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A decade or more ago, cleaning contacts was a seriously involved proposition that took significant time and effort. Today, cleaning contacts is much easier. Cleaning contacts has become so easy that the process may be forgotten. This is a big mistake made by many contact wearers. Cleaning contacts is a very important part of a daily eye care regimen
One of the biggest reasons people don't properly clean contacts is the time and effort it takes. Another important point is that disposable contacts have become so popular that many people are simply in the habit of wearing their disposable contact lenses for a few days and throwing them away. That practice is fine for contact wearers who are not using permanent contacts. But cleaning is a must for people who have permanent wear contacts.
The most important reason for proper cleaning is the control of diseases, germs and irritants. Even if your contacts haven't been anywhere except your eyes and a contact case, the potential for contamination is great. If you took a microscopic look at your finger, you would see all of the germs that could potentially infect your contacts and then your eyes. You'd likely be surprised at what was on your finger when you removed your contact. Also, think about what other contaminants your contacts might have come into contact with over the period of time they were out of your eyes. The environment can also expose contaminants to your contact lenses even while you are wearing them. Even if the contaminants on your contacts do not cause problems with your eyes, there's a real potential that something on the contact could blur or obstruct your vision.
Think your contacts can't possibly be dirty? Even if they've been in your eyes all day, your contacts need to be cleaned when you remove them. Your eyes will generally secrete minute amounts of mucus throughout the day that can accumulate on your contacts. Not only that, but there are millions of tiny dust particles and other pollutants that can collect on a contact lens, even if that lens has been in your eyes all day.
Cleaning the contacts is now easier than ever. You'll find a wide array of products that make the process of cleaning fast and easy. Many of these cleaning products are available at a very reasonable price. There are great many cleaning solutions from which to choose. Before you choose, ask your doctor for a recommendation. Some manufacturers will recommend a specific cleaner, because it works best with their product. In some cases, your doctor may be able to make the decision easier and advise you on the best products on the market.
Here is how to clean your contacts. When in doubt, follow your contact maker's recommendations. First, wash your hands with a non-moisturizing soap and dry completely. Remove one contact lens, and place it in the palm of your hand. Next, apply the contact cleaning solution your eye doctor recommended. The Federal Drug Administration recommends that you rub the cleaning solution into your contact, even if the cleaning solution says not to rub the solution in. Cleaning your contact insures that debris of any kind will be removed from the lens. Next, rinse the lens for the amount of time recommended by the lens cleaning solution. Rinsing is an important step that insures a clean contact lens. Finally, place your cleaned lens in your clean lens container to disinfect. Fill your contact lens with fresh cleansing solution and allow the cleanser to sit in the contact lens for the amount of time recommended by the lens cleaning solution manufacturer. Repeat the cleansing process on the other lens.
From time to time your contacts may become uncomfortable due to a build up of protein on the contact lens. Regular daily cleaning will keep protein from building up on your contacts. But if you wear long-wearing contacts, protein may still build up. In that case, you will need to use a special protein cleaner on your contacts. Enzymatic contact cleaners and daily protein removers should help to keep your contacts comfortable.
Some contact wearers have problems with dry eyes or allergies. Dry eye and allergies can make wearing contacts extremely uncomfortable. There are special moisturizing drops for contact wearers with dry eye problems. And if you develop an allergic reaction to your contact solution, change to a solution that is preservative-free.
Saline solutions are used for rinsing and storing contact lenses depending on the type of disinfecting method you may be using. Saline solutions should never be used for both rinsing and disinfecting your contact lenses.
Daily cleansing solutions are used to daily clean your contact lenses. You apply a few drops to one side of the contact lens and rub for the recommended amount of time. Then turn the contact lens over, apply a few more drops of cleanser, and rub again. Or, better yet, use a multipurpose contact cleanser and disinfectant. Follow the instructions on the container or box for use. Multipurpose contact cleansers and disinfectants do the work of several types of contact solution in one product.
The importance of cleaning your contacts regularly cannot be emphasized enough. Clean contacts are more comfortable and do not cause eye diseases. The fact is that you owe it to your eyes to clean your contacts every time you are preparing to put them on. |
