In recent years you may have seen, recalls the contact lens solutions due to serious eye infections. This occurred on several different occasions with different brands of solutions. After extensive research, it was found that there was no case of contamination of lens. Problems came from the incorrect use of solutions and hygiene practices, poor contact lens care. In making solutions easier to use and improve your comfort, strengthening capacities there is less tolerance for not using them the way you want.
Some simple tips can go a long way in keeping your eyes healthy and prevent serious eye infections. These infections are referred to as microbial keratitis when they infect the surface of the cornea, the clear fabric on the front of the eye. When they invade the cornea and begin to destroy the inner layers which are known as corneal ulcers. While corneal ulcers may be due to viruses and fungi, related to contact lens most infections are caused by bacteria.Some aggressive strains of bacteria, such as Pseudomonas literally can punch a eye during the night if not treated early. Meanwhile is rare and contact lenses are generally very secure, the following steps can help prevent many problems ever starting.
* Always, always wash your hands before handling the lenses. This means that both before placing them in and remove them.
* Wash hands long enough and all including the nails and fingertips with SOAP and water. In our Office of Optometry suggest about as long as it takes to sing the song happy birthday twice (10 seconds).
* It is useful to put a clean paper towel in counter to decrease the contamination in case you drop the lens. Ideally, this would be barren and lint free, but in practice a clean towel is a big improvement on the balcony of the bathroom. If there is any doubt about a surface contaminated (Yes, the bathroom and floor is joining with bacteria) lenses should be placed through a full cycle of disinfection prior to wearing. Disinfection cycle times vary by manufacturer, but most require a minimum of 6 hours.
* It is important to clean the biofilm debree and coatings that accumulate on your lenses rubbing their lenses on a daily basis with appropriate solutions. This coating removal allows the disinfectant properties of contact lens solution to act on the surface of the lens.For a number of years eye doctors have been dispensing without rubbing solutions since compliance was much higher. No label rub is disappearing quickly in contact lens bottles as we can learn more about how people skip steps and inappropriately take care of your contacts. He probably disappeared from the label of the same solution I have used for years that had big no-rub prominently were printed in the past.
* After rubbing lenses need to wash them properly with the solution.Read the instructions on the bottle. most people not using anywhere near enough wash solution. Inadequate Washing is a proven cause of bacterial growth.
* Close the lid on the bottle of solution. Sitting around all day open allows bacteria to enter the bottle, especially if he is overthrown and contacts potential a Workbench. Yes, it is confusing, since the solution is designed to kill bacteria, but straining solution with bacteria can create an environment that exceeds the ability to kill. Spitting out the first few drops before using the case has been sitting in the chickpeas, especially for saline spray solutions informed.
* Check the expiration date. Is even more important in bottles open.
* Be very careful not to touch the eyelids and eyelashes with any drops that you use with your contact lenses. His eyes always have bacteria, but the immune system normally keeps them in check. Do not add the problem contaminating the rewetting drops.While you are checking expiration dates look your makeup. Is highly unregulated and a major source of contamination. discard anything older than a few months ago.
* Remember that if you keep your contact lenses that you have 6 years ago?It's time to play it. You must replace your case every few months. Although there is still no consensus probably monthly is a good idea. you can clean and disinfect cases, but that all develop micro scratches and collect dirt where bacteria love grow.While some people are concerned is environmentally inadequate, consider how often you local hospital reuses items individual patients. Ever and for good reason!You can often find packaged solution bottles with cases at no additional cost.
* Tap water baths and especially don't mix well with contact lenses. Acanthamoeba infection is very difficult to treat as live in bathtubs that has not been treated correctly or have just been burdened by other occupants.Bottled water is not necessarily sterile.Stick with contact lens solutions.Generic Solutions can range from ingredients and most use older preservatives more likely to cause allergic reactions. branded Solutions are more consistent and utilize large molecule preservatives that are safer and less toxic to tissues of the eye.
* Make sure you're using a disinfecting solution. saline solutions are often much cheaper but have no value in killing bacteria.Ask your eye doctor for recommendations and do not change without discussing the subject for the first time.Some contact lens materials may not be compatible with certain solutions.
* Never, never put your contacts into your mouth.Besides the obvious fact that they are lacking in taste you mouth is full of bacteria that do not fit into your eye.
* So called "topping out" solution was assigned to many problems; this is when you reuse the solution in the case and keep adding to it as the fluid windshield cleaner. That devastates its ability to kill bacteria. you must rinse the empty case with every day and leave it in a clean place of dry air.
* Replace your lenses when you're told. disposable Lenses reduce quite infections when they are used as recommended. chances are that you don't use a pair of socks for 6 months, why you would want to take that risk with your vision?
* Contact lenses must be always comfortable, your eyes should not be painful or red and your vision must be clear. If one or all of these criteria are not true remove their lenses and contact your optometrist. is especially important if you're getting worst several hours after removing lens-this can be a warning sign of corneal ulcers.
Contact lenses are a very safe and excellent technology to correct your vision. these tips are not intended to replace the advice and instructions given to you by you eye care Office always consult your eye doctor advice in care and treatment and follow the instructions that they give you for a lifetime of healthy lens wear.
Dr. David Kisling is an eye doctor in Fort Collins, CO, where he has been a contact lens specialist for the past 25 years in harmony Eyecare. you can visit their website at: http://www.harmonyeyes.com or http://www.drkisling.com
