Contact Lenses in Daily Life
In this article, you'll discover all the little mishaps of contact lens wearers. Don't worry, it's nothing serious, but you have to be careful because we only have two eyes!
Contact lenses and sleep
Did you fall asleep with your contact lenses in? Don't panic, moisturize your eyes well with saline solution before removing them. Then clean your contact lenses thoroughly in saline solution.
But be careful, this should not happen too often because when the eyelid is closed the eye is much less oxygenated... This can cause asphyxiation of the cornea, which can have serious consequences in the long term.
Removing your contact lenses before going to sleep should become part of your daily routine!
Contact lenses and screens
Whether you wear contact lenses or not, working in front of a screen reduces your blink rate. Blinking spreads tears across your eyes; a decrease in blink rate often leads to a feeling of dry eyes.
This sensation is more bothersome for contact lens wearers because the lenses must be properly hydrated to be effective. So if you work in front of a computer all day, you have two options:
- Remember to blink more often,
- Use artificial tears suitable for lenses, therefore preservative-free, in single-dose packaging.
Contact lenses and airplanes
Remove your contact lenses when traveling by plane. The dry cabin air dries out contact lenses , making wearing contact lenses on an airplane uncomfortable and even painful.
Contact lenses and train
No particular problem, but still pack artificial tears, a case, and saline solution in your first aid kit. All it takes is a cabin with very strong air conditioning for contact lens wear to become uncomfortable on long journeys.
If you are traveling to hot, humid, or dry countries, be especially careful to keep your hands clean and dry when handling your contact lenses. If you experience dry eyes, you can use preservative-free artificial tears.
Contact lenses and sports activities
Contact lenses are often recommended for sports because they offer a wide field of vision and are more practical than glasses!
Contact lenses and water
It is strongly recommended not to wear contact lenses for aquatic activities (and even for showering). The risk of infection is high due to the presence of amoebas, parasites present in all fresh water. The use of daily disposable contact lenses can only be considered in conjunction with waterproof aquatic goggles! In an aquatic environment, wearing sports goggles adapted to vision is the best option. It is risk-free.
Contact lenses and makeup / beauty products
If you wear contact lenses , put them in before applying makeup. Also, take them out before removing your makeup!
Please note, it is strongly recommended not to use eyeliner inside your eyelashes when wearing contact lenses . The eyeliner can deposit germs, which, when in contact with the lens , can cause an eye infection. Remember to check the expiry dates on beauty products!
Contact lenses and pregnancy
Wearing contact lenses is not contraindicated for pregnant women.
However, changes in the eyes can affect the comfort of wearing contact lenses . As for the risk of infection, it increases especially in the first 3 months of pregnancy:
- Change in the shape of the cornea on which the contact lens is placed. Its curvature increases, the contact lenses may become inadequate.
- Pregnancy may be accompanied by slight myopization, which may or may not resolve a few weeks after delivery,
- The change in the composition of tears may explain possible discomfort,
- The sensitivity of the cornea decreases. Therefore, you must be very attentive to any signs of intolerance (redness, blurred vision, unusual secretions).
If you are uncomfortable wearing contact lenses during pregnancy, consider wearing them for a shorter period of time or alternating between wearing them and your glasses. If discomfort persists, consult your specialist.
Caution: Remember to remove your contact lenses before delivery, you may undergo unexpected anesthesia and wearing contact lenses is contraindicated in this case.
Contact lenses and altitude
The cold and the scarcity of oxygen are not ideal for comfortable contact lens wear and good oxygenation of the eye.