Here are some safety tips you should follow if you wear contact lenses.
DOs
- Get regular eye exams to assure the continued health of your eyes.
- Always have a back-up pair of glasses with a current prescription in the event that you have problems with your contact lenses.
- Always ask your eye care professional before using any medicine or using topical eye products, even those you buy without a prescription. Some medicines may affect your vision or irritate your eyes.
- Ask your eye care professional about wearing glasses or contact lenses during sports activities to minimize your chance of injury.
- Apply cosmetics after inserting lenses and remove your lenses before removing makeup.
- Apply any aerosol products (hairspray, cologne, and deodorant) before inserting lenses.
- Always inform your employer if you wear contact lenses. Some jobs may require the use of eye protection equipment or may require that you not wear lenses.
- Follow and save the directions that come with your lenses. If you didn’t get a patient information booklet, request one from your eye care professional or look for one on the manufacturer’s website.
- Replace contacts as recommended by your eye care professional. Throw away disposable lenses after recommended wearing period.
DON’Ts
- Sleep in daily wear lenses because it may increase your chance of infection or irritation.
- Purchase contact lenses from gas stations, video stores, record shops, or any other vendor not authorized by law to dispense contact lenses. Contact lenses are medical devices that require a prescription.
- Swap contact lens with another person. Swapping provides a way to transfer germs between people. Contact lenses are individually fitted. Incorrectly fitted lenses may cause permanent eye injury, infection and may potentially lead to blindness.
- Smoke. Studies show that smokers who wear contact lenses have a higher rate of problems (adverse reactions) than nonsmokers.
- Swim while wearing contact lenses. There is a risk of eye infection from bacteria in swimming pool water, hot tubs, lakes and the ocean.
(Adapted from original article, “Everyday Eye Care”, retrieved from the FDA website on March 8, 2017).
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