Table of Contents
Introduction
Contacts give you advantages that eyeglasses don’t. Those advantages, however, also include a certain amount of responsible care. Inadequate contact lens hygiene is one of the main causes of eye infections that responsible care prevents. The risk of infection is greater when you’re away from home, in changing time zones, or when access to clean water and supplies is less than desirable.
It doesn’t matter if you’re new to wearing contacts or if you’re accustomed to wearing them for quite a while; the tips we’ll go over here cover all you’ll need to know for keeping your eyes safe while home or away. Here at Golden Vision, our goal is for all of our patients to have vision that is clear and comfortable and doesn’t put their vision health at risk.
Why Does Contact Lens Hygiene Matter So Much?
Contact lens hygiene is important because they rest directly on the ocular surface for many hours at a time. If your contacts aren’t cared for properly, such as through poor cleaning, storage, or handling, they are a good way for bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens to get into the eye. The end result of poor cleaning can lead to mild irritation or serious infections like microbial keratitis that can cause serious damage to vision if not treated.
Good contact lens hygiene is even more important when travelling. During this time, you might be up against airport restrooms, hotel sinks, and tap water that’s not familiar. These variables can all lower the care of your contacts. As long as you maintain a regular lens hygiene regimen, it will be much easier to keep those practices when you find yourself in different environments.
Are You Washing Your Hands the Right Way Before Handling Lenses?
Did you know that proper hand hygiene is the basis for safe contact lens use, but that it is one of the main habits people rarely keep? Prior to even touching your lenses, you should do a thorough job of washing your hands with soap and water and then dry them with a lint-free cloth that is nice and clean. We stress lint-free towels because the lint and fibers from paper towels or regular cloth can get transferred to your contact lens and will then irritate your eyes.
Because access to soap and clean water isn’t always available, you should keep the following in your travel bag:
- Individually wrapped hand wipes that are contact lens safe.
- Hand sanitizer for emergency situations.
- Single-use lenses meant to be worn for just one day and discarded immediately, thus eliminating the need for cleaning or disinfecting.
If the situation should ever arise when it is impossible to wash your hands correctly, it is safer to leave your contacts in so that you don’t risk getting them contaminated by touching them with dirty hands.
How Should You Clean and Store Your Lenses at Home and on the Go?
The correct cleaning and storage of your contacts is equally important as your hand hygiene. Be sure to always use the recommended multipurpose cleaning solution or hydrogen peroxide system to clean and store your contacts. Don’t ever top off the old solution in your case, as this greatly lessens its disinfecting ability. This is one of the most common hygiene errors that people who wear contacts often make.
For travel specifically, keep these storage habits in mind:
- If traveling by plane, be sure to carry your lens solution bottles that are in compliance with TSA liquid limits.
- Your lens case needs to be replaced at least once every three months or at the time when you start a new bottle of the lens solution
- After each use, place your case face down on a clean tissue each time you use it so it can air dry
- Never, under any circumstances, store your lenses in regular tap water, saliva, or bottled water.
Because not all lens solutions are compatible with all of the various lens materials, Golden Vision recommends that you check with your eye care provider for the best-suited one for your lens type
Is It Ever Safe to Sleep or Nap in Your Contact Lenses?
Did you know that if you fall asleep while your contacts are in, even if it is for a very short nap, it will significantly increase the risk of getting an infection? This is because when your eyes are shut, the flow of oxygen to your cornea is already reduced. Then, if you are wearing contacts, it adds to this low oxygen flow situation, so you are now in an environment where bacteria can thrive. Studies have shown that those who sleep in their contacts are six to eight times more likely to develop an infection of the cornea than those who take them out every night.
If you are one of those people who have a doctor-approved prescription for extended wear, sleeping in the lenses might be ok for just a few nights. However, even those extended-wear users should still give their eyes some lens-free nights. If you become aware that you are often tempted to fall asleep with your contacts in, it’s a good idea to discuss daily disposables or even something like LASIK for vision correction with our team here at Golden Vision.
What Are the Rules Around Water and Contact Lenses While Traveling?
Water and contact lenses are not a lens-friendly combination, no matter how clean the water might seem to be. Acanthamoeba, a microorganism, can be found in tap water, swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, and even shower water. These microorganisms can attach themselves to contacts, and the corneal infection that they can cause is quite painful. It is also known to be tough to combat.
Follow these water-related rules whether you are at home or abroad:
- It doesn’t matter which type of water you’re in – a pool, the ocean, or even a freshwater lake- you should always take out the lenses before you get into the water
- Don’t take a shower or even wash your face with your contacts in, if you think that water might get into your eyes
- If, for some reason you have already gotten water in them while wearing your contacts, take them out right away, disinfect them completely, and watch for any redness or discomfort
- During international travel, be particularly careful about the quality of the tap water since different regions have very different standards
For the highest degree of safety when you travel, pack a pair of prescription swimming goggles or just plan to go without wearing your contacts if your trip should include any swimming or water sports.
When Should You Replace Your Lenses and See Your Eye Doctor?
Because contacts are a medical device, they have a recommended schedule for replacing them. Staying with that schedule is an important element in maintaining healthy eyes. If you wear them after their intended lifespan, it enables protein deposits, lipids, and various bacteria to build up on the lens. This increases your risk of getting irritated eyes as well as an infection. Daily disposables should be thrown away after each use. Lenses that are bi-weekly need to be changed every two weeks, and the monthly ones need replacement on the first of each month, regardless of how often they’ve been worn.
In addition to the replacement schedule, certain symptoms are a warning to take them out right away and get in touch with your eye doctor. Some of these symptoms are increased sensitivity to light or an unusual discharge. Here at Golden Vision, we encourage our patients to schedule their yearly contact lens examinations to be sure that their prescription is up to date, that their lenses are still a good fit, and that their eyes show no early signs of any type of complications. By being proactive with your eye care, you are on the way to catching any small problems before they become troublesome.
FAQs
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye care professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website.