Wearing contact lenses is so common that we often forget that they are corrective medical devices that require a prescription and fitting for proper care.
As any contact lens wearer will tell you, they can make a world of difference in your daily life. The best feeling is when you’re wearing contacts and forget you even have them on. You get to enjoy your life with complete clarity and comfort. However, if you’re not used to wearing contacts, you might wonder how to get used to them, care for them and avoid contact lens discomfort.
We are here to help you find the best habits for contact lens care in order to enjoy lasting comfort and pure vision! Read on to discover the way you can experience optimal contact lens comfort.
Are contact lenses comfortable to wear?
As long as you follow your eye care professional’s instruction, and you maintain proper habits, contact lenses are very comfortable to wear. If any sign of discomfort appears while you’re wearing them, remove them and visit your eye doctor immediately to identify the cause of discomfort.
What causes contact lens discomfort?
Dry eyes, irritation, or redness… potential adverse health effects can occur for several reasons during lens wear. But before learning how to avoid it, it is important to identify what causes it! Here are some of the most common causes of contact lens discomfort:
- Eye tiredness,
- Eye allergies,
- Change of contact lens products or habits (lens care or solution),
- Wearing time not respected,
- Wrong fitting,
- Sensitive eyes.
How to prevent contact lens discomfort: 6 tips and guidelines
Feeling discomfort when you start wearing contacts doesn’t mean they aren’t right for you! It’s totally common, and it takes a while to get used to them. Here are six tips to prevent contact lens discomfort.
1. Follow your eye care professional’s instructions
This will guarantee that you’re experiencing optimal contact lens comfort. A regular eye exam will make sure your contact lenses are right for you, and you’re maintaining proper habits on how to use and take care of your contacts. It is also the occasion to discuss any sign of contact lens discomfort.
During a contact lens fitting, your eye doctor will:
i. Analyze your cornea’s health and tear film to assess the front of your eyes and evaluate if you’re prone to dry eyes,
ii. Measure your cornea’s curvature (because an incorrect size – too large or too small – can be very uncomfortable),
iii. Determine if your lenses’ shape is appropriate for your eyes and if you have the right fit. When your lens doesn’t fit properly, it’ll move a lot with each blink, causing unwanted experience such as dryness, irritation and itchiness.
2. Read your prescription carefully
At the end of an eye exam, your eye care professional will provide you with a new contact lens prescription adapted to your eyes’ needs. It will indicate your contact lens:
- Brand,
- Type,
- Measurements including Base Curve (BC) and Diameter (DIA), and
- Expiration date.
When you order new contact lenses online, it is essential to follow your prescription details carefully. Wearing the wrong prescription contact lens may cause discomfort. If your contacts don’t fit properly, they may scratch your eye’s surface. Contacts that fit too tightly over the cornea may block your eyes to receive nourishment the tears that protectively coat your eyes, provoking irritation and blurry vision.
You have a new prescription, but you’re not sure how to read it? Take a look at our guide on how to read your contact lens prescription.
3. Follow your replacement schedule
Comply with wearing schedule provided by your Eye Care Professional. Dispose of contact lenses according to lens type i.e. daily, weekly, or monthly.
Your prescription, personal eyewear needs, and lifestyle can all factor into the contact lens type and brand prescribed by your eye health professional.
You can reduce wear-time to help minimize discomfort. You should always replace your contact lenses based on your appropriate wear schedule. Overwearing your contacts is not recommended and could lead to several complications, such as corneal ulcers, corneal inflammation, light sensitivity or blurred vision.
Discuss with your eye care professional to decide which type of contact lens is appropriate for you. Based on your eye health and lifestyle, you can choose between daily disposable, weekly or monthly contacts. Consult with your eye doctor if you have an eye allergy, you may be better off with daily disposals.
It is key for eye health that you do not overwear your lenses. It is recommended to wear contact lenses less than 12 hours per day, ideally 8-10 hours, in order to maintain healthy corneas.
4. Proper contact lens care and wear
To keep your contacts feeling fresh, be sure you are properly storing and replacing your contact lenses. If you’re using daily contacts, there’s no particular maintenance needed as you dispose off used contacts after wearing them for a day.
However, weekly and monthly contacts should be properly cleaned every day and stored upon removal with a contact lens solution prescribed by your Eye Care Professional. It is an essential process to remove bacteria and protein buildup. If cleaning with a multipurpose type of contact lens solution, make sure to gently rub lenses to remove biofilms of bacteria, protein, and lipid deposits.
In addition to your general contact lens care and maintenance guidelines, you should learn how to put in and remove contacts properly. Once you’ve mastered the process, you could avoid contact lens discomfort by making sure that you:
i. Apply makeup after putting in your contacts.
ii. Always wash your hands before handling contact lenses. Avoid touching your eyes without washing your hands first. Throughout the day and night our hands pick up microbes. Without proper hand washing, bacteria will transfer from your fingers to the contact lenses and, ultimately, to your eyes.
iii. Avoid storing your contacts in water.
iv. Replace your contact lens case at least every 3 months. Clean your contact lens case for every use and allow to completely dry prior to adding your contact lenses and solution. Keeping the case clean will help prevent bacteria from settling on your contact lenses.
v. Avoid water activities in contact lenses to avoid dirty water settling between the contact and eye. This especially applies to hot tubs and pools. It is never a good idea to wear contact lenses where there is water as bacteria can accumulate and cause infections. Prescription swimming goggles are the best eyewear solution if you are involved in water sports.
5. Keep your eyes and contacts moisturized
It’s common to experience eye dryness while wearing contacts. The tear film that spreads on your cornea allows your eye to be moisturized and lubricated. Dry eyes syndrome can either be caused by computer screening, frequent flying, indoor or outdoor air-condition, and is more likely to happen when wearing contacts.
In order to keep your eyes moisturized and prevent irritation or contact lens discomfort, make sure to:
i. Change the solution in your contact lens case every day,
ii. Take off your contacts for a few hours daily, for your eyes to breathe,
iii. Avoid sleeping with your contacts,
iv. Remember to blink often, especially if you are working in front of a screen for a long time.
In addition, applying lubricating eye drops regularly can help keep your eyes hydrated and refreshed while you’re wearing contacts.
6. Choose contact lenses for dry eyes: silicone hydrogel contacts
With modern advancements in contact lens technology, manufacturers are producing soft contact lenses made of new materials that promote comfort and performance.
Many contact lens brands available today are made of silicone hydrogel. These types of contacts retain moisture and increase the level of oxygen that reaches the surface of your eyes, making these lenses ideal for prolonged wear.
Comfortable contact lenses brought to you by Clearly
The everclear collection is made of silicone hydrogel. Available in daily, weekly, and monthly variations, so there will be something available for everyone.
Are you ready to enjoy pure comfort?
Once you’re used to using those useful items, it’s all about finding your routine and keeping proper habits! After all, it’s a medical item that sits on your eyes. It needs proper care and attention to provide you with the best vision and eye comfort!
Do you have a valid prescription, and ready to shop? Discover our selection of contact lenses online and enjoy top quality contacts at an affordable price!
Have a valid contact lens prescription?
