9 Things You Should Never Do If You Wear Contact Lenses

For many people, the world completely changed when contact lenses were invented. Thanks to them, many people with visual problems have been able to leave behind the discomfort of glasses and face life with a face free of these objects. However, there are some points that must be taken into account so that these small parts do not become a problem for our eyes.

O incredible.club wants to share a series of actions you should avoid if you wear contact lenses.

The problem in these places is, obviously, the water, a fertile ground for the proliferation of bacteria. Even that of the apparently transparent sea, lake or river is full of micro-organisms that are very dangerous for the eyes. It is easier for bacteria to adhere to contact lenses than to the eyes. Once attached to them, they begin to multiply and grow stronger.

What is the possible outcome of this? A nasty infection called amoebic keratitis (or Acanthamoeba keratitis). In simple terms, it involves inflammation of the cornea as a result of a bacterial infection. The disease begins with pain in the eyes and blurred vision. If nothing is done, it can lead to significant vision loss.

On the other hand, before diving into a pool, you have to keep in mind that there is a second reason to remove contact lenses: the chlorine present in the water can seriously damage them. If you can’t leave them in the locker room for some reason, it’s best to wear tight goggles for swimming. If, despite everything, the water touches the contact lenses, you must wash them carefully.

When a person trains, he almost always sweats. This liquid settles throughout the body and, what is most dangerous, in the eyes. The problem gets worse if you start cleaning and scratching them. Sweat is full of bacteria, and we’ve already mentioned what happens when they come into contact with your lenses.

After training, when showering you have two equally undesirable options: wearing your contact lenses (which is not a good idea) or taking them off and leaving them in the locker room and, unless the bathroom is completely sterilized (and probably isn’t), the threat of bacteria is even greater.

Sleeping in contact lenses is a bad idea. The least that can happen is that they lose their quality. Worse? A nasty case of keratitis. Unfortunately, if bacteria get into them, they’ll have an entire night to multiply, which is enough to cause serious damage. This happens because the microbes find themselves in a warm, closed environment that they love and need so much to reproduce.

On the other hand, that thin piece of plastic that covers your eyes at night also prevents an adequate flow of oxygen. Even the most porous “long-wear” lenses block this ventilation. It turns out that the cornea does not have its own blood flow, so it needs direct access to oxygen in the air. When you sleep with the piece on, it completely blocks the eyeball from receiving oxygen.

As a result, the eyes dry out and become more vulnerable to infections. You just need to let them breathe and keep the contact lenses in the sterilized case overnight.

When used wisely, contact lens solution is an excellent sterilizer. If the same liquid is used over and over and only a few new drops are added every now and then, it is not being used in the right way and therefore will not work. The solution is no longer completely sterile, and when bacteria start to thrive in this environment, they can cause very nasty eye infections.

Therefore, you should use a new solution to store your contact lenses overnight.

First, it needs to air dry. Bacteria like moisture, so one way to avoid their feast is to deprive them of a humid environment. Letting the case air out during the day will help. Second, don’t forget to clean it with mild soap and water every week. And again, let it dry completely when you’re done. Do not use a towel or toilet paper, as they can leave small fibers that will adhere to the lens and, consequently, to the eyes.

It is common that, when applying makeup to the eyes, a small part accidentally comes into contact with the lens. If this happens, immediately wash your hands, remove the lens, and sterilize it before putting it back in. The best thing you can do to avoid this is to put on makeup first.

Sunscreen shouldn’t come into contact with contact lenses either – if it happens by accident, sterilize everything immediately.

The eyes do not turn red and start to itch out of nowhere. If they feel dry, then there may be an infection or allergic reaction. In this case, you must remove the contact lenses immediately to avoid further damage and consult a doctor. If it’s not a serious problem, it’s possible that the eyes simply rejected the parts because they weren’t properly sterilized.

By rubbing your eyes with your contact lenses, you increase your risk of developing keratoconus. This is a condition in which the cornea changes shape from rounded to conical. If nothing is done about it, over time it can cause blurry vision. Instead of scratching your eyes, you should treat them with anti-itch eye drops — after consulting an ophthalmologist.

Water or heat is not good for contact lenses. At night, when you go to sleep, do not leave the case in a place where the sun falls on it in the morning. Don’t leave it in the car either, as it can get very hot. For the same reason, you should avoid taking him to the beach. The hotter the case gets, the more its contents will dry out.

Do you usually make any of these mistakes? Which one? Have you ever suffered any visual inconvenience when wearing contact lenses incorrectly? Do you have any other tips you consider necessary to add to this list? Please tell us in the comments.