Wearing glasses can be bothersome during a special occasion especially when you prefer to show your beautiful eyes with that smoky mascara. Moreover, it may not go well with your outfit of the day (#OOTD), and you would want to replace the glasses with contact lenses. Of course, it is a great idea, however it is important to know how to handle them—from disinfecting to inserting and removing them properly. When opting for contact lenses, ask your ophthalmologist to choose the right ones that fit you.
Contact lens – disposable and extended wear
There are different types of disposable contact lenses, depending on their period of disposability. The most common time frames are daily, biweekly, monthly, and every six months. Another type of contact lenses, called extended wear, as the name suggests, can be worn for a longer period.
“Disposable lenses should be worn only a maximum of six to eight hours in a day. However, extended wear can be used continuously overnight for up to two to three days,” says Dr Anniksha M N, ophthalmologist, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is important to follow hygiene practices while using contact lens to maintain your eye health.
Contact lens care
Here are a few measures suggested by Dr Dinshaw A Dastoor, consultant ophthalmic surgeon, Holy Family Hospital, Bandra, Mumbai.
- It is better to use weekly or monthly disposable contact lenses as it reduces the risk of secondary infection in the eyes.
- To prevent contamination or infection of the lenses, it is better to wash the hands and dry them before handling the lenses.
- People wearing contact lenses tend to develop dry eyes syndrome, wherein normal tear secretion reduces over time. Using lubricant eye drops daily keeps the eyes clean and moist.
Time to replace
Regular replacement of contact lenses protects your eyes and helps in maintaining clear vision. “If the contact lens is worn past their expiry date, it can result in irritation, dryness, redness, pain, discharge, and microbial infection that can affect the vision,” says Dr Vishad Shukla, consultant paediatric ophthalmologist and squint specialist from Dr Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu.
Outdoor comfort
Contact lenses are safer to wear during outdoor activities and while playing any sport. However, people should take necessary measures to protect their eyes from injuries. Moreover, experts add that contact lenses are not suitable for swimming.
A 2020 study published in the Journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists) states that microorganisms present in the water can enter the cornea, cause infection, and affect the vision. This occurs when an individual wearing contact lenses encounters contaminated water in the shower, swimming pool, and beaches. This condition is referred to as acanthamoeba keratitis.
“During swimming, people should wear spectacles and tight goggles to protect their eyes,” says Dr Anniksha.
Don’ts for contact lens
Dr Anniksha suggests a few preventive measures for contact lens care and to avoid the spread of infection through contact lenses.
- Do not rub your eyes when using contact lenses
- Do not use eyedrops over the contact lens except for lubricants
- Do not wash your lens in tap water or saliva as they can spread infections
- If you have pain, irritation, discomfort, blurring, or redness in your eyes, remove the lens immediately. Do not use them until the ophthalmologist asks you to
Consult an ophthalmologist and follow the medications. It is better to use a new set of contact lenses and a new disinfecting solution if you face any issues in the eyes.
Rub and rinse to disinfect
“To disinfect the contact lenses – rub the contact lens with clean fingers, then rinse it in the disinfecting solution, and store them in a clean case,” says Dr Shukla.
He adds that the contact lens cases should be replaced every three months to avoid getting infection. Additionally, it is important to note in contact lens care that the solution should not be transferred from its original bottle. This prevents the solution from losing its sterility.
How to remove contact lens
Contact lens gets dislodged when you rub your eyes accidentally during any sports or physical activity. Dr Shukla suggests these simple steps to remove it from the eyes.
- Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly and dry it.
- Apply artificial tear drops or sterile saline solution to make the contact lens surface lose the attachment.
- Look into the mirror and hold the visible edge of contact lens with the flat surface of the finger. Now move the contact lens back to its position on the cornea. It can be removed easily after that.
- There is another method to ease the removal of contact lens. You can move it back on the cornea by massaging the upper eyelid and then remove it.
It is important to care of your eye health while using contact lenses. If you have redness, watering of eyes or discharge, photophobia (sensitivity to light), pain, or altered vision due to the use of contact lenses, it is better to consult your ophthalmologist.
