Stop These Contact Lens Habits Immediately

If you wear contact lenses, it is crucial to be aware of the various harmful habits that can arise during their use. Common practices include sleeping in contact lenses and disregarding proper disinfection protocols. Such habits can result in significant complications, including severe eye infections like conjunctivitis. Prioritising the care of your lenses is essential not just for maintaining your eye health, but also for ensuring clear vision, which is vital for daily activities.

To assist you in managing this issue, we have compiled a comprehensive list of bad contact lens habits that you must avoid at all costs. By adhering to these practical tips, you can safeguard your eyes and enhance your vision while enjoying the numerous benefits that contact lenses provide.

1. Safeguard Your Eye Health by Never Sleeping in Your Contact Lenses

While certain contact lenses are crafted for extended wear, cultivating the habit of sleeping in your contact lenses can pose significant risks. When you sleep with contacts in, you may face serious complications such as corneal ulcers, infections like conjunctivitis, and inflammation. This occurs because your eyes receive less oxygen during sleep, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive on both your lenses and your eyes.

Moreover, sleeping in your lenses can lead to dryness, which may make them uncomfortable to wear and increase the chances of damage or tearing. Always make it a priority to remove your contacts before bedtime, even if you believe you will only be resting for a short duration.

Consider Switching to Daily Disposable Lenses for Better Eye Care: If you often find yourself dozing off with your contacts in, daily disposable lenses may be the perfect solution. These lenses are discarded at the end of each day, ensuring you never wear lenses that are not fresh, which allows you to start each day with clean, new lenses. Browse our extensive collection of daily disposable lenses available in our online store.

Additionally, consult your Optometrist regarding options that may be more appropriate for extended wear. Always adhere to the recommended wearing and replacement schedules for your lenses, and ensure they are cleaned and stored correctly to mitigate any potential complications.

If you use extended-wear lenses and notice sudden changes in your vision or comfort, seek an eye examination promptly. Regular consultations with your Optometrist can help identify and prevent future eye complications.

2. Acknowledge the Risks of Overwearing Your Contact Lenses

Another detrimental habit is wearing your contacts for too long beyond the timeframe advised by your Optometrist. Your eye care professional typically provides guidelines on how long to wear your lenses each day, and following these recommendations is crucial for protecting your eye health.

Exceeding the recommended wear time of your contacts can lead to various issues, with dry eyes being one of the most prevalent. This condition can cause discomfort, irritation, and even harm to your corneas. Furthermore, prolonged use of your lenses increases the risk of eye infections or other problems, as dirt, bacteria, and debris can accumulate on your lenses over time.

The Advantages of Choosing Daily Lens Use: Opting for daily disposable lenses effectively eliminates the fear of wearing the same lenses for too long. Each day you enjoy a fresh, clean lens that ensures optimal oxygen flow to your eyes. This feature is particularly appealing for those with busy lifestyles who might otherwise be tempted to extend their lens usage.

Our online store offers a wide selection of contact lenses tailored to various wearing schedules and lifestyle demands, including daily, bi-weekly, and monthly lenses.

3. Understand the Importance of Proper Cleaning Techniques for Your Contact Lenses

Maintaining correct cleaning and disinfection practices is essential to keep your contact lenses free from contaminants and bacteria. Inadequate cleaning methods are among the leading causes of lens-related eye infections.

Follow This Step-by-Step Guide for Effective Cleaning:

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

Always utilise the specific type of solution recommended by your Optometrist, and replace the solution each time you clean your lenses. Never reuse old solutions or try to “top off” the solution with fresh liquid.

Pro Tip: Our contact lens tweezers, available in our online store, can help you handle your lenses more safely and hygienically, significantly reducing the risk of contamination.

Consider Skipping the Cleaning Routine Entirely: Many contact lens users are transitioning to daily disposable lenses specifically to avoid the cleaning regimen altogether, thus minimising 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 lowers 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 advice. They can provide tailored instructions and recommendations based on your specific type of lenses and individual eye health requirements.

4. Why is Swimming with Contact Lenses a Hazardous Practice?

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

The risks are heightened in warmer water environments and in steamy areas, like 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 water activities and provide clear vision while protecting your eyes from water and irritants.

If you decide to wear your contacts while swimming, adhere to the following safety measures:

• 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 them (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 without delay.

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

5. Why Using Water to Clean Your Contact Lenses is a Critical Error

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

Furthermore, tap water may contain minerals and chemicals that can leave residues 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 best option. You won’t need to worry about cleaning—just wear them for the day and toss them away. Keep extra pairs on hand by ordering through our online store.

6. The Dangers of Sharing Contact Lenses with Others

Contact lenses are classified as medical devices and are specifically prescribed for your individual 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 such as conjunctivitis, inflammation, and other serious eye complications.

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

If you know someone who needs 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 requirements. Never share your contacts with anyone, even if they appear to have similar vision needs or use the same type of lenses.

7. The Risks of Using Expired Contact Lenses or Cleaning Solutions

Contact lenses and cleaning solutions come with expiration dates for a very important reason. Over time, the efficacy 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 contain bacteria or other microorganisms that can cause eye infections. Similarly, expired cleaning solutions may not effectively 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 use. 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 is also essential to adhere to the recommended storage guidelines for your lenses and solutions, replacing them as advised by your Optometrist.

8. Why Regular Eye Examinations are Crucial for Optimal Vision Health

<pRegular eye exams are essential for maintaining 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, along with other conditions that could impact your eyesight and overall health.

Early detection and treatment of eye issues can be vital in preventing vision loss and other complications, significantly enhancing your quality of life. It is advisable to undergo a comprehensive eye examination 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 arising from lens usage and ensure your prescription remains accurate.

Discover the Advantages of Daily Disposable Lenses for Enhanced Convenience and Safety

Throughout this article, we have highlighted the benefits of daily disposable lenses as a remedy for many common contact lens issues. Here are several compelling reasons why many individuals are opting for this convenient choice:

• No cleaning required – This eliminates any 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 developing eye infections.
• Convenience – Ideal for travel, sports, and busy lifestyles.
• Comfort – No protein buildup or debris accumulation throughout the day.
• Perfect for occasional wear – Use only what you need.

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

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

Make Informed Choices to Enhance Your Vision with Eyes by Design

Proper care for your contact lenses is essential for maintaining healthy eyes and clear vision. By avoiding these common detrimental habits, you can ensure safe and 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 searching for useful accessories like contact lens tweezers, visit our online store for easy ordering and delivery. Should you observe any changes in your vision, experience eye redness, discharge, or any other symptoms that could indicate an infection, schedule an appointment with your Optometrist without hesitation.