Everyday Eye Care

Here are some safety tips you should follow if you wear contact lenses.
Make sure to:
• Get regular eye exams to assure the continued health of your eyes.
• Always have a back-up pair of glasses with a current prescription in the event that you have problems with your contact lenses.
• Always follow the directions of your eye care professional and all labeling instruction for proper use of contact lenses and lens care products.
• Always wash your hands before handling contact lenses to reduce the chance of getting an infection.
• Clean, rinse and air-dry your lens case each time lenses are removed. Contact lens cases can be a source of bacterial growth.
• Remove the lenses immediately and consult your eye care professional if your eyes become red, irritated, or your vision changes.
• Ask your eye care professional about wearing glasses or contact lenses during sports activities to minimize your chance of injury.
• Always ask your eye care professional before using any medicine or using topical eye products, even those you buy without a prescription. Some medicines may affect your vision or irritate your eyes.
• Apply cosmetics after inserting lenses and remove your lenses before removing makeup.
• Apply any spray aerosol products (hairspray, cologne, and deodorant) before inserting lenses.
• Always inform your employer if you wear contact lenses. Some jobs may require the use of eye protection equipment or may require that you not wear lenses.
• Replace contacts as recommended by your eye care professional. Throw away disposable lenses after recommended wearing period.


Do Not:

• Sleep in daily wear lenses because it may increase your chance of infection or irritation.
• Purchase contact lenses from gas stations, video stores, record shops, or any other vendor not authorized by law to dispense contact lenses. Contact lenses are medical devices that require a prescription.
• Swap contact lens with another person. Swapping provides a way to transfer germs between people. Contact lenses are individually fitted. Incorrectly fitted lenses may cause permanent eye injury, infection and may potentially lead to blindness.
• Smoke. Studies show that smokers who wear contact lenses have a higher rate of problems (adverse reactions) than nonsmokers.
• Swim while wearing contact lenses. There is a risk of eye infection from bacteria in swimming pool water.
• Put your lenses in your mouth to wet them. Saliva is not a sterile solution.
• Use tap water, distilled water or any homemade saline solution. Tap and distilled water have been associated with Acanthamoeba keratitis, a corneal infection that is resistant to treatment and cure.
• Rely on contact lenses to protect your eyes from the sun. Make sure to use sunglasses that block ultraviolet light

Source "U.S. Food and Drug Administration"