Taking care of your contact lenses is key to keeping your eyes healthy. But even if you’re diligent, it’s easy to make mistakes when using your contact lenses solution. Small oversights can lead to discomfort, infections, or even damage to your lenses.
Let’s look at five common mistakes you might be making and how to avoid them.
1. Skipping the Rubbing Step
Simply soaking your lenses isn’t enough to clean them. Many people forget that rubbing the lenses removes dirt, debris, and bacteria effectively. This extra step is essential for maintaining clear and comfortable lenses.
Here’s how to do it: Wash your hands thoroughly. Place a lens in your palm and add a few drops of fresh solution. Gently rub it with your fingertip for 20-30 seconds. Flip the lens and repeat the process.
Rinsing the lens with fresh solution after rubbing ensures it’s completely clean before you store it. Skipping this step can lead to a buildup of harmful bacteria, which may cause irritation or infections over time.
2. Using Tap Water on Lens Cases
Tap water contains harmful microorganisms that can damage your eyes. Yet, some people use it to rinse their contact lens cases. This is a common mistake that can lead to serious eye infections, such as acanthamoeba keratitis.
Always clean your case with fresh lens solution instead of water. After rinsing, dry the case with a clean tissue rather than air-drying it. Air-drying can leave behind bacteria that thrive in moist environments.
For added safety, replace your contact lens case every 30 days. This helps reduce the risk of contamination and ensures a cleaner environment for your lenses. A fresh case also prevents any residual buildup of debris.
3. Not Soaking Lenses Long Enough
Contact lenses need sufficient time to soak in solution to disinfect properly. Some solutions require at least 4-6 hours of soaking to ensure thorough cleaning and proper hydration.
Cutting corners by soaking lenses for a shorter time can leave them dirty, uncomfortable, and even unsafe to wear. For example, some bacteria require a minimum soak time to be killed effectively.
Always follow the instructions on your solution bottle for the best results. It’s a small step that can save you from eye strain or irritation later in the day.
4. Reusing Old Solution
Reusing or “topping off” solution is a common mistake. Mixing fresh solution with leftover liquid in your lens case might seem harmless, but it’s not. Old solution is filled with bacteria and debris from previous uses, which makes it unsafe for your eyes.
When you reuse solution, you expose your lenses to contamination, increasing the risk of eye infections. This practice also reduces the effectiveness of the fresh solution, as it gets diluted with the old.
Always use fresh solution for each cleaning and storing cycle. This ensures your lenses stay sterile and ready for wear. It’s a simple habit that makes a big difference in your eye health.
5. Ignoring Expiration Dates
Contact lens solutions expire, just like any other product. Using expired solution, even if unopened, can reduce its effectiveness and put your eyes at risk. The chemicals in the solution may degrade over time, making it less capable of killing bacteria.
To stay safe, check the expiration date before using a new bottle. Once opened, most solutions need to be used within a specific time frame, typically 1-3 months. Write the opening date on the bottle to keep track and avoid using old solution by mistake.
Expired solution can also cause irritation or dryness, so it’s better to be cautious. When in doubt, discard old bottles and replace them with fresh ones.
Taking care of your contact lenses is easier than you think. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure your lenses stay clean, comfortable, and safe to wear. If you’re looking for trusted contact lens products, visit Adasat Ajman. They offer a variety of high-quality lenses and solutions to fit your needs.