PROPER HYGIENE

 

• Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling your lenses using soap without lanolin, moisturizers, or deodorant (i.e.,Ivory soap or Dial antibacterial).

CLEANING & DISINFECTING YOUR CONTACTS

• Read and follow the directions from the solution. Some solutions can irritate your eyes if used improperly.  Call the doctor if you have questions.
• Clean your lenses when you remove them for the day.
• Rinse your lenses after cleaning.
• Store your lenses overnight, at least 6 hours, in your case.
• Peroxide-based solutions (i.e., Clear Care, AoSept or Oxysept): change the gray disc in the case every 3 months.
• Moisten you lenses while wearing them with only the contact lens rewetting drops.
• Do not switch or mix solutions without first checking with your doctor.

PROPER WEARING SCHEDULE

If you have never worn contacts, or if you have not worn them for awhile, wear your contacts a maximum of:

• 6 hours the 1st day you receive your contacts
• 8 hours the 2nd day
• 10 hours the 3rd day
• 12 hours the 4th day

For patients new to contacts lens wear, do not exceed 12 hours until the doctor has seen you with your contacts on.  At that time the doctor will tell you what your maximum wearing time can be.  Other patients may continue to increase their wearing time up to 14 hours.

Your lenses have been prescribed to be worn on a daily wear basis, meaning your contacts are to be removed overnight.

Do not sleep in your contact lenses, even for a short nap. If you fall asleep by accident, moisten your lenses with your rewetting drops before removing them, then keep your lenses out until the next day.

DO'S AND DON'T'S FOR CONTACT LENS WEARERS

• Have your eyes examined annually.
• Keep your follow-up appointments between your annual exams, these are important.
• Notify this office of your address or telephone changes.
• Clean and disinfect your lenses following the directions in your solution package.    Store your lenses in disinfecting solution, not saline.
• Clean your lens case weekly with soap and warm water, and let it air dry.
• Handle your lenses gently, they can easily tear or chip.
• Replace your lenses regularly, you might not see or feel the harm of old lenses.
• Insert your contacts before putting on makeup.
• Use oil free or water based mascara,       moisturizers, and makeup removers.
• Use eyeliner beneath the lower lashes, not inside the rim.
• Keep makeup clean and uncontaminated.            
• Do not use expired solutions.
• Do not switch or mix solutions without first checking with your doctor.
• Do not store your lenses overnight in saline.
• Do not wear discolored contacts or torn lenses.
• Do not let the tip of the solution bottles touch anything, including your eyes or lashes.
• Do not rub your eyes.
• Do not put your lenses in your mouth.
• Do not use oily cosmetics or hand lotions  before handling your lenses, since these may permanently coat your contact lenses.
• Do not wear contact lenses around chemical fumes.
• Do not wear your lenses while welding.
• Do not get hairspray on your lenses.
• Do not use tap water or distilled water on your contacts.
• Do not microwave your contacts or the lens case.
• Do not swim or sit in a hot tub with your contacts on.
• Do not handle a dried soft contact lens or pull apart a lens that is stuck to itself in the case, instead remoisten the lens with solution.
• Do not panic if the lens moves off the eye, it cannot go behind your eye. Add rewetting drops and gently remove the lens.
• Do not borrow someone else's makeup.
• Do not let anyone else try on your contacts.
• Do not sleep or nap while wearing your contacts.

DO NOT WEAR YOUR CONTACTS IF

• your eye becomes red and/or irritated.
• your vision becomes blurry.
• you feel pain or light sensitive.

If redness, blurred vision, or irritation persists once you have removed your contacts- CALL EYE TO EYE THE SAME DAY so the doctor will know what your symptoms are.