Let’s get real; glasses have come back to being fashionable and all, but a lot of youth prefer wearing contact lenses these days. Why? Well, they’re comfortable (for the most part), you can play sports without having to worry about metal on your face, and it’s nice to pretend you have naturally 20/20 vision. I’m sure there are a ton of other reasons too; some people genuinely believe they look more attractive with contact lenses. However, contact lenses, if not given the proper care and attention, have the power to take your vision away from you.
Just recently, a friend of mine started to notice that vision in her left eye was blurry. She went to the optometrist and was asked several questions about her lens wear. She thought she had been wearing and cleaning them appropriately, but then the minor details began to surface. She would come home with a bundle of homework and stay up extremely late in attempts to complete it, all while wearing the lenses which she had not cleaned for 18 hours. Sometimes she would fall asleep with them on, forgetting that they were in her eyes, preventing the natural cleaning functions of her eye from taking place. She also realized that she had been wearing them in the shower.
At the eye clinic, they told her she had a white spot on her eye, medically termed as a “infiltrate.” Put simply, it’s what every contact lens wearer should fear the most. An infiltrate is caused by protein build-up due to excessive lens wear or improper cleaning of the lens. If untreated, this condition can cause you to completely lose vision. My friend (who shall remain unnamed) is now taking topical antibiotics and steroids for her eyes and is on the road to recovery.
Hearing my friend’s story made me realize how neglectful I am with my own lenses. I also began to notice that my friends are the same; teenagers are in such a rush and lead such busy lives that the small flexible disk they insert in their eyes every morning is the least of their worries. They don’t realize that this lack of care and cconcern could cost them their vision.
Hopefully, this article reminds you of the precious gift of vision that you have. Think of all the things you wouldn’t be able to do without your eyes! Meanwhile, here are some tips to keep your contact lenses moist, comfortable, and most importantly, SANITARY.
1. Always wash your hands before inserting or removing your lenses. Touching your eye with germy fingers is a great way to get a cold or nasty eye infection such as pink eye.
2. If you suffer from allergies, wearing contacts can make your symptoms worse since allergens can stick to the lenses. Wear glasses if your symptoms are really bad.
3. Keep eye drops in your purse or desk at all times, especially if you work at a computer. Not only are dry lenses uncomfortable and difficult to see out of, but they could potentially scratch your eye. Use drops as often as you need.
4. Only wear your lenses as long as you are directed to. Lenses meant to be worn for only two to four weeks should not be worn for two months. Dirt and protein deposits accumulate on the lenses and can cause irritation, eye infections, or permanent damage your eyes.
5. Give your eyes a rest from contacts. Your eyes need a chance to breathe!!! Wear your glasses a few hours a day instead, so oxygen can reach your corneas.
6. Never ever sleep or shower with your lenses in. It may seem harmless, but there is auite a lot of damage going on under the surface.
7. Be good about keeping yearly appointments with your eye doctor to have your eyes checked, and to see if you need a change to your prescription. If your eyes become weaker, you won’t be able to see as well with your old contacts, which isn’t safe and can cause headaches.