How to Wear and Care for Contact Lens

For those of you that have never worn contact lens; there are some important things you need to know........

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Contacts
• Lens Case
• Contact Lens Disinfectant Solution
• Eye Drops
• Backup Emergency Glasses

1. Contact lens are really great. They give you the freedom from having to wear glasses, you feel more attractive without the glasses, you can peel and slice onions without tears and if the fit and prescription are right, you do not realize you have anything in your eyes.
   There are many types to choose from. Daily disposable, 2 week wear, extended wear, multi vision, bifocals, colored lens, some that are suppose to let your eyes breathe, some that put moisture into your eyes and the list goes on and on.
   You need to talk to your eye doctor about which contact lens are right for you.

2. Even though you may switch to contacts, you need to have a pair of glasses for backup. If you get an eye infection or have any type of eye problems, you will not be able to wear your contacts until your eyes heal.
   Contacts dry your eyes out. You will need to keep some type of eye drops that can be used while your contacts are in your eyes.
   Even though there are contacts that you can wear for a week or more without taking them out, do not do this. Sleeping in contacts not only dry out your eyes extremely bad, the fluids in your eyes build up on the contact lens and make them hard to clean. You will also have a hard time removing them from your eyes when you sleep in them. They can also work their way out of your eyes when you sleep and you can loose them.
   Some contact wearers have a hard time driving at night. You may see large halos around headlights. If this happens, talk to your doctor. You may need to wear your glasses while driving at night.

3. As stated earlier, you should not be able to tell anything is in your eyes. If something about your contacts does not feel right, you need to remove them. A lose eyelash, a tiny piece of lint, a hair, a microscopic piece of dust etc. can get under a contact lens and cause an ulcer or an eye infection. Do not rub your eyes if you feel like something is in them. That will only make it worse.
   Excessive heat and steam can melt the contacts into your eyes.
   A torn contact in your eye will be very apparent to you that something is wrong.

4. One of the most important things is to be sanitary in handling your lens.
   Wash your hands with hot soapy water and pour a little of the lens disinfectant over your hands prior to putting your lens in or taking them out. Clean the lens case everyday or use a fresh one to store your lens in. Pour enough disinfectant solution in the case to completely cover the contacts.
   If you wear makeup, put your lens in before applying your makeup.
   Do not let anyone try your lens on.

Tips & Warnings

• Keeping your contacts clean and sanitary is of primary importance
• If you have an eye infection or ulcer, throw the contacts away that you were wearing at the time the problem occurred.
• Consult your eye doctor if your eyes get irritated or if you develop blurred vision.
• Remove the contacts if you can tell they are in your eyes.

[Gardengates]

on 4/30/2009 Thanks for these instructions on contact lenses. I might consider getting a pair now.