Contacts are NOT to be fooled with or taken lightly. They require more maintenance than glasses. If you don’t have glasses, are you up to the challenge of daily upkeep? Contacts come in two different forms, gas permeable/hard and soft.
Daily Upkeep
Contacts require three types of solutions. Your solution brand depends on the type of contact. Soft and hard/gas permeable require different types of solution. There are three different types of solution that must be used on a daily basis.
-Conditioning solution. This is used to soak the contact in after it’s cleaned or when not in use.
-Cleaning solution has a red top and SHOULD NOT EVER enter the eye. This is to be used to clean the contact. Make sure the cleaner is rinsed from your fingers AND the contact. If the solution enters your eye, it will BURN.
-Rewetting drops. This is used when your contact enters the eye. It acts as a lubricant and cushioning for your contact when it sits on the eye. You should never be able to feel your contact. The moment you do, re-lubricate it. If you don’t the contact will become more and more irritated. If it gets dry enough, it will fall out.
-Contacts cases
These are plastic cases with separate ‘pods’ for your contacts. The lids have an identifying L and R for your corresponding contacts. This is important if your contacts are different prescriptions. Remember, contacts are separate lenses, unlike glasses connected by a nose piece.
Contacts are to be cleaned when you take them out of your eyes. Put a cloth or stop the drain when cleaning. You don’t want those things falling down the drain! When the drain is plugged, remove one contact at a time. Squirt a bit of cleaning solution on the palm of your hand and clean the contact with your thumb and index finger. This should only take a few seconds. Rinse the contact and cleaner from your hands before placing the contact in the case. Fill one side of the case with enough solution to cover the contact. You don’t want to put in completely dry contacts. Make sure the lid is secured onto the case before starting on the other eye. You don’t want to drop the case AND the solution on the floor. Repeat with the other contact.
When placing them in the eye, make sure you have the correct contact for the correct eye. Wet your index finger just enough to keep the contact from falling. You don’t want to search for a fallen contact when your half blind, or worse, completely blind. Add a touch of wetting solution and prop your upper lid with your finger. Your eye doctor or the technician who supplied the contacts should have shown you the correct procedure when inserting contacts. Gas permeable/hard go in differently than soft.
Carry a pair of sunglasses with you. Your eyes will get dry. Always have the rewetting agent handy, just in case.