If you wear contact lenses here in the Orlando area, you’re not alone. It is estimated, 1 in 6 adults, 1 in 4 young adults, and 1 in 7 adolescents wear contact lenses. With so many of us using contact lenses to correct our vision, it is vital to maintain a good contact lens hygiene.

“Contact lenses are a safe and effective way to correct your vision when they are worn and cared for as recommended,” said Jennifer Cope, M.D., medical epidemiologist in CDC’s Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, in a news release. “However, adolescents and adults can improve the way they take care of their contact lenses to reduce their risk of serious eye infections.”

The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), states that adolescents’ five most frequently reported contact lens hygiene risk behaviors, include:

1 Failing to visit an eye doctor annually (44 percent)
2 Sleeping, or napping, in contact lenses (30 percent)
3 Swimming in contact lenses (27 percent)
4 Replacing contact lenses at intervals longer than prescribed (24 percent)
5 Replacing cases at intervals longer than recommended (23 percent)

Here are a few tips to avoid discomfort, eye infection and blurred vision.

Before handling your contact lenses, make sure your hands are clean. Any debris or residue and make their way onto the lenses and into your eyes.

Though it may be tempting, but only wear them for the prescribed amount of time. Serious consequences can occur, such as permanent vision loss. Short term side effects include; sore, red eyes and blurred vision.

Unless you have specific extended wear lenses, don’t sleep with them in your eyes. If you accidentally fell asleep with them, moisten the contacts with eye drop solution, safe for contact lenses, before taking them out.

At least once a month clean the contact lens case with a sterile solution or hot water and let air dry to prevent bacteria from growing.

To prevent your contact lenses from contaminates and grime build up, wash them daily with solution. Remember washing with just water cannot remove microorganisms.  Not all contact lens solutions are the same, each are formulated to provide different benefits, rinsing, disinfecting, cleaning, and storage.

To prevent infection, don’t let the tip of the solution bottle touch your fingers or anything else.

Before you apply make up, put your contact lenses in your eyes. This prevents germs and bacteria found in make-up from getting on your lenses. Also, remove your contact lenses prior to removing make up.

If your eyes feel dry apply lubrication or wetting solution to prevent infection.

If you feel your eye is becoming infected, stop wearing your contact lenses and call Lake Nona Eye Care.

Routine eye exams is an important step for healthy eye, especially if you wear contact lenses on a regular basis. Contact Lake Nona Eye Care today for an appointment.

Don’t forget to stop by our new office in the Eagle Creek Publix shopping center.