I have a few tips for contact lens wearers to share with you! I wear contacts, and although it takes a few tries to master the art of removing and inserting them, contacts are relatively easy to use. However, you need to make sure you care for them in order to protect the health of your eyes! Your eye is a sensitive body part, and contacts can carry bacteria when not cared for properly. Here are my top tips for contact lens wearers!
Of all tips for contact lens wearers, washing your hands before handling them may be my most important one! Always wash your hands before removing, inserting, or otherwise handling your contact lenses. You want to keep those contacts as sterile as possible! Plus, you’re putting your finger in your eye, so you want it to be clean anyways.
Don’t use the same solution for a few days thinking it will save time and money. Not only do you run a huge risk for infection, but you also will risk buildup on your lenses that can make your vision less clear. Go ahead and change the solution daily, and rinse out your case and each side of each lens every few days as well.
There are several contacts that are made to be slept in. While it’s certainly safe to sleep in those specific types of lenses, you will lengthen the life and quality of your lenses by taking them out at night anyways! And, it’s better for your eyes, as they get a little “rest” at night. No pun intended!
Always put your contacts in before applying makeup! That way, you don’t risk messing your mascara and eye shadow up. You may also get flecks of makeup in your eye and on your contact lens if you insert your contacts after applying makeup. The same rule applies when removing makeup: always take your contacts out first.
I love having long fingernails for fashion's sake, but it really hinders inserting and removing contacts. I have scratched my eye with my fingernail several times! It’s best to keep nails short, to avoid scratching your eyeball or ripping a contact lens.
Most eye doctors recommend replacing your case with a new one every 2-4 weeks, or 6 weeks at the longest. They are inexpensive, and you can buy them in bulk so you always have a fresh one on hand when needed! I bought a cute carrying case, so I didn’t have to look at a generic plastic case all the time.
Every week or two, you can wash your hands and hold one of your lenses in the palm of your hand. Rinse it well with contact lens solution (never water) and then gently massage it with a drop of solution. This removes buildup and any debris on your lens. I also carry re-wetting drops in my purse for days that my eyes feel dry or my contacts seem blurry and sticky- which is a sign that I need to remove them of build-up!
I have been wearing contacts for almost 10 years now, and these tips have worked for me! Always remember to follow your eye doctor’s advice and replace your contacts as often as he says! Your eye health is important and could be compromised by a contact lens that isn’t properly cared for or replaced on time. Do you have any tips for contact lens wearers?