10 things every contact lens user should know

10 things every contact lens user should know

Contact lenses are prescription medical devices and you need to take them seriously.

Having said that, modern day contacts are relatively safe and the risk of serious complications is low but it is still critical that all wearers have regular evaluation to determine the health of your eyes.

Here are some things to know if you're a contact lens wearer or if you're thinking of ditching your glasses for some disposables:

1. Too much sunlight can cause eye infections

You should protect your eyes against the sun the way you protect your skin. The main eye infection contact lens wearers can get can actually be caused by excessive UV exposure. Many contact lens brands now claim to have UVA/UVB protection, but this is never an acceptable replacement for a pair of light-blocking sunglasses.

2. Don't go swimming with your contacts on

When contacts are exposed to water, they can be exposed to microorganisms that can be very harmful. So if you choose to swim in contacts or insist on keeping them on while you shower, talk to your doctor about using your contacts with goggles and changing to a daily disposable lens to minimise your risk of infection.

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3. Remember to keep your contact lens case clean too

The care and maintenance of your contact lens case is very important first step for reducing your risk of infection. When it comes to storing your contacts, keep in mind that a fluid-filled dark environment is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria.

4. Never ever sleep in your lenses

When you close your eyes with your lenses in place, you're reducing oxygen, so the surface becomes more vulnerable to infection. Meanwhile, any germs on lens are being slammed against cornea by the insides of your eyelids.

5. Do not touch or rub your eyes during the day

A small study from researchers at the New York University School of Medicine found that different types of bacteria reside on the eyeballs of contact lens wearers than non-lens wearers - and the bacterial populations were more similar those found on skin than typically found on the eyes. The solution? Stop touching your eyes!

Also read: Contact lens infection leads to 3 month hospital stay for S'pore woman

6. Recognise the symptoms of an eye infection

Eye infections can cause pain, blurred vision, and sometimes even blindness but proper storage is key to contact lens health. If you're worried about an infection, the signs include discomfort, excessive tearing or mucus, sensitivity to light, itching, burning, a "gritty" feeling, redness, blurred vision, swelling and pain.

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7. Not taking care of eye hygiene could lead to keratitis

Keratitis is inflammation of the cornea, which is the dome of the eye where the contact lens rests. Although it's a rare and serious complication, it's very painful and requires immediate medical attention. If it's not cured, it can result in vision loss, or a corneal transplant may even be needed to treat the infected eye.

8. Don't attempt to make your own contact lens solution

Do not ever DIY contact solution! Because you're not working in a sterile environment, you're at risk for mixing in a litany of germs into your solution. Don't store them in water either. Contact lenses are intended to be soaked in saline that has a very particular balance that mimics your natural tears. Water can upset this delicate balance.

9. It's unlikely but true that amoeba can live in the eye

Acanthamoeba is the scariest amoeba that can affect the eye, and they are relatively ubiquitous and can live in, but are not restricted to, tap water, freshwater lakes and rivers as well as soil. Infections from acanthamoeba can lead to significant and permanent vision loss, so if your eye starts to feel "funky" after swimming see your doctor.

Also read: Amoebas devour girl's cornea after contact lenses stay in for 6 months

10. Contact lenses can't get stuck or lost in your eye

It's physically impossible to lose a contact lens "behind" your eye. A membrane covers your eye and connects inside your eyelids, preventing anything from getting behind your eye, including a contact lens. Contacts also cannot get stuck to your eye and are easily removed using the method your eye care practitioner recommends.

Also read: Girl, 11, cries blood-stained tears from contact lens stuck in eyelid for two years

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