by Christianna Garrett-Martin

Created on: March 18, 2008   Last Updated: April 24, 2008

- MY TIPS FOR IMPROVING CONTACT LENS HABITS -

According to a recent survey by a leading global market research company the figures came out at a frightening high in favor of people who have dirty contact lens habits. -

Contact lenses sit straight on our eye and there is no way that we should allow any dirt, fluff or grit to come into contact with our contact lenses, because these would then be transferred onto our eyes. Contact lens wearers should therefore make it a priory to follow a daily contact lens health routine to ensure complete cleanliness to their lenses.

Our eyes are a very delicate and sensitive part of our body and the eye will try to eject any foreign object that comes into contact with them. The tear ducts produce tears which act as a cleaner to the eye. But we in turn must do our part and improve our dirty contact lens habits. According to the FDA who has brought out a report with information on a condition which can affect the wearers of soft contact lenses "on the recent increase in reports of a rare but serious fungal infection of the eye in soft contact lens wearers in the U.S. The infection, a fungal keratitis caused by the Fusarium fungus, may cause vision loss requiring corneal transplants".

In a letter posted on Bausch & Lomb's web site, Bausch & Lomb chairman Ron Zarrella told users of its ReNu products that Bausch & Lomb continues "to work tirelessly" with the FDA, CDC, and other experts to identify the source of the infection. "We won't stop until we've finished," the letter pledges."

So contact lens care is of the utmost importance at all times. It is recommended that you always wash your hands thoroughly before handling your lenses. Follow the instructions from your optician on the wearing and replacing of your lenses. Always follow the correct procedure for the cleaning of your lenses, and make sure your storage boxes for said lenses are clean and dust free. Replace your lens box with a new one every 3-6 months.

Remember, the wearing of contact lenses can put you at risk of eye infections unless special cleanliness is adhered to. These can include damaged retina and corneal ulcers. These infections can progress quickly and in very rare case could possibly lead to blindness.

The thing to remember is that hygiene it the most important thing when handling your lenses. After all, you are about to put something straight onto your eye, the last thing you want is for a piece of grit or dust to be placed straight onto your cornea. Always use your saline solution and never tap water, bottled water or your own saliva. Never wear them to sleep in. Do not use a kohl or eye pencil inside the lower lid of the eye while you have your contact lenses in. Do not wear them swimming or when you are in any very hot environment. Always protect your eyes when spraying hairspray, perfume, or any other product near your eyes. Our eyes are important to us, remember that, and give them the care that they deserve. -

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