Contact lenses offer vision correction without having to wear glasses or get eye surgery. They can be very helpful, but if not cared for properly, your eyes can experience some pretty uncomfortable and disturbing eye infections. Handling contact lenses properly will reduce the chances of infection. Some eye infections are more irritating than dangerous, but others can be dangerous to the eye. If you experience any symptoms of infection or an irritation that won’t go away, contact your optometrist in Fresno. While each contact lens is cared for differently, there are some steps to help keep the lenses clean and clear of bacteria and other germs that could cause issues. Here are some tips:
Always wash hands thoroughly before touching contacts or eyes. Dry hands on a lint-free towel.
Keep fingernails short and smooth.
Use hair spray before putting contacts in.
Put makeup on after putting contacts in.
Remove contacts before washing makeup off.
Only use the proper rinse and eye drops for the kind of contact lenses.
Don’t rinse lens with tap water or by putting them in your mouth.
When cleaning contact lenses, place in the palm of your clean hand with solution, and gently rub to remove any buildup.
Replace the contact lens storage case at least every three months.
Don’t wear contact lenses longer than recommended by your Fresno optometrist.
Don’t sleep in contact lenses unless they are specially created to be worn for extended lengths of time.
Don’t touch the tip of the solution bottle to keep it sterile.
Wear sunglasses outdoors, even with contact lenses with UV protection.
If you do experience eye pain or irritation, remove the contact lenses and do not wear them until after talking with your Fresno optometrist.
