If you have problems with your vision, then you've probably had your eyes checked and have been given either prescription eyeglasses or prescription contact lenses to wear. If you wear contact lenses then you already know the importance of them to your vision, but that may not stop you from picking up on some bad habits along the way.
Bad habits such as not cleaning your lenses, not changing them when you should, wearing an old prescription (or lenses that are past their use-by date), or wearing your lenses too much can all be harmful to your eye health.
Read on for contact lens care tips for healthy vision.
Your lenses should be cleaned each and every time you take them out and before you put them in. Place your lens either in the palm of your (washed) hand or on your pointer finger. Add some contact lens solution to the contact lens and rub it gently between your finger and your thumb (or using your finger on your other hand if you have the lens in the palm of your hand).
Your lenses should be cleaned daily using new lens solution. When putting them away into your contact case you should always have new solution inside the case - never reuse contact lens solution inside your contact case.
The case itself should also be kept clean, and you should replace the case every six months.
Failing to clean your lenses or your lens case could lead to eye infections.
You should never wear your lenses more often than instructed. If you have daily lenses, then toss them daily. If you have monthly lenses then wear them for a month and change them each month.
Trying to extend the life of your lenses may save you a buck, but it can cost you your vision, which is not exactly a savings at that point.
Also, if you have purchased a large amount of lenses to help last you, but they are past their wear by date, you need to toss these lenses as well. If they're past the use by date, the material they are made of can thin out and tear easily.
Wearing your contact lenses will help you see, but they can block oxygen from your eyes. If you wear your contact lenses from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to sleep at night, your eyes may not be getting enough oxygen.
This lack of oxygen in your eyes can cause dry eyes, and may lead to astigmatism or worsening vision.
When you get home in the evening, take out your lenses and wear your eyeglasses instead. You can also wear your eye glasses some days instead of lenses to provide a break for your eyes.
Contact lenses can cause your eyes to dry out, especially if you are staring at a computer screen or other type of screen often. Use rewetting drops for your eyes to keep them moist, and don't forget about blinking.
Blinking or looking away from these screens can help keep your eyes moist as well. Remember to look away from screens for about twenty seconds every twenty minutes or so.
If you are a contact lens wearer, you may have picked up on some bad habits that could be detrimental to your eye health. Change your bad habits and take good care of your contact lenses to keep your eyes healthy and prevent worsening vision or infections in your eyes.
Talk to your optometrist at Calvert Ophthalmology Center about other contact lens care tips.
