Contents
It can be quite the transition for those who decide to change out their glasses for contact lenses. Placing contacts is a knack that takes time and patience to acquire.
After doing so repeatedly, it becomes second nature, but there are many factors to consider in maintaining the lenses and overall safety. These can be costly, so caring for them is vital, but it’s also essential to ensure no harm comes to the eyes or vision.
The optometrist will measure for the ideal fit so there is no movement or uncomfortable tightness, both of which can damage the eye. A prescription comes after vision testing so that eyesight is optimal. In order to buy the best contact lenses online, a prescription is a requirement in some countries. That is true even with the coloured varieties.
The Don’ts of Contacts
Many optometrists will tell you what you should do when taking the plunge from glasses to contact lenses, but some forget to remind patients what they should avoid.
Quite a few things come with care and maintenance of the tiny devices, including making sure to rest them in solution each night while sleeping and any time you remove them.
You do not want to merely lie them down on an unsanitary surface if you take them out for a break. That can be damaging to your eyes if you then put them directly back in. Other things you should not do include:
Rubbing Eyes While the Lenses Are In
Some people tend to rub their eyes if they are tired. It can be a subconscious response to the sleepiness that you might not realize you are doing. It is something you need to make yourself aware of after purchasing your online contacts.
Rubbing eyes with a lens can potentially damage the cornea, creating severe harm to the overall vision, leading to necessary surgery for correction. If you find the habit challenging to break, it is optimal to take the lenses out and relieve the irritation or need to massage your eyes.
You can leave them in and use an exceptional gentle technique, but it puts you at risk.
Wash Hands Before Touching Lenses
You do not want to touch either your eye or the contacts with hands that are not clean. Hands need thoroughly washing and entirely dried before touching the lens. Anything you touch in each day has a film of dirt, grime, bacteria, germs you can’t see with the visible eye, but these attach to your hands.
When these germs transfer to a lens, or even worse, your eyeball, you have a chance to develop a severe infection from merely a single touch; another reason to give up on rubbing your eyes with possibly unwashed hands.
Be Conscientious with Makeup
When getting ready to go to work or out for the evening, you will need to have your eyewear in so you can see to get ready. If this includes applying makeup, it is critical to be conscientious with the products. Whether you apply mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow, or any of these in combination, you need to be more precise than you would without lenses.
If any of the products happen to touch the surface of a contact lens, you will need to immediately wash your hands and remove the lens to apply a cleaning solution and then replace it. Open this link for guidance on how to store without a solution.
The ideal situation is to attempt to put on eye makeup without these in place. But it might be a challenge if your vision is inferior.
Avoid Sunscreen / Sweat Drippage
Active individuals who spend much time outside in the sun or engage in sports, maybe jogging, working out, will have issues with sweat and sun lotion. When the sweat combines with the cream and drips in the eyes, it can pose a health threat like an infection similar to makeup left on a contact.
It is vital to make sure to keep a towel always handy to wipe away drippage. If it gets into your eyes, take the devices out and wash them in the solution immediately (with clean hands).
If you have long hair, make sure to put it up out of the way when active and avoid putting sun lotion close to your eye area. Perhaps, wear a hat or a headband to keep the head and forehead cool and dry.
No Swimming with Devices
Most people are well aware that you don’t swim with either glasses or contacts regardless of if it’s a pool, river, ocean, any body of water. Bacteria is prevalent and will create damage, as does chlorine to the point of potentially needing to replace your pair.
If you find it necessary to have the devices in when you are in the water, wear exceptionally tight goggles and shower immediately following your excursion. Ideally, you will want to take them out and keep them in a locker while you have fun. It ultimately keeps them and you safe from infection.
Final Point
When you decide to transition to contact lenses, that does not mean you should get rid of your glasses. There might be days when you are scheduled for an exceptionally long day, starting early in the morning, and not ending until well into the night. On these occasions, it is not wise to keep your devices in that whole time. You’ll need a break.
The eyes need to breathe; they may become irritated and will definitely grow tired, with the potential for you to feel the need to rub them. Probably halfway through a day of this length, you should take the lenses out and put your glasses on for a bit of a breather.
And absolutely once home, the contacts should not be in when you climb into bed to go to sleep. Sleeping with a lens on your eye is not only uncomfortable, but it can be dangerous for the health of your vision.
While contacts are ideal, especially for active people, there is much to know about care and maintenance so that you can preserve the devices and keep your vision and eye health intact – dos and don’ts.
