CONTACT LENSES EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Getting in from a night out, going for a quick swim before work – it can be tempting to leave in your contacts. But it’s important to know that poor contact lens habits and hygiene can cause serious problems. For instance, you’re four times more likely to get eye infections if you sleep in your contacts.

Serious infections are pretty rare, but once they develop, they can be hard to treat – and in some cases, can cause blindness. There are several ways that contact lenses can cause infections if they’re not used properly.

Contact lenses can cause tiny little cuts on the surface of your eye. These microabrasions form every time you blink – as your contact lenses rub against and scratch your cornea.

When your body comes into contact with a foreign object – like contact lenses – your body’s natural defence mechanism coats them in a biofilm. This is a slimy protective layer which attracts bacteria. Changing your contact lenses frequently stops them from becoming a breeding ground for bacteria.

Your cornea doesn’t have its own blood supply like other body parts. They absorb oxygen directly from the air. Because they don’t have blood vessels, they can remain transparent.

Contact lenses sit in front of the cornea, preventing oxygen from floating in and disturbing your tear film. This reduces the oxygen getting to the cornea and can increase the likelihood of corneal infections. Luckily, today’s silicone contact lenses are much better at letting oxygen through your cornea than older products.

Although wearing contact lenses while flying is generally safe, some factors can lead to increased risks of dry eyes, irritation, and eye infections:

• Low humidity: Airplane cabins have low humidity levels, typically 10-20%, significantly lower than the recommended 30-50% indoor humidity. Low humidity can cause the tear film, which provides moisture and lubrication to the eyes, to evaporate more rapidly. This can result in dry and irritated eyes.
• Decreased air pressure: inside an aeroplane cabin is lower than at sea level. This decreased air pressure can reduce oxygen supply to the cornea, causing discomfort and potentially impacting lens fit, especially for long flights or those who wear contact lenses for extended periods.
• Airborne irritants: such as dust or allergens, can become trapped between the contact lens and the eye, causing irritation or even an allergic reaction.

1. Wash and dry your hands.
2. Open the pouch (daily disposables) or case (reusable lenses) and scoop the lens out with your index finger.
3. Check the lens. It should be a bowl shape. If it is inverted or has a ‘lip’, it’s inside out. Before putting it on, hold it up to check for any rips, scratches or dirt.
4. If it’s dirty, use some fresh solution to clean it. But if it’s damaged, you should throw it away.
5. Place the lens on the tip of your index finger, and pull the top eyelid up with your free hand – this will help stop you from blinking while putting them on.
6. Pull down your bottom eyelid to centre the lens on your eye.
7. You shouldn’t have to press it onto your eye – it should go into place on its own.
8. Once the lens is on, blink and move your eyes from side to side several times. This helps remove any air bubbles trapped under the lens.
9. Repeat for the other eye.

1. After removing your lenses, with a few drops of the cleaning solution, rub them gently for about 20 seconds.
2. Place them carefully in your contact lens case to safely store your lenses. Your contact lens case should be clean and filled with fresh solution.
3. Always read the instructions on the cleaning solution to make sure you’re cleaning and storing the lenses in the right way.
4. Never use tap water to clean your lenses or contact lens case, as this can lead to eye infections.