Did you know?

• Two-thirds of contact lens wearers are female.
• The average age of contact lens wearers worldwide is 31 years old.
• 80% of contact lens wearers use soft contact lenses.
• 10% of contact lens wearers are under 18 years old, 15% are between the ages of 18-24, 50% are between the ages of 25-44 and 25% are 45 years of age or older.
• Contact lenses are considered medical devices and are regulated by the FDA.

More than 38 million people in the U.S. wear contact lenses to correct their myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, or a combination of one or more of these. If you are a current contact lens wearer or are considering wearing them for the first time, an eye exam and an assessment of your lifestyle will help Dr. Greenberg determine which contact lenses and lens care solutions will work best for you. However, it doesn’t end there. Good contact lens care habits are essential to avoid discomfort, blurred vision and eye infections.

Let’s Take a Look at Your Contact Lens Care Habits

If asked, most people would probably say they have pretty good contact lens care hygiene habits. The truth is more than 80% of Americans believe they follow good lens care while only 2% actually do.

Answer “Yes” or “No” if you have ever done any of the following:

• Cleaned your contact lens case with tap water only
• Not thrown out contacts at the recommended time
• Reused/added to yesterday’s contact lens solution
• Rinsed your contacts with tap water only
• Rinsed a contact lens by putting it in your mouth
• Put your contacts in without rinsing them

If you answered “Yes” to two or more of the above, it seems you may have fallen into poor contact lens care habits. Improper cleaning and not following the proper wearing schedule can lead to serious eye infections.

Caring for Your Contact Lenses

• Before handling your contacts wash your hands with a mild, non-cosmetic soap and dry your hands with a lint free towel.
• Clean, rinse and disinfect your contacts with fresh solution each time you remove them.
• Never use tap water or put contac
  

  Caring for Your Contact Lenses

  t lenses in your mouth to “rinse” them. Microorganisms can live in even distilled water, causing infections resulting in blindness.

• Clean your contact lens case every time you use it with a sterile solution. Let it air dry. Replace your case every 3 months.
• Use hairspray before you put your contacts in.
• Keep your fingernails short to avoid damaging the lens or scratching your eye.
• After your contacts are in then put on your makeup to avoid getting any on the lenses. Likewise, take out your lenses before removing your makeup for the same reason.
• Different types of lenses require certain types of products. Do not change solutions or cleaners without discussing it first with our office.
• Also, some eye drops cannot be used while wearing contact lenses.
• Stick to the wearing schedule prescribed by your type of lenses. Do not over wear them.

If your eyes become red, irritated or you’re experiencing vision changes remove your contacts and contact our office immediately.

Today, there are more contact lens choices than ever available to provide comfort, good vision, and healthy eyes. As long as you follow good contact lens care you should experience many years of good vision with your contacts.