6 Things you need to know in winter when wearing Contact Lenses

Courtesy: iniara

Contact lenses have been associated with dryness. Though contact lenses have become advanced in terms of providing comfort & ensuring crisp vision during the past decade; they do block certain amount of oxygen entering into your eyes. This is attributed to causing dry eyes. During winter, when the atmosphere is itself dry & cold; the increased use of heaters & fireplaces further adds warmth that exacerbates the dryness. Take care of your eyes during winter specially when wearing colored contact lenses.

Staying Outdoors whilst Wearing Colored Contact Lenses

1. When wearing colored contact lenses during outdoor activities, be wary of the harsh sun rays. Ice and snow reflect UV rays sharply that may be dangerous to the eye sight. Wear protective eye wear or shades that intercept nearly 100% of the UV rays. Additionally, you can choose to wear UV interception colored contact lenses.
2. Stay away from the direct source of heating for instance fireplaces and heaters. These heating appliances suck out the moisture of the surroundings which leaves eyes dry. Make use of humidifiers and keep your eye drops at hand to instantly provide lubrication to eyes.
3. Wear hats with a wider brim along with UV intercepting shades. Hats won’t let harmful sun rays strike your eyes directly.
4. Always wash your hands before handling your contact lenses or touching your eyes whilst contact lenses are still in.
5. When applying creams and body moisturizing lotions, be careful to insert contact lenses prior to applying these.
6. Do not smoke. Smoking is always dangerous for your eyes. It elevates the dryness in eyes and reduce the lubrication that may lead to irritated or inflamed eyes.

Eyes should always be taken care of, regardless of what weather you are in. Following these tips will not only help you have sparkling bright eyes but also vow to reap benefits in the long run. It prevents age-related macular degeneration, formation of crows feet & cataracts etc. Contact lenses help you see clear with advanced peripheral vision. However, they call for meticulous eye care alongside diligent handling of them. Don’t ever skip your annual eye exams to ensure good health of your eyes. 

Contact Lenses: Protect your Eyes from Summer Threats

It won’t be wrong to say that people wearing contact lenses are intellectual and responsible. Wearing contact lenses as a mode of vision correction requires you to be active and careful in handling, disinfection & replacement as the expiry date approaches. Though contact lens wearers need to stay vigilant all the year round, summer season calls in for extra precautions as expressed by Dr. Adam Gordon, A clinical Associate Professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry.

Wear Sun Glasses with Prescription Contact Lenses

As the Sun rises up, many of us would go out worshiping it. People hail sun as the mighty rays help fulfilling the deficiency of Vitamin D your body might have suffered from during winter. People; unfortunately forget that they do not only damage their skin but also the eyes due to the over-exposure to sun. To prevent your eyes from the harmful UV rays, always create a barrier between your eyes and sun rays. Wear Sun glasses along with your UV blocking prescription contact lenses. Forming a double-protective shield is mandatory because sun-glasses other than "wrap-around" are incapable of intercepting UV rays that enter your eyes from above, below and sides.  

Also Read: Glasses vs Contact Lenses for UV Protection 

Take your Contact Lenses Out at the Beach

People must understand that contact lenses and any kind of water I.e. tap water, beach, pool, and tub are not compatible. Water carries microorganisms that are threatening to vision. A special type of microorganism “Acanthamoeba Keratits” is fatal. Therefore, contact lenses must never be exposed to water in any form. Taking your contact lenses out is recommended. If, on the other hand you must swim with contact lenses in, take them out as soon as you are done with the swim. Either disinfect them thoroughly or better toss it off and pop open a new fresh pair of contact lenses to cut the risk of infections.

Also Read : How to Prevent your Eyes from Infections at Beach when Wearing Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are like sponges and they absorb whatever they are surrounded in. Yes, they even let gasses permeate through. Therefore, always be very conscious of your surroundings when wearing contact lenses.