5 Environments you should be Careful about when wearing Contact Lenses

Circle contact lenses are generally safe to wear but there are certain places where you should make sure that your eyes remain safe. Contact lenses don’t hurt by themselves, provided they are FDA approved. Yet they may be somewhat painful if carelessness is shown.

1. Welding Workshops & Chemical Industries

Welding labs and operators face an array of hazards from fumes to electric shocks and suffocation. A welder is required to wear special fire-resistant costume & safety eye wear. Contact lenses should be avoided in welding areas because of the high heating temperatures. Chemical industries that generate fumes, gaseous vapors & infrared radiation may also hinder with proper contact lens functioning. Since contact lenses are like a sponge; they let in all the gases they are exposed to.

2. Sports Courts

Observe caution whilst playing sports like badminton, tennis, and other close eye contact games. If you wear prescription contact lenses, create an extra barrier of safety by wearing safety eye wear to prevent serious damages. Wearing circle contacts whilst playing video/computer games can also cause eye-strain.

3. Beauty Salons

Though beauty salons must not prevent you wearing your fashion cosmetic lenses, it is advised to be a bit more vigilant during your stay in the building. A salon deals with hair sprays/aerosols, deodorants, cologne spray etc that might cause the appearance of an annoying film over the surface of contact lenses. Keep your eyes shut when you get finishing touches to tame your tresses using a hair spray.

4. Extreme Temperature Changes

Georgia May's Courtesy

Use caution when wearing circle contacts in extreme temperature zones. I.e. sub-zero temperature or the places that have high heating temperatures such as oven, fire-place etc.

Also Read: 

Can heat from BBQ/Grill burn contact lenses?

Do Contact lenses freeze in sub zero temperatures?

5. Windy & Dusty Places

Wear safety eye wear to prevent irritation. Dust particles and windy weather irritate your eyes. Windy climate further turn your eyes & lenses dry.

Contact lenses should be immediately removed if they become uncomfortable suddenly & consistently. Avoid wearing circle lenses when you have cold or flu. Contact lenses are medical devices and you should only wear them if you consider yourself mature enough for the meticulous handling they demand. 

Contact Lens Wearers at Risk of Infections due to Unhygienic Practices

A recent warning released by eye experts reminds contact lens users to stay vigilant about proper care of contact lenses. Doctors reveal that there have been an increased number of patients in past months that are affected by infections occurred by improper use of contact lenses.

Infections Contact Lens Wearers are at Risk Of:

Acanthamoeba Keratitis

Acanthamoeba Keratitis is a microorganism carried by water. When users wearing contact lenses carelessly use water whilst wearing lenses; they get affected by the infection. This microorganism is corneal devouring bacteria & in gross cases it may lead to complete visual impairment. Eye experts advise to completely avoid water-related activities before handling contact lenses. Do not wash face, do not visit beach & do not take baths when wearing circle lenses.

Conjunctivitis

It is the inflammation of conjunctiva- the white layer of the eye. Contact lens wearers spread conjunctivitis when they share, swap or exchange contact lenses among fellow wearers. It is diagnosed by teary eyes, pink eyes, itching, irritation & discharge. When contact lenses are contaminated with bacteria, they should be immediately thrown away and or replaced. Avoid wearing circle lenses when suffering from infection to prevent spreading the disease.

Doctors opine that patients should keep an eye over how their eyes are working with contact lenses. In case of any unusual symptoms such as inflammation or excessive discharge from eyes; rush to your eye doctor than creating panic. To stay on the safe side, never top off contact lens solution but always toss it off and refill the chambers after each wear.

Contact lenses need meticulous care as they are prosthetic medical devices. Provided what you get for your eyes are FDA approved lenses there are rarely any chances for you to get affected by contagious ocular diseases. 

Contact Lenses: When to Avoid?

Contact lenses are the safer option for vision correction. They alter the vision by correcting the refractive index error & by eliminating stress on eyes. Furthermore they enhance personality. Contact lenses however need to be avoided under certain circumstances. Soft contact lenses are made of using high water content. The change in environment & air may alter the water percentage which can make them uncomfortable. If you work in following conditions then avoid contact lenses

1.      Where they are chances of water exposure

2.      Near chemical fumes & vapors

3.      Near high heating temperatures such as “welding” procedures.

4.      Near areas with infrared and UV rays sources.

Contact lenses are generally safe to wear in daily life. You should not feel any discomfort in eyes upon wearing lenses in your kitchen or whilst BBQ-ing. There are only certain environmental changes which alter the tear-formation and turn your eyes dry. As a result, contact lenses become dehydrated and develop corneal rash or discomfort which usually goes away as soon as you put them off & instill eye drops.

Also Read: Can Heat from BBQ/GRILL/Kitchen burn contact lenses?

Do not forget that soft lenses are gas-permeable lenses, whilst they allow some of the oxygen to pass-through they also serve as a channel for other gases’ penetration. Therefore, always observe caution where there are potential risks of unusual exposures.