CONTACT LENSES are widely used by people with refractive errors. The use of colored contact lenses for cosmetic reasons has gained much popularity lately.
However, not everyone is suitable for contact lens wear. Moreover, the use of contact lens is not without risk. Hence it is essential that everyone who chooses to wear contact lens must consult a qualified eye care practitioner such as an eye specialist, or a registered optometrist.
Reasons for consultation:
- Assessment on the suitability for contact lenses wear.
- Ensuring proper fitting of contact lenses.
- Proper education on the care of contact lenses and possible associated complications.
- Arrangement for regular eye check up.
DO YOU KNOW that contact lens wear can lead to the following complications?
Corneal Ulcer
- Is an infection of the cornea?
- Is the most serious complication of contact lens wear?
- May cause blindness
- The Symptoms are:
– red eye
– glare
– painful eye
– reduced vision
– eye discharge
– opacity of the cornea
If you are a contact lens wearer and suffer from any symptoms mentioned, STOP contact lens use immediately and consult an eye specialist.
Dry Eye
Symptoms:
- eye irritation
- foreign body sensation
Corneal Abrasion
- Superficial wound on the corneal surface
- This may happen while putting or removing your contact lens.
- Symptoms:
– watery eye
– red eye
– painful eye
– reduced vision
Allergic Conjunctivitis
- Reaction of the eye to deposits on contact lenses or preservative in the solution.
- Symptoms:
– itchy eye
– red eye
– stringy eye discharge
DO’s and DON’Ts for contact lens users.
Do’s
- Get your contact lenses from a qualified eye care practitioner e.g. eye specialist or an optometrist.
- Learn the proper techniques of insertion, removal, cleaning and storage.
- Wear lenses according to the schedule. Soft lenses must be worn for less than 8 hours per day.
- Wash your hands with soap and dry thoroughly when handling contact lenses.
- Clean your lenses with disinfecting solution as recommended, preferably rub the lenses with finger.
- Soak lenses overnight in sufficient cleaning solution to completely cover the lenses.
- Rinse lenses thoroughly with normal saline before inserting
- Clean and air dry your contact lens case each time the lenses are removed from the case. Keep your case in a dry and clean place. Replace the contact lens case every 3 months.
- Keep finger nails clean.
- Get advice from your contact lens providers before using any eye drops to relieve discomfort.
- Have regular eye examinations, at least annually or as advised by your contact lenses providers.
- Remove lenses and consult an eye specialist or optometrist immediately if you experience symptoms such as red eye, pain, tearing, increase light sensitivity, blurring of vision, eye discharge or swelling.
Don’ts
- Do not purchase lenses over the counter or via internet without prior consultation from a qualifies eye care practitioner, this includes cosmetic coloured contact lenses.
- Never wear another person’s contact lenses.
- Do not sleep with your contact lenses even if they are extended wear lenses, as this will increase your risk of an eye infection.
- Do not swim with your contact lenses on.
- Do not use home made saline, distilled water, tap water or saliva to clean, wet or soak your lenses.
- Do not use cleaning solution open for more than 30 days.
- Do not continue to wear contact lenses if your eyes feel uncomfortable or have irritation.
YOU ARE AT HIGHER RISK OF CONTACT LENS RELATED COMPLICATIONS IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW THE ADVICE ON PROPER CONTACT LENS WEAR. IF YOU CANNOT COMPLY WITH THE ABOVE MEASURES, IT IS ADVISABLE THAT YOU SHOULD REVERT BACK TO WEARING SPECTACLES.
