Three Contact Lenses Mistakes That Could Harm Your Vision
Eye Contacts are safe when they're used properly, but if you don't follow the care instructions, you could end up with an eye infection. Eye infections are serious because they can leave scars on your corneas, and these scars may impair your vision. Here are three contact lens mistakes that could harm your vision.
Not washing your hands
It's very important to wash your hands before you insert or remove your contact lenses. This may seem simple, but many people are forgetful when it comes to handwashing. Studies have shown that 91% of people claim to wash their hands after using the toilet, but one-fifth don't wash their hands at all, and nearly one-third of handwashers forget to use soap.
Dangerous bacteria like Staphylococcus or Escherichia coli can be found on the hands, as can a number of dangerous viruses and fungi. People who don't wash their hands before touching their contact lenses could transfer the germs into their eyes. This could lead to an infection.
Forgetting about your lens case
It's easy to get into the habit of cleaning your contact lenses every day, but you may not think to clean your lens case, too. Every day, dump out the old solution from your case. Rinse the case with new lens solution—not water—and gently rub it with your fingers. The case should then be left open to air dry. Avoid using a towel to dry it because you could transfer fluffs or bacteria to the case.
No matter how well you care for your lens case, it won't last forever. Every three months, it's important to get a new lens case. This is because bacteria can get into the case, especially if you store your case in your bathroom. In fact, one study found that lens cases could be home to tens of thousands of bacteria, even when the case was well-cared for! To avoid a vision-damaging eye infection, remember to replace your case regularly.
Wearing old lenses
If you've been wearing your glasses for a while and want to start wearing contacts again, it may be tempting to wear the contacts you were prescribed months or even years ago. While this sounds like a frugal choice, it can be dangerous for your eyes.
This is because lenses can warp over time, so while your lenses were in storage, they could've taken on a new shape. Your corneas can also change shape over time, so even if the lenses haven't changed, they may not fit properly. It's important that contact lenses fit well; otherwise, they could scratch your eyes. These scratches can then become infected.