Contact lenses are medical devices which require proper care for vision correction and the health of your eyes. In addition to physically cleaning and caring for your lenses, subsequent examinations are both an important and necessary part of wearing contact lenses. Always follow the care and wear directions given by Dr. David R. Pernelli, MD or Dr. Terrance K. Heacox, Jr., OD to attain your best vision possible. If you are experiencing a difficult time with your contact lenses or their care, please talk with your doctor. Follow these cleaning instructions to keep your eyes comfortable, safe and healthy and to ensure the best possible contact lens experience. Always perform eyelid hygiene 2 times daily.
Cleaning Instructions
- Before handling your contacts, wash and rinse your hands with a mild soap free from perfumes, oils or lotions that can be transferred to your lenses. Perfumes, oils and lotions can be an irritant to your eyes and blur your vision.
- Dry your hands with a clean, lint-free towel.
- Using the recommended cleaner, gently place the contact lens in the palm of your hand. Lightly rub your contact with the opposite index finger to remove surface buildup. Rinse with disinfecting solution.
- Store lenses in your storage case in disinfecting solution or place in your enzymatic cleaner case with the appropriate cleaner if recommended by your doctor.
- Clean your lens case after every use with sterile solution and let air dry. Replace your case every 3 months.
Contact Lens Tips
- Keep fingernails short and smooth to prevent damage to your lenses or eyes.
- Apply eye makeup after putting in your lenses and remove lenses prior to using eye makeup cleansers.
- Apply hairspray and hair products after putting in your contacts.
- Contacts can make your eyes more light-sensitive. Wear sunglasses with total UV protection to protect from UV exposure.
Wear Your Contacts Safely
If you have any unexplained vision loss, blurred vision, light flashes, eye pain, infection, swelling, discharge, unusual redness or irritation, discontinue use of your contacts and call your doctor immediately.
- Always use the disinfecting solution, eye drops and enzymatic cleaners the doctor recommends for the type of contacts you have been prescribed.
- Don’t swim with your contacts in. Wear goggles to prevent the risk of serious infection from pools, hot tubs, lakes or the ocean.
- Some eye products or eye drops aren’t safe for contact wearers. If recommended by the doctor, use Nature’s Tears Eye Mist, a designated contact lens rewetting solution or non-preserved saline solution to keep your eyes moist.
- We do not recommend sleeping in your contacts. When your eyelids are closed, your tears don’t bring as much oxygen to your eyes as when they’re open.
- NEVER allow the tip of the solution bottle to come in contact with any surface and keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use. Contamination of your solution can put you at risk for infection.
- NEVER use tap, distilled or purified water directly on your lenses. They are not formulated for contacts and can cause an infection or hurt your vision.
- NEVER store contact lenses in tap water or sterile water. Always store in disinfecting solution.
- NEVER put a contact in your mouth to rinse it. Your mouth contains germs which may put you at serious risk for eye infection.
- NEVER re-use old solution or “top off” the solution in your lens case.
- NEVER transfer contact lens solution into smaller travel-size containers. This can affect the sterility of the solution which can lead to an eye infection.
- NEVER exceed the doctor recommended wear time of your contacts. If you’re having trouble remembering when to change your lenses, note the day you change them on a calendar or make it a habit to change them on a certain day of the week.
- NEVER wear someone else’s contacts – including cosmetic lenses. Using other people’s contact lenses can put you at risk of infection or harm.
Decorative & Cosmetic Lenses
Color and extreme design contacts, if prescribed by the doctor, can be safe as well as fun but they are still classified as a medical device and must be fit by a professional. In all cases they should be purchased from a licensed ophthalmic supplier or at your eye doctor’s office using only the prescription issued by your doctor. Beware of purchasing these lenses at beauty stores, flea markets and costume stores, particularly at Halloween time. The FDA strongly warns that anyone who uses cosmetic lenses without a prescription and/or who purchases them from anywhere other than a licensed dealer is at high risk for eye infection, injury, vision loss or even blindness.
Proper wear and care is key to ensuring healthy sight. Please contact Dr. Pernelli or Dr. Heacox at the Eye Institute of South Jersey, PC, at (856) 205-1100 for your contact lens examination. Our optical department has a full range of contact lenses available to meet your needs.