Jeepers Peepers

by Maria F. Aldana — April 24, 2008

Although contact lens wearers generally know how to care for their lenses, there may be times when we tend to forget the importance of taking extra special care for our eyes. Depending on the type of contact lens you are prescribed, it may differ, but check out these general guidelines from WebMD on how to keep your eyes healthy:

• Always wash your hands with warm water and soap before handling your contact lenses or before touching your eyes. Any residue from lotions, soaps, or chemicals may stick to the contact lens, causing pain, irritation, or blurred vision when they are in your eyes. Dry your hands with a clean towel.
• Wear your contact lenses as prescribed. Your eye doctor will recommend a wearing schedule specific to the type of contact lens you have selected. Only wear your contact lenses for the time recommended.
• Clean and store your contact lenses as prescribed (in a clean case in fresh solution). Different types of contact lenses require special care and certain types of products. Always use the eye care products recommended by your eye doctor. Some eye products or eye drops are not safe for contact lens wearers.
• If you develop an eye infection (signs include redness, burning, or excessive tearing), remove your contact lenses and discontinue use until you talk with your eye doctor. Wearing a contaminated pair of contact lenses will invite the infection to remain. After resuming contact lens use, closely follow your doctor's instructions to help prevent future eye infections.
• Wearing contact lenses may cause your eyes to become more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunglasses with total UV protection and/or a wide brim hat when in the sun.
• Do not sleep with your contact lenses in your eyes unless you are prescribed "Extended Wear" contacts! While the eyes are shut, tears cannot carry healthy amounts of oxygen to the eye. As a result, your contact lenses will become dry and stick to your eyes. If you accidentally do fall asleep with your contact lenses in, be sure to put eye drops in your eyes and wait a few minutes before trying to remove your contact lenses.
• Put in your contact lenses before applying makeup to avoid contaminating your contact lens. When removing your makeup, be sure that you wash and dry your hands. Once you have done this, remove your contact lenses and then remove your makeup.