whether he/she is a veteran lens wearer or has just started the journey, thus making it possible for him/her to safely enjoy the advantages of wearing contact lenses for many years to come.

The Foundation: Hand Hygiene and Cleanliness

The single biggest habit that all contact lens users should adopt is washing hands very thoroughly before any handling of the lenses. Practicing this simple, yet effective, habit bans the majority of eye infections and even complications from happening. Take an antibacterial soap and warm water for this purpose, and scrub for at least 20 seconds, really focusing on your fingertips as well as under your nails, since these areas collect most of the bacteria. After that, rinse off completely and dry your hands with a clean, lint-free towel—using paper towels is not a bad idea since they do not leave any fibers that could transfer onto your lenses.

Never ignore how fast bacteria can move from your hands to your lenses, and then to your eyes. The fact that your hands seem to be clean does not mean that they are free of microorganisms which are harmful to your eye health. Make hand washing an integral part of your daily lens routine, whether you are putting your lenses in, in the morning, or taking them out, at night.

Daily Cleaning and Storage Practices

Cleaning and storage of reusable contact lenses are very important and one should never compromise on that. Every night after taking your lenses out, put each lens in the palm of your hand and pour some fresh contact lens solution over it. Gently rub the lens back and forth for around 20 seconds, even if you are using a “no-rub” solution. This physical cleaning removes proteins, lipids, and dirt that gather on the lens surface during the day.

Rinse the lens with fresh solution before putting it in a lens case that has fresh solution in it. Do not add new solution to the old one or reuse the solution from the day before—this will make it easier for bacteria to grow and will increase the risk of infection significantly. The lens case should also be taken care of properly and regularly. In the morning when you take your lenses out, empty the case, rinse it with fresh solution (never use tap water), and leave it to air dry

upside down. It is recommended to replace your lens case every three months at the least, or sooner if you detect any discoloration or buildup.

The Water Rule: A Critical Safety Measure

One of the easiest yet most effective rules for contact lens users is to simply avoid all kinds of water to come in contact with their lenses. Water is composed of different microorganisms, one of which is Acanthamoeba, a very nasty little parasite that can cause serious and even blinding infections in contact lens wearers. 

Water should never be used even as a last resort to rinse the lenses. The nonavailability of the solution should not make you resort to using water or risking the loss of disposable lenses. While taking a shower, you should either take off your lenses beforehand or keep your eyes tightly shut. In case you go for swimming or opting for hot tubs, the best would be to remove your lenses completely or at least wear waterproof goggles. In any case, after being exposed to water, discard the lenses and put on a new pair.

Managing Dryness and Discomfort

Introduction of contact lenses has been a great help to many people with eyesight problems. But one of the main disadvantages of wearing them is that many people have to endure constant or occasional dryness and discomfort. This could be even worse when people are in places like air-conditioned offices, during flights, or after a long period of watching screens. The good thing is that these discomforts can be managed and thus promoting the health of the eye. If not treated, dryness can cause irritation, redness, and the possibility of complications.

Substituting with Hycosan extra is the best way for moisturizing the eyes all day round. These drops have no preservatives and are meant to interact with contact lenses, which means that you can use them without taking your lenses out. The sodium hyaluronate which is present in high quantities forms a barrier that is capable of retaining the moisture so the eye surface remains hydrated, thus providing a very long lasting relief from dryness and irritation.

Always keep Hycosan extra at hand and use it as a preventive measure rather than waiting until your eyes feel uncomfortable. Put the drops in your eyes when you feel the first signs of dryness, before starting to work on the computer for long periods, or when going into dry places. This method of prevention not only makes your eyes comfortable but also healthy, thus allowing you to wear your lenses for the entire recommended time without any problems.

Respecting Wearing Schedules

Different types of contact lenses have different wearing schedules that have to be followed for eye health. Daily disposable lenses must be thrown away after one use, and never worn for a few hours or a few days, no matter how briefly you wore them. Bi-weekly lenses must be changed every two weeks, and monthly lenses every 30 days, no matter how often you wore them.

Forgetting to change lenses frequently is one of the major errors people make that inevitably leads to problems with their eyes. As time passes, the lenses acquire deposits and their materials deteriorate which, in turn, lowers the amount of oxygen that can get through to the cornea and increases the risk of getting an infection. If you find it difficult to keep up with your lens replacement schedule, set calendar reminders or alarms to help you out. This applies to all kinds of contact lenses: whether they are plain prescription ones or colored contacts.

Never Sleep in Your Lenses

If you don’t have lenses designated for overnight use, then it is always a good practice to take out your contact lenses before you sleep. The oxygen provided to the cornea already diminishes when the eyes are shut. Wearing a lens on top creates an extra obstacle which can cause corneal hypoxia—the cornea’s inability to get enough oxygen. Swelling, pain, and even greater risk of getting infections are some of the consequences.

Even a quick nap can make things worse. In case you doze off with your lenses in—don’t worry. Just give it a few minutes after waking up for the process of your eyes getting moist again to complete, apply rewetting drops like Hycosan extra, then carefully take out your lenses. If the symptoms like redness, discomfort, or changes in vision do not go away, then it is time to see your eye professional without any delay.

Recognizing Warning Signs

It is essential to know the right moment to get professional help. If you have any of the mentioned symptoms – persistent redness, pain, light sensitivity, excessive tearing, discharge, sudden vision changes, or a feeling that something is in your eye – you should take out your lenses right away and get in touch with your eye doctor. Infections, corneal abrasions, or allergic reactions that need immediate treatment might be signaled by these symptoms.

Special Considerations for Coloured Lenses

The same care rules apply in case you use coloured contact lenses. Do not be lured to give your lenses to a friend or let him/her try yours, even just for a moment — this is an easy way to spread bacteria and infections. Make sure to get coloured lenses only from established and trusted sources with appropriate prescriptions and fittings, not from costume shops or unauthorized online sellers.

Building Sustainable Habits

Taking care of your eyes with contact lenses is not a tricky or slow process if it is done rightly. You will form habits that are second nature to you by making regular habits – washing your hands very well, cleaning and storing properly, timely replacement, and making comfort proactive with products like Hycosan extra. These good habits not only keep your vision clear but also allow you to participate and enjoy the contact lens freedom and convenience through life.