If you’ve worn eyeglasses for most of your life, you may have thought about switching to contact lenses. Contact lenses offer convenience, increased peripheral vision, and fewer limitations. However, making the transition from glasses to contacts isn’t always easy, and some patients find it more difficult than they anticipated.

Below, the team from Ala Moana Eyecare Associates, an eye clinic in Honolulu, HI, offer their tips for making the transition to contacts simple and comfortable:

1. Start Slowly

The first few times you wear your contacts, don’t leave them in for more than a few hours. Contact lenses can irritate your eyes, making them dry and itchy. Allow yourself time to get used to the sensation before transitioning to full-time wear.

2. Remove Contacts Each Night

There are only a few brands of contacts FDA-approved for day-and-night wear. If you’re new to contacts, remove them before going to bed, even if they’re approved for sleepwear. This helps prevent irritation and eye infections.

3. Stay Clean

While you may have cleaned your eyeglasses when you noticed the occasional smudge or fingerprint, contact lenses have to be constantly cleaned. Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and use an approved contact solution to clean lenses before and after wear. Lens cases should also be washed routinely to avoid the accumulation of bacteria.

4. Use Contacts Prescribed by Your Eye Doctor

There is no shortage of cheap contact lenses or colored contacts available online or in stores. However, you shouldn’t purchase lenses not approved by your eye doctor. Contacts are meant to be worn with a prescription and buying the wrong kind can lead to severe eye infections. Stay safe and purchase lenses directly from your ophthalmologist.

5. Be Mindful of Your Lifestyle

Contact lenses aren’t fit for every lifestyle. For example, working with wood or welding tools may cause debris to fly into your eyes, damaging contacts and leading to painful infections. Likewise, if you’re a swimmer, wearing contacts underwater can damage them and cause irritation. Discuss your lifestyle with your eye doctor to determine if you’re a good candidate.

To begin the transition from eyeglasses to contacts, call Ala Moana Eyecare Associates at (808) 946-3937. They offer a range of brand-name contact lenses and frames. For more information on other services including eye exams and emergency eye treatments, visit their website today.