Do you wear contact lenses? If you do, you are not alone, there are roughly 45 million contact lens wearers in the nation. While they may offer many benefits, they need to handled with care.
“It’s extremely important that patients get routine eye exams and only wear contact lenses that are prescribed by an eye doctor. Doctors of optometry can help patients better understand how to obtain the full benefits of contact lenses and reduce the chances of developing problems,” says AOA President Samuel D. Pierce, O.D.
The American Optometric Association recommends contact lens wearers maintain
For safe and healthy eyes, the American Optometrist Association recommends contact lens wearers abide by these rules.
• Always washing and thoroughly drying your hands before handling contact lenses.
• Carefully and regularly cleaning contact lenses as directed by your doctor of optometry. Rubbing the contact lenses with your fingers and rinsing them thoroughly before soaking the lenses overnight in multipurpose solution that completely covers each lens.
• Storing lenses in the proper lens storage case and replacing the case at least every three months.
• Using only products recommended by a doctor of optometry to clean and disinfect lenses.
• Using only fresh solution to clean and store contact lenses. Never reuse old solution.
• Always following the recommended contact lens replacement schedule doctors prescribe.
• Removing contact lenses before swimming or entering a hot tub.
• Never using expired prescriptions or stock up on lenses right before the prescription is about to expire.
• Seeing a doctor of optometry for a regularly scheduled contact lens and eye examination.
Contact lenses are a popular way to have great vision, but caring of them properly is essential for the overall health of your eyes.
Routine eye exams are an important step for healthy eye, especially if you wear contact lenses on a regular basis. Contact us today for an appointment with Lake Nona Eye Care.