Eye Diseases

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Contact Lenses

Overview:

The eye is one of the most significant and sensitive organs in the human body. Therefore, care should be taken when wearing lenses. Lenses should be medically safe and approved by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (FDA). Lenses that are installed improperly may scratch the eye, or cause blood vessel formation in the cornea.

Why to use contact lenses?

Most contact lenses are used to correct vision problems, such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism, and vision problems related to aging. Lenses may also be used for cosmetic purposes.

Types:

Soft lenses
Hard lenses

Contact lens lifespan:

It depends on the type of the contact lenses, especially how much oxygen they allow into the cornea.

Caring for contact lenses:

Wash your hands thoroughly with water and soap, then rinse and dry them using a lint-free towel.
After removal, take care to sterilize the lenses and keep them moist in a disinfecting solution.
Remove lenses before swimming or soaking in a hot tub.
Do not use tap water to rinse or store your contact lenses.
Keep your contact lenses clean and avoid moisturizing them with saliva.
Avoid using saline to disinfect lenses.
Install and replace contact lenses according to their schedule.
Follow directions for cleaning and storing contact lenses.
Avoid sharing lenses with any other person.
Avoid using eye drops while wearing lenses unless recommended by an ophthalmologist.
Avoid reusing solution; replace it regularly.
Daily lenses should be disposed at the end of the day. It is not recommended to use a cleaning solution to prolong their lifespan.

Some experts recommend the use of daily disposable lenses, if they are used intermittently.

Must-follow guidelines:

Consult an ophthalmologist when experiencing symptoms such as redness, pain, sensitivity to light, blurry vision, or swelling.
Stop smoking, as studies show that smokers who wear contact lenses have more problems than non-smokers.
Avoid using cosmetic lenses that are sold in beauty shops.
Eyes should be examined annually when wearing contact lenses.
Keep nails trimmed to avoid scratching or hurting eyes.

Contact lenses vs. glasses:

Some visual defects cannot be corrected by wearing contact lenses, such as strabismus. Contact lenses should be avoided in the following cases:

Frequent eye infections.
Severe allergies.
Treatment-resistant dry eyes.
Dusty work environment.
Inability to maintain the lenses.

Installation and removal guidelines:

Installation:

Wash your hands thoroughly with water and soap, and dry them.
Remove the lens from the package using the fingertips.
Place the lens on the tip of your finger, making sure it is not upside down.
Lift the upper eyelid using one finger, and grasp the lower eyelid with the other fingers.
Put the lens on your index finger, then inside your eye.

Removal:

Wash your hands thoroughly with water and soap, and dry them.
Look up, pulling the lower eyelid.
Touch the bottom edge of the lens with your index finger.
Pull the lens downwards to the white part of the eye to avoid scratching the cornea.
Hold and remove the lens with the index finger and thumb.

FAQs:

Do contact lenses provide protection from the harmful rays of the sun?

Certain contact lenses may meet the UV protection requirements of the American Optometric Association (AOA). If such lenses are not used, sunglasses that block the maximum amount of UV rays should be worn.

Is it possible to sleep while wearing medical contact lenses?

Sleeping while wearing contact lenses causes many eye problems, including corneal ulcers, swollen eyelids, eye infections, corneal abrasions and eye-dryness.

Is it correct to wear contact lenses during exercise?

Contact lenses can be worn while exercising; however, it is recommended that you do not wear lenses while swimming or when in the water, as that is harmful to your eyes.

Myths & Truths:

It is allowed to rinse your contact lenses with tap water.

Truth: Contact lenses should not be rinsed with tap water, as it is a fertile medium for various types of bacteria that may cause eye infections. Contact lenses should be rinsed with their special disinfecting solution.

Contact lenses can be worn even after their expiration date.

Truth: It is not recommended to use contact lenses after their expiration date, as they may be corroded or degraded, which harms the eyes severely.

Health Promotion General Department

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