Spooky Season Safety: What You Need to Know About Contact Lenses

When contact lenses are properly cared for, they are safe, comfortable and convenient for everyday use. However, they aren’t risk-free — they need to be cleaned and stored properly to avoid complications like eye infections.

Types of contact lenses

Soft contacts are the most common because they provide comfort and clear vision. They are flexible hydrogel or silicone hydrogel and are easy to adjust to. Hard contacts are made of a more rigid material, and doctors prescribe them in special cases, such as when a high prescription isn’t available in soft contacts or when patients have an issue that hard contacts might better address, such as irregularly shaped corneas or extreme astigmatism.

Cleaning, disinfecting and storing contact lenses

Failing to care for your contacts according to your provider instructions can significantly impact your vision and eye health. There are various types of contact lens care solutions, such as daily cleaners, multipurpose solutions and saline.

The most commonly used care system is a multipurpose solution because it cleans, rinses and disinfects, and is safe to store soft contact lenses in.

Daily cleaners do not disinfect your contact lenses; they just remove deposits and debris. After using this cleaner, it is advisable to use additional products, such as a multipurpose disinfectant.

Saline does not disinfect your contact lenses either. Use saline for rinsing contact lenses after cleaning and disinfecting with another care system.

When it’s time to store your contact lenses, give them a clean home in fresh contact lens solution — never water, which can carry tiny organisms that seriously harm your eyes. A quick swap of your solution each day and a clean case protect you lenses and your eyes.

Storing your contact lenses in a clean case is vital so it doesn’t create an environment where bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms can thrive. If these contaminants get into your eyes during insertion, it can lead to infections or irritation. Store your unopened contacts in a cool, dry place away from extreme temperatures. Cold or hot temperatures can warp, deform and make your lenses stiff and brittle.

Talk to your provider about the best ways to clean your contact lenses and what to include in your routine.

The do’s and don’ts of wearing contact lenses

While cleaning and maintenance of your contact lenses are important, there are additional measures patients are often unaware of for properly caring for their eyes.

For example, wearing contacts to bed or in the shower may seem harmless, but it can cause severe eye damage and even lead to infection. According to Lauren Jeang, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in cornea, external diseases and anterior segment surgery at UF Health Eye Center – The Oaks, patients often mention that they shower or swim while wearing their contacts.

• Although the water from your shower may seem clean, it can contain bacteria and other microorganisms that can enter your eye and get trapped underneath the lens. This happens if your lenses or hands aren’t cleaned adequately before handling, allowing bacteria to transfer to the lens surface. The bacteria can become trapped between the lenses and your cornea, creating a warm, moist environment where they can multiply. This increases the risk of eye infections, such as acanthamoeba keratitis, which is a rare eye infection caused by an amoeba and can lead to vision loss.
• Don’t leave your contact lenses in for too long. Daily-wear lenses can be worn for eight to 16 hours and are meant to be worn during the day and removed at night. Disposable lenses are single-use lenses that should be discarded after each wear and shouldn’t be worn for more than 16 hours at a time.
• If you ever fall asleep with your contacts, remove them as soon as you wake up. Give your eyes a break and pay attention to any signs of irritation.
• Be careful about what goes near your eyes. Wash your hands before applying makeup or use hypoallergenic products, and never share cosmetics with others.

Getting care at UF Health

UF Health offers convenient options for your vision care needs. You can purchase contact lenses and glasses at the UF Health Optical Center – The Oaks, where a variety of frames and lens options are available. To schedule an appointment at the eye center, call (352) 733-5435. To schedule an eye exam or consultation with one of our specialists, contact the UF Health Eye Center (352) 265-2020 .

FAQ

Q. Can contact lenses get stuck to my eye?

This is very unlikely. Contact lenses can be removed easily using the method your eye doctor recommends. All it takes is practice and patience.

Q. Can contact lenses scratch your eye?

When they are fit and prescribed by an optometrist, this problem is rare. Proper care and handling of your prescribed lenses can help reduce the chances of this happening.

Q: Can my contact lens get stuck in my eye if it tears apart? What is the best way to remove it?

It might feel like your contact lens is stuck, but don’t worry! It can’t get lost behind your eye. If a lens tears, start by thoroughly washing your hands. Apply a few lubricating drops to keep your eyes moist, and then gently massage your eyelid to move the torn pieces toward the white part of your eye so you can remove them. If you can’t find all the fragments or your eye still feels irritated, contact your eye doctor for help.

Q: What should I do if I accidentally sleep in my contacts?

It happens to the best of us! Sleeping in contact lenses reduces the oxygen supply to your eyes and increases your risk of infection. If you fall asleep in your lenses, remove them as soon as you wake up. If you experience redness, discomfort or light sensitivity, make sure to reach out to your eye care provider before putting your contacts back in.

Q: If I shower or swim in my contacts and am worried about water that might have gotten in, are there steps I can take to prevent an infection before it happens? Should I dispose of that pair of contacts?

Water from any source, including pools, hot tubs and tap water, can contain harmful microorganisms like Acanthamoeba, which can lead to serious eye infections. If water gets into your eyes while wearing contacts, remove them and dispose of them immediately.

Q: What is the longest I can safely wear a pair of contact lenses if I am properly cleaning and maintaining them?

It is important to stick to the replacement schedule recommended by your eye doctor and the lens manufacturer. Daily disposable lenses should be discarded after one use, while biweekly or monthly lenses should be replaced as directed. Overwearing contacts may lead to dryness, irritation and a high risk of infection.

Q: Do contact lenses expire?

Yes, contact lenses and their solutions do expire. The expiration date ensures the packaging remains sterile and the lenses are safe to use. Make sure to double-check the dates before wearing or cleaning your lenses.

Q: If I get a new prescription and have a lot of contact lenses left over, is there somewhere to donate them?

If your lenses are unopened and unexpired, you can donate them to organizations that provide vision care for those in need. Some local organizations are the Florida Lions Eye Clinic or Lions Clubs International.