If you’re looking for a discrete and comfortable approach to corrective vision, contact lenses are a great option. However, while these devices can improve sight, they do involve strict guidelines for care. To help you adjust and maintain healthy vision, here are a few critical do’s and don’ts to follow when wearing and caring for contact lenses.

Do:

Prioritize cleanliness.

Keeping contacts clean with the proper solution will ensure your eyes feel comfortable and are free from irritation and infection risks. It’s also critical to make sure your hands are thoroughly washed and dried whenever handling the contacts. When not in use, keep contacts clean by storing them in a sterile lens case.

Know how long they can be worn. 

Ask your vision specialist how long your contacts can be worn. For example, rigid gas permeable lenses offer a relatively long life span but should be taken off and cleaned properly every day. Daily lenses, on the other hand, are designed for single-day use and immediate disposal. Extended-wear products are similar to dailies but can be slept in and worn for several days at a time.

Have a backup pair of glasses.

If you’ve lost your lenses or cannot comfortably wear them, have a backup pair of prescription glasses on hand. If you’re getting contacts for the first time, visit an optometrist for a new pair of backup eyewear.

Don’t:

Purchase without a prescription.

Buying contacts—including decorative lenses—without a prescription is extremely dangerous, as these products might not be approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration. Additionally, it’s important to get a prescription from an eye doctor to ensure your vision is being corrected properly.

Rub your eyes.

Rubbing your eyes with contacts in can cause the lens to fall out, become damaged, or scratch the cornea. When experiencing uncomfortable or dry eyes, take the contacts out and properly wash your eyes.

Neglect eye appointments.

Even when contacts are working perfectly, it's critical to keep up with routine eye exams. In addition to assessing eye health, these checkups will help make sure your prescription hasn’t changed and your lenses are being worn correctly.

If you’re interested in switching to contact lenses, Daniel J. Kroger OD has the solutions you need. Providing comprehensive vision care in West Chester, OH, Dr. Kroger can perform quick and comfortable exams to help determine which prescription is best for your eyesight. Visit them online to learn more about their services, or call (513) 777-3936 to schedule a convenient eye exam.