Contact Lens Health Week

Refresh yourself on healthy contact lens hygiene.

The CDC has declared the third full week of August as Contact Lens Health Week, a time for us all to remind ourselves of the importance of good, healthy habits when it comes to wearing contact lenses. As a sequel to our recent post about bad habits with contact lenses (link here), we are observing Contact Lens Health Week by addressing four additional habits to avoid.

Showering while Wearing Contacts
Although you might hold the water at home in higher esteem than the water in a pool, you should still remove your contacts before taking a shower. Water of any kind – including the tap water used in your shower – can be a source of harmful bacteria that can lead to infection. Additionally, the buildup of steam in a shower can cause dry eyes, a less harmful yet no less annoying condition.

Mixing Old and New Solution
Some people are aware enough to put new solution in their contacts case, but their efforts fall short when they fail to first remove the solution already there. Just because you introduce new solution into your case doesn’t mean that the bacteria of the old solution suddenly goes away. It’s all still there, ready and willing to give you a nasty infection. Make sure to rinse out all old solution before you add more to your case.

Not Carrying Backup Eyewear
Accidents can happen at any time, including ones that can affect your eyes. Whether it be a random liquid spill, an unintentional scratch, or some other mishap, you could suddenly find yourself in need of a replacement pair of lenses. Always carry backup contacts or eyeglasses, especially if leaving home for an extended period of time.

Ignoring Signs of Infection
Our eyes, like most of our bodies, give us clear signals when something is awry. Many of us like to put things off until the last minute, even our health, but doing so carries the risk of allowing problems to worsen until it’s too late to stop them. The moment your eyes begin to exhibit signs of infection (e.g. redness, itching, swelling, pain, blurred/distorted vision), you should seek medical attention immediately to reduce the chances of the issue getting any worse.

There are many different measures we can take to help protect our eyes when using contacts, but the most effective of them all is attending your annual eye exam. Our optometrists at Sterling Vision are experts at assisting patients with all of their contact lens concerns, including fittings, lens options, and general health and safety precautions. To schedule an appointment with us, call 541-262-0597 or schedule online.