Don’t
Don’t wear contact lenses in the shower or when swimming
Don’t sleep in lenses (unless your eyecare practitioner has discussed this with you)
Don’t leave your lenses in water overnight, or use saliva on them when they are dry or have fallen out of the eye
Don’t reuse the solution in your contact lens case on another day
Don’t over-wear lenses, whether soft, disposable or rigid.
Do
Do wash and dry your hands thoroughly before touching your eyes and/or contact lenses (there are hidden bugs in tap water that you never want to get in your eyes).
Do have regular eye checks. These are important for everyone as some serious eye conditions do not have any visible early warning symptoms. It is particularly important to have a regular check-up with your eye care practitioner if there is a history of eye problems in your family.
Do take care when using contact lens solutions. Your eye care practitioner has recommended a particular contact lens cleaning and disinfection regime for you for a reason. Not all contact lens solutions are the same; they all have different preservatives and you may have an adverse reaction to various preservatives in the solutions.
Do change your contact lens case at least every three months, as bacteria can build up over time.
Do follow your eye care practitioner’s guidelines and if you are unsure please contact them for clarity in your contact lens cleaning and disinfecting routine.
In an emergency
Contact your eyecare practitioner or visit an Accident and Emergency department immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Sudden or severe eye pain
- Loss of sight
- Lots of flashing lights
- Chemicals in your eye
- Severe eye trauma
Looking after your eyes and your lenses can help you to prevent an eye injury. Enjoy the freedom of wearing your contact lenses!