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.
Do’s
- Get your contact lenses from a qualified eye care practitioner e.g. eye specialist, optometrist or registered optician with contact lens permit.
- 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.
