Contacts and the Value of Professional Care
Contact Lenses…An Exciting Option
Whether you are new to contact lenses or have been wearing them for years, they are and exciting, convenient option for vision correction. They enhance your vision AND your appearance and offer unique advantages over spectacles.
The Need For Ongoing Professional Care
Because contact lenses are easy to wear and care for, the need for ongoing professional care is often overlooked.
But proper follow-up by your eye doctor is essential to ensure safe long-term contact lens wear.
Over time, your eyes and lenses can change, often without symptoms or warning signs, which may put you at risk for developing potentially serious complications, including vision loss.
To make your contact lenses as safe and enjoyable as possible, simply follow the lens care and replacement schedules prescribed by your eye doctor and return to your practitioner for follow-up examinations.
Follow-up examinations will include testing to make sure that your vision is as clear as possible, that the fit of your lenses is still optimum for your eyes, and that your eyes remain healthy.
To have healthy eyes and the most efficient and comfortable vision possible, you need quality eyecare on a regular basis. ONLY your eye doctor is educated, trained, and licensed to examine, diagnose, and provide treatment for your eyes. Many conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetes, and high blood pressure can effect your vision without warning. Regular ongoing professional care helps to ensure a lifetime of good vision.
The Best Lens For You
As your life, health, and vision change, your contact lens prescription may also change. Prescribing contact lenses requires specialized knowledge and skills. Your eye doctor has selected you lenses from thousands of different lens types, sizes, and curvatures to best meet your needs. There are NO substitutions for your contact lenses. All lenses fit differently and substitution may put your eyes at risk.
Your Eye Doctor And You
- Your eyesight is precious! Safeguard your eyes and enjoy comfortable, clear vision!
- Always follow the advice of your eye doctor carefully
- Ask questions if you don't fully understand the instructions
- Remove your lenses immediately if they become uncomfortable or if your eyes become red, irritated, or painful. Call your eye doctor IMMEDIATELY, since these events can be early signs of a problem.
The relationship you build today with your eye doctor helps ensure safe and healthy contact lens wear as well as good vision and comfort.
Tips for the Handling and Caring of Your New Contact Lenses
- Always wash and rinse your hands well before handling your contact lenses. Try to use soap that is antibacterial and that does not contain skin softeners such as lanolin
- Never work over a sink with an open drain. Plug the drain or put a towel in the sink to catch a contact lens in the case that it may fall
- Establish a good habit of cleaning and disinfecting your lenses to avoid missing important steps
- Always work with the right lens first whether inserting or removing to avoid mix up
- Avoid any contact with your fingernails when handling contact lenses
- Apply any make-up or creams AFTER inserting the lenses
- Be sure to use hair spray before insertion of the lenses, or close eyes while spraying your hair and until the mist settles
- Always be careful to make sure the lens is all the way in the lens case before closing it
- Always keep solutions at room temperature, never let them get excessively hot or cold
- Always use fresh solutions, never reuse solutions from the previous day
- Occasionally check the expiry dates of your solutions and don't use any solutions that are expired
- Never mix solution types (brands) as they don't all work the same and chemical sensitivities can occur when solutions are mixed
- Don't use any eye drops or solutions other than those prescribed to you without consulting with your Optometrist first
- Never store contact lenses in tap water – this can cause lenses to adhere to the cornea. Also, tap water is unsterile and may contain ACANTHAMOEBA, a microorganism known to cause serious eye ulcerations
- Wash your lens case out with warm soapy water once per week being sure to rinse well afterwards
- Avoid sleeping in your contact lenses for more than a quick nap
- Contact lenses can be lost if worn for swimming or water sports – use cautiously and be sure to disinfect after wearing the lenses in water
- Always carry your lens case and spectacles with you in case there is ever a need to take the lenses out
- If any blurring, pain, discomfort or redness should occur, remove the lenses, clean them then reinsert them. If symptoms continue, remove the lenses and telephone our office to have your eyes and lenses checked (you may be experiencing an eye infection, torn lens or some other problem that requires attention)
- If any questions or problems should arise, please don't hesitate to call the office. We would be most happy to assist you!
Wearing Schedule
Day #1———-4 Hours
Day #2———-5 Hours
Day #3———-6 Hours
Day #4———-7 Hours
Day #5———-8 Hours
Day #6———-9 Hours
Day #7———10 Hours
(Continue at 10 hours until your next visit scheduled for: ____________________*)
*Please wear your contact lenses in, but bring your eyeglasses with you!
