Front-Shop Magazine

Contact Lens Hygiene

Contact Lens Hygiene

Eye Care

Retha van der Walt

B.Optom (RAU) FOA (SA)

Intro

Contact lenses are among the safest forms of vision correction when patients follow the proper care and wearing instructions provided by their Optometrist. However, when patients do not use lenses as directed, the consequences may be dangerous. In fact, contact lens wearers could be damaging their eyes by not using proper hygiene in caring for their lenses

Clean and safe handling of contact lenses is one of the most important measures contact lens wearers can take to protect their sight. Exercising optimal care and hygiene with contact lenses can keep the eyes healthy.

There are different kinds of contact lenses available, depending on your eye’s prescription and shape, your Optometrist will prescribe the best contact lens for you.  The most popular lenses in South Africa at the moment are monthly disposable contact lenses.  There are also specific contact lenses available that you can sleep with for up to 30 days.  Please ensure that the client discuss this with their Optometrist before they sleep with your lenses!

Helpful Hints for Contact Lens Wearers (courtesy of www.bausch.co.za)

The following may be recommended to clients:

• Always wash and rinse your hands before handling contact lenses
• Do not use a contact lens if the sterile blister package is opened, damaged or expired
• Never wear contact lenses that are torn or damaged as you can damage your cornea
• You should be adept at lens removal before leaving your eye care practitioner
• Remove lenses immediately if eyes become red or irritated
• Always handle contact lenses carefully and avoid dropping them. Never use your finger nails to pick them up
• Do not get cosmetics, lotions, soaps, creams or deodorants on your lenses
• Make-up should only be applied once you have inserted your lenses – water based products are less likely to damage lenses than oil-based ones
• If aerosol products, such as hair spray are used while wearing your lenses, keep your eyes closed while using the spray and until it has settled
• Avoid harmful or irritating vapours and fumes while wearing lenses
• Ensure that your hands are free from foreign materials before handling your lenses, as this may cause microscopic scratches on the lens
• Carefully follow handling, insertion, removal and wearing instructions and those prescribed by your eye care practitioner
• Never wear contact lenses beyond the period recommended by your eye care practitioner
• Ask your eye care practitioner about wearing lenses during sporting activities, especially swimming
• Never use tweezers or other tools to remove your lenses from the lens container unless specifically indicated for that use. Slide the lens up the side of the lens container
• Clean the lens case every week (leave to air dry) and replace every 6 months
• Always contact your eye care practitioner before using any ointment / eye drops in your eyes whilst wearing lenses
• It is important to inform your employer of being a contact lens wearer as some jobs may require use of protective eyewear or may require that you not wear contact lenses at all
• Certain medications, such as anti-histamines, decongestants, diuretics, muscle relaxants, tranquillisers and those for motion sickness may cause dryness of the eye, increased lens awareness or blurred vision
• Oral contraceptive users could develop visual changes or changes in lens tolerance when using contact lenses
• Tap water must never be used in conjunction with contact lenses
• Contact lens care products should never be mixed
• Contact lens wearers should consult their Optometrist should they experience any problems
• Follow-up visits to your eye care practitioner are necessary to ensure the continued health of your eyes
• Healthy Eyes are essential for good sight. Don’t put this at risk through neglect
• Clean the lens case every week (leave to air dry) and replace every six (6) months
• Check the preservatives in eye drops or ointments prior to use with contact lenses. Should eye drops or ointments be used, remove contact lenses. Eye drops can safely be placed on eyes, wait 20 minutes for absorption and place lenses back on eye.

There are different types of contact lens solutions on the market.  Most of the solutions available in South Africa are multipurpose solutions.  We will now discuss how clients can clean their lenses with these solutions.  It is however, very important to read the instructions on their solution, as directions may vary. One’s cleaning regimen can also vary depending on what type of contact lens one wears.

How to clean contact lenses

The following should be recommended to clients:

• Wash your hands and dry them with a lint-free towel
• Fill your clean lens case with contact lens solution
• Remove your right contact lens from your eye, place the lens in the palm of your hand and apply a few drop of solution to your lens. Rub the lens gently for 10 seconds on each side
• Rinse the lens free from debris with fresh solution
• Place lens in the appropriate compartment of the lens case. Secure the lens case cap
• Repeat with the left lens
• To disinfect your lenses, store in the lens case in solution overnight or for at least 4 hours.

Conclusion

Regular eye examinations are crucial for contact lens wearers.  Contact lens materials and solutions can affect the eye in different ways.  It is important that the health of the corneas is checked regularly.  If the client experiences any discomfort, redness or pain when wearing contact lenses, they are to remove their lenses and contact their Optometrist immediately.