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Caring for your soft contact lenses.
Before inserting contact lenses:
- Always wash your hands before handling lenses, otherwise they could become contaminated with body oils, cosmetics, perfumes, etc.
- Make sure there's no foreign matter clinging to your lenses before insertion.
- Verify that the lens is positioned correctly on your finger before insertion. Edges flared outward means it's reversed. The lens should appear bowl-shaped.
- If you have long fingernails, you need to be extra careful not to scratch the cornea or damage the lens.
You may experience burning or scratching sensations under the following conditions:
- Insufficient tear supply in your eye.
- Dry atmospheric conditions, such as a heated room in winter or air-conditioning in summer.
- Medications - especially antihistamines.
- Prolonged reading or staring, which reduces the blink rate.
Any pain must be investigated. It could be a torn lens, trapped particle, abrasion, infection or any number of things. Pain is not normal with contact lens wear - remove the lens at once. Get in the habit of carrying a lens case. Sometimes simple removal and cleaning will take care of the problem.
A dropped lens can be difficult to find. It makes no sound when it hits and will cling to just about any surface. If you are lucky enough to find it, slide a piece of paper underneath and pick it up so as not to damage the lens. Then place in saline solution to clean and sterilize it. If the lens is uncomfortable, it was probably damaged and should be discarded. If inserting over a sink, close the stopper.
Women who use eye make-up and sprays need to exercise caution. Soft contacts will absorb products - especially sprays. If you must spray, keep your eyes closed and leave the area after spraying to avoid airborne pollutants from adhering to your lenses.
Lenses must be cleaned and sterilized at regular intervals. Cleaning does not sterilize your lenses, nor does sterilization remove grime - they must be done in tandem. Plus, it's important to use proper cleaning and sterilization products. Your Henry Ford OptimEyes professionals can recommend products. It is not advisable to change solutions if the product you are using has been successful.
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