Contact lenses are convenient. Compared to eyeglasses, they give you more natural vision and let you move around more freely. However, they do require a greater deal of care since they come into direct contact with your eyes.
Although extreme cases like forgotten contacts in your eyes are rare, following some basic best practices can save you a great deal of discomfort in the long run. Fortunately, contact lens care is simple and easily sustained over time. Here are some tips to care for your eyes before and during contact lens use.
Consult your optometrist
Booking a consultation with your optometrist is critical to making the right choice before purchasing contact lenses. During your appointment, they will administer your contact lens fitting. This procedure involves a comprehensive examination of your eyes that considers multiple factors to prescribe you the best material, size, and replacement schedule. This includes an eye health and general vision assessment to note any changes in your prescription, as well as the checking of your cornea shape and pupil size for better lens selection. To prevent complications, you’ll also be examined for any complications that may interfere with contact lens use—such as dry eye disease, blepharitis, refractive errors, or allergies. From here, your doctor will ask you about your lifestyle, visual demands, occupation, or hobbies to determine what the best lens replacement schedule is for you. All these considerations can help your doctor choose the best contact lenses for your needs and preferences.
Buy contact lenses from reputable providers
Buying contacts from unreliable sources may cause you to wear poorly-made lenses that scratch your eyes, cause eye infections, or contain toxic tints. The safer option is to buy from regulated sellers. You can get contact lenses in person from your optometrist or other merchants. The US requires prescribers to give you a copy of your prescription after a contact lens fitting, allowing you to shop around for the best deal. A trusted store like America’s Best—which standardizes its optometrists’ educational and board exam requirements—allows you to get your prescription and lenses all in one place. If you’d prefer to buy contact lenses online, Contact Directs is one site you can turn to. It maximizes client safety by complying with national law and requiring prescriptions even if you’re buying colored contacts. You’ll also have a wider range of trusted brands to buy from, including Acuvue and Biofinity. By ensuring the reliability of your retailer, you’re guaranteed contact lenses that are safe and comfortable to wear.
Frequently lubricate your eyes
When wearing contact lenses, your eyes are more prone to drying, leading to much discomfort. If unmanaged, you may even develop dry eye disease. Your optometrist may diagnose you with this condition if your tears stop working properly and you experience a gritty or burning sensation along with blurry vision. As such, it is advised that you frequently use lubricating eye drops when wearing contacts to reduce the friction between the lens and your cornea. It’s also advisable to practice the 20-20-20 rule. This involves breaking up your screen time into 20-minute chunks, and between those chunks looking at an object 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds. This reduces further drying caused by digital eye strain that may aggravate dryness due to contacts.
Keep your contacts clean
Maintaining the cleanliness of your contact lenses can help protect your eyes from infection. Before handling your contacts, wash and rinse your hands properly. Use only disinfecting solutions, eye drops, and cleaners that are medically approved or recommended by your optometrist. You must also ensure your lenses don’t come into contact with water due to the microbes they contain—so remove them before swimming or showering. Finally, rinse your lenses with an optometrist-approved contact lens solution and replace them when you’re recommended to do so. These precautions reduce the chances of germs coming into contact with your eyes.
Wearing contact lenses can be a game changer. By observing these simple care tips, you ensure lasting comfort and safety.
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