Contact lenses have invaded the market, our eyes and our lives. They are a good alternative to spectacles that fog up in the heat and require wipers in the rain. There are a wide variety of lenses that have come into being -- hard, soft, semi-soft, disposable and coloured, to name a few.
However, while enjoying all these options, a contact lens user should remember to thoroughly clean, neutralize and rinse the lenses. These small curved pieces of plastic can collect dirt and bacteria. Now, who wants germs on lenses that are placed directly on the cornea of the eyes and float on a thin layer of tear dluid?
10 commandments to remember
1. Thou must go to a registered contact lens practitioner.
Make it a point to see someone who's registered with the Contact Lens Practioners Board, Singapore. You have to be allocated your lenses by an eye care practitioner and also don't forgot to mention your medical condition to him/her. Tell your practitioner your life history, as these are factors that will be kept in mind while prescribing you with suitable lenses.
2. Thou must wash thy hands before handling contact lenses.
Maintain the utmost cleanliness while handling your lenses. Avoid perfumed or medicated soaps to wash your hands or cream soaps that leave a film on your hands, which can transfer to your lenses. Remember that you are dealingwith your eyes here and the slightest negligence can cause an infection.
3. Thou shall never use shortcuts in cleaning routines.
There is a wide variety of contact lens cleaning systems in the market, each with their own sequence of solutions and steps. Some suggest a simple one-step process and others get to five or six steps. However, stay with what has been recommended by your eye care specialist to avoid any problerms.
4. Thou shall always place lenses in their box only.
Store your lenses in a lens case with fresh solution when they are not being used. This is to prevent scratching of the lenses. Lenses should be placed in the case made for them. The case can be kept clean by rinsing and air-drying them. One may also boil it in water to sterilize it at intervals or brush it with a toothbrush once a week. It also helps to replace the lens case at six months intervals.. Have them -- the box, not the lenses -- marked to identify sides.
5. Thou must learn the proper insertion and removal procedure.
Follow instructions given by your eye care practitioner. Practice the care routine in your practitioner's office if you are unsure. Incorrect use of contact lenses can lead to serious eye complications.
6. Thou will only use contact lens solution to clean lenses.
No, not homemade saline solution. Improper solutions can put soft lens wearers at risk of blindness. Also, never bring contact lenses in contact with tap water -- it isn't a substitute to solutions. Some users use a multi-purpose solution, which takes total care of the lenses. Solutions that clean one type of lens may damage another, so stick to the one recommended for your lenses. Place the lenses in sufficient amount of solution -- this prevents the lens from drying up.
7. Thou will attend aftercare check-ups whenever advised.
This is essential even for users who are not experiencing difficulties. Subtle changes that you not be aware of can take place and it is important to make sure your eyes and lenses are kept at their best.
8. Thou will dispose the lens after their specified time.
Disposable andreplacement lenses should be thrown away when scheduled to be discarded -- even if they appear to be perfect to your naked eye. This is even applicable for solutions; those beyond the "best before" date should be forsaken.
9. Thou must not sleep with lenses on.
Just like our nose inhales oxygen and our skin needs to breathe, so do our eyes. You may get away with short naps, but literally going to bed in them is a no-no. Another little tip, don't wear your lenses on long flights as the dry air causes severe discomfort. However, there's now a revolutionary lens material that you can safely sleep in. Ask your practitioner about it.
10. Thou shall never lick thy contact lens.
It may seem tempting, but harmful organisms from your mouth can be transferred to your lenses. Then when you place these lenses in your eyes, it may cause an infection. And if you have infected or irritated eyes, you shouldn't wear your lenses. Instead, march straight to your eye-care specialist.
Saving yourself from the environment
It is also important to remember the environmental restrictions on your contact lenses. We all know what it's like when a dust particle gets into our naked eyes. We end up rubbing our eyes, making them look all red and sore. This particle is twice as punishing when you have contact lenses on, and this includes contaminants such as smoke and sprays. Eye cosmetics can also settle on the eye. Tears also contain compounds that stick to the lens and need to be removed. Components from the tears that get onto the lens can be fats, protein, mucus and calcium. Going by the rules and cleaning your lenses religiously removes most of these components. However, it is said that protein is the most difficult to remove and thus one should use protein removal tablets.
Protein Removal
Some eyes produce more protein than others and you may have to use the tablets more often. Also, some lens materials tend to attract more protein than others. Protein removal tablets are designed to remove this film and nothing else with it. One feels the difference after cleansing the proteins off the lenses -- the feeling is known to be refreshing. Try it!
Before you make contact
If you're thinking of getting contact lenses, remember that your eyes are precious, so start right by going to a registered contact lens practitioner who will conduct a thorough eye examination. This will evaluate your suitability for contact lens wear. Get the necessary lens care kit and follow instructions for wear and care.
If used correctly, contact lenses can provide excellent vision and are very convenient. They may also improve your vision due to it being placed directly on your cornea. Users must remember that, together with being a fashion statement, contact lenses are medical devices. They require regular and conscientious maintenance or they may cause severe damage. If you still experience any problems after following the 11 commandments and taking care of your lenses with your heart and soul, contact your practitioner as soon as possible. Problems that can arise include blurred or fuzzy vision, red or irritated eyes, and pain in and around your eyes.
