Must Not Do Practices: 5 Important Actions To Be Avoided As Lens Users

Must not do practices when it comes to contact lenses are aspects that should be taken seriously among lens users. Here are 5 important actions to be avoided when using contact lenses.

Must Not Do Practices #1: Overlooking Replacement Schedules

One common mistake that many contact lens wearers make is completely forgetting their replacement schedule which can further result in a set of serious problems concerning eye health. Each contact lens is designed to be worn in some degree of time such as daily, bi-weekly, or monthly — depending on the type. Wearing them longer than that allows bacteria and debris to build up on the lenses — making them less comfortable and risky. The worn-out lenses cut down on the oxygen supply to the cornea and increase the risk of dryness, irritation. 

Moreover, when the lenses are worn longer than their suggested time, the material begins to degrade and can lose water retaining properties. Aside from the discomfort, this can encourage tears or lacerations on the surface of the lens. Lenses with damage may cause tiny cuts on the eye. These wounds allow for germs to penetrate through to the eye and cause an infection.

Also, one should be able to follow the prescribed replacement schedule for the lenses to continue fitting as they are supposed to alongside functioning properly. Over time, lenses take on a different shape that decreases their efficacy in proper correction of vision and easily shift or fall out. It is better to strictly follow the replacement schedule not only for comfort but also to maintain the general health of the eyes.

Delaying replacement of contact lenses in the long term can lead to more serious consequences needing treatment or even permanent loss of vision. Sticking to the schedule ensures that your eyes remain healthy, comfortable and free from potentially harmful complications.

Must Not Do Practices #2: Wearing Lens Despite Eye Irritation

The worst things to do as a contact lens user would be to wear them while irritation has taken place of the eyes. A lot of factors may cause irritation which could include dryness, allergies, infections or even poorly cleaned lenses. When your eyes start to turn red, itch or become uncomfortable, that tends to be the sign that something is wrong and putting lenses on top of this might make matters worse. Contact lenses restrict how much oxygen reaches your eyes and if they happen to be already irritated or inflamed, that limitation can lead to more serious complications such as infections.

Infections such as conjunctivitis or pink eye can get worse extremely fast with a lens over it — trapping bacteria or a virus against the surface of the eye. This might lead to further damage, scarring of the cornea or even loss of vision if left untreated on time. Moreover, it promotes chances of dry eye syndrome in the person wearing lenses on top of irritated eyes as the lens will just further take away the amount of natural moisture on the surface of your eye.

This is where listening to your body and taking out the lenses when any kind of discomfort is felt comes into play. Give your eyes a rest and switch to glasses until the irritation clears up. If the symptoms continue, it is always best to see an eye care professional who will help diagnose the problem and prevent permanent damage. Continuing to wear contacts when the eyes are irritated puts at risk not just comfort but more importantly long-term eye health — neither of which is a good rule to ignore.

Must Not Do Practices #3: Going To Sleep Without Removing Lens

Sleeping with contact lenses is one of the most important aspects that every contact lens user should avoid. While it may seem like a good option, leaving these lenses in your eyes overnight presents some critical health risks to the eyes. Even if lenses are designed for extended wear, sleeping in them drastically reduces the amount of oxygen reaching your cornea. The cornea relies on oxygen in the air to be healthy but this supply is already reduced during sleep. Wearing contact lenses during the night creates a barrier to that flow which can cause dryness, irritation and even damage to the cornea.

In addition, sleeping in contacts can create a condition known as corneal neovascularisation in which there is growth of new blood vessels within the cornea because of a lack of oxygen. This makes the vision blurred and results in permanent eye damage. Sleeping with contact lenses can make one experience symptoms such as redness, discomfort, blurred vision and sensitivity to light. Once such symptoms appear, one has to stop using the lenses right then and consult an eye care professional.

These complications can be avoided by simply removing contact lenses before going to bed and giving your eyes a breather so that they stay healthy. You simply need good hygiene with the lens plus recommendations by your eye doctor to avoid your eyes from undergoing health issues.

Must Not Do Practices #4: Continuing To Use Expired Lens

Wearing expired contact lenses is one of the critical mistakes that any contact lens user can make. Expired lenses lose their sterility and effectiveness — this will put your eyes at risk for serious complications. Contact lenses are designed to be worn for a certain period whether daily, bi-weekly or monthly lenses. After these expire, the material starts to break down and limits the oxygen to your eyes. If your eyes do not receive oxygen, they will become increasingly uncomfortable and dry. 

Deposits, bacteria and proteins can accumulate on expired lenses which will decrease the hygiene of the lenses. These contaminants pose a greater chance of infection, such as keratitis — an infection that may lead to vision loss if unhygienically treated. Packaging for expired lenses could also deteriorate and allow for bacteria and other microorganisms to penetrate — further increasing the chance of infection.

The worst part is using the expired contact lens solution. Its active agents which are responsible for disinfection have lost their strength and are unable to kill the harmful microorganisms. Your lenses will not be cleaned or disinfected properly and there could be an infection in your eyes. The main complaints with regard to expired lenses relate to hazy vision and discomfort caused by changes in the quality of the material and the fit that no longer conforms to the shape of the eye as they should.

For this reason, replacement schedule prescribed by your eye care professional is necessary and lenses should be discarded once they reach their expiration date. New and sterile lenses equal the maximum comfort and clear vision and most importantly eye health. Proper care and attention to your contact lenses are one of the top priorities to keep your eyes from suffering in the long run.

Must Not Do Practices #5: Forgetting To Go For Eye Examinations

One of the most crucial mistakes a contact lens user can make includes skipping regular eye examinations. The majority of people underestimate the importance of such check-ups since everything seems perfectly fine with their vision. At the same time, wearing contact lenses puts one at higher risk with various eye-related issues that can be noticed only if professionally monitored. 

Eye checkups are not done solely for prescription checking but also play an important role in the diagnosis of early signs of infections, dry eye, corneal ulcers or more serious issues such as keratitis. What might seem to be mere minor changes in a span of time can cause discomfort or permanent damage to your eyes if their symptoms are left untreated in due course.

Lenses also have to fit to avoid complications with corneal abrasions or infections. It is through regular visits with the optometrist that the lenses remain at the right fit and strength with regard to current eye health. Eyes may change shape over time and wearing the wrong prescription or poorly fitted lenses will strain the eyes, cause headaches or even lead to problems with vision.

On the other hand, some other hidden health problems can also be identified by an optometrist during an eye checkup. Early signs of a number of diseases including diabetes, hypertension and glaucoma occur in the eyes which may manifest prior to the appearance of other signs and symptoms. Delays in these examinations will also mean late diagnosis of such serious health conditions.

Last but not least, the contact lenses together with eye care continue to evolve with new discoveries. This means that going to see your eye doctor will from time to time update you on newer options that might be more ideal for your daily living conditions or meet your unique vision needs. Regular eye exams are not just routine but a part of continued eye health and safety with contact lenses over time.

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