Caring for your contact lenses

Transcription

1 Caring for your contact lenses

2 Dedicated to your health At GMHBA Eye Care, our focus is on helping you keep your eyes in great shape, and that includes the quality of your prescription contact lenses. This information is a guide on how to properly wear, care for and replace your contact lenses. Looking after you every day

3 Caring for your contact lenses Getting used to managing your contact lenses properly can take time and practice. To make this as easy as possible, we suggest you follow these basic steps: Preparing Thoroughly review your lens instructions prior to wearing them for the first time. Work on a clean flat surface and you may consider putting the plug in if working over a sink. Always wash and dry your hands properly before touching your eyes and lenses. Some lenses, such as those required to treat astigmatism have orientation markers. Ensure you check the instructions as to how these should be inserted. If you wear eye make-up, it is often easier to apply after you have inserted your contacts. Putting in your lenses Take your lenses out of their packaging using the soft tip of your index finger. Never use your nail. Before you put each one in, check it isn t damaged or inside-out the edges should turn upwards. Sit the lens on your index finger and use your middle finger of the same hand to hold down the centre of your bottom lid. Then use your other hand to lift up the top lid. It also helps to keep your other eye open so you can see what you are doing more effectively. To place the lens, look directly at it as you gently put it on your cornea. Another approach is to look up and place the lens on the lower part of the white of your eye.

4 To correctly position the lens, look down. Finally, slowly release your bottom lid, then your top lid before settling the lens on your eye by blinking a few times. If you use multi-use lenses, always insert the same one first so you don t mix up the left and right lenses. Taking out your lenses Always wash and dry your hands properly before touching your eyes and lenses. Have your storage case and solution handy. To check that the lens is in the right position on your eye before removing it, cover one eye and make sure you can see clearly out of the other one. Look up and use your middle finger to hold down your bottom lid. Put the index finger of the same hand on the centre of the lens and drag it onto the white of your eye. Then use your index finger and thumb (not your fingernails) to pinch the lens and take it out. Maintaining your lenses Proteins will build up on unclean contact lenses making them uncomfortable and dirty lenses can transmit bacteria that have the potential to cause loss of vision. The cleaning process is easy just a few simple steps: > > Wash and dry your hands properly. > > Sit one lens in your palm and apply a few drops of cleaning solution. > > Rub the lens gently with your finger for about 10 seconds, moving from edge to edge in a side-to-side, up-down motion. Do the same for the other side of the lens. > > Rinse it again with cleaning solution. > > To disinfect thoroughly, fill your lens case with fresh solution and leave the lens inside (with the cap on) for at least six hours. > > Always empty your case after each disinfection and let it air-dry before you use it again. > > Every week, clean your case with a cotton bud or tissue. > > Every month, get a new case. > > Need for increased illumination.

5 Tips on how to treat your lenses 1. Always wash your hands properly before putting your lenses in or taking them out. Properly clean/disinfect your lenses and replace them when your optometrist recommends. 2. Make sure you have a current pair of prescription glasses handy to use in case you can t use your lenses. Stop using them and see your optometrist if your eyes are sore, red or your vision is blurred. Schedule an eye check-up with your optometrist every year. What not to do with your lenses The following is a list of what not to do when caring for your contact lenses: > > Don t use solutions like tap water, saline or saliva to clean your lenses. > > Don t store your uncovered lenses in warm places like the car or a windowsill, or near lotions, soaps, creams and aerosols like perfume and hairspray. > > Never share your contact lenses. > > Only sleep in contact lenses if instructed by your optometrist > > Don t use lenses, solutions or cases that are past their use-by date. > > Don t wear your lenses if they are damaged or dirty. Your eyes are delicate. If they are sore, have been around smoke or you experience impaired vision, give your contact lenses a rest. > > Only use eye drops suitable for contact lenses. Check with your health professional prior to using medicated eye drops, or wearing contact lenses if you require medical treatment on your eyes. > > Don t wear your lenses without goggles when swimming. > > Avoid wearing your lenses longer than recommended. GMHBA Eye Care can help We suggest getting your contact lenses checked every year to make sure they are right for your current circumstances. Book an appointment with your nearest GMHBA Eye Care practice.

6 Visit one of our locations Geelong P: Moorabool Street, Geelong, Victoria 3220 Belmont P: Thomson Street, Belmont, Victoria 3216 Corio P: Gellibrand Street, Corio, Victoria 3214 Drysdale P: /7 Palmerston Street, Drysdale, Victoria 3222 Looking after you every day gmhba.com.au