Stop These Contact Lens Habits Immediately

If you are a contact lens wearer, it is imperative to acknowledge and address the various bad habits that may inadvertently develop during their use. Common practices that can be detrimental include sleeping in contact lenses and neglecting essential disinfection routines. Such habits can lead to severe complications, including significant eye infections like conjunctivitis. Thus, prioritising the care of your lenses is crucial not only for ensuring your eye health but also for maintaining the clear vision that is essential for your daily activities.

To guide you in navigating these issues effectively, we have compiled a comprehensive list of bad contact lens habits that you should actively avoid. By adhering to these practical recommendations, you can safeguard your eyes and enhance your vision while reaping the multitude of benefits that contact lenses provide.

1. Safeguard Your Eye Health by Avoiding Sleeping in Your Contact Lenses

While some contact lenses are specifically designed for extended wear, fostering the habit of sleeping in your contact lenses can pose serious risks. Engaging in this practice can lead to complications such as corneal ulcers, infections (including conjunctivitis), and inflammation. This risk arises because your eyes receive considerably less oxygen during sleep, creating an environment conducive to bacterial growth on both your lenses and your eyes.

Additionally, sleeping in your lenses can result in dryness, making them uncomfortable to wear and increasing the chances of damage or tearing. Always remember to remove your contacts before bedtime, even if you think your rest will be brief.

Consider Transitioning to Daily Disposable Lenses: If you often find yourself dozing off with your contacts still in, daily disposable lenses could be the perfect solution for you. These lenses are meant to be disposed of at the end of each day, ensuring that you never wear yesterday's lenses and can start each day with fresh, clean lenses. Explore our extensive collection of daily disposable lenses available in our online store.

Moreover, consult your Optometrist about alternatives that might be more suitable for extended wear. It is vital to follow the recommended wearing and replacement schedules for your lenses, ensuring they are cleaned and stored correctly to prevent any potential complications.

If you wear extended-wear lenses and notice any sudden changes in your vision or comfort, seek an eye examination immediately. Regular visits to your Optometrist can help identify and prevent future eye issues.

2. Understand the Risks of Wearing Your Contacts Beyond Recommended Timeframes

Another harmful habit involves wearing your contacts for too long beyond the time frame advised by your Optometrist. Your eye care professional typically provides guidelines on how long to wear your lenses each day, and adhering to these recommendations is crucial for preserving your eye health.

Overwearing your contacts can lead to several issues, with dry eyes being one of the most prevalent. This condition can result in discomfort, irritation, and even damage to your corneas. Furthermore, prolonged use of your lenses increases the risk of eye infections or other complications, as contaminants like bacteria, dirt, and debris accumulate on your lenses over time.

The Advantages of Daily Lens Use: Opting for daily disposable lenses effectively eliminates the concern of wearing the same pair of lenses for too long. Each day, you receive a fresh, clean lens that ensures optimal oxygen permeability. This feature makes them particularly appealing for individuals with busy lifestyles who might otherwise be tempted to extend their wearing time.

Our online store offers a diverse array of contact lenses tailored to various wearing schedules and lifestyle requirements, including daily, bi-weekly, and monthly options.

3. Master the Fundamentals of Proper Cleaning for Your Contact Lenses

Maintaining proper cleaning and disinfection procedures is vital for keeping your contact lenses free from debris and bacteria. Inadequate cleaning practices are among the leading causes of lens-related eye infections.

Here’s a detailed guide to cleaning your contacts effectively:

• Begin by thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water.
• Place your lens in the palm of your hand and apply a few drops of contact lens solution.
• Gently rub the lens with your fingertip to eliminate any debris or protein buildup.
• Rinse the lens thoroughly with the solution before placing it back in your case.

Always utilise the specific type of solution recommended by your Optometrist, and replace the solution each time you clean your lenses. Avoid reusing old solutions or attempting to “top off” the solution with fresh liquid.

Pro Tip: Our contact lens tweezers, available in our online store, can facilitate handling your lenses in a safer and more hygienic manner, significantly reducing the risk of contamination.

Consider Eliminating the Cleaning Routine Entirely: Many contact lens users are transitioning to daily disposable lenses specifically to avoid the cleaning routine altogether, thereby lowering the risk of infection. With daily lenses, you simply discard them at the end of the day—no cleaning, no solution, and no storage case required. This approach dramatically decreases your chances of developing infections linked to improper lens care.

If you are uncertain about how to clean your contacts properly or are experiencing discomfort, schedule an appointment with your Optometrist for expert guidance. They can provide tailored instructions and recommendations based on your specific type of lenses and individual eye health needs.

4. Why Swimming with Contacts is a Hazardous Practice

Engaging in swimming with contacts on is a practice you should definitely avoid. Contact lenses can absorb water, leading to a multitude of complications. Water can harbour bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that pose a significant risk of eye infections, including a particularly dangerous parasite known as Acanthamoeba, which can cause severe keratitis.

The risks are further amplified in warmer water temperatures and in steamy environments, such as saunas.

If you require corrective lenses while swimming, consider using prescription goggles or a swim mask instead of your contacts. Prescription goggles are specifically designed for aquatic activities and provide clear vision while protecting your eyes from water and other irritants.

If you choose to wear your contacts while swimming, adhere to the following precautions:

• Wear goggles or a swim mask to shield your eyes from water and irritants.
• Immediately remove your contacts after swimming, then clean and disinfect them thoroughly before reapplying (or if using daily lenses, discard them straight away).
• If you notice redness, pain, or any other symptoms after swimming with your contacts, contact your Optometrist immediately.

An eye examination can determine the appropriate treatment and help you recover swiftly while avoiding further complications.

5. Why Using Water to Clean Your Contacts is a Critical Mistake

It is essential to never use water to clean your contacts. Water can contain harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and parasites that pose a significant risk of severe eye infections. These microorganisms can adhere to your contact lenses, resulting in inflammation and potentially serious conditions that threaten your vision.

Furthermore, tap water may contain minerals and chemicals that can leave deposits on your contacts, compromising their clarity and comfort.

Always use a contact lens solution recommended by your Optometrist. This solution is specifically formulated to clean and disinfect your lenses, effectively removing debris and buildup without introducing harmful microorganisms into your eyes.

A Hassle-Free Option: If you are concerned about proper lens cleaning or find yourself in situations where you lack access to suitable contact lens solution, daily disposable lenses are your ideal alternative. You won’t need to worry about cleaning—just wear them for the day and dispose of them. Keep extra pairs handy by ordering through our online store.

6. The Risks Associated with Sharing Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are classified as medical devices and are specifically prescribed for your unique eye and vision needs. Allowing someone else to wear your contacts, or wearing someone else's, can introduce harmful bacteria and microorganisms into your eyes, resulting in infections like conjunctivitis, inflammation, and other serious eye complications.

Moreover, sharing contacts can lead to additional issues, such as corneal abrasions or scratches, which can cause significant pain and discomfort.

If you know someone who requires corrective lenses, encourage them to consult an Optometrist and obtain their own prescription for contact lenses. This is the safest and healthiest option for their eye and vision needs. Never share your contacts with anyone, even if they seem to have similar vision requirements or wear the same type of lenses.

7. The Dangers of Using Expired Contacts or Cleaning Solutions

Contact lenses and cleaning solutions come with expiration dates for an important reason. Over time, the effectiveness of solutions can diminish, and lenses can become uncomfortable and potentially unsafe for use.

Expired contact lenses may become brittle or dehydrated, leading to discomfort, and they might also harbour bacteria or other microorganisms that can cause eye infections. Similarly, expired cleaning solutions may fail to adequately remove debris or microorganisms from your lenses, increasing the likelihood of irritation and infections.

Always check the expiration date on your contacts and cleaning solutions before using them. If either has expired, dispose of them and purchase a new supply. When you order contact lenses from our online store, you can expect fresh lenses with optimal expiration dates, ensuring safe and comfortable wear.

It's also essential to follow the recommended storage guidelines for your lenses and solutions, replacing them as advised by your Optometrist.

8. Why Regular Eye Exams Are Vital for Maintaining Optimal Vision Health

Regular eye exams are essential for sustaining your eye health and ensuring clear vision. During an eye exam, your Optometrist can identify and diagnose various eye diseases, such as cataracts and macular degeneration, as well as other conditions that could impact your eyesight and overall health.

Early detection and treatment of eye issues can be crucial in preventing vision loss and other complications, significantly enhancing your quality of life. It is advisable to undergo a comprehensive eye exam every two years, or more frequently if you have a history of eye problems or specific health conditions that elevate your risk.

Regular eye exams are particularly important for contact lens wearers, as your Optometrist can monitor for signs of complications related to lens usage and ensure your prescription remains accurate.

Discover the Advantages of Daily Disposable Lenses for Convenience and Safety

Throughout this article, we have highlighted the benefits of daily disposable lenses as an effective solution to numerous common contact lens issues. Here are several reasons why many individuals are opting for this convenient choice:

• No cleaning required – This removes the risk of improper cleaning and disinfection.
• No storage needed – Forget about cases, solutions, and hassle.
• Reduced infection risk – Fresh, sterile lenses each day significantly lower your chances of eye infections.
• Convenience – Perfect for travel, sports, and busy lifestyles.
• Comfort – No protein buildup or debris accumulation throughout the day.
• Ideal for occasional wear – Use only what you need.

Daily disposable lenses effectively address many of the harmful habits discussed in this article by eliminating the need for cleaning, proper storage, and strict wearing schedules. They represent an excellent choice for anyone struggling with contact lens hygiene or seeking the most convenient and healthiest option available.

Explore our range of daily disposable lenses in our online store to find the perfect fit for your lifestyle.

Make Informed Choices and Enhance Your Vision with Eyes by Design

Proper care for your contact lenses is crucial for maintaining healthy eyes and clear vision. By steering clear of these common bad habits, you can ensure safe, comfortable contact lens wear while significantly reducing your risk of developing eye infections and complications.

If you need to replenish your contact lenses or are looking for useful accessories like contact lens tweezers, visit our online store for convenient ordering and delivery. Should you observe any changes in your vision, or experience eye redness, discharge, or other symptoms that could indicate an infection, schedule an appointment with your Optometrist without delay.