Contact Lens Usage, Cleaning, and Care
Using contact lenses may seem like a big challenge at first. Most people struggle initially. It is almost inevitable to have difficulty putting in lenses, especially at the beginning. Taking out contact lenses is easier than putting them in. You can simplify the process by paying attention to a few things when inserting lenses.
CONTACT LENS USAGE
First of all, if your lens prescriptions are different, you need to get into the habit of putting in one lens at a time. For example, by making it a habit to put the lens in your right eye first, you will avoid confusion. It will be beneficial for your health to make a habit of checking the lens before putting it in. Is there a tear or similar damage on the lens? Are there any slight folds or is something stuck to it? It is useful to check these. Never use a damaged lens. Whether the lens is inside out may not be immediately obvious, so pay attention. Choose the hand you use well when inserting the lens. Examples are usually given for the right hand as it is commonly used. Place the lens on the tip of the index finger of your right hand and pull down your lower eyelid with the middle finger of your right hand. Lift your upper eyelid with the middle and index fingers of your left hand, and you can easily place the lens on your eye. After placing the lens, gently release your eyelids and continue to blink until the lens is properly seated.
CONTACT LENS CLEANING
The most important aspect of contact lens usage is lens cleaning. If the lenses are not clean enough, they can cause microbial problems. Cleaning contact lenses is actually simple. For clean contact lenses:
• Clean hands
• Clean lens
• Clean lens case are sufficient.
There is something to consider regarding hand cleanliness. The towel used for drying after washing hands thoroughly with soap and rinsing is important in this situation. If the towel leaves lint, such towels should not be used before inserting lenses. Of course, it is not abnormal for there to be mucus and various secretions on the lens after removal. Therefore, cleaning and rinsing should be done after each use. Of course, these procedures should be done not with tap water, but with special rinsing and disinfecting solutions for lenses. After the lens is cleaned, it should be placed in its special case, and special disinfectant solutions should also be put there. Since there is a disinfection time, lenses should not be used without being kept in the special storage case for the required duration (between 4-6 hours). If you will not be wearing your lenses for a certain period, you can keep them in the case, provided you do not open the case at all, depending on the preservative properties of the solution. This storage period can be up to a maximum of 7 days. Empty the solution in the lens storage case every time you wear the lens. Replace the solution after each use.
