Hey there, fellow contact lens wearer! We’ve all been there. Popping in those lenses first thing in the morning, feeling like we’ve got the world in focus, right? But let’s be real. Contacts can turn from a lifesaver to a total nightmare if we’re not careful. And the one and only time you probably even think about this is during Contact Lens Health Week (if even then). So that’s what we’re focusing on today…the health of your contacts.
Now is the perfect time to chat about those contact lens hygiene blunders that sneak up on us. You know, the ones that lead to itchy eyes, infections, or worse.
In this post, we’re diving into five common contact lens mistakes that could be sabotaging your eye health. We’ll break them down, share some eye-opening tips on contact lens care, and help you dodge these pitfalls like an expert. Think of it as your friendly wake-up call to keep those peepers happy and healthy.
Ready to see clearly?
Let’s get to it!
5 Mistakes You’re Making (and How to Survive Them)
These are the most common mistakes people make with their contacts and what you need to do to avoid them.
Mistake #1 – Sleeping in Your Lenses
We’ve all done this (whether we admit it or not). But no more, OK? Here’s why.
Picture this: You’re crashing after a long day, eyelids heavy, and you think, “Eh, what’s one night with my contacts in gonna hurt?” Sound familiar? Sleeping in your lenses is one of the biggest contact lens mistakes out there, and it’s a recipe for disaster. Why? Because your eyes need oxygen. And wearing your contacts overnight traps bacteria against your cornea.
This ups the risk of infections like keratitis. We’ve heard horror stories from people who woke up with red, swollen eyes that felt like sandpaper after wearing their lenses overnight.
But here’s the good news. You can survive this catastrophe by switching to daily disposables. These time-savers are designed for one-and-done use, so no overnight worries. Toss’em at bedtime and start fresh each morning. It’s like giving your eyes a daily spa treatment.
For contact lens hygiene tips, always remove them before hitting the hay, and keep a travel-sized saline kit handy for quick rinses. We love how these kits fit right in your purse or backpack. You can always swing by your local Klingensmith’s Drug Store to grab a contact lens kit and some multipurpose solutions while you’re out and about. It’s that easy!
Mistake #2 – Skipping the Hand Washing Before Handling
It’s easy when you’re in a hurry to just grab your lenses right after scrolling on your phone or making a sandwich. We’ve all done this. But here’s the thing: almost no one thinks about it, but not washing your hands before touching your contacts is worse than you think.
Failing to wash your hands is a sneaky contact lens mistake that transfers dirt, oils, and germs straight to your eyes. Imagine your lenses as tiny windows. Smudges from unwashed hands (eww) cloud up your contacts and invite infections. Poor hand washing hygiene is behind a ton of eye irritations, turning a simple routine into an emergency room visit.
To survive this, make hand-washing non-negotiable before ever touching your contacts. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds, dry with a lint-free towel, and voila, a clean slate! Incorporate this into your contact lens care routine, and pair it with eye drops for that extra moisture boost, especially if your eyes are feeling a bit dry. We recommend keeping eye wash solutions nearby for a quick flush if something feels off. And as a contact lens wearer, you know that something can get in your eye at any time.
For contact lens products in Pennsylvania, places like Klingensmith’s have a great selection of cleaning solutions that are gentle yet effective. If you have any questions or need help choosing the right product, talk to the pharmacist. They would be happy to help!
Mistake #3 – Rinsing Your Lenses with Tap Water (the Hidden Hazard)
If you’ve ever run out of contact lens solution and thought, “Tap water’s fine, right?” Wrong! This is a classic blunder in contact lens hygiene tips that many overlook. Tap water might seem harmless. But it’s crawling with microbes like Acanthamoeba that can cause nasty infections. It’s like inviting a party crasher to your eyeballs. Things get messy fast! Then, all of a sudden, you have pain, blurred vision, and long-term damage.
Daily disposables shine here again. They eliminate the need to store your contacts altogether. And for travelers, those travel-sized saline kits are a game-changer. They are compact and keep everything hygienic while you’re on the go.
HOT TIP: Stick to sterile solutions only. Use multipurpose solutions for rinsing and storing. And never, ever, top off old contact lens solution with new. That’s just breeding bacteria.
Mistake #4 – Pushing the Limits and Overwearing Your Lenses
We’ve all done it. Tried to extend the life of our contacts. But at what cost? When you wear those two-week contacts for a month because they still feel OK, it’s not OK! It’s extremely dangerous! Overwearing is a major contact lens mistake that wears down your corneas, causing dryness, discomfort, and even ulcers. Yes, ulcers! You probably didn’t realize all that. But that’s OK because now you know. And we’re sure you won’t do that anymore, right? Good!
So how do you bounce back? Follow your eye doctor’s instructions exactly and only wear your dailies for daily use and monthlies for a month. No exceptions! Seriously! No exceptions because bad habits have a way of sneaking back up on you if you let them.
If you need a little help with this, you can track the time on your phone app or calendar to stay accountable.
Analogy alert! Treat your lenses like fresh produce. Use’em before they spoil, and you’ll avoid the rot! Yeah, we know, kinda corny! But it gets the message across!
Statistic: (Source) According to the CDC, approximately 25% of the 1,075 MDRs described potentially modifiable factors that might have put the patient at risk for a contact lens-related corneal infection, such as sleeping in lenses or wearing lenses longer than the prescribed period.
Mistake #5 – The Forgotten Culprit, Forgetting Your Lens Case
Unfortunately, many lens wearers never even think about their lens storage case. So, whether you’re ignoring it or just have never thought about it, a dirty lens case is a disaster waiting to happen! Bacteria love to party in moist, unclean cases, turning them into infection hubs.
It’s common for people to rinse them with plain water and never let them dry out. Well, first of all, plain water isn’t enough to sanitize your case. And second, you shouldn’t be using water anyway.
- So exactly how should you clean your lens case?
- Keep your contact lens area clean and spotless.
- Every day, rinse your lens case with fresh solution (never water)!
- Rub the solution around.
- Let it air dry upside down.
- Replace it once a month.
The Bottom Line
We’ve covered a lot, haven’t we? From sleeping slip-ups to case neglect. These contact lens mistakes are all too common. But with a few tweaks to your contact lens care routine, you can sidestep eye infections (or worse) like an expert! Incorporating daily disposables and those handy travel-sized saline kits can make all the difference. Keep things simple and safe!
What’s Next?
We’re here to help you with your contact lens needs. Visit a local pharmacy in Pennsylvania or one of the Klingensmith’s Drug Stores today to pick up the essentials or speak with one of our pharmacists if you need help. Klingensmith’s has everything you need, from lens cases and multipurpose solutions to eye drops and eye wash. Swing by today. Let’s keep those eyes sparkling!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article about contact lens care is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified eye care professional, such as an optometrist or ophthalmologist, before making any changes to your eye care or contact lens care routine or using new eye care products.
