Eye Health: How to care for contact lenses?

Contact lenses are a god-send for people with four-eyes like us. It does wonders when we exercise and it allows us to put on stylish sunnies for the summer. Not to mention 3D glasses in theatres.

However, still many people try to cut corners here and there resulting in horrendous eye allergies and infections. Every heard of a cornea ulcer? Don’t google it.

So, it is of utmost importance that you know how to take care of your eyes and lens starting with the following:

PUT THEM ON RIGHT

If you’re a contact lens noob, make sure you put them on correctly. If your lens seems to flare out at the edges, that’s the wrong way. Don’t worry it won’t cost any problems if you put them in wrong, you’ll just feel incredibly uncomfortable. The lens won’t sit right. Always handle your lens with clean hands.

CLEAN THEM WELL

If you’re wearing monthlies or yearlies, clean your lens well with saline solution. Place them into the palm of your hand and rub each lens gently with your index finger to remove any protein build-up and debris. Then seal them in your lens case with fresh saline solution. Do not reuse old saline solution. Do not ever sleep in your lens. Contact lens limit the oxygen to your corneas, so sleeping in them deprives your eyes of even more as your lids are shut.

BUY REPUTABLE BRANDS

Always buy contact lens from certified and reputable optical stores or optometrists. Do not buy them online as you don’t know what is fake. Off-brand lens are usually produced in unhygienic environments that can cause ocular problems. Don’t be penny wise, pound foolish.

DISINFECT YOUR LENS CASE

Cleaning your lens case properly is also key. Boil them for a few seconds to sterilise them. Dry them out completely with a clean cloth and then screw the caps back on.

USE NON-WATERPROOF EYE MAKEUP

Try to opt for non-waterproof eye makeup for your eyeliner and mascara. If you get some on your lens on in your eyes, at least it will wash right out with your tears instead of sticking on your lens and dirtying them.

WEAR THEM FOR LIMITED PERIODS

Try not to wear your lens for more than 8 hours a day. If you do, use clear lens instead of coloured ones as they allow oxygen to permeate much better.

Cheryl Lee