HOW TO AVOID INFECTIONS WITH CONTACT LENSES
Millions of people wear contact lenses, but many do not follow the instructions for safe use.
Wearing contact lenses increases the risk of eye infections. Failure to follow instructions greatly increases this risk. Wearing dirty contact lenses is a major source of frequent, often severe, eye infection.
If you are using contact lenses for the first time, make sure that contact lenses and, if applicable, your cleaning product, have been prescribed by an ophthalmologist.
The two main types of contact lenses are the rigid gas permeable contact lenses and the flexible permeable contact lenses. Your ophthalmologist will advise you on the best contact lenses for your specific case. The Instructions for using and caring for your contact lenses will vary accordingly.
WITH REUSABLE CONTACT LENSES
This type of contact lenses is not recommended for occasional use! They are indicated only if the patient wears them every day!
After removing these types of contact lenses, it is essential that you disinfect them as this prevents microbes from building up on the lens.
To clean them, the following guide applies: Grip the storage case with a clean handkerchief, disinfect it with surgical alcohol, dry it again with a clean handkerchief, leave it open for the alcohol to evaporate. Then, without delay, remove the contact lenses from your eyes, put them in and pour the cleaning product. The contact lenses must be immersed in their solution, in their storage case, for the period of time specified in the instructions for use.
Never reuse or recharge the disinfectant solution. You must discard and replace the product with a new solution each time the contact lenses are stored.
It is highly advisable to renew the cleaning solution every 24 hours.
The storage kit should be replaced monthly!
WITH DAILY DISPOSABLE CONTACT LENSES
Daily disposable contact lenses are the most recommended. They are the only ones to use in case of occasional wear of contact lenses.
Daily disposable contact lenses do not need cleaning or disinfection because they are only used once and then thrown away.
Do not reuse these contact lenses as they are not suitable for repeated use.
WITH EXTENDED WEAR CONTACT LENSES
Day-And-Night-wear, also called, extended-wear contact lenses are specially designed for overnight wear, and can be worn continuously for up to a month before being discarded. They are indicated in very particular cases. If you need to remove them temporarily, your ophthalmologist will advise you on how to care for these types of contact lenses. You may need more frequent checks if you wear this type of contact lenses.
WITH ALL KINDS OF CONTACT LENSES
You should always:
• Wash, rinse and dry your hands well before handling your contact lenses.
• Replace the contact lenses at intervals specified by your Eye Doctor.
• Have an updated pair of glasses to wear when you need to remove your contact lenses.
• ALWAYS ask yourself these three important questions:
1. Do my eyes look good?
2. Do my eyes feel good?
3. Can I see well?
If you can't answer "yes" to all of these questions, or if you have any other questions about your contact lenses, please remove them immediately and speak to your Eye Doctor.
• Seek medical advice if you have any questions with your contact lenses.
REMEMBER:
• Never go to bed with a painful red eye. Seek advice immediately from your ophthalmologist.
• Never put your contact lenses in contact with tap water.
• Never wet your contact lenses with saliva.
• Never wear your contact lenses while showering.
• Do not sleep while wearing contact lenses unless your ophthalmologist allows it.
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE
With the use of contact lenses, it is strongly recommended that you do regular preventive check-ups with your ophthalmologist, at least once every six months. Only your ophthalmologist can detect the early signs of infection and intolerance.