Is it Safe to Wear Contact Lenses with a Sty?

Sty is usually a harmless swollen, pus-filled bump over tear duct or lash line that is caused by bacterial contamination. It goes away by itself within a week or two. If it does not completely vanish; it starts showing the signs of improvements in first 48 hours. Since styes are caused by infections you need to be very concerned about preventing the recurrence or outbreak if you wear contact lenses. Be very meticulous and take all measures to maintain good hygiene for eye health.

Precautionary Measures: Styes & Contact Lenses

Dirty Contact Lenses

If you wear contact lenses, always ensure to regularly disinfect them. Dirty contact lenses can also be the reason of styes’ growth. Remember; the root cause is bacteria & chances are that that bacterium is clinging to the surface of your circle lenses that could undoubtedly facilitate the transmission of bacteria to your eyes.

Dirty Hands

Always wash your hands properly before touching your contact lenses. When you have styes, you unconsciously touch your eyes. The finger pads pick up the bacteria from the styes and transmit it to circle lenses when you touch them. Therefore, always wash your hands, dry them with a lint free towel & then handle your contact lenses

Toss off Contact Lenses & Makeup

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It is advised to avoid circle lenses during styes over eye lids. Styes drain the puss that can contaminate the contact lenses. Toss of the circle lenses & replace them with the new. Also, avoid using the same eye makeup accessories you used during the time of infection once it has healed completely.

According to Dr. Andrew Dahl, having an experience of 49 years in Ophthalmology; it is safe to start wearing circle lenses again after 2-3 days of styes’ healing. Do not share your towels and contact lenses to stop the recurrence & the wide- spread of the infection.

Top 3 Ways to Keep your Circle Lenses Safe for your Eyes

 

Keep your circle lenses safe for your eyes

FDA approved circle lenses have no side effects; they are tested before being pushed into the markets for mass consumption. Having said this, wearing circle lenses is safe. Above all circle lenses are beneficial if you are aiming to correct your refractive index error. This however does not outlaw the status of circle lenses from prosthetic device to fashion accessory. To keep them serving your vision safely, you must stay meticulous about the diligent disinfection of your circle lenses. Each pair you own must be disinfected regularly whether or not you wear them on daily basis.

Disinfect, Disinfect & Disinfect

Most of the wearers of circle lenses tend to ignore how important is disinfection. Circle lenses accumulate protein, dirt, lint and other debris from environment to their surface that might cause superficial damages. It is important to disinfect circle lenses after each wear. Also occasionally, once in a week circle lenses must be disinfected thoroughly by gentle rubbing & scrubbing through finger pads.

Along with the disinfection of circle lenses, the cases also call for regular disinfection. The bio-film that forms on lens cases is hazardous for eyes and needs to be decontaminated.

Stick to Replacement Schedule

Circle lenses come with an expiry date. Using them past their expiry put your eyes at risk. Do remember; even FDA approved circle lenses do not guarantee risk-free wear once they have been expired. Therefore; stick to your replacement schedule & keep a sharp track on the expiry date.

Also Read: How Often to Replace Contact Lenses?

Circle lens cases also expire even though they don’t come with a written expiry date. Cases that accommodate circle lenses should be replaced every three months. Should you forget replacing cases, sterilize them to minimize the chances of infections.

Avoid “Topping Off Solution”

Refrain from topping off contact lens solution. Disinfecting solution loses its efficacy when it is partially evaporated. Once the case is left opened the preservative that works to kill bacteria evaporates making the solution already in your case worthless. Therefore avoid topping off contact lens solution to keep your circle lenses perfectly fit for your eyes. Always soak your lenses in fresh supply of disinfectant. This reduces the outbreak of contagious ocular diseases.   

Often time it is the careless behavior of consumers that is responsible for gross after effects of wearing circle lenses. You can wear circle lenses every day without fears of threatening your vision. Simply stick to these vision friendly tips & enjoy a beautiful personality.