Contact Lens Hygiene

Contact lens Hygiene

Keeping your contact lenses clean and stored in a hygienically and correctly plays an important part in maintaining good eye health. The risk of developing an infection whilst wearing lenses is still exceptionally low, and almost always caused by poor hand hygiene. Looking after your lenses properly will ensure your eyes aren’t at risk of developing infections.

A simple daily cleaning routine and healthy hygiene habits will prevent any issues whilst wearing contact lenses. Below are some of the most asked questions about contact lens hygiene.

How many hours can I wear my contact lenses in a day?

Contact lenses come in different types of materials and these determine the length that they may be worn.  Additionally, the eye health of an individual is a deciding factor.  As a guideline, most contact lenses are safe to be worn for 8-10 hours  a day.  Extended wear lenses, may be worn longer or even overnight but only under careful monitoring and supervision of your optometrist.

Why do my contact lenses get blurry?

Debris and protein do build up in your lenses through the day and this can blur your lenses. Poor fitting lenses and dry eyes are also contributing factors. An assessment by your optometrist under a microscope will be able to determine the exact cause of the blurry vision.

How do I clean my contact lenses?

Wash your hands and make sure they are dry and clean of any lint or dirt. Place the lens in the palm of your hand, apply a few drops of contact lens solution and use your finger to rub the lens gently taking care not to tear the lens or rub it too hard as this can damage it. Rubbing and rinsing with a multipurpose solution is the best way to clean most lenses. Some lenses require a different type of cleansing regimen why it is always important to follow the advice of your optometrist. Do not use your nails as this can tear the lens and transfer bacteria. Rinse the lens with fresh solution and then transfer to your lens case. Be sure to use fresh solution with every use.

What do I do if I cant find my contact lens in my eye?

Book an appointment with your optometrist! Contact lenses can sometimes shift in the eye and its difficult to tell if it has fallen off or lodged somewhere on the surface of the eye or the lid. If left in the eye, it can lead to infection or ulceration. Having your optometrist assess it is always best!

Can I swim with my contact lenses on?

Swimming with lenses isn’t always a good idea. Water in pools and even the ocean has many microorganisms that can attach themselves to the lens. Daily use contact lenses are perfect as they can be disposed after swimming. Additionally, the salt content in lenses can affect the fit of the lens sometimes making it uncomfortable. Your optometrist will be able to guide you on the correct type of lenses if you plan on swimming with them.