Colored contact lenses have a reputation for being unsafe, but is it true? The answer is: it depends. Some colored contact lenses are safe and others aren’t. Here’s what you need to know if you want to wear colored contact lenses in the Pittsburgh area.

Properly Prescribed Colored Contacts are Safe

Colored contacts are safe to wear if they’ve been prescribed by an eye doctor who has examined your eyes and determined the right prescription for you. Eye doctors know how to order contacts that are right for their patients. They also order quality lenses from respected brands that are known to be safe.

Costume Contact Lenses (Non-Prescription Lenses) Are NOT Safe

Contact lenses that were not prescribed by an eye doctor are not safe to wear. Wearing these contacts can lead to bacterial infection and may even cause permanent damage to your eyes. Some companies sell colored contact lenses as “costume contacts.” These companies are selling contacts illegally. Don’t buy them.

Do You Want Contact Lenses?

If you’d like to get colored contact lenses, get an eye exam from a licensed eye care professional. The eye doctor will examine and measure your eyes, write a prescription and order contacts that are made for you. Once the lenses arrive, your eye doctor will ensure the contacts are right in a fitting, and give you instructions for proper contact lens care.

Get Started With Your Contact Lens Prescription

You can have colored contact lenses, but the only safe way to obtain them is to see a professional. Call your eye doctor in the Pittsburgh area to make an appointment. The professionals at Lappen Eye Care can help you safely obtain colored contact lenses.

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.