Page 62 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

60 COMMON CONDITIONS: EYE AND EAR PROBLEMS

Contact lens problems

The most common causes of contact lens problems are lenses
WARNING
that fit badly, poor lens hygiene, sensitivity to cleaning solutions,
and dusty, windy environments. If you wear lenses for too long, Seek immediate medical help if:
or get a piece of grit or dirt trapped under the lens, your eyes ● You have pain, blurred or reduced
vision, or extreme sensitivity to light
may become irritated, red, and watery. Sometimes a lens slips ● Your eye is very red
under the eyelid and needs to be retrieved and repositioned.
See also Dry eyes, p.57.

What you can do yourself
DRUG REMEDIES
The following steps will help reduce the risk
of eye problems when you use contact lenses. Lubricating and rewetting
eyedrops containing sodium chloride (see EYE
● If your eyes are irritated, take your contact
LUBRICANTS, p.182) make it easier to insert and remove
lenses out for an hour or two to see if the lenses. Don’t use other types of eyedrops without
symptoms ease. If they recur when you put the advice because some may damage your lenses.
lenses back in, consult your optometrist or doctor.
● Try using lubricating eyedrops formulated for
contact lens wearers (see DRUG REMEDIES, right).
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
● Unless you use continuous-wear lenses, don’t
wear your lenses longer than the period of time If a lens has slipped under your eyelid, the
advised by your optometrist. If this is unavoidable, following steps will help you retrieve it.
take them out from time to time to give your eyes First, squeeze 1–2 lubricating eyedrops into
a rest. Always remove lenses before going to bed, your eye. If your eye is dry, using drops may
taking a nap, or swimming, bathing, or showering. 1 be enough to help the lens float back into
its correct position.
● Before handling lenses, wash your hands using
an antibacterial or unperfumed soap and rinse If this doesn’t work,
them thoroughly. Clean and rinse reusable lenses close your eye, then
every time you remove them using approved 2 guide the lens back
into position by
cleaners and storage solutions. Clean the lens
pressing lightly on
case and air dry it. Never lick your lenses or use
your eyelid with one
water to wet them. finger. This should
● Ask your optometrist about using disposable encourage the lens to
slide back down over
contact lenses, which are worn for just one day the front of your eye.
and discarded. They don’t need to be cleaned and
sterilized and may be less likely to irritate your eyes.
● Be careful with makeup. Apply it after you put
your lenses in, and don’t use powder eye shadow or
loose powder. Keep hairspray away from your eyes.
Seek medical advice
● Contact lenses can’t really get “lost” in the eye,
See your doctor or optometrist promptly if:
but sometimes a lens slips under the eyelid. Try
this technique to get the lens back into position ● Eye irritation continues or there is a discharge
(see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE, right). ● You develop any new eye problems