Over 24 million people in the US wear contact lenses – if you’re reading this, you’re probably one of them. They’re a great alternative to glasses for many of my patients.
If you haven’t worn lenses before we can easily help you decide whether they are right for you. These days, there are a broad range of options for you to select from – including gas permeable (RGPs), soft lenses (extended wear, daily wear, and torics).
I tell most patients that they should remove their lenses at bedtime. I see many lens-induced eye irritations and infections in my practice, and these problems are often attributed to improper care or wearing lenses at night. So here are some basics for all lens wearers:
- Always wash your hands with soap prior inserting or removing contacts
- Try not to take your lenses in and out during the day
- If you’re lenses are expired, don’t wear them!
- Lens cases also need to be cleaned – always rinse your case with warm water and let it air dry
- Don’t mix different brands of solutions
- Be careful about using eye drops not intended for lens wearers – the wrong drops can irritate your eyes
And here’s the most important piece of advice. If your eyes are excessively red, painful, if they feel scratchy or if you have a discharge, take those lenses off and give your eyes a rest! Put on your eyeglasses (you do have a pair, don’t you?) and go back to the lenses once your eyes are back to normal.
