Smith's Opticians AL

Contacts

Contact lenses are a popular method to clear vision without the burden of wearing and keeping up with glasses. They are easy and simple to maintain. Below is key information every contact lens wearer should know to best protect the health of their eyes.

 

Damaged Lenses

It is important to check each day that your lenses are not torn or inside-out before inserting them into your eyes. A tear can look like a thin hair on the lens that cannot be rinsed away. Ripped lenses can cause discomfort and can damage corneas. Inside-out lenses do not settle on the corneas completely and will move whenever you blink. If you feel that a lens is ripped or inside-out, remove the lens and check for damage. Do not reuse a damaged contact.

Be very careful not to expose your contacts to chemicals, including household cleaners. Because contacts are mostly made of water, they can absorb many chemicals that can damage your eyes. If your eyes come in contact with chemicals, remove the contacts immediately, and flush your eyes with water for at least 10 minutes. Do not reuse the affected lenses.

Wearing your Contacts

Keep in mind that wet lenses are easier to handle and insert than dry lenses. If it takes a few tries to put them in, make sure to rinse your lenses between attempts. Blink often and completely to keep your contacts hydrated. You can use eye drops to replenish moisture as needed. Certain brands of contacts advertise "extended wear" (contacts you can sleep in); however, we do not recommend patients sleep in their contacts. Overwearing your lenses can damage your corneas, and wearing the lenses in an extended wear schedule shortens the lifespan of the lens (1 month daily wear vs. 1 week extended wear). It is best to replace your 2 week lenses on the 1st and 15th of every month and your monthly lenses on the 1st.

 

Contact Lens Cases

Contact lens cases should be replaced every 3 months. Always fill your case with fresh multipurpose solution every time you take your contacts out for the day. When you put your lenses back in, empty the old solution, rinse out the case, and leave the case open to air dry. This will reduce the risk of infection from bacteria growing in the case.

Multipurpose vs. Saline Solutions

Multipurpose solution is used to wash, rinse, disinfect, and store your soft contact lenses. Opti-Free and Bio-True are two popular brands.

Saline solution should be used for rinsing only! Saline, though sterile, does not have any ingredients that clean or disinfect lenses. Using saline for rinsing can make your multipurpose solution last a little longer. Moreover, saline is inexpensive to purchase.