Listen closely....scratch that.....read closely! Do you wear contact lenses? If your answer is yes, chances are your Optometrist fit you in silicone hydrogel contacts. Yes, they are "soft" contacts, but not the traditional soft contact lens material which has been around since The Beatles. Silicone hydrogel lenses have been increasing in popularity among eye doctors for about a decade. These lenses contain silicone which helps increase the amount of oxygen transmitted through the lens by about 500%! These types of lenses are much more healthy for the eye, allowing it to "breath" more efficiently throughout the day. The caveat of these lenses is they may get more dirty, coated, and more filmy if not taken care of properly. Silicone, like the stuff you use to caulk your bathroom, has a tendency to be "sticky" or "tacky". The silicone in the lenses allows the "stuff" which is normally floating around in your eye to adhere to the lens more quickly. So, if you have allergies, the mucous (aka eye boogers) produced in your eye will have a tendency to stick to the lenses. Ladies, who wear slightly excessive make-up, will have a tendency to dirty their lenses quicker and consequently be replacing them sooner than recommended . And....you guessed it, ladies who wear make-up and have allergies may get their lenses really, really, really dirty....DOA as I notate it.
So...what's the plan? First, always use a name brand solution; and make sure it says "for silicone hydrogel" lenses on the box. Inexpensive generic solutions are in cheap for a reason. They are old formulations which are not compatible with the newer contact lens materials. Have you ever bought cheap gas for your car or tried giving generic Fruit Loops to your toddler? 'Nuff said. Second, gently rub your lenses, gently rub your lenses and then gently rub a bit more. "No Rub" solutions were a marketing fad which disappeared a few years ago. You need the mechanical action of rubbing to get the surface debris (mucous, make-up, etc.) off the lenses before soaking them for the night. Third, if your allergies are bad, wear your glasses. Hey, they look really nice on you and can give your eyes a much needed rest. Fourth is for you wonderful ladies, just back off a bit on the make up (an occupational hazard, I know, but try).
Finally, if all else fails, several companies manufacture excellent daily wear disposable lenses. Patients can wear them full time, in place of there 2 week or monthly replacement lenses. Or you can wear daily disposables in the height of allergy season and switch back to your two week or monthly lenses when appropriate. Ask your Optometrist if a one day disposable lens is appropriate for you.
Finally, I never recommend sleeping in your lenses; but if you do, never sleep in them when your allergies are flaring up or you have a cold. Common sense over stubbornness & vanity wins every time.
Oh...and see your Optometrist every year!
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