Contact lenses are a fantastic and comfortable alternative to glasses, which is why it’s estimated that more than four million people in the UK use them. While they’re incredibly popular, there are still a number of considerations you should make before using contact lenses.
Improper use can have profound consequences on your eye health, so check out our five top tips below to ensure that you get the best out of your contact lenses.
- How do I choose?
With so many contact lens products on the market, choosing the right ones for you may seem like an impossible task.
There are two different categories of contact lens – soft lenses and hard lenses. Soft lenses are available in different varieties to suit a range of lifestyles; from daily disposable products, through to longer, continuous wear lenses that can be worn up to 30 days at a time. Hard lenses are personally fitted to the wearer’s eyes and can be used for longer periods of up to two years.
The type of contact lens that you choose depends entirely on your visual needs and lifestyle requirements. Although the choice may initially seem overwhelming, working with an experienced optometrist will ensure you have all the information available to make an informed decision.
2. Hygiene is key
Hygiene is of paramount importance when handling your contact lenses. Since contact lenses come into direct contact with your eye, if they’re not handled with care, they can cause serious consequences to your eye health and vision.
Before you insert or remove your lenses, ensure you’ve washed your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds. Dirt and germs on your fingers can cause all sorts of problems – from irritation and infections, through to full loss of eyesight in serious cases.
Since tap water is not sterile, use a fresh, multi-purpose contact lens solution for cleaning and storing – ensuring you replace it each time you remove them to avoid bacteria build-up. Clean your case after each use and replace at least every three months to maintain the best environment for your lenses.
Once you’ve got the hang of keeping everything clean and sterile, it should be easy to maintain excellent hygiene and keep your eyes as healthy as possible.
3. Ordering online – a word of warning
You’ve seen an offer for contact lenses online that are cheaper than your current ones – but is it really a good deal? It may seem tempting to order contact lenses at a discounted price but beware that many online suppliers are unregulated and therefore do not comply with safety regulations.
Buying online can often result in poor-fitting lenses with improper – or even expired – materials, increasing the risk of eye infections, corneal abrasion and corneal ulcers. In some cases, permanent eye damage and sight loss can occur – a hefty price for a cheaper product.
Spending time with an optometrist to identify exactly which contact lenses would best suit you, and learning how to care for and use them properly, is the only way to guarantee that your contact lenses will keep your eyes healthy and your sight clear.
4. Ditch them in dress-up
Whether dressing up for Halloween, or going for a night out with friends, many people reach for colour-change contact lenses to go all-out on an outfit.
Unfortunately, just like shopping for cheaper contact lenses online can lead to potential eye damage, so can those designed for ‘fun’. Not only can they cause sore eyes, infections and other more serious problems from poor fit, the chemicals used to colour the contact lenses can actually be toxic to your eyes. If these chemicals seep in, it can result in permanent damage and sight loss. Which makes dressing up seem a whole lot less fun!
As a general rule, it’s best to avoid any contact lenses that haven’t been prescribed specifically to you to help keep your eye health in the best condition.
5. Don’t skip your check-ups
Regular eye check-ups are important for everyone – but even more so if you are a wearer of contact lenses.
An eye health check should be performed by your optometrist at least every one to two years, but often more frequently for those with certain visual needs or risks. If you aren’t sure how often to visit, it’s worth having a chat with your optician who can advise.
If you wear contact lenses, it’s advised that you should also get the fitting checked once a year, making sure they’re still fit for purpose and not damaging your eyes.
While we’re all busy, skipping these important sessions with an expert – and missing something key – can lead to problems further down the line.
Contact lenses can be a great way to improve your vision and benefit your lifestyle, but it’s really important that you take care of them and avoid putting anything into your eye that will risk damage. If you’re worried about your eye health or need help with contact lenses, always visit an optician for expert advice and support.