Healthy Contact Lens Week

This week is Healthy Contact Lens Week, August 19 - 23. The CDC, Center for Disease Control, wants you to remember three things about contact lens care. If you have ever had an eye infection you will understand that keeping your eyes healthy truly is the most important thing in life.  Having an eye infection can completely stop you in your tracks.

 

 

 

Contact lens wear, when done responsibly, can be easy and comfortable.  Contact lenses need to be part of your vision correction plan, not the entirety of it.  You must have a pair of glasses, even if they are not the greatest pair.  Your eyes need a break from wearing contact lenses every day.  Do not sleep in your contact lenses.  

 

If you have read my book, Alleviate Dry Eye, you know I have a few rules about contact lenses.  I spend all of Chapter 5 discussing proper contact lens wear and care. 

 

I would like you to take one day off each week from wearing your contact lenses. Your eyes need a contact lens holiday regularly. And, my golden rule is to always take your contact lenses out before bed.  You should never sleep in your contact lenses.  I know I said that already, but I think it deserves repeating.

 

 

Contact lenses need regular and proper care. My favorite contact lens cleaning solution for dry eye sufferers is Clear Care by Alcon.  Check out the blog post here, to learn all about it. 

 

Clear Care Plus with HydraGlyde

 

Clear Care is a hydrogen peroxide-based solution. The benefit of a hydrogen peroxide-based solution for folks with dry or sensitive eyes is that there are no preservatives in the solution.

 

The fewer preservatives you get into your eyes the better your eyes will feel.  Also, this type of solution is the best disinfectant on the market.  It kills more types of bacteria than any other solution. You will know that your contact lenses are always completely clean before you insert them in the morning.

 

Always follow your doctor‘s recommendations for how long to wear your contact before you dispose of them. The FDA has set standards for each type of contact lens whether it is a daily, two week, or monthly disposable lens. 

 

You need to know how often to throw out your lenses.  If you aren't sure what your doctor's recommendation is, please call them.  Or, you can google, "Replacement schedule for ____".  Just fill in the blank with your brand of contact lens.  If you wear a specialty contact lens like a rigid, scleral, or hybrid, you must follow your doctor's recommendations very carefully. 

 

Do not exceed these recommended replacement times.  After all, you wouldn’t drink expired milk, not even by one day.  We all know how bad and upset stomach can make us feel.  Now, imagine that feeling in your eye.  It isn't pretty.

 

Your contact lens storage case should also be replaced on schedule.  Change it out each time you purchase a new bottle of solution, or at least every 3 months.  The longer you have a contact lens case, the bigger the chance that it is contaminated with bacteria.

 

 

Taking care of your contact lenses can be easy if you follow simple rules.  People with dry or sensitive eyes can wear contact lenses successfully, but some extra care is usually needed.

 

Follow the 3 rules of taking your lenses our nightly, cleaning them, and replacing them on schedule.  Always using good hygiene when related to your eyes is the most important thing to remember in comfortable contact lens wear. 

 

Don’t let your red, irritated eyes hold you back and from doing things you love in life. Alleviating your dry eye symptoms can sometimes be as simple as following a few steps to ensure your contact lenses are clean.  You deserve clear, comfortable vision. Get the facts and take care of your contacts.