Safe Contact Lens Use

Contact lenses are strictly regulated by the government for a good reason.  Although there are many advantages to wearing contacts there are also risks, especially if they are used improperly.  This guide will help you learn to use contact lenses safely.

1. Never wear your contacts longer than recommended. 

Your eye doctor will give you careful directions regarding how long your contact lenses should be worn.  Be sure to follow these instructions properly.  Overextending the use of your contact lenses can starve your eyes of the oxygen they need, which can eventually lead to blindness.  In extreme cases, your lenses can even calcify, tearing the surface of your eye when you remove them.

If your lenses seem scratchy or blurry, it could be that they have gotten dirty.  Take them out and clean them thoroughly to see if that solves the problem.

Roughness or scratchiness can also indicate that your lens is inside-out.  Remove the lenses and check that you have inserted them properly.

2. Follow cleaning instructions properly.

If contact lenses are not cleaned properly, they can become a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria and cause nasty infections.  Always use recommended cleaning products, change your lens holder frequently, and follow a strict cleaning schedule to avoid serious problems.

3. Get regular eye exams. 

Regular eye examinations are an important part of healthy eye care.  Throughout your life, your eyes will change, meaning that the contact lens prescription that worked last year might be damaging your eyes this year.  Furthermore, your doctor can catch early warning signs of trouble, staving off serious problems down the road.

4. Never buy contacts from an unregistered dealer. 

In the search for cheap contact lenses, some people might be tempted to buy boxes of lenses from disreputable dealers.  Surely picking up a box of lenses from a flea market couldn’t really hurt, right?  Wrong.  Not only do you run the risk of damaging your eyes by using lenses with the wrong prescription, but many of these unregistered dealers are actually selling contaminated lenses.  This can be extremely dangerous to your health.

5. Contact your eye doctor with any problems. 

If you notice any change in your vision or in the appearance of your eyes, be sure to contact your eye doctor immediately.  Ignoring warning signs only leads to more serious problems down the road.

6. Never share contact lenses.

This is a big no-no. Sharing contact lenses and in particular theatrical contact lenses happens far too often but this is a dangerous practice. Sharing contacts can cause eye infections which in some cases can cause permanent loss of vision. Always ensure that any contact lenses you wear are prescribed specifically for you.

By following these six simple steps, you can keep your eyes healthy and your vision sharp while wearing contact lenses.