Preventing Eye Infections for Contact Lens Wearers

Over 70 million people around the world wear contact lenses. Wearers of contact lenses range from all kinds of professions and many require the use of contacts since glasses would be difficult to work with. Cosmetic motives are another reason for people to wear contacts. 

Regardless of your reasons, the following tips can help keep your contact-wearing eyes free of infection. ​

The most common reasons for develop eyes infections with contact lens wearers are improper treatment and storage of lenses, inappropriate disinfection and wearing lenses for showering or swimming. 

It is also important to note the period of usage for contact lenses and to replace them regularly. 

Eye examinations are essential and should be regular.

Excellent personal hygiene is a necessity for contact lens wearers. Never touch your eyes or contacts with dirty hands. It is important to have freshly washed hands that are dried on clean materials before touching your contacts. Soaps should have antibiotic properties and be free of scents. Moisturizers should not be on the surface of hands before touching contacts. 
 
Contact lens storage cases must be cleaned and rinsed out with appropriate solutions such as sterile contact lens formulas. Many think it is okay to use tap water but this could lead to eye-related diseases and infections. Once rinsed, storage cases must be left out to air dry. Storage cases are only usable for two to three months then they must be replaced.
 
It is common for lens users to simply store their lenses in saline solution. Saline solution is not a disinfectant and is not enough to cleanse the lenses. Multi-purpose solutions are saline-based formulas with disinfecting properties that should be used for lens storage and cleaning. 

Also refrain from topping up solutions in storages since the older solution will have accumulated particles. Always discard the old solution and properly clean the case and allow it to air dry before re-using.​

 Some solutions tell consumers not to rub the contacts. This is misguided information since lenses are prone to retaining oils, proteins and external elements that must be removed with some surface rubbing. 

Lens wearers are encouraged to remove lenses before they come into contact with water, whether showering or hot tubs. It is not recommended to sleep with contact lenses in the eyes. 

Report to a doctor immediately if any problems such as loss of vision, pain or blurred vision occur

also check out:

• What one can do as first-aid in case of accidental spraying of liquids such as household cleaners, perfumes, etc. in the eyes​
• Caring for your eyes – how to relieve eye-tiredness and ways to relax eyes and de-stress
• What is glaucoma? What causes it and what are some of the steps that one can take to prevent/control it?
• ​What is Macular Degeneration? What Causes It? What are some of the Steps that one can take to Prevent/Control it?

​Categories: 
Wellness

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#caringforyoureyes #eyehealth   #improvevision   #eyecare   #visionhealth #contactlensandeyecare