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Bellaire, TX 77401

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Do’s And Don’ts for Contact Lens Safety


Contact lens safety is compromised due to taking them for granted

Contact lenses are used widely all over America. They are a godsend to many, but they are not to be taken for granted.

According to researchers, approximately 6% of all contact lens use results in the development of side effects related to contact lens use due to careless contact lens usage.

Precautions for contact lens safety

1. Proper contact lens fit — With so many readymade lens brands available, most people tend to forget this very important point. Both tight and loose fitting lenses can cause corneal damage. With continued use, tight lens syndrome can develop. Loose lenses can result in corneal scratches, lens decenteration, varying vision and discomfort.

It is essential for contact lens safety to clean your lenses with the correct lens cleaning solution. Improper cleaning may also cause lens build-up, which will eventually cause lens drying, reduced blink rates and corneal hypoxia.

It is essential to clean contact lenses with the correct lens cleaning solution. Improper cleaning may also cause lens build-up, which will eventually cause lens drying, reduced blink rates and corneal hypoxia.

Never use tap water, distilled water, lake or ocean water to clean your lenses as it pushes pathogens into the hydrogel of the contact lenses. Improper cleaning compromises contact lens safety and cause eye infections that are painful and dangerous as well.

Proper lens storage is also essential to help maintain sterility as well as prevent visual discomfort and permanent eye damage.

3. Eye condition — Allergic reactions do happen in a rare handful of patients and they can be quite severe.   For example:

  • Toxic conjunctivitis can occur due to a conjunctival allergy to the preservative in the lens cleaning solution
  • Idiopathic superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis can occur in women with abnormal thyroid functioning
  • Giant papillary conjunctivitis occurs due to a direct allergy to the lens material itself
  • Allergic conjunctivitis is common and can occur months after using contact lenses

For most of these contact lens safety issues or problems, immediate discontinuation of the contact lens is necessary. Secondary care in the form of topical mast stabilizers, ocular lubricants, topical steroids, etc. may be required before lens use can be started up again.

You Are Wise to See a Contact Lens Specialist

For the essential contact lens fit that is optimized for comfort and vision, you are wise to utilize the expertise of a contact lens specialist. And, a contact lens specialist who is also a corneal specialist is ideal.

Functional and morphological eye changes can occur with long-term contact lens use. These can include changes in corneal curvature, corneal sensitivity, corneal thickness and epithelial oxygen intake. However, most of these changes are temporary and they can be reversed.

A qualified optometrist who is a contact lens specialist as well as a corneal specialist can prevent ocular damage via:

  • A proper and thorough evaluation
  • A proper fitting
  • Proper follow-up examinations of your eyes
  • Your reporting any concern, change or discomfort immediately

Dr. Ashley Tucker

Seeing Dr. Ashley Tucker at Bellaire Family Eye Care in Houston, TX is one of the best ways you can take care of your eyes. As a contact lens specialist and a corneal specialist with an outstanding track record for contact lens evaluation, contact lens fitting and contact lens safety – she will provide you an unsurpassed in comfort contact lens optimized for vision.