Contact lenses – The cosmetic alternative

These days spectacle frames are some kind of “facial accessory” and in fashion, which is great news for people dependent upon their glasses. But if you like the adventurous outdoors or playing sport, you will know that glasses, even though they help you see clearly, it does not make these activities easy. In fact, in playing contact-sport with glasses are considered dangerous.

Thankfully there is an alternative for most people, called Contact lenses.
Contact lenses are thin, curved lenses placed on the tear film that covers the cornea of the eyeball. Because these lenses are closer to the eye than spectacle lenses, they give a wider field of view to the patient wearing them and may differ in strength to the spectacle prescription.

Contact lenses can cause injury and infections if not used and cleaned properly. So here is a short summary of what to do and what not to do with these magical devices:

  1. DO NOT USE IF BLISTER IS OPENED OR DAMAGED. All new contact lenses are provided in sterile individual blister packages, with the lens immersed in saline solution.
  2. ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS, with soap and dry them, every time before handling your contact lenses. It is a good idea to put contact lenses in before putting makeup on, especially mascara or lotion, as it will damage your lenses.
  3. ALWAYS HANDLE WITH CARE and avoid dropping them.
  4. EMPTY YOUR LENS CASE after you’ve put the lenses in your eyes, rinse it with your solution, shake, and leave the case with the caps off to air dry. NEVER USE TISSUE/TOWEL TO DRY YOUR LENS CASE.
  5. ON REMOVING ALWAYS RUB THE LENS: even though some multipurpose solutions states “no rubbing”, it is best to place the lens in the palm of your hand, apply a few drops of solution and gently rub each side of the lens for 10 seconds to break up all deposits on the lens surface.
  6. ALWAYS USE FRESH SOLUTION FOR STORING your lenses every day in the lens case. Don’t try to reuse the solution as it will not disinfect your lenses and clean them. NEVER WASH LENS CASE OR STORE LENSES IN TAP WATER.
  7. MAKE SURE LENS CASE AND SOLUTION CAPS ARE TIGHTLY CLOSED, as the solution can evaporate and leave the lenses dehydrated and damaged.
  8. STICK TO YOUR WEARING SCHEDULE. Certain lenses are approved for monthly use or two-weekly and others for daily use. There is a specific and scientific reason that determines the wearing time. Over wearing your contact lenses can cause damage to your cornea.
  9. NEVER APPLY ANY EYEDROPS OR OINTMENT WITHOUT FIRST CONSULTING YOUR OPTOMETRIST. Most eye drops can damage your contact lenses.
  10. REMOVE LENSES AND CONTACT YOUR OPTOMETRIST IMMEDIATELY when your eyes become red, sensitive to light, uncomfortable or painful.

When you stick to these do’s and dont’s you should have a wonderful experience wearing contact lenses.