Do's and don'ts for contact lens wearers

Wearing contact lenses means following strict rules about their use and care.
In fact, these small visual aids, although practical for everyday use, are fragile and need to be protected from damage.
So here's what contact lens wearers should and shouldn't do.

Good contact lens habits

To get the most out of your contact lenses and ensure they are comfortable to wear, there are a few recommendations you should follow.

Do maintain perfect hand hygiene

The key to comfortable, healthy contact lens wear is proper hand washing.
Contact lens wearers should always make sure their hands are clean before inserting or removing their lenses.
In fact, dirty hands are likely to infect your lenses and therefore your eyes.

Do always handle your contact lenses with care

Whether it's taking a contact lens from the tip of your finger to place it on your eye or removing it, the gesture must always be meticulous.
In fact, it's important to handle these small, fragile pieces of visual equipment with care to avoid damaging or dropping them.

Do take good care of your lenses and lens case

To remain effective and last longer, contact lenses need to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
To achieve this, the lenses must be immersed in a cleaning solution in their case every night.
This same lens storage case should also be cleaned regularly with soapy water, as it can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
It is also advisable to change it at least once a year, or even every six months.

Do follow the contact lens and solution renewal schedule

Contact lenses have an expiry date printed on their packaging, which should be noted and respected.
Once this date is reached, the contact lenses may no longer be as effective and comfortable to wear.
Also, contact lens solutions need to be replaced daily, so it's important to remember to keep a fresh supply on hand at all times.
In fact, reuse of the solution can be a source of contamination that can infect the eye.

Mistakes to avoid with contact lenses

To keep your contact lenses and your eyes in good condition and enjoy optimum visual comfort, a number of restrictions must be observed.

Don't sleep with your contact lenses in

The most common and annoying mistake is forgetting to take your contact lenses out before going to bed.
Often unintentional, this omission has visible consequences the next morning.
In fact, when you wake up, dried contact lenses are harder to remove and your eye can become red and irritated.

Don't expose contact lenses to water

Contact lenses should never come into contact with water as it may contain bacteria that can infect them.
It is therefore recommended that you remove your lenses before showering or swimming in the sea or a swimming pool.
What's more, you should never use tap water as a replacement for your contact lens solution.

Don't rub your eyes with contact lenses

If possible, avoid rubbing your eyes or remove the lens before rubbing if it itches.
In fact, if you rub your eye, the lens may move and cause discomfort or even irritation.

Don't wear contact lenses on irritated or infected eyes

Even if the contact lenses are not the cause of the eye damage, it is still advisable to remove them as soon as possible.
Whatever the source of the irritation, inflammation or infection, the affected eye needs to be treated and allowed to rest in the open air.
What's more, this type of eye problem can make wearing contact lenses uncomfortable.
It is therefore advisable to wear eyeglasses as a temporary replacement until the eyes have fully recovered.

Don't wear your contact lenses for too long

It is recommended to wear contact lenses for an average of eight hours a day, and no more than twelve hours for the most experienced wearers.
Occasional excessive contact lens wear can cause redness or irritation of the eye.
If this happens too often, there is a risk of eye inflammation or even a corneal infection such as keratitis.