Life With Contact Lenses
Contact Lens Insertion:
First, wash your hands carefully with plain soap and water. Also, when drying hands, a lint-free towel is useful to help eliminate irritants (lint, fuzz, etc.) that may attach to the contact lens. Avoid using soaps that contain deodorant, fragrances, or oils. These substances can get on your lenses and cause eye irritation.
Always starting with your right lens helps you get each lens in the correct eye. Shake your lens case sideways to make sure that the lens is not stuck to the case. Hold the lens between your thumb and finger and rinse it well with solution.
Put the lens on the tip of your index finger, right side up. When it is right side up, the lens will look rounded like a bowl, with the edges going up. A lens that is inside out will have straighter sides and edges that turn out instead of up. Another way to tell whether your lens is right side up is to hold the lens between your thumb and forefinger and try to roll the edges in, like a taco. If the edges come together easily, the lens is right side up. If they won’t roll toward one another, the lens is inside-out.
Using your opposite hand, pull your upper eyelid open by grasping it near your lashes. Then pull your lower eyelid down with your middle finger with the hand which is holding the contact lens. Looking straight ahead, place the lens gently on the eye. Release the lower lid then the upper lid and take an easy blink.
Contact Lens Removal:
Look up, pull your lowed lid down, and slide the lens down onto the white of your eye. Pinch the lens to remove it.
Contact Lens Care:
Contact lens wear has many benefits when compared to eyeglasses including appearance, enhanced peripheral vision, ease of wear during sports and other physical activities and, in some cases, better visual acuity. However, as with any other drug or device, contact lens wear is not without possible risks. Problems with contact lens wear and associated care products can result in serious injury to the eye.
Adverse Reactions with Contact Lens Wear
Some, but not all, possible adverse events are listed below:
· Discomfort: foreign body sensation, i.e., the feeling that something is in the eye, stinging burning, itching, and light sensitivity
· Vision Changes: Decreased vision, blurred vision, foggy or cloudy vision
· Eye problems: corneal abrasions, redness, eye infections, keratitis, dry eye syndrome, and corneal ulcers that can develop rapidly and can lead to permanent loss of vision, including blindness.
What to Do If an Adverse Reaction Occurs
If any of the above-listed symptoms, or any other abnormal symptoms occur, the following should be done:
1. Immediately remove the lens(es).
2. If the lens is damaged, dispose of it and begin with a new lens.
3. If the lens appears undamaged, thoroughly clean and disinfect the lens and reinsert it.
4. If the symptoms persist after removal of the lens or with reinsertion, promptly contact our office.
Precautions to Avoid Adverse Events
1) Always wash, rinse, and dry hands before handling contact lenses. Do not use saliva, tap water, or anything other than your doctor recommended care system.
2) Rub your lenses with solution for 20 seconds on each side before disinfection.
3) Avoid getting water into the eyes while bathing, showering, or engaging in water activities such as swimming or use of hot tubs, etc. while wearing contact lenses.
4) Use care to prevent contact lenses from coming into contact with cosmetics, lotions, soaps, creams, hairspray, deodorant, or aerosol products.
5) Use care to prevent contamination of the contact lenses with environmental fumes, smoke, dust, and vapors.
6) Inform your employer that you wear contact lenses. Some jobs may require the use of protective eyewear while wearing contact lenses or contact lens wear may be prohibited.
7) Do not touch the contact lenses with fingernails, tweezers, or other tools.
8) If the contact lens appears “stuck” to the eye, instill contact lens approved lubricating drops and wait for the lens to move freely before removing it. If it still cannot be removed, contact our office.
9) Do not use any medicine eye drops or lubricating drops during contact lens wear unless first consulting your optometrist.
10) Replace contact lenses at the frequency prescribed by your doctor.
11) Do not sleep in your contact lenses unless your doctor has given you approval for extended wear.
12) Replace your contact lens case monthly.
13) Although wearing contact lenses will not increase your risk of catching a virus, if you fail to wash your hands properly and then touch your eyes or contact lens, then you are more likely to catch a virus or develop an eye infection.
Contact Lens Fitting and Renewal of Contact Lens Prescriptions
There are many variables associated with contact lens fitting and while there are numerous options available to increase the chances of successful contact lens wear, not everyone is able to achieve good comfort and adequate vision with contact lenses. Contact lens prescriptions are generally valid for one year, but in some instances, contact lenses may need to be discontinued, replaced, or refit. Lens prescriptions may be held from release if the patient is noncompliant with follow up care, wearing schedules, or proper lens care.
Contact Lens Wearing Schedule
Contact lens wearing schedules will be determined by your eye care professional. When beginning the contact lens fitting process, you will be directed on initial wearing times and how to gradually increase your hours of contact lens wear, until you reach the maximum wearing time as prescribed by your doctor. Daily wear refers to wearing the contact lens less than 24 hours and only while awake. Extended wear refers to wearing the lenses greater than 24 hours, including while asleep. Certain lenses have FDA approval for extended wear, however, not every patient is suitable for extended wear, even if the lenses are FDA approved for extended wear use. Your doctor can determine if you are a good candidate for overnight contact lens wear. With extended wear, there may be an increased risk of contact lens complications such as irritation, infection, inflammation, corneal edema, and corneal ulcers, which can lead to blindness.
Contact Lens Replacement Schedule
Contact lens designs vary in the frequency in which they should be replaced. Replacement schedules can range from daily disposable, to conventional (yearly) replacement. Your eye care professional will determine which modality will work best for you. It is important to replace contact lenses on the frequency that your doctor recommends. Doing otherwise can increase the risk of contact lens related complications.