Without question, contact lenses in Pittsburgh, PA are valuable to those that need vision correction. Additionally, with the proper care, these lenses rarely pose problems for the wearer. When you initially obtain contact lenses, the eye doctor will discuss proper wear and cleaning methods so that you can avoid problems. However, if you don’t adhere to the guidance, you could inadvertently put your visual health at risk. Consider a few reasons why inadequate contact lens care could harm your vision.

1. You Could Experience an Eye Infection

Contact lens wearers can be more at risk of eye infections because they are consistently putting foreign objects on their eyes. Something as seemingly harmless as not washing your hands during lens changes or wearing lenses while in the shower can allow bacteria to get trapped behind the lens. This can lead to a serious infection that puts your vision at risk if not addressed.

2. You Could Develop Issus with Dry Eyes

Dry eyes may not sound like a big deal, but having dry eyes can cause uncomfortable, burning eyes. Further, it can make it difficult to continue to wear contact lenses. People who do not change or clean their lenses often enough can be at risk of dry eyes because irritants get trapped behind the lenses and cause a reaction.

3. You Could Cause a Corneal Injury

If you have contact lenses that are damaged or overdue for replacement, avoid placing them in your eyes. Damaged lenses can put you at risk of sustaining a corneal abrasion, such as a scratch or puncture. Pay careful attention to the lenses and their condition. And, if you are advised to only wear lenses for so many days, be sure to adhere to those guidelines.

Talk to a Pittsburgh Eye Doctor for Help with Your Contact Lenses

Do you struggle with the contact lenses you currently have? It may be time for a change with the help of a Pittsburgh eye doctor. Reach out to Lappen Eye Care to schedule an appointment.

Without question, contact lenses in Pittsburgh, PA are valuable to those that need vision correction. Additionally, with the proper care, these lenses rarely pose problems for the wearer. When you initially obtain contact lenses, the eye doctor will discuss proper wear and cleaning methods so that you can avoid problems. However, if you don’t adhere to the guidance, you could inadvertently put your visual health at risk. Consider a few reasons why inadequate contact lens care could harm your vision.

1. You Could Experience an Eye Infection

Contact lens wearers can be more at risk of eye infections because they are consistently putting foreign objects on their eyes. Something as seemingly harmless as not washing your hands during lens changes or wearing lenses while in the shower can allow bacteria to get trapped behind the lens. This can lead to a serious infection that puts your vision at risk if not addressed.

2. You Could Develop Issus with Dry Eyes

Dry eyes may not sound like a big deal, but having dry eyes can cause uncomfortable, burning eyes. Further, it can make it difficult to continue to wear contact lenses. People who do not change or clean their lenses often enough can be at risk of dry eyes because irritants get trapped behind the lenses and cause a reaction.

3. You Could Cause a Corneal Injury

If you have contact lenses that are damaged or overdue for replacement, avoid placing them in your eyes. Damaged lenses can put you at risk of sustaining a corneal abrasion, such as a scratch or puncture. Pay careful attention to the lenses and their condition. And, if you are advised to only wear lenses for so many days, be sure to adhere to those guidelines.

Talk to a Pittsburgh Eye Doctor for Help with Your Contact Lenses

Do you struggle with the contact lenses you currently have? It may be time for a change with the help of a Pittsburgh eye doctor. Reach out to Lappen Eye Care to schedule an appointment.

Summer brings on unique challenges for contact wearers. Keep the following tips in mind to care for your Pittsburgh, PA contact lenses this summer season.

Swimming With Contact Lenses

Swimming with contact lenses is never a good idea. If you’re swimming in a pool, the chlorine will damage the lenses. If you’re swimming in a lake, you risk bacterial infections. Remember, contact lenses are porous; they absorb chemicals and whatever else they’re exposed to.

Your options include wearing once-daily disposable lenses. If you throw away your c

ontact lenses after wearing them to swim, you can avoid infection. The best option is to invest in prescription swim goggles. This way, you can enjoy vision clarity while swimming without the hassles of worrying about eye infection and damage to contact lenses.

Dehydration

In summer, you’re more likely to become dehydrated due to activity and sweating. Make sure you keep contact lenses moist during wear by drinking sufficient water. Allowing contact lenses to dry out causes damage to them and to your eyes. Keep a bottle of contact lens rewetting solution—not eye drops—on your person so you can apply as needed to ensure personal comfort and adequate moisture for the lenses.

Hygiene

Another concern with caring for contact lenses in summer is hygiene. In summer, your hands are more likely to be sweaty or dirty from engaging in common summertime activities like sports, gardening, etc. It’s important to be extra cautious about making sure your hands are washed and sanitized before handling contact lenses. You should also never reuse contact lens solution, but this is especially important in summer, when contact cleaning solution sitting out in the open can more easily pick up microorganisms from the surrounding air.

When you’re ready for a new pair of contact lenses or you need to have your contact lens prescription updated, contact your friendly Pittsburgh, PA optometrist for an appointment.

When you get contact lenses in Pittsburgh, PA, your eye doctor will send you home with instructions on how to care for the lenses. You may even get a small sample starter kit until you can get to the store to buy your own. At the store, you’ll find that there are two different solutions for contact lenses; cleaning solution and saline solution. Can they be used interchangeably? What are the differences between them?

What is Contact Lens Cleaning Solution?

Contact lens cleaning solution is meant to be used to clean and disinfect contact lenses. Contact lens cleaning solutions contain disinfecting agents, such as hydrogen peroxide or a disinfecting enzyme, that can kill harmful microorganisms that may be present on the lenses. As such, it has the ability to remove dirt, debris, and protein deposits that can build up on the surface of the lens over time.

What is Contact Lens Saline Solution?

Contact lens saline solution is a sterile, buffered salt solution that is used to rinse and store contact lenses. Saline solution is not designed to clean or disinfect the lenses, but rather to provide a sterile environment for the lenses to be stored in between wear. Saline solution does not contain any disinfecting agents, and is not effective at killing microorganisms on the lenses.

Because contact lenses are in direct contact with your eyes, hygiene is of the utmost importance. The best way to clean contact lenses is to first use cleaning solution to clean, and then use saline solution to rinse and store the lenses. Now that you know the difference between contact lens cleaning solution and saline solution, you’ll be able to care for your lenses in the best way possible. For new contact lenses, or to get a contact lens prescription, book an appointment with yourPittsburgh eye doctor today.