The Do and Do Not of Contact Lens Wear!*
If you, or someone you know, is a contact lens wearer, it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that the CONTACT LENS or the CASE DOES NEVER COME IN TO CONTACT WITH WATER.
(AK – Acanthamoeba Keratitis – is a serious rare disease sight-threatening eye infection caused by microscopic free-floating amoeba found in lakes, oceans and rivers, as well as domestic tap water, swimming pools, hot tubs, soil and air, it generally affects contact lens wearers, although not exclusively)
IMPORTANT: Please always seek medical help from your Contact Lens Practitioner, if you are in doubt or have questions regarding contact lens wear and/or an eye condition.
Do when becoming a Contact Lens Wear
- Wash, rinse and completely dry your hands before you handle your contact lenses.
- Clean, rinse and disinfect your contact lenses with the specific recommended solutions each time you take them out.
- After removing your lenses from their case always empty and rinse it with a specific recommended solution (not water) and allow it to completely air dry.
- Use new fresh specific recommended solution to store your lenses in, do not ‘top-up’ existing solution that may be in the case.
- Always use the specific solutions and eye drops to care for your eye care and contact lenses recommended by your Contact Lens Practitioner
- Change your contact lens cases every 3 months.
- Always take your recommended solutions and a contact lenses case when you travel.
- Keep track when you need to replace your contact lenses. (Put a reminder in your diary)
- Take your contact lenses out and contact your Contact Lens Practitioner if your eye become red, irritated, have pain or your vision changes. Better be safe than sorry.
- If you want to wear makeup – put contact lenses in before applying makeup and take them out before removing makeup.
Do not when becoming a Contact Lens Wear
- Do not let the tip of any bottle touch any surface, including your skin, lashes or fingers; this can cause contamination of the solution.
- Do not let water come in contact with your contact lenses or the case.
- Do not shower while wearing your contact lenses.
- Do not swim with your contact lenses, if you have to please wear tight fitting goggles, which will reduce, but not eliminate, the infection risk.
- Do not sleep with in your contact lenses, unless you have been specifically told it is allowed.
- Do not touch your contact lenses or case with wet hands (water).
- Do not over wear your contact lenses – only wear them as your Contact Lens Practitioner has recommended.
- Do not use saliva, tap water or any other solution to clean your contact lenses.
- Do not let anyone touch your contact lenses nor wear them.
* Source: Please consider this guidance as provided by Mr Andrew D Price FBDO(Hons) CL MBCLA – The ADP Consultancy as general advice. Specific advice applicable to you and your lenses should be obtained from your Contact Lens Practitioner.