It’s more common than you might think for contact lens wearers to make mistakes when it comes to caring for their eyes. While these mistakes may seem insignificant, they can have serious repercussions. One contact lens wearer tragically ended up blind after wearing her contact lenses for six months straight. The amoeba Acanthamoeba Keratitis began to eat away at her corneas, which resulted in blindness. But, do not let this rare instance deter you from using contacts––let it act as a precautionary tale. Contact lenses are one of the safest forms of vision correction, if they are used with care. Follow your doctor’s instructions, and you won’t have to worry about any issues.

Clearly, it’s important to know how to use your contact lenses properly and to adhere to this knowledge. Recently an informal research study was conducted by several top optometrists to identify some of the most common contact lens mistakes. This article will help you to know about some of the mistakes which were discovered.

1. Multiple studies have shown that people wear their contacts for extensive amounts of time, even after the time to switch out one’s lenses has long passed. Their logic is that, as long as the lens isn’t bothering them, it’s fine to continue wearing it. To avoid any issues, it’s important to change your lens in a timely fashion,however, and not to wait until you feel discomfort.
2. Even if you’re changing your lens at the recommended time, you won’t get the “fresh pair” benefits if your hands are dirty. It is possible to end up with conditions such as a Cornea Infiltrative Event (CIE) if you don’t clean your hands and use proper hygiene when handling your lenses.
3. After washing their hands, people who use disposable contact lenses need to dry their hands before they touch their lenses. This is important because some microorganisms might be found in water and these organisms can subsequently be transferred to the lenses when removing them and when inserting new lenses.
4. Some patients make the mistake of not following their prescribed contact lens care instructions. Every lens has its own recommended system of care, and these are created to address chemical sensitivities, incompatibilities with lens materials, and disinfection rate. Some patients may go for a cheaper care system instead of the system originally prescribed to them. This may save money in the long run, but not following your doctor’s recommendations can be a costly mistake––in more ways than one.
5. Caring for your contact lens includes how you treat them when you’re not wearing them. Oftentimes, users will use their cases improperly. If you have questions about how to best care your lenses, be sure to ask us!
6. Lastly, many users will wear their contacts while sleeping. This risky activity is surprisingly common, although it is associated with a higher risk of CIEs. It may be tempting to simply fall into bed after a long night, but saving some time can cost you in the long run.

These are some of the most common mistakes made by contact lens wearers. Our mission is to help you avoid these mistakes. If you have friends or family who wear lenses, be sure to pass these tips on to them, as well.

To ensure that your eyes and lenses are in good shape, be sure to schedule an appointment with us! We are here to help you and to ensure that you will be happy with your lenses for years to come. Book an appointment at Hacienda Park Optometry online now!