So, you finally got your first pair of contacts. This is an exciting time, congratulations! When we follow up with our patients, most of them comment on the marvel of noticing small visual details, things they’ve noticed, that they were not able to see, before. The fuzz on a ripe peach, or the dew on the bushes in the morning.
We know you’re eager to set aside your glasses, but with all new things, you might find that it also feels a little bit scary. As one of the five senses, your vision is incredibly important, and you’re about to stick a foreign object into your eye. Granted, it’s an advanced medical device, but it is vital that you make good decisions to ensure you remain happy, comfortable and safe.
We’ve compiled this list of 5 tips to reduce stress and keep you on the road to success with your new contacts.
- Keep your lenses clean – Your doctor will give you a list of instructions on caring for your lenses. Do not take shortcuts. The information provided by your doctor is specific to you and your vision goals. After you insert your lenses, empty the case completely and set it upside down to dry. Don’t leave old solution sitting in the case. When it’s time to remove your lenses, be sure you are using fresh solution. If you’ve emptied your case in the morning, it will be dry and ready for you. This way you don’t find yourself tempted to use or top off old solution that has been sitting.
- Listen to your doctor – Only use products recommended by your doctor. If you are looking to substitute store brand products, be sure you check with your doctor first. The products your doctor has recommended are specific to the type of lens you are prescribed, so it is not advised to assume two products are equal, simply based on their packaging.
- Follow proper wear and replacement schedules – It is important to adhere to your doctor’s replacement instructions. Don’t try to stretch the life of your lenses beyond what you’ve been told is safe. Wear them for the length of time prescribed and then discard them. The only contacts that may be worn overnight are continuous wear lenses. If you do not have this type, you must remove and clean them daily.
- Stay hydrated – Drinking plenty of water is important, whether you wear contact lenses or not. This will help you maintain your eye’s natural moisture. However, your lifestyle and environment may cause a need to supplement the natural moisture in your eyes, with drops. This is particularly common for people who work on computers or in environments where the air is particularly dry. As we said before, you must check with your doctor to be sure the drops you choose are compatible with your specific lenses.
- Relax – Take a deep breath. It’s normal to worry about the things that could go wrong. Some people fear they’ll scratch their eye attempting to insert a lens. Others express concern about losing a lens inside their eye socket. Rest assured, your eyelids are connected to the back of your eyes, so losing a lens “behind” your eye is physically impossible. Also, it’s perfectly fine to touch your eye with your fingers, as needed, so long as your hands are clean.
It takes time to learn new things, so don’t be surprised if it takes you a week or more to adapt to a new routine with your contact lenses. Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t feel natural the first few attempts. With a little bit of patients, you will become confident in no time. As always, the Rochester Eye & Laser Center is just a phone call away. Give us a call and we'll happily answer any questions you may have!