Five Important Tips for Anyone Who Wears Contact Lenses

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 45 million people—from teens to senior citizens—in the U.S. wear contact lenses. That’s a lot of people who choose to wear them instead of eyeglasses! Eyes are very delicate mechanisms, so it’s important that everyone who wears contacts knows the best practices regarding their use. 

An optometrist at Paul Thompson, OD will examine your eyes and fit you with the material, shape and strength of contacts that are perfect for you. We love building strong and longtime relationships with our patients. We look forward to meeting you and discussing how we can give you eye care that will help keep them healthy throughout your life. 

Here are some basic tips that all contact wearers should follow. 

1. Always wash (not with scented or creamy soaps) your hands before handling your lenses, and dry them with a lint-free towel. 
2. Replace your lenses based on your optometrist’s recommendations, even if you don’t use them every day. Dispose of the one-wear-use designs after the recommended amount of time, even if they feel still clean. Eye infections can crop up when you wear wearing lenses longer than you should or if you sleep in ones not made for overnight. 
3. Clean the case as thoroughly as you clean the lenses, and rinse it nightly with sterilizing solution. Let it air dry to eliminate any remaining bacteria. Get a new case at least every three months. 
4. If you’ve run out of contact lens solution, don’t use tap water instead because it might contain infection-inducing microbes. And never use saliva!
5. Keep your eyeglasses even if you think you’ll never need them again. You never know if there will be a reason why you can’t or shouldn’t wear your contacts. 

At the office of Paul Thompson, OD, our main concern is the health of your eyes. You can feel comfortable and relaxed while receiving the very best in vision care. Be confident that everything in our office is clean, comfortable and thoroughly sterilized. Please call or visit us to schedule an appointment. 

By Paul Thompson, OD

September 27, 2021