Summary: Contact lenses can be a scary thing, especially if you’re being introduced to them for the first time.

If you’re looking to make the switch from eyeglasses to contact lenses, there’s a sense of freedom about it. You’ll feel more confident about your overall appearance. Unlike you would with glasses, you won’t have to worry about your contact lenses breaking or falling out of your eyes.

But, wearing contacts does come with its caveats, especially for those that haven’t worn contact lenses before. There can be confusion over things like time frames and especially maintenance. Even though you look forward to wearing lenses, making the switch can be a very scary thing. Here are some tips that will help your confidence.

Be at Ease

It is relatively easy to feel anxious when wearing contact lenses like Bausch and Lomb contacts for example, for the first time. Questions tend to pop up like what if they get scratched or what if they get stuck in my eyes? These are common worries that many first-time contact users have.

In cases like this, you don’t need to feel anxious when wearing your lenses. The contacts won’t get stuck in your eyes. If there is any damage to your eyes, simply go online or your local retailer and purchase new ones. As you start your daily routine of washing your contact lenses, you’ll lower your overall anxiety and feel more comfortable.

Lens.com recommends that you leave your contact lenses in the solution when you are not wearing them. Be sure to get the proper solution that is meant for your specific contact lenses. This cleans the contacts and leaves them hydrated and ready for use. Moreover, they’re going to be more comfortable when you have them in your eyes.

Learn How to Put Your Contact Lenses In

This is probably the most difficult part of the contact wearing process. How do you even put in your contact lenses? First, start by washing your hands thoroughly. Place the lens on the tip of your finger and check that you are putting the lens in properly. When held up to the light, the contact needs to look like a little cup.

With one hand, pull the top of your eye lid up and bottom eye lid down to prevent yourself from blinking. Proceed to move the lens toward your eye and look upward so you’re not directly facing the contact lens itself. Next, place the lens in your eye and let go of your eyelids. Close your eyes so the contact lens can settle in place. Repeat this process with your other eye.

Summary: Eye infections can be painful, uncomfortable, and may damage the eye. Here’s what you need to know about eye infections so you can avoid them.

Whether you’re fairly new to wearing contact lenses, or have been wearing them for a long time, there are certain rules that you should be familiar with in terms of caring for and wearing these lenses. This article will discuss all the ways you can avoid an eye infection that can be severely detrimental to the health of your eye.

Practice Good Hygiene

While this seems fairly straightforward, keeping your contact lenses stored in a recommended solution should always done on a daily basis. You should never substitute your contact lens solution with tap water. Because tap water is normally unfiltered, bacteria and germs can roam around and stick to your contacts. Lens.com recommends that you purchase a solution based on your optometrist’s recommendations.

Avoid Touching Your Eyes

Some contacts are so comfortable that you’ll forget that they’re even in your eyes. While this sounds like a good thing, it can lead to involuntary actions like rubbing when they’re itchy. This can not only cause an immense amount of friction on the lens, but you can also damage your eye if you’re not careful. Not to mention, your contact lenses are delicate so enough pressure on them can rip them right in half.

Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Medical Attention if You Suspect an Infection

If you believe that your eye is infected, it is wise to seek medical attention from a hospital or doctor. Untreated bacterial infections can lead to permanent vision loss, discomfort, and pain. These infections are regularly caused by bad hygiene practices and other actions. Doctors will normally prescribe medicated eye drops or recommend a different type of solution in the future, so it may be beneficial to consult with a medical professional if you believe that you’re suffering from an infection of any kind.

Picking the right contact lens for your eyes and lifestyle come down to a simple examination with your eye doctor. They have all the knowledge and experience to sort through the hundreds of options available on the market and find the exact match for your eyes. However, any seasoned contact wearer will know that shopping for new contact lens solution is a confusing mess.

Your local pharmacy will offer multiple brands, each featuring confusing terms and benefits that are not clear to the average person. You’ll find everything from saline solution to hydrogen peroxide (that stuff mom pored on my scabs?) with little-to-no explanation as to what’s best for your contact lens routine. When searching for the right contact lens solution, make sure to factor in a handful of key elements the next time you visit the store.

Multipurpose vs. Hydrogen Peroxide Solution vs. Saline Solution

The major formulas you will notice at the pharmacy are multipurpose, hydrogen peroxide, and saline. There are many solutions offered under the same brand as your contacts, but its these three types that really matter when taking care of your contacts and maintaining your eyes’ health.

Each solution is judge based on four factors: storing, rinsing, disinfecting, and cleansing. As it’s name suggests, multipurpose solutions is perfect for every scenario, however the other two are also very useful. Hydrogen peroxide solution will thoroughly clean and disinfect your lenses, making them a great option for people with sensitive eyes. The major downside to this option is the added steps necessary to remove the hydrogen peroxide from your lenses. If you do not follow each step to the letter, you can cause damage to your eyes.

Saline is primarily used for rinsing your lenses before they are placed in your eyes. This solution uses a sterile formula and will prevent against irritation, but it will not clean or disinfect your lenses and is not advised for long-term use. It is a good addition to your eye care routine, but not the end-all solution for your eye-care.

When choosing between multipurpose and hydrogen peroxide, it is important to note how often you use your lenses. A proper eye-care routine will include cleaning your lenses after every use. Daily lenses will require you have a regular cleaning routine added to your lifestyle, but if you only wear contacts once a week then the hydrogen peroxide system can easily fit into your weekly routine.

Check With Your Eye Doctor

Your doctor has already fitted your eyes with the best lenses available, so why not ask what solution to buy as well? Most offer a free bottle with your new lenses and you can always check with them to see if there are any affordable or generic alternatives for your budget and routine.