Wearing contact lenses, instead of bulky prescription lenses, has been a choice available to eyeglass wearers for many decades. The downside to using these insertable lenses is they need more care than traditional eyeglasses.
For whatever reason, some people have some really odd ways they may treat, disinfect and take care of these devices.
For example, some people will use tap water or their own saliva to moisten lenses before inserting them back into their eyes. This can blur vision and repeated practice can cause a number of problems, including poor vision.
While the clouding of your eye’s lenses as a result of something like cataracts can be corrected with surgery, potential disease from bacteria transferred from tap water or your mouth to your eyes is a different case altogether.
Whether users simply ran out of regular disinfection solution, believe this bodily fluid is acceptable or they’re just being lazy, any excuse is dangerous for vision.
To avoid potential problems with your invaluable vision, please take notice of these things you shouldn’t be doing as a wearer of contact lenses:
DON’T Keep Using the Same Case
It’s recommended that contact wearers should only have one carrying/storage case for their lenses, even if they’re both properly sanitized. Having two different cases could cause neglect or misuse. It’s also recommended that the case be replaced minimally every three months, but as often as every four weeks.
DON’T Top Off or Reuse Solution
While reusing solution is an obvious “no-no,” why shouldn’t you pour one solution into the other? After all, they’re both sterile, right? With any medication, as they age, they become less effective. If you’re combining two different brand names with possible varying ingredients, they may not mix well together and could potentially cause unpleasant chemical reactions or other possible problems.
DON’T Clean/Dry Off Your Carrier or Lenses with a Towel or Tissue
Always use disinfectant and solution as they were meant to be used, and never use a towel or tissue when handling them. The smallest amount of dust or debris can damage the lens itself, or more importantly, could irritate or injure your eye lens. Allow the carrying case to air dry as recommended.
DON’T Wear if You’ve Missed Your Regular Routine
If you haven’t worn your lenses for an extended period of time or have ignored your regular cleaning and disinfection routine in some way, don’t wear them. It’s that simple.
Before inserting them again, ensure they’ve been properly cleaned and disinfected.
DON’T Miss Your Appointment
Keeping regularly scheduled appointments with your eye care specialist is important for your eyes as well as your lenses. While the eye equipment should be inspected for possible damage, they also need to be replaced and updated regularly.
Your vision may change over time, especially as you age. If these changes aren’t detected and corrected, it could lead to a number of different, avoidable problems like eyestrain, headaches and vision problems.
Why would contact wearers commit any of these cardinal sins when it comes to their proper lens care?
According to Men’s Health magazine, up to 99 percent of contact lens consumers have committed at least one of these offenses without suffering any consequences.
Why risk it? Your vision is priceless and irreplaceable, so you should do everything you can to protect it from possible harm.
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