Safety Tips For Contact Lens Wearers

By Author: Gene Johnson
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According to NHS statistics, there are more three million contact lens wearers in Britain. Contact lenses provide an alternative to glasses that is more convenient - particularly when engaged in sport - and offer more complete vision. For others, the choice of wearing contact lenses boils down to appearance; they just prefer themselves without glasses.

But, wearing contact lenses increases the likelihood of eye infection because you are putting a foreign body into your eye. If your fingers and lenses are sterile the possibility of infection is small, however bad hygiene and flouting of safety procedures is not good news for your eyes.

To ensure your eyes remain free from infection, bright and healthy follow these simple instructions.

Reusable lenses

Cleanliness and impeccable hygiene are especially vital for reusable lenses worn daily but replaced monthly. After removing contact lenses you must thoroughly disinfect them. For most people this is carried out in a small storage case filled with saline solution and set aside over night. The solution cleans your lenses and destroys any bacteria that could ...
... be lurking about.

Never re-use or top up disinfection solution as the bacteria may be left in the liquid and this may lead to infection the following time you put the lenses in your eyes.

Always wash, using soap, and dry your hands totally before and after insertion and removal.

Never leave your contact lenses in for longer than your optometrist recommends.

It's also a good idea to clean the contact lens case; leave it to dry in the open air every day and replace it every month.

Disposable and extended wear contact lenses

Extended wear lenses can be worn continuously, even when you are sleeping, for as long as one month. Daily lenses are worn for a day then thrown away. Both systems don't need disinfecting solutions. However, you should still ensure your hands are clean and dry when you insert and take out your lenses.

General tips

Try and have at least one day off each week and wear your glasses instead of contact lenses. You should regularly have your eyes examined by an optometrist; they will look for infections and assess your overall eye health. If you do see any hints of infection, like redness, gooiness and/or white spots on your eyes you should speak to an optometrist as soon as possible. Damien Croft is freelance writer and specialist in optometry.For more details visit http://www.visiondirect.co.uk