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Millions of people wear contact lenses. To be comfortable, safe and effective, contact lenses require proper fitting and care. It may take several appointments before getting a proper fit.
Shortcuts should never be taken when cleaning the lenses. Follow the prescribed cleaning method completely. Doing so will kill any bacteria, viruses, or fungi that can grow on a lens and cause infection. Hard contact lenses: Regular hard lenses and gas permeable hard lenses must be cleaned and disinfected after each wearing with products especially designed for these types of contact lenses. Cleaning schedules vary according to the type of lenses prescribed. Follow the exact advice of the optometrist for cleaning the lenses. Be sure to read package labels carefully and follow directions for use. After removal, regular hard and gas permeable hard lenses should be cleaned and disinfected by wetting each lens with a cleaning solution and then rubbing the lens between the thumb and index finger for 30 to 60 seconds. Then rinse the lens with a sterile solution before placing it in a storage case filled with sterile soaking solution. After proper cleaning and soaking, the lenses are ready to wear again. Soft contact lenses: Soft lenses are more susceptible than hard lenses to absorbing smoke, vapours, fumes, and sprays in the air so the cleaning process takes longer and is more important. Daily cleaning removes these deposits and minimises irritation. Soft lenses require cleaning whenever they are removed from the eyes. Use only the types of lens-care cleaners and solutions that the optometrist approves. Read package labels and carefully follow directions for use. After each daily cleaning and disinfecting, soft lenses are stored in a sterile solution. Some soft lenses can also be disinfected with a heat process that takes about one hour to complete. This particular cleaning process may be recommended by the provider for a specific type of lens. Safety tips for cleaning contacts: - always wash the hands before putting lenses in or taking them out, but do not use cream soap or hand lotion
- contacts should never be put into the mouth, or moistened with saliva
- check each lens for damage before and after cleaning
- inspect cleaning equipment regularly for damage
- replace cleaning equipment as recommended by the optometrist
- work over a clean towel when cleaning the lenses
- use only sterile solutions designed for use with contact lenses
- never use homemade saline solutions
- never use solutions that are beyond their expiration date and
- do not touch the tips of the cleaning and disinfecting solution bottles with anything to avoid contamination
Safety tips for care of contacts: - do not wear contacts while swimming; hard contacts may float out of the eye, and soft contacts can absorb the chemicals in the water
- use aerosol sprays, such as deodorant or hair spray, before putting contacts in eyes
- use oil-free moisturiser and water-based hypoallergenic liquid foundation
- avoid lash-building mascara
- apply makeup before putting soft contacts in, and after putting in hard contacts and
- remove contact lenses before removing makeup
All types of contact lenses should be kept moist. Hard lenses may warp if allowed to dry out and soft lenses may become hard, shrivel and break. At times it can be difficult to wear contact lenses no matter how well they fit. Very dry weather, tobacco smoke, aerosol sprays, or allergy symptoms can cause eyes to be uncomfortable. The optometrist should be consulted for any symptoms of burning, redness, pain, unusual light sensitivity, or blurry vision. Only optometrists and ophthalmologists prescribe, fit, and sell contact lenses. Opticians are permitted to only fit and sell them. Follow-up visits are a necessary part of routine eye care. Contact lenses and cleaning processes selected should suit the vision, eyes, and lifestyle. Article #4505 Copyright (c) 2002 McKesson. All Rights Reserved. |
