Our eyes allow us to capture the beauty of the world, yet many of us take our vision for granted. Here are some dos and don’ts to help you keep your eyes healthy, particularly if you are a contact-lens wearer.
The first, and most obvious, rule is to make sure your hands are clean anytime you handle your contact lenses, whether it’s wearing, removing or cleaning them. Wash your hands with a non-abrasive soap and dry them with a clean, lint-free towel before handling your lenses.
Avoid rubbing your eyes, particularly if your hands are dirty. Not only could this lead to further eye irritation or infection, it could also cause your lens to get dislodged and/or go “missing” in the eye.
Change your contact lens solution according to the interval recommended by the manufacturer or your eyecare professional.
When washing your lenses, don’t “top off” the solution. Use only fresh disinfecting solution in the lens case – never mix fresh solution with pre-used solution.
Clean your contact lens case by rubbing and rinsing it with lens solution – not water – and then empty and dry it with a clean tissue. Store the case upside down with the caps off after each use.
Replace your contact lens case at least once every three months.
Not all eye drops are suitable when you wear contact lenses, so use only those that are approved for contact lens wear. For further advice, consult your pharmacist.
Put on soft contact lenses before wearing makeup, or rigid gas permeable lenses AFTER applying makeup. Putting your lenses in after you’ve applied eye shadow, eyeliner and mascara makes it easier for them to get dirty and trap makeup particles in your eye.
Avoid lash-extending mascara, which has fibres that can irritate the eyes. Also avoid waterproof mascara, which cannot be easily removed with water and may stain soft contact lenses. Aim to replace your mascara every three months.
Avoid applying eyeliner too close to the edge of your eyelid in case of accidental contact with your eye.
If you use hairspray, make sure to spray it on before putting on your contacts. Otherwise, make sure you close your eyes during spraying and keep them shut for a few seconds after.
When outdoors, wear protective sunglasses to protect your eyes from ultraviolet radiation.
Finally, it’s important to get your eyes checked regularly if you face any issues with your contact lenses such as eye irritation or blurry vision. Those with certain medical conditions should also visit their eye doctor regularly; for example, those with diabetes who might develop diabetic retinopathy.
For the elderly, a regular eye examination is important to screen for cataracts and glaucoma. Catching these conditions early leads to early treatment, which can help preserve your vision.
This article was written by DOC2US, a mobile application that allows you to talk to a doctor or any healthcare professionals via text chat at any time and from anywhere.