Using Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are becoming increasingly popular and in the UK there are now more than 3 million people who wear them on a regular basis. Many people find contact lenses much more convenient to wear than glasses. There is nothing to obstruct the peripheral vision so you can almost forget you are wearing contact lenses.

As contact lenses are worn on the surface of the eye it is important to look after your lenses properly and follow some basic advice to prevent infection in the eye. If your eyes become irritated or sore at any time when wearing contact lenses it is best to take them out and wear your glasses. Everyone who has lenses should also have a spare pair of glasses. If you are in any doubt always take out your contact lenses and ask your optician for advice. They may recommend some eye drops to ease the symptoms but will also check there is nothing more serious to treat.

Contact lenses can be worn for most day to day activities but they should only be worn at night if your optician has told you it is safe to do so.

Handling Contact Lenses

When you first get your contact lenses your optician will show you how to put them in. Your optician will also tell you when you need to return for aftercare visits. It is important to have aftercare check ups to ensure your eyes are healthy and are not at risk of an eye infection or another eye complaint. Your optician will answer any questions you have about your contact lenses.

Always wash and dry your hands before handling contact lenses to prevent dirt and bacteria getting into your eyes. It is also advisable to keep your nails short so you don’t damage your eyes.

Contact lenses are fragile so they need to be handled carefully. Soft lenses in particular should be handled gently. Do not squeeze the lens as it will be damaged if you try to fold it.

Looking After Your Contact Lenses

Although contact lenses are very convenient to wear, they do require regular and thorough cleaning. Keeping your contact lenses clean will help to ensure they are comfortable to wear and that you can see clearly when wearing them. It is very important to clean and disinfect your lenses to prevent any infection. Always use cleaning solution and not tap or mineral water to clean your lenses. If you are not wearing your lenses always keep them in solution. Do not use solution which has passed its expiry date.

Always clean your lenses before using them. Your optician will recommend a cleaning solution suitable for the type of lenses you have been prescribed. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on the solution.

Ensuring that the contact lens case is clean is just as important as cleaning the lenses. The case should be cleaned with disinfecting solution and left to air dry. Your optician will recommend how often to replace the case but generally it should be replaced at least every month.