Contact Lens Habits to Stop Immediately

If you wear contact lenses, it is essential to recognise the various harmful habits that can accompany their usage. Common detrimental practices encompass sleeping in contact lenses and neglecting proper disinfection routines. Such habits can result in severe complications, including acute eye infections like conjunctivitis. Prioritising the care of your lenses is crucial not only for maintaining your eye health but also for ensuring the clear vision necessary for your daily activities, enhancing your overall quality of life.

To help you avoid these pitfalls, we have curated a detailed list of bad contact lens habits that you should avoid at all costs. By adhering to these actionable tips, you can protect your eyes and improve your vision while enjoying the multitude of benefits that contact lenses offer.

1. Safeguard Your Eye Health by Avoiding Sleeping in Your Contact Lenses

Even though some contact lenses are specifically designed for extended wear, developing the habit of sleeping in your contact lenses can lead to significant health risks. When you sleep with your contacts in, the likelihood of complications such as corneal ulcers, infections (including conjunctivitis), and inflammation markedly increases. This heightened risk occurs because your eyes receive considerably less oxygen during sleep, creating a favourable environment for bacterial growth on both your lenses and your eyes.

Moreover, wearing your lenses overnight can cause dryness, making them uncomfortable to wear, and increasing the risk of damage or tearing. Always remember to remove your contacts before going to bed, even if you believe you will only be resting for a short period. This small act can significantly contribute to your long-term eye health.

Consider Transitioning to Daily Disposable Lenses: If you frequently find yourself dozing off with your contacts still in, daily disposable lenses may be the ideal solution for you. These lenses are discarded at the end of each day, ensuring that you never wear yesterday's lenses, allowing you to start each day with fresh, clean lenses. Discover our extensive range of daily disposable lenses available in our online store.

Additionally, consult your Optometrist about lens options that may be more suitable for extended wear. Always adhere to the recommended wearing and replacement schedules for your lenses, ensuring they are cleaned and stored properly to prevent any potential complications. If you wear extended-wear lenses and notice sudden changes in your vision or comfort, seek an eye examination immediately. Regular visits to your Optometrist can help identify and prevent future eye issues.

2. Understand the Risks of Over-Wearing Your Contact Lenses

Another harmful habit is wearing your contacts for too long, exceeding the duration recommended by your Optometrist. Your eye care professional typically provides guidance on how long to wear your lenses each day, and adhering to these recommendations is crucial for maintaining your eye health and ensuring optimal comfort.

Overwearing your lenses can lead to various issues, with dry eyes being one of the most common. This condition can cause discomfort, irritation, and even damage to your corneas. Furthermore, prolonged use of your lenses increases the risk of eye infections or other complications, as contaminants like bacteria, dirt, and debris accumulate on your lenses over time.

The Advantages of Daily Lens Use: Opting for daily disposable lenses effectively alleviates the concern of wearing the same pair of lenses for too long. Each day, you receive a fresh, clean lens that ensures optimal oxygen permeability. This feature makes them particularly appealing for individuals with busy lifestyles who might otherwise be tempted to extend their wearing time, thereby compromising their eye health.

Our online store offers a wide variety of contact lenses tailored to different wearing schedules and lifestyle needs, including daily, bi-weekly, and monthly lenses. Selecting the right type of lens for your lifestyle can significantly impact your comfort and eye health.

3. Learn the Proper Techniques for Cleaning Your Contact Lenses

Maintaining appropriate cleaning and disinfection procedures is vital for keeping your contact lenses free from debris and bacteria. Inadequate cleaning practices rank among the leading causes of lens-related eye infections, and neglecting proper hygiene can have serious repercussions for your vision.

Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to cleaning your contacts correctly:

• Start by thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water to eliminate any contaminants.
• Place your lens in the palm of your hand and add a few drops of contact lens solution.
• Gently rub the lens with your fingertip to eliminate any debris or protein buildup that may have accumulated.
• Rinse the lens thoroughly with the solution before returning it to your case to ensure it is clean.

Always use the specific type of solution recommended by your Optometrist, and change the solution each time you clean your lenses. It is crucial never to reuse old solutions or attempt to “top off” the solution with fresh liquid, as this can lead to contamination.

Pro Tip: Our contact lens tweezers, available in our online store, can assist you in handling your lenses more safely and hygienically, significantly reducing the risk of contamination and ensuring your lenses remain in optimal condition.

Consider Skipping the Cleaning Routine Entirely: Many contact lens users are transitioning to daily disposable lenses specifically to avoid the cleaning routine altogether, thereby lowering the risk of infection. With daily lenses, you simply discard them at the end of the day—no cleaning, no solution, and no storage case required. This approach drastically reduces your chances of developing infections linked to improper lens care.

If you are uncertain about how to clean your contacts properly or are experiencing discomfort, schedule an appointment with your Optometrist for professional guidance. They can provide tailored instructions and recommendations based on your specific type of lenses and individual eye health needs.

4. Why Swimming with Contact Lenses Poses Significant Risks

Engaging in swimming with contacts is a practice that you should avoid entirely. Contact lenses can absorb water, leading to numerous complications that can jeopardise your eye health. Water can harbour bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that pose a significant risk of eye infections, including a particularly dangerous parasite known as Acanthamoeba, which can cause severe keratitis and potentially lead to vision loss.

The risks are elevated in warmer water temperatures and in humid environments, such as saunas, where bacteria thrive. If you require corrective lenses while swimming, consider using prescription goggles or a swim mask instead of your contacts. Prescription goggles are specially designed for aquatic activities, providing clear vision while safeguarding your eyes from harmful water and other irritants.

If you choose to wear your contacts while swimming, adhere to the following precautions:

• Wear goggles or a swim mask to protect your eyes from water and irritants.
• Immediately remove your contacts after swimming, then clean and disinfect them thoroughly before reapplying (or if using daily lenses, dispose of them right away).
• If you notice redness, pain, or any other symptoms after swimming with your contacts, contact your Optometrist promptly for advice.

An eye examination can determine the appropriate treatment and help you recover swiftly while avoiding further complications, ensuring your long-term eye health remains intact.

5. Why You Should Never Use Water to Clean Your Contact Lenses

It is imperative to never use water to clean your contacts. Water can contain harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and parasites that pose a significant risk of severe eye infections. These microorganisms can attach to your contact lenses, leading to inflammation and potentially serious conditions that jeopardise your vision.

Furthermore, tap water may contain minerals and chemicals that can leave residues on your contacts, adversely affecting their clarity and comfort. Always use a contact lens solution recommended by your Optometrist, as this solution is specifically formulated to clean and disinfect your lenses, effectively removing debris and buildup without introducing harmful microorganisms into your eyes.

A Hassle-Free Solution: If you are concerned about proper lens cleaning or find yourself in situations where you lack access to suitable contact lens solutions, daily disposable lenses are your best option. You won’t need to worry about cleaning—just wear them for the day and dispose of them. Keep extra pairs handy by ordering through our online store, ensuring you are always prepared.

6. The Risks Involved with Sharing Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are classified as medical devices and are specifically prescribed to meet your unique eye and vision needs. Allowing someone else to wear your contacts, or wearing someone else's, can introduce harmful bacteria and microorganisms into your eyes, resulting in infections such as conjunctivitis, inflammation, and other serious eye complications.

Moreover, sharing contacts can lead to additional issues, such as corneal abrasions or scratches, which can cause significant pain and discomfort. It is crucial to understand that lenses that fit one person may not fit another, leading to further complications.

If you know someone who requires corrective lenses, encourage them to consult an Optometrist and obtain their own prescription for contact lenses. This is the safest and healthiest option for their eye and vision needs. Never share your contacts with anyone, even if they appear to have similar vision requirements or use the same type of lenses, as this can lead to serious health risks.

7. The Risks of Using Expired Contacts or Cleaning Solutions

Contact lenses and cleaning solutions come with expiration dates for a very good reason. Over time, the effectiveness of solutions can diminish, and lenses may become uncomfortable and potentially unsafe for use. Using expired products can lead to unforeseen complications that can impact your eye health.

Expired contact lenses may become brittle or dehydrated, leading to discomfort, and they might also harbour bacteria or other microorganisms that can cause eye infections. Similarly, expired cleaning solutions may fail to adequately remove debris or microorganisms from your lenses, increasing the likelihood of irritation and infections.

Always verify the expiration date on your lenses and cleaning solutions before use. If either has expired, dispose of it and purchase a new supply to ensure your safety. When you order contact lenses from our online store, you can expect fresh lenses with optimal expiration dates, ensuring safe and comfortable wear every time.

It is also essential to follow the recommended storage guidelines for your lenses and solutions, replacing them as advised by your Optometrist to maintain their efficacy and safety.

8. Why Regular Eye Examinations Are Crucial for Maintaining Optimal Vision Health

Regular eye examinations are essential for sustaining your eye health and ensuring clear vision. During an eye exam, your Optometrist can identify and diagnose various eye diseases, such as cataracts and macular degeneration, as well as other conditions that could impact your eyesight and overall health. Early detection is key to effective treatment.

Early detection and treatment of eye issues can be crucial in preventing vision loss and other complications, significantly enhancing your quality of life. It is advisable to undergo a comprehensive eye exam every two years, or more frequently if you have a history of eye problems or specific health conditions that elevate your risk. Regular monitoring can help catch any issues before they become serious.

Regular eye examinations are particularly important for contact lens wearers, as your Optometrist can monitor for signs of complications arising from lens usage and ensure your prescription remains accurate, contributing to your long-term eye health.

Discover the Advantages of Daily Disposable Lenses for Enhanced Convenience and Safety

Throughout this article, we have highlighted the benefits of daily disposable lenses as a solution to many common issues associated with contact lenses. Here are several compelling reasons why many individuals are making the switch to this convenient option:

• No cleaning required – This eliminates the risk of improper cleaning and disinfection, ensuring better hygiene.
• No storage needed – Forget about cases, solutions, and hassle, streamlining your daily routine.
• Reduced infection risk – Fresh, sterile lenses daily considerably lower your chances of eye infections, promoting better eye health.
• Convenience – Perfect for travel, sports, and busy lifestyles, providing flexibility and ease of use.
• Comfort – No protein buildup or debris accumulation throughout the day, ensuring a pleasant wearing experience.
• Ideal for occasional wear – Use only what you need, minimising waste and maximising comfort.

Daily disposable lenses address many of the harmful habits discussed in this article by eliminating the need for cleaning, proper storage, and strict wearing schedules. They serve as an excellent choice for anyone struggling with contact lens hygiene or seeking the most convenient and healthiest option available for their eyes.

Explore our range of daily disposable lenses in our online store to find the perfect fit for your lifestyle and vision needs.

Make Informed Choices and Enhance Your Vision with Eyes by Design

Proper care for your contact lenses is crucial for maintaining healthy eyes and clear vision. By avoiding these common bad habits, you can ensure safe, comfortable contact lens wear while significantly reducing your risk of developing eye infections and other complications that could affect your sight.

If you need to replenish your contact lenses or are searching for useful accessories like contact lens tweezers, visit our online store for quick and easy ordering and delivery. Should you notice any changes in your vision, experience eye redness, discharge, or other symptoms that could indicate an infection, schedule an appointment with your Optometrist without delay. Timely action can be essential for preserving your vision and overall eye health.