Contact lens users run the risk of contracting an infection such as conjunctivitis (pink eye), corneal abrasions or general eye irritation. One common result of eye infection is corneal ulcers, which are open sores in the outer layer of the cornea. Most of these conditions can be avoided through sterile everyday care of the eye and lenses.
Cleanliness is of the utmost importance as you wear your contacts. About five percent of users develop eye-related medical issues every year. Some develop minor ailments while others require serious medical intervention. Most of the procedures for safe wearing of contact lenses are related to cleanliness.
1. Always wash your hands before touching your contacts.
2. Clean your lenses prior to every use, not with tap water, but with the approved cleaning solution recommended by your optometrist.
3. Use fresh storage solution each time you store your lenses.
4. Never share your lenses with others. We are all unique chemically and sharing contacts can lead to an infection.
5. Clean your lens case at least once a week.
6. Replace your lens case with a new one at least every three months.
7. Replace your lenses if they become scratched or misshaped.
8. Do not wear your contacts overnight, as this increases the risk of getting an infection.
If you faithfully follow these seven guidelines for contact lens safety, you will enjoy many years of safe, comfortable contacts usage. Should you experience any eye discomfort or infection, do not just ignore it and hope it goes away on its own. At the first sign of eye infection, you should remove your contacts and store them to take with you to the optometrist. Make an eye care appointment immediately. Your optometrist may be able to determine the cause of your symptoms through an inspection of your lenses.
Remember that the recent trend toward cosmetic colored lenses is a dangerous one and the FDA has recently enacted legislation which prohibits the sale of colored contact lenses as over the counter products. It is illegal to buy colored contact lenses without a prescription.