Shady Grove Eye and Vision Care offers a wide range of high-quality contact lenses. While contact lenses are a safe and effective corrective eyewear option, failing to handle or care for them properly can cause health problems. In today’s post, your expert eye doctor shares the important do’s and don’ts of contact lens care.
DON’T: Skip Washing Your Hands
Washing your hands thoroughly is a must before touching your contact lenses. We suggest using an antimicrobial or gentle cleansing soap, which helps remove dirt, germs, and microorganisms that may be transferred to your eyes and cause infections. Afterward, rinse your hands completely and dry them with a lint-free cloth.
DO: Clean Your Contacts Properly and Frequently
Contact lenses are directly applied on your eyes, which is why cleaning them on a regular basis is essential. Apply a few drops of our prescribed lens solution on one lens. Then, place it in your palm or in between your fingers and rub the lens gently in a circular motion. This produces mild friction that helps remove surface debris.
DON’T: Participate in Water Activities While Wearing Your Contacts
Water from the shower or pool may harbor microorganisms that could get inside your contact lenses, potentially causing eye infections. Make sure to remove your contacts before spending time in the water.
DO: Replace Your Contacts as Advised
Keep in mind that most contact lenses have a suggested wearing schedule to prevent lens wear-related complications. Daily disposable lenses, for example, should be discarded after a single use, while other types of contacts can be worn for several weeks.
DO: Undergo Regular Eye Exams
The most important thing you can do to safeguard your visual health is to schedule your comprehensive eye exam. During your appointment, we’ll determine whether your contact lens prescription is still adequate. If not, we’ll upgrade your lenses with a new prescription.
For more helpful tips on handling and caring for your contact lenses, call us at (301) 859-4060 or complete our form. We serve Washington, DC, and Arlington, VA.