1. Wearing contact lenses more than a day
Daily contact lenses’ material is very thin and may tear if you worn for a prolonged period.
Rule: Discard daily contact lenses on the same day, even if they have only been used for a few hours.
2. Not applying eye drops
Rule: Dry eyes may need to use eye drops more than once. Eye drops help moisturise our eyes.
3. Using eye drops that are not made specifically for contact lens wearers
Some eye drops can only be used for contact lens wearers, and some for non-contact lens users.
Rule: Those with sensitive eye may feel a stinging sensation or irritation when they use certain eye drops. Switch to unit dose drops that don’t contain preservatives instead.
4. Wearing contact lenses overnight
It’s okay if your lenses are approved for overnight wear. But still, take note if your eyes suffer from any side effects after overnight wear.
Rule: For all other lenses, don’t. Sleeping with your lenses can cause eye infections. If you’re uncertain if your contact lenses are suitable for overnight wear, consult an eye care practitioner.
5. Reusing the contact lens solution
After one soak, there will be debris or dead organisms in the solution. It also loses most of its capability to kill bacteria and viruses after one use.
Rule: Don’t re-use your disinfecting solution.
6. Using tap water to wash lenses
Tap water inhabits plenty of impurities and possibly harmful organisms.
Rule: Never do this. It may lead to eye infection.
7. Rubbing your eyes excessively
Excessive rubbing can cause scratched corneas.
Rule: If your eyes are always itchy, consult an eye care practitioner to find out why.
8. Wearing contact lens “inside out”
Normally, little harm can occur. However, vision and comfort may be affected.
Rule: Flip it and wear it correctly. If not, the chances of dropping out are higher.
9. Purchasing contact lenses from unauthorized retailers
This should absolutely be avoided as there’s no guarantee that the contact lenses are from a genuine source or if they are defectives. Defective lenses can cause infections, cornea damage and worst of all loss of vision.
Rule: Don’t even think about it.
10. Not washing hands when putting in or taking out lenses
This is a sure way to invite eye infections and shorten the lifespan of your contact lenses!
Rule: Always wash them clean before touching your lenses.
11. Wearing contact lenses of the wrong degree
Make sure your optician’s giving you the right prescription. Wrong prescription can cause fatigue, eye strains and headaches and result in a lack of focus and cause accidents and wrong decisions.
Rule: If you feel that your vision is still unclear, go for an eye examination. Your degree might have changed.
12. Putting back the same pair of contact lenses that’s dropped on the floor
If it is a pair of daily disposables, it should be discarded immediately. Wear a new pair instead.
Rule: Longer wearing lenses (e.g. monthlies) should be cleaned and disinfected before re-wearing.
13. Swimming with contact lenses but without wearing goggles
This will run a high chance of contracting eye infections or red eyes. The lenses will also tend to tighten up or contract, making it very difficult to remove. Ouch!
Rule: Put on your goggles.
14. Not cleaning the contact lens case regularly
The case should be cleaned with mild soap and rinsed thoroughly after every use, and be left to air-dry in a clean environment (toilets not included).
Rule: Change cases every six months.
Source: Mr. Chew Wai Kwong, Manager of W Optics
Photos: Getty Images
