General Contact Lens Info

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GENERAL SAFETY TIPS FOR CONTACT LENS WEARERS

Visit a reputable eyecare professional for a complete eye examination every 12 months or more frequently if directed by your eyecare professional.

Use only contact lenses if they are FDA-approved and only if prescribed by a licensed eyecare practitioner. Ask your practitioner whether the FDA has cleared the product.

NEVER swap contact lens with another person.

Don't wear lenses longer than prescribed, nor when sleeping unless otherwise directed.

If eyes become red or irritated, remove the lenses immediately and consult your doctor. Don't try to brave the irritation.

Replace contacts as recommended by your eyecare professional because they wear out over time. Throw away disposable lenses after recommended wearing period.

 

CLEANING AND SOLUTIONS SAFETY TIPS

CRD: Cleanse, Rinse, Disinfect your lenses after removal and before wearing them again. Enzyme cleaners and cleaning solutions alone can not substitute for disinfecting, although there are multipurpose products that can perform many of these functions if used as directed.

Wash and rinse your hands before handling your lenses. A non-perfumed hand soap is recommended.

Never use saliva on your lenses.

Never use non-sterile homemade saline, distilled water or tap water for any part of your lens care regimen.

Know your solution. Solutions cannot always be mixed. Use products recommended by your eyecare professional. Not all solutions can be used for all contact lenses.

Solutions can become contaminated during use. Do not let the bottle tip touch any surface including your contact lenses.

Clean, rinse and air-dry your lens case each time lenses are removed. Contact lens cases can be a source of bacterial growth.

 

HOW TO INSERT YOUR CONTACT LENSES PROPERLY

Wash (a non-perfumed soap is preferred), rinse & dry your hands before any interaction with the contacts. A wet finger could cause a soft lens to flatten. Do not use fingernails when handling your lenses.

If you are near a sink, close the drain to avoid any mishaps.

Always insert your contacts in the same order to eliminate mix-ups.

Pour the lens and storage fluid from the case into your palm.

Examine your lens for particles, deposits or tears.

Place the lens, cup side up, on your forefinger. Be sure the lens is right side out—the lens’ edge will appear almost straight up. If the lens is inside out, the edges will bow out slightly. If the lens is inside out, reverse it before proceeding.

Insert:

Hold your upper eyelid or lashes to hinder blinking.
Pull your bottom eyelid down using your middle finger
Look up at the ceiling so that the white part of your eye shows and position the lens onto the white part
Or, you can look forward at the lens and gently situate it in the center of your eye.
Remove your finger and let the bottom eye lid go before the top.

Look down to position the lens.

Close your eye for a moment.

Apply one to two eye drops (lens lubricant) if your lenses feel dry or vision blurs.

Repeat the same steps for inserting the lens for the left (or second) eye.
* Be sure to have your eye doctor demonstrate these steps prior to your first attempt at inserting your lenses.

 

SWAPPING LENSES

There have been alarming reports throughout the country that people--most frequently teenagers-are "swapping" lenses with each other: "I'll trade you my blues for your cats-eyes". REMEMBER: DO NOT SWAP, BORROW OR BUY SOMEONE ELSE’S LENSES. It is essential that contact lenses be professionally fitted. Contact lenses that don't fit correctly or are used by more than one individual can cause serious eye infections, sometimes resulting in permanent eye damage, or worse.

 

SOLUTIONS

What Are the Different Types of Solutions?

Cleaning solution: removes debris, dirt and mucus from the lens

Disinfecting solution: safely and effectively reduces microbial contamination on the lens that can cause eye infections

Multi-purpose solution: a single solution that rinses and disinfects lenses and may also contain protein removers

Peroxide solution:
Comprised of two separate components, one (peroxide) for disinfecting for overnight storage, and a neutralizer

Enzyme cleaner/Protein remover tablets or solutions: used to reduce protein build-up from tears that cling to the lens causing discomfort

Rewetting solution/ Comfort drops: used as a lubricant while wearing your lenses to increase comfort levels

Rinsing solution: eliminates debris and other solutions in preparation for usage

For specific information on solutions, please contact individual manufacturers directly.

Reminders:

Use only sterile solutions. Throw out any that have expired.
Once a solution bottle is opened, it is prone to contamination. Avoid touching bottle tips to surfaces or with your fingers.
Do not combine solutions unless directed by your eyecare professional.
Do not switch a brand of solution without first consulting your eye doctor.

 

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