Don't Do These 11 Things If You Wear Daily Disposable Contacts!

Countless people around the world wear daily disposable contact lenses or dailies. These popular single-use lenses are removed and discarded at the end of each day. Used properly, dailies promote eye health, and they're comfortable and convenient.

Despite the many advantages, there are plenty of ways you can damage your eyes and vision — some you may never have considered.

1. Don't Touch Contacts with Dirty Hands

Before touching your lenses, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. By touching your contact lenses with dirty hands, you transfer bacteria to your lenses, which can lead to an infection.

2. Don't Expose Your Contacts to Water

Any source of water, whether tap, pool, or lake water, can change the shape of your lenses and cause micro-abrasions on your cornea. Plus, the water may contain bacteria that can cause eye health problems. If you must get in the water with your contacts on, make sure to wear waterproof goggles.

3. Don't Reuse Your Contacts

Daily disposable contacts are designed to be thrown away after every single use. Users sometimes attempt to increase the lifespan of these lenses by cleaning them in a disinfecting solution — this is problematic and increases the risk of complications and infection.

4. Don't Insert a Dropped Contact In Your Eye

One of the perks of daily lenses is that they are less expensive per lens. So if you find yourself dropping a lens, don't bother placing it back in your eye. Doing so can cost you your eye health.

5. Don't Ever Put Contacts In Your Mouth

If you drop a contact lens, definitely don't put it in your mouth to lubricate it. Your mouth contains bacteria that can infect your eyes once you reinsert your contacts.

6. Don't Overwear Your Daily Lenses

Wearing your lenses for long periods of time can damage your eyes, even if they're daily contacts. The maximum recommended daily use for any contact lens is 14-16 hours.

7. Don't Sleep With Your Lenses

Daily lenses should never be worn overnight. You're risking your sight by sleeping in a lens that's not approved for overnight use.

8. Don't Insert Contacts Before Completing Your Morning Routine

Avoid inserting your contacts before you shower or wash your face, since you risk exposing your lenses to tap water and the bacteria that come with it.

9. Don't Get Makeup On Your Contacts

Insert your contacts before applying makeup, because any makeup residue on your hands can easily transfer to your lenses.

10. Don't Wear Contact Lenses If Your Eyes Are Irritated

If your eyes feel irritated, uncomfortable, or if you notice any pain or redness, don't power through. As the saying goes, "if in doubt - take them out!" Contact our doctors at Grove City Vision Center if your symptoms last a while.

11. Don't Rub Your Eyes

If your eyes feel itchy or dry, or if a lens feels out of place, you may be tempted to rub your eyes. But rubbing can lead to long-term ocular issues. Instead, our doctors can recommend eye drops to relieve any discomfort.

If you have any questions or are interested in finding out more about contact lenses, contact Grove City Vision Center in Grove City today.