Contact Lens Health PSA

Contact lenses ARE like underwear.

I may be partial to contact lenses seeing as I sub-specialized in fitting them but I will be the first to point out they are a double-edged sword. These little discs of oxygen permeable plastic are as wonderful and convenient as they are dangerous and harmful if not used correctly.

This is why it is genuinely alarming to me when I meet so many patients who were never taught about proper contact lens care and hygiene practices. These are medical devices that deserve your respect and any eye doctor you go to should take the time to review these precautions with you - even if you are a seasoned wearer.

Whether you are new to contact lenses or as experienced as they come, check yourself against this list of do’s and don’ts & see how you score!

• Wash your hands before handling your contacts. Seems obvious esp. with COVID.

• Replace your contacts ON TIME: overwear puts you at serious risk for an infection.

• Do not sleep in your contacts: high risk of infection & your eyes need to breathe!

• Do not swim, sleep or shower in your lenses. Water = germs = infection!

• Never use saliva to clean your lenses. That’s…just gross.

• You must RUB your contacts in solution to clean them. Soaking is not cleaning.

• Never top off your contact lens solution! Out with the old & in with the new nightly.

• Do not keep your lens cases beyond 3 months: germs do build up in there!

• Have backup glasses & limit wear time to 12 hours. Give your corneas a breather.