10 Common Contact Lens Mistakes
In our family, all six of us have less than perfect vision. This means that glasses and contact lenses have been a part of our life for years and years. My hubby began wearing glasses when he was just 6 years old. I was 15. Our children began wearing glasses at ages 7, 14, 14, and 11 years old, respectively.
Eye health has been a concern of ours always. Maybe we take it so seriously because our sight is already a bit diminished? Or in the case of my hubby and oldest daughter, very diminished.
Three of our children have worn or currently wear contact lens. We’ve learned many lessons through their contact lens experiences.
10 Common Contact Lens Mistakes:
1. Not marking your contact lens case when others in the home also wear contacts. It’s far too easy to grab the incorrect case!
2. Not carrying contact lens solution and a case with you when you travel (as well as a backup pair of glasses!)
3. Not washing your hands thoroughly before inserting or removing your contact lens.
4. Using a product like GermX before inserting or removing your contact lens.
5. Applying makeup before inserting contact lens.
6. Not making sure the lens is facing the right way (it should be in a round bowl shape)
7. Not marking on the calendar when it’s time to dispose of your lens.
8. Not being sure that the contact lens is completely clean and has no tears before inserting.
9. Not being fully awake before inserting lens.
10. Not cleaning the eye area of morning eye “goo” before inserting.
Want to learn more about contact lens safety and proper use and care? Be sure to visit the American Optometric Association!
Contact lenses are among the safest, most popular forms of vision correction.
- Today, nearly 41 million adults in the U.S. (more than one in ten people) and 125 million people worldwide wear contact lenses.
- Contact lenses aren’t just for adults, many children also benefit from wearing contact lenses. In fact, optometrists agree that most children between the ages of 10-12 are mature enough to wear and care for contact lenses, in some cases, children even younger than age 10 are ready for independent contact lens wear.
- Contact lens wearers should have comprehensive eye exams annually and stay in close contact with their eye doctor to ensure appropriate and up-to-date clinical guidance based on individual eye health needs.
Clean and safe handling of contacts is one of the most important measures to take to protect vision.
- When patients do not use lenses as directed by an eye doctor, the consequences can be dangerous and can even damage the eyes, potentially causing long-term problems with vision and eye health.
- According to the American Optometric Association’s 2015 American Eye-Q® Survey, more than half (59 percent) of Americans wear disposable contact lenses longer than the suggested duration. This bad habit can cause permanent eye damage from bacterial infections and oxygen deprivation.
- Cleaning and rinsing lenses with proper solutions is important to remove mucus, secretions, films or deposits that can build up during wearing and lead to bacterial growth if not removed properly. Sadly, 31 percent of consumers admit to using rewetting drops, and 16 percent use tap water to clean contact lenses instead of a multi-purpose solution.
- A recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found nearly one-third of contact lens wearers report going to the doctor for red or painful eyes related to wearing contact lenses.
- The AOA recommends contact lens wearers maintain a consistent hygiene routine, including:
- Washing and drying hands before handling contact lenses;
- Carefully and regularly using cleaning solution to rub the lenses with fingers and rinsing thoroughly before soaking lenses overnight in a sufficient multi-purpose disinfectant solution;
- Storing lenses in the proper lens storage case and replacing your case every three months; in addition cases should be rubbed with clean fingers, rinsed with solution, dried with a tissue, and stored upside down every night;
- Using fresh solution to clean and store contact lenses—never re-use old solution;
- Using products recommended by your eye doctor to clean and disinfect your lenses; and
- Removing contact lenses before exposing them to water.
Proper contact lens use and care is crucial to your eye health. Do you have any other “don’ts” to add to my list?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
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Jenny Gygi says
I’ve been using contact lenses for years, and I’ve been very pleased with the results! But even with all of my years of experience, I do have to admit that I’m guilty of doing several of these things that you have listed! I’m often rushed in the morning, meaning that I usually am doing my makeup right before I put in my contact lenses. I didn’t know that I shouldn’t be doing that! I’ll make sure that I put my contact lenses in before I apply my makeup, instead! Thank you for the help!
Laurie Bostwick says
Glad we could help! Thanks for commenting! 🙂
Jorge McMillan says
My wife just found out that she needs to wear contact lenses and isn’t happy about it. I’m trying to help her see that its not that bad and that it’ll be as if they aren’t even there if she takes good care of them. This article has some great points on things that she can avoid to make sure that she does take care of them and I can’t wait to get home and show her.
Laurie Bostwick says
So happy to help! I wish your wife the best success with her new contacts adventure! 🙂
Kyle O'Ren says
I never thought about marking my calendar for the day to dispose of the lenses. I’m guilty of keeping the same contacts for a very long time and not really adhering to the suggestions they give on the package. I’ll have to start marking on the calendar and making an effort to keep my contacts fresh.
Laurie Bostwick says
I’m glad you found the tips useful!
Do change those contacts as recommended. I believe that is one of the most important tips in the list. 🙂
Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment!