Remember getting your first pair of contacts?
Chances are you went through the same mini-hygiene
session everyone else did. You know the
drill: Rinse hands in soapy water. Dry-off with “lint-free” towel. Extract
with care and gently massage with special anti-debris solution.
But once the novelty wears off, how many of us actually
keep on-track? Eventually it happens. We get lazy, or forgetful and do the big
no-no: fall asleep with contact lenses
still attached to our corneas.
Yet, is it really that bad? Well… Yes. Experts say
snoozing with contacts on causes eye infection and
other health perils.
Cornea problems
Before drifting off to dreamland for the night, take
note: Closing your eyes with contacts in impede fresh-tear and oxygen flow to corneal cells.
Natural tears and fresh air nourish and protect eyes from
germs and debris. Hence, a lack of such allies lead to short-term problems like
blurred vision, red eye, burning and itching sensations and even a scratched
cornea.
Likewise, grim dilemmas like abnormal blood-vessel growth
and giant papillary conjunctivitis (underside bumps on the eyelids) can also
manifest in time.
Tend to forget
them once you’ve popped them in?
Try extended-wear contact lenses. Approved
for 7 days of continuous wear and made of silicone hydrogel, these
contacts allow fresh oxygen to reach your corneas and gives leeway for
overnight sleep with contacts in place.
Keep in mind, if you’re new to lenses or have sensitive
eyes, chat about best-fit options with your optometrist before purchasing a
pair.
Biofilm buildup
Whether disposable or extended-wear contacts, cleaning or
changing up your current pair is a must-do. Otherwise biofilm
– slimy film that helps bacterial colonies stick to contact lenses – starts to
build up.
Typically, bacteria filters out via blinking, but once
you cover your corneas with clear contacts – blinking becomes ineffective and
risks of corneal infection, scarring and even blindness can ensue.
To neutralize buildup, dip lenses in recommended
solutions daily, or weekly (extended-wear contacts).
Tears increase tolerance
We get it. Sticking contacts into dry eyes can feel
sandpaper uncomfortable. Especially when dry eye syndrome comes into
play. Simple tasks like inserting and removing lenses become irritating not to
mention difficult. And symptoms of red eye (blurry vision, photophobia and
severe pain) can quickly take over your daily regime.
But, not all hope is lost for those who desire convenient
contacts. Dry-eye frustrations can be avoided with solutions as easy as
artificial tear drops.
Before popping in a pair, visit your optometrist to make
sure all pre-existing conditions are treated.
