6 Reminders for contact lens wearers

Summer starts and hibernating contact lens wearers emerge. It’s wonderful to be outside more, wearing “normal” sunnies and the fug of winter is behind us!
So just a few reminders for contact lens wearers....

1.       Wash your hands before handling contact lenses – this is obvious, reduce your risk of contaminating your lenses and eyes, by cleaning your hands.

2.      If you are re-wearing lenses the fresh solution daily is a MUST - if you can’t be bothered, or don’t wear lenses often then see No 3.  The disinfecting solutions (eg Optifree multipurpose) are designed for one round of bug-killing, so once your lenses are in, discard the solution and leave the case to dry.

3.      Daily disposable contacts make life EASY!  An especially useful option for high risk times eg swimming or tramping, or just instead. Make your life easier

4.      Backup glasses – it’s just gambling if you don’t have back up glasses, and over wearing contacts will not be something your eyes thank you for – either short or long term!

5.      Manage your allergies – it may just be oral antihistamines that you need, but if your eyes are not comfortable, they’re telling you things need to change.  We have helpful options of anti-allergy eye drops or some people for peak allergy time switch to daily disposable contacts

6.      Avoid GPC – this is a “condition of previously successful contact lens wearers”.  If you don’t replace contacts as labelled, usually monthly lenses, then over time the build up of deposit on the lens surface causes Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis.  There’s no easy fix to GPC, so just stick with the programme, short term it might save a few $ stretching out the life of your lenses, but many people regret this, and lose the easy comfort of contact lens wear. We find that ordering a years supply of lenses makes this easy – plenty of lenses in the cupboard, you are sorted.

Bring on summer with safe successful contact lens wear!