5 Common Contact Lens Mistakes to Avoid

The concept of sticking tiny pieces of malleable plastic on your eyes, at first, seems like a strange concept, but more and more people are discovering the comfort, clarity, and convenience that contact lenses can provide. In fact, more than 3.5 million Canadians currently wear contact lenses to correct their vision.

Many individuals might not be aware that Health Canada categorizes contact lenses as medical devices, requiring proper fitting, maintenance, and regular check-ups to ensure clear, comfortable, and healthy vision. Part of the reason for this classification, is that contact lenses, especially if misused or abused, can lead to irritation, infections, or even long-term vision damage. Here are five of the most common mistakes contact lens wearers make:

1 - Overwearing Lenses:

• The Mistake:

  Wearing lenses for longer than the recommended time (daily, bi-weekly, or monthly). 

  
  

• Why it's bad:

  Overwearing can lead to reduced oxygen flow to the cornea, increasing the risk of infection, irritation, and even corneal damage. 

  
  

• How to avoid it:

  Follow your eye doctor's recommendations for lens replacement schedules and never wear lenses past their intended use. Remember, a 30 day contact lens means 30 days from opening, not 30 uses and whether you use the lens for 1 hour or 10, a daily disposable lens must be replaced each day. Luckily, contact lenses and their packaging are now all recyclable!

2 - Sleeping with Lenses:

• The Mistake:

  Wearing contact lenses while sleeping, especially if they are not designed for extended wear.

  
  

• Why it's bad:

  Sleeping in lenses can deprive the cornea of oxygen, leading to corneal edema (swelling), irritation, and increased risk of infection.

  
  

• How to avoid it:

  Always remove lenses before going to sleep, unless your lenses are specifically designed for extended wear and you have been advised by your eye doctor to do so. 

  
  

3 - Using contact lenses around water

• The Mistake: Using tap water to clean or store contact lenses or showering/swimming with your contact lenses in.

  
  

• Why it's bad: Tap water, shower water, pools and lakes contain bacteria, including Acanthamoeba, which can cause a serious eye infection called Acanthamoeba keratitis.

  
  

• How to avoid it: Always use fresh, new sterile contact lens solution to clean and store your lenses. Never shower with your contact lenses and, if you choose the risky behaviour of swimming with your contact lenses in, please use one time use disposable lenses and discard them after the activity. Better yet, invest in a pair of prescription swim goggles (at Cordova Bay Optometry we offer both custom prescription swim goggles and prescription masks for diving and snorkling).

  
  

  

4 - Not Cleaning or Replacing the Lens Case Regularly

• The Mistake: Not cleaning or replacing your lens case regularly.

  
  

• Why it's bad: A dirty lens case can harbor bacteria and other contaminants, which can then be transferred to your lenses and eyes.

  
  

• How to avoid it: Clean your lens case with fresh saline solution after each use and replace it every 3 months, or as recommended by your eye doctor. 

5 - Not Washing Hands Before Handling Lenses

• The Mistake: Handling lenses with dirty hands.

  
  

• Why it's bad: Dirty hands can transfer bacteria and other contaminants to your lenses, increasing the risk of infection.

  
  

• How to avoid it: Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling your lenses. 

Whether wearing them full-time, part-time, or just for special occasions, contact lenses are a great - and safe (if you follow the rules!) - alternative to glasses. Modern contact lenses are highly breathable, comfortable, and now correct for more refractive errors than ever including astigmatism, presbyopia (age related loss of focusing power), and myopia control.

Ready to give them a try? Due for your annual contact lens evaluation? Click the link below to book a contact lens fitting with one of our experienced eye doctors.