Do's and Don'ts of contact lens wear

It is highly advisable to consult a good eye care professional when buying contact lenses.

Not only should he be knowledgeable about what lens is best for you he should be able to provide you with full-service care. Full-service care should typically include:

Thorough eye examination and diagnosis Determining your suitability to wear contact Providing the requisite lens care kits Giving individual instructions for wear and care Follow-up visits over a specified time.

Do's of wearing contact lenses

• Always wash your hands before handling your contact lenses.
• Clean your contact lenses regularly as directed by your eye care professional
• Contact lenses should be stored properly in their lens storage case
• Lenses should be replaced every few months or as advised by the eye care professional
• The storage cases should also be cleaned after each use, and kept open and dry between cleanings.
• Use fresh solution to store and clean contact lenses. Never resue old solutions. Always use sterile water to rinse lenses or lens cases. Avoid tap water.
• Follow the replacement schedule as prescribed by the eye care professional
• Remove contact lenses before swimming or using a hot tub.
• Follow up on your visits to the eye doctor at regular intervals

Don'ts of contact lens wearing

• Avoid using cream soaps, which can leave a film on your hands that can be transferred on to the lenses causing discomfort and blurry vision.
• Do not use homemade saline solutions; only the ones prescribed by the eye doctor.
• Do not put contact lenses in your mouth; saliva can be a serious source of infection.
• Do not use tap water to wash or store contact lenses or lens cases
• Never share your lenses with others