Contact lenses have to be worn with care; otherwise you may cause serious damage to your eyes. Here are some contact lens do’s and don’ts.

DO’s

  • Follow the instructions of your eye doctor. If you have any doubts, don’t hesitate to ask.
  • If you experience pain, swelling, redness or irritation after wearing contacts, call your doctor.
  • Have regular check-ups.
  • Stick to the wearing time schedule prescribed by your eye doctor.
  • Before handling lenses, make sure that you have washed your hands thoroughly.
  • Before removing the lenses, add rewetting drops.
  • After each wear, clear the lenses thoroughly to prevent the build-up of protein deposits.
  • The lens may chip or crack, so you have to be very careful while handling them.
  • Soft lenses may tear easily, so you have to keep them moist.
  • Rigid gas permeable lenses have to be cleaned in the palm of your hand.
  • Each night, use fresh cleaning solution in the storage case. Make sure that the lenses are completely immersed in the cleaning solution.
  • When inserting the lenses, stand close to a table. This will prevent the lens from landing on the floor should you drop it accidentally.
  • If the lens falls on your clothes or on the floor, you should clean them before wearing them again.
  • If you wear contacts, you should wear eye protection while playing games like hockey, tennis etc.
  • Apply hairspray or deodorant before wearing the lenses.
  • Avoid exposure to dust.
  • Remove the lenses before removing your eye makeup.

DON’T:

  • Stop wearing the contacts, if they suddenly become uncomfortable.
  • Don’t exceed the prescribed wearing schedule.
  • Don’t wear the lens, if you notice a tear in it.
  • Don’t handle the lenses roughly.
  • Also if you haven’t worn them for several days, you should avoid wearing them for long hours on end.
  • If you drop the lens, do not pick it up with your fingernail. Try to lift it with a damp finger. The lens will stick to it.
  • If you normally use a thermal cleaning system for your lenses, do not switch to a chemical cleaning system or vice-versa.
  • Don’t change cleaning solutions without consulting your doctor.
  • Don’t use different cleaning solutions simultaneously.
  • Don’t contaminate the cleaning solution by touching the tip of the bottle.
  • Don’t wear a soft lens that has been out of the solution for quite some time. This will make the lens brittle. In this case, you have to put the lens in the solution for at least 2 hours before wearing it.
  • Don’t rinse soft lenses using tap water.
  • Don’t put the lens in your mouth.
  • Don’t wear lenses while sleeping.