Whether you’ve decided to get contact lenses to replace your glasses or for cosmetic purposes, it’s important to use them correctly in order to avoid any health issues that might affect your eyes. With the help of the right contact lenses care tips, you’ll be able to protect your health, while also benefiting from the use of your new contacts.
From basic contact lens hygiene to important makeup tips for contact lens wearer, here are the most important things you should know before getting contacts.
Keep Your Lens Case Clean
You lens case should always be as clean as your contact lenses, in order to prevent infections that would affect your eyes. It’s important to clean the case with a good disinfectant solution every time you remove the lenses from it. Don’t use tap water, and make sure that the lens case is allowed to air dry before being closed. A humid environment allows for bacteria to quickly spread.
Don’t Reuse the Contact Lens Solution
One of the most important contact lenses care tips is to always change the contact lens solution completely. Topping it off is a very bad idea from a hygienic point of view and it exposes you to health risks that simply aren’t worth it. Make sure you discard all of the contact lens solution after every use in order to follow the correct safety tips.
Avoid Waterproof Makeup
Waterproof makeup, especially mascara, can get in your eyes and stick to the contact lenses, increasing the risk of infection. Always put your contact lenses on before you do your makeup and follow a few simple tips to minimize the risk of problems.
Avoid powder products, that can easily get in your eyes, and stick to creams and even water-based foundation. Hypoallergenic and ophthalmologist-tested makeup is the right choice, and always use a good primer in the eye area to ensure that your makeup stays put. If you absolutely have to finish your makeup with powder, pay extra attention when applying it in around your eyes, and choose pressed powder instead of loose.
Keep Your Contacts Away from Water
You probably already know that you should not go swimming or even take a bath or shower while wearing your lenses. Keeping them completely away from water, whether it’s bottled or even distilled, is one of the basic contact lenses care tips.
Replace Your Case Every Two-Three Months
Even when you clean your contact lenses case regularly, you still have to replace it with a new one. Don’t wait more than three months and replace it immediately if it’s cracked or damaged in any way.
Keep the Contact Lens Solution Sterile
The contact lens solution is sterile, but it’s up to you to keep it that way. Avoid touching the tip of the bottle with your fingers or on any surface. One of the best contact lenses care tips for avoiding eye infections, this also means that you shouldn’t remove it from its bottle in order to transfer it into any other container.
Wash Your Hands Carefully Before Touching Your Contacts
You have to make sure that your hands are perfectly clean before touching your contacts, but not every soap can help you. Avoid any soap with oils, lotions and even perfumes, since they can stick to your hands and transfer to your lenses. Instead, choose a non-cosmetic and hypoallergenic soap or cleanser.
Remove Your Makeup After Your Lenses
When it comes to makeup, one of the most important contact lenses care tips is to always remove your lenses before you reach for the makeup remover. If you keep them on, the risk of getting makeup particles stuck on your lenses is higher.
Always Clean Your Contact by Gently Rubbing Them
Even if most multipurpose solutions for cleaning your contact work without rubbing, it’s a good idea to gently rub them while you clean them. With your clean hands, gently run your finger over the lenses to remove any buildup. Always rinse them carefully after rubbing.
Protect Your Eyes from Sunlight
Some types of lenses can make your eyes more sensitive to light, so one of the best contact lenses care tips is to make sure that you’re wearing sunglasses with high UV protection when you go out. You should also consider wearing hats or other physical blocks that prevent direct eye contact with sunlight.
