Guidelines For Use Of Contact Lenses

Handling Of Contacts

Check the packaging of your new contacts. If any sign of tampering or damage is noted, do not use. Always thoroughly wash, rinse and dry your hands before handling your contacts. Take care to ensure the contacts are not inside out and that the coloured side is away from your eyes. Rinse contacts with fresh solution before inserting. Do not insert a contact if it appears damaged.

When removing your contacts ensure that your hands are completely dry. Blink fully several times, then when looking upwards, slide the contact down onto the white part of your eye and remove the contact by gently pinching it between your thumb and index finger. If necessary, hold your eyelids open using your free hand. Occasionally a contact may decentre on your eye. In this instance close your eye, and then gently massage your eyelid until they return to the correct position.

Care For Your Contacts

Proper care of your contacts is essential. Always follow exactly the instructions for your contacts care system. Disinfect your contacts each time they are removed to destroy harmful bacteria and to ensure safe, comfortable contacts wear. Do not use solutions that are designed only for hard or rigid gas permeable contacts or that contain Peroxide.

Always remember the following:

• Wash, rinse and dry your hands before handling your contacts.
• Only wear your contacts when you are awake, they do not transmit enough oxygen to the cornea when you are asleep.
• Store your contacts in a cleaning and soaking solution when not in use. Never let them dry out.
• Never store contacts overnight in saline since it has no disinfecting ability and will not protect your contacts from germs and you from possible infection.
• Never share your contacts with another person as this can spread disease and infection.
• Never reuse solution. Never use solutions beyond their expiry date.
• Never bring contacts or your contacts case into contact with saliva, tap water or home made saline solutions or anything other than those products specifically designed for soft contacts.
• After using your contacts case, rinse thoroughly with sterile saline or your recommended rinsing solution and allow to air dry. The contacts case should be replaced each time you replace your contacts.
• If contacts have not been worn for a few days, follow the instructions given for your contacts care regimen and if advised, clean and disinfect your contacts again prior to wear.
• If you are suffering from any eye problems consult a contacts practitioner before wearing contacts.
• If contacts are irritating, remove and check for dirt or damage.

If there is dirt on the contacts it can be rinsed with the storage solution. Some medications, including the contraceptive pill, can reduce your tolerance to contacts. If in doubt, consult your doctor.

Inserting and Removing Your Contact Lenses

• Always wash your hands with a mild soap and dry with a lint-free towel before handling your lenses.
• Clean, rinse and disinfect your lenses each time you remove them.
• Always handle the same lens first to avoid mixing up the right and left lenses.
• Remember to handle your lenses gently.

Inserting The Lens Into Your Eye

1. You may want to rinse your lenses in a multi-purpose solution before you put them on.
2. Put one of the lenses on the tip of the index finger of the hand you write with. Be sure the lens is right-side-out (the edges should turn up, not out).
3. Look straight ahead. Pull down your lower eyelid with the middle finger of the same hand.
4. Pull the top lid up with the index finger of the other hand and look up.
5. Gently place the lens on the lower white of the eye.
6. Remove your index finger and release your eyelid.
7. Look down, and close your eyes for a moment. The lens will center itself.
8. Repeat for the other lens.

Removing The Lens From Your Eye

1. You may want to use a lubricating and re-wetting drop just before you remove your lenses. One or two drops in each eye will moisten the lenses and make them easier to remove.
2. Look up and pull the lower lid down with the middle finger of the hand you write with.
3. Place your index finger on the lower edge of your lens, and slide the lens down to the white of your eye.
4. Squeeze the lens lightly between your index finger and thumb and remove gently.
5. Repeat for the other eye.
6. If the edges of your lens stick together, place a few drops of saline or multi-purpose solution on the lens and rub gently until the edges separate.

These tips will help guide you, but always follow the advice of your eye care practitioner.