Saturday, 16 May 2015

Safety tips for contact lens wearers by Dr Somdutt Prasad


Thousands of people wear contact lenses to correct their vision. While they are safe to use, not caring for them can lead to serious problems. Here are certain tips that contact lens wearers must follow to prevent infection invading the eyes.

Choose the right lens
It is vital to wear lenses prescribed by a qualified eye care professional. Wearing the wrong contacts can damage eyesight. Hence, it is always recommended taking the advice of a doctor before wearing lenses.

Take off lenses during water-related activities
Water has acanthamoeba, an organism that can cause eye infection. Wearing lenses during shower, swimming or any other water-related activities can lead to serious infections. Therefore, it is advisable to take off lenses during such activities.

Keep lenses clean
It is essential to keep lenses clean to prevent infection. Before handling, it is important to wash and rinse hands. A mild non-cosmetic soap must be used to clean hands. Soaps with excessive oils or lotions leave a mild film on hands that can get transferred on lenses.

Never use saline solution for cleaning or disinfection
One must not use saline solutions for cleaning or disinfecting lenses. Users must never use tap water directly on them and keep them in a clean lens case. The solution for soaking them should not be reused as they lose their disinfecting ability. It is important to disinfect as per the product direction. It is recommended to disinfect them with fresh solutions each time they are removed.

Never sleep with contact lenses intact
Contact lens wearers must remove their lenses before sleeping unless prescribed for extended wear. When we close our eyes with lenses on, it reduces oxygen that makes the surface of eyes more vulnerable to infection. Moreover, germs on the lens, if any, can easily harm the cornea.

Visit doctor in case of an irritation
In case of an irritation, one must immediately consult an eye doctor. Wearing contaminated lenses can lead to complications and damage vision.

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