Contact lenses are often a good option for those of us who do not like wearing glasses, which, let’s face it, can get in the way and cause us more problems than solutions sometimes. But, of course, contact lenses are not without their issues, whether it be dry eyes or lost lenses, either. That’s why I’ve put together some quick tips that should help you to wear your lenses with comfort, style, and good health.
Wash, rinse, repeat
Hands first, lenses second. Tend the sink like a surgeon: soap, warm water, twenty-second scrub, thorough rinse. Dry on a lint-free towel because fluffy fibres under a lens feel like gravel in a shoe. Hand sanitiser is not a substitute; alcohol residue stings and can warp the lens surface. Keep travel-size soap in your bag for public loos that stock dispensers suspiciously low on supplies.
Respect the solution
Multipurpose solution has a job description. It cleans, rinses, and stores, but only when fresh. Top-ups create a lukewarm soup of yesterday’s proteins and microbes. Empty, rinse the case with solution, and let it air-dry upside down on tissue before refilling. Replace the case every three months. It costs less than a takeaway coffee and saves you from explaining conjunctivitis on Zoom.
Follow the calendar, not your wallet
Monthly lenses are not metaphors. At day thirty, bin them regardless of how transparent and innocent they appear. Protein deposits build invisibly, reducing oxygen flow and inviting infection. If you struggle to remember, set a reminder on your phone or sync changes with rent day. Daily disposables sidestep the issue entirely, ideal for festival weekends where hygiene facilities resemble camping in a hedge.
Hydration is not just for runners
Central heating, air-con, and marathon Netflix sessions evaporate tears faster than you can say cliff-hanger. Sip water steadily and consider preservative-free drops when eyes feel tired. Pharmacists often recommend Thealoz duo eye drops because the trehalose and hyaluronic acid combo cushions the lens and calms dryness without clouding vision. One drop per eye, blink gently, then carry on reading subtitles or PowerPoint slides without blinking like a startled owl.
Give your corneas a breather
Eyes, like people, need pyjamas. Plan regular glasses days to boost oxygen delivery and let the surface recover. Evening wearers should remove lenses at least an hour before bed so the cornea rehydrates. Falling asleep in dailies is a rookie move; it resembles camping in a tent with the zip stuck, air quality plummets, and you wake to scratchy regret.
Shield against the elements
Wind, pollen, and barbecued smoke all conspire to embed debris under your lens. Sunglasses act as windbreaks, while a wide-brim hat cuts glare and keeps rogue ashes at bay. Swimming is an optician’s nightmare scenario. Chlorine breeds microscopic villains, sea water teems with bacteria, and lenses trap both. Either remove them, wear prescription goggles, or accept that the post-swim selfie will feature prescription specs and questionable hair.
Make friends with your optician
Book yearly check-ups even if vision seems stable. The practitioner examines lens fit, checks corneal health, and updates your prescription before headaches announce a mismatch. Mention any itch, blur, or halo; early tweaks prevent later drama. Many practices run payment schemes covering lenses, solution, and appointments, spreading cost and guilt evenly across twelve months.
Love your lenses!
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