Healthy Vision & Contacts | Ultraviolet Awareness & Healthy Vision Month

Contact lenses are often a great alternative for people who need eyeglasses.

Contact lenses might be a better solution for you than eyeglasses if you are physically active, for example. You don’t have to worry about your glasses moving around or falling off when you’re playing racket ball or doing yoga.
​

Or, if you prefer to wear non-prescription sunglasses when you’re spending time outside, hanging out at the beach or going for a bike ride or run, contact lenses can be a great option. (Plus, they don’t fog up like glasses can!)

​Whether you are considering contact lenses for the first time or have been wearing them for years, it’s helpful to understand how to care for them correctly to keep your eyes healthy.
​

Types of Contact Lenses

Contacts are considered either hard or soft. Hard lenses that are made today are usually gas-permeable lenses made of plastics or silicone. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, hard lenses may provide sharper vision than soft lenses for some people who have astigmatism (an uneven curvature of the cornea or lens). Soft contact lenses tend to be more popular than hard lenses due to their comfort.
 
Not all contacts are intended to be worn the same amount of time:

• Reusable daily wear lenses are worn all day and taken out and cleaned each night. The lenses are replaced on an individual schedule.
• Disposable daily wear lenses are also an option. These lenses are taken out each night and disposed of on a daily basis. Although they tend to be the most expensive, they also offer convenience, since they do not require cleaning.

• There are also extended wear contacts, which are worn for a certain amount of time before they need to be replaced. Some extended wear contacts can be worn overnight.

 
Additional specialized types of contact lenses are also available, such as bifocal and multifocal lenses. 
 
Keep in mind: Not every type of contact lens corrects all types of vision problems. Certain types of lenses may also require more care than others. The cost of lenses may also vary. Your eye doctor can help you determine which type of contacts are best for you based on eyes, vision, lifestyle, and personal preference / comfort.
​

Possible Risks Associated with Contact Lenses

Although contact lenses are safe for most people, there are a few risks. The most significant risk of wearing contact lenses is developing an infection. An infection from wearing lenses can occur if bacteria, parasites, or fungi get in the eye. Microbes can build up under the lenses, or you can introduce pathogens if your hands are not clean when you handle your lenses.
 
Wearing contacts longer than recommended and sleeping in lenses that are not intended for overnight use also increase your risk of infection. Depending on the type of infection, it can lead to scarring of the cornea and even vision loss.
 
Symptoms of a contact-related eye infection may include:

• Eye pain
• Redness
• Sensitivity to light
• Gritty feeling in the eye
• Blurry vision

• Discharge from the eye

 
If you develop any symptoms of an eye infection, it’s important to see your eye doctor as soon as possible. If left untreated, an eye infection can become worse and may affect vision. If the infection is severe enough, it can lead to permanent vision loss. The sooner you seek treatment, the better the chances of preventing damage.
​

Handling Your Contact Lenses Correctly

It’s critical to handle your contact lenses correctly to prevent complications. Handling your lenses with clean hands is one of the most important things you can do to prevent infection. Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling your contacts. Don’t use any lotions on your hands before touching your lenses. The lotion can get on your lenses and into your eyes.
 
When you handle your lenses, avoid contact with your fingernails. Be sure to use the recommended lens care products to clean contacts. Not all types of solutions are safe for all types of contacts.
​

Dos & Don'ts for Contact Lens Wearers

If you are a contact lens wearer, there are several dos and don’ts to prevent infection and complications. Consider the following: 

• Do follow the manufacturer’s instructions for when to replace lenses.
• Don’t swim in lenses. Water from lakes, pools, and rivers can contain harmful pollutants and pathogens that can lead to an eye infection.
• Do throw out your contact solution daily.
• Don’t top off your contact solution, which involves adding a little solution to what you already have in your lens case.
• Do rub your lenses as you are cleaning them to remove the buildup of bacteria.
• Don’t wear your contact lenses if you develop any signs of an eye infection.
• Do replace your contact lens case every few months. Over time, the case can harbor bacteria.

• Don’t use tap water to rinse your lenses. It may contain bacteria.

 
One more thing contact lens wearers need to do is have regular eye exams to keep your eyes safe and healthy. Your eye doctor can detect vision changes and eye problems before they cause permanent damage, and often before they’re noticeable to you.
 
Remember, your best defense against complications from wearing contacts is to follow your eye doctor’s recommendations regarding the best type of contacts for you and follow safe contact lens use, care, and handling.
 
If you have questions about contact lenses, are due for a routine eye exam, or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our eye doctors, please call our office at 508-746-8600. You can also learn more about contact lenses by visiting our contact lens pages on our website. 
 
We hope you enjoyed our posts this month as we covered Ultraviolet Awareness & Healthy Vision Month. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us!