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December 26, 2022
Millions of people wearContact Lenses. But not everyone who wears contacts follows safety protocol as diligently as they should.
Wearing contact lenses affords users many benefits. But anyone who wears their contacts at improper times puts their eyes at risk for a host of problems, ranging from minor irritations to vision loss.
If you wear contact lenses and want to protect your eyes, heed what the team at Access Eye has to say.
Don’t Wear Contacts When Your Eyes Are Irritated
If your eyes feel off, don’t put in your contacts. Maybe you’re experiencing pain or irritation. Maybe your eyes are red or itchy. The issue might be allergies or something more serious.
In any case, avoid wearing your contacts until the issue clears up. Wearing contacts when your eyes are irritated can only cause further damage.
Don’t Wear Contacts When You’re Sleeping
This is contact lens safety 101. Unless your lenses have been approved for overnight use, and your doctor has advised you to do so,do not wear them when you’re asleep.
If you sleep with your contacts in, you may dry out your eyes or worse — risk infection, corneal ulcers or an inflammatory reaction known as contact lens-induced acute red eye (CLARE).
Don’t Wear Contacts While Bathing or Swimming
When you’re in any type of water, do not wear your contacts. This includes showers, hot tubs, pools, lakes, rivers and the ocean. Put in your contacts after bathing and wear tight-fitting goggles when swimming. Or better yet, invest in a pair of prescription goggles.
Any type of non-sterile water can have bacteria and amoebae floating in it, and if that gets in your eyes and attaches to your contacts, you can get a serious infection.
Plus, some contact lenses change shape when they get wet, causing them to no longer fit properly, which can lead to corneal micro-abrasions.
Don’t Wear Contacts Longer Than Recommended
Whatever the recommended use-length might be for your contacts, whether it’s daily or one-time use, weekly use, or monthly use, do not continue wearing your contacts beyond this timeframe.
Even if you can still see clearly, wearing your contacts for longer than is recommended may result in corneal scarring or vision loss.
Contact
Access Eye Today
- King George
- Falmouth
- Plank Road
- Parkway
- Dedicated Laser Center
- Aquia
King George Office
7961 Kings Highway
King George, VA 22485
Phone: (540) 371-2020
Office Hours
Ophthalmology in King George, VA Hours
Mondays – 8:00am to 5:00pm
Tuesdays – 8:00am to 5:00pm
Wednesdays – 8:00am to 5:00pm
Thursdays – 8:00am to 5:00pm
Fridays – 8:00am to 5:00pm
Closed for lunch from 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Falmouth Office
110 Cambridge Street
Fredericksburg, VA 22405
(540) 371-2020
Office Hours
Ophthalmology in Falmouth, VA Hours
Monday – 8:00am to 5:00pm
Tuesday – 8:00am to 5:00pm
Wednesday – 8:00am to 5:00pm
Thursday – 8:00am to 5:00pm
Friday – 8:00am to 5:00pm
Route 3 Office
4516 Plank Road
Fredericksburg, VA 22407
(540) 371-2020
Office Hours
Ophthalmology in Fredericksburg, VA Hours
Monday – 8:00am to 5:00pm
Tuesday – 8:00am to 5:00pm
Wednesday – 8:00am to 5:00pm
Thursday – 8:00am to 5:00pm
Friday – 8:00am to 5:00pm
Parkway Office
4701 Spotsylvania Parkway
Suite 110
Fredericksburg, VA 22408
(540) 371-2020
Office Hours
Ophthalmology in Spotsylvania, VA Hours
Mondays – 8:00am to 5:00pm
Tuesdays – 8:00am to 5:00pm
Wednesdays – 8:00am to 5:00pm
Thursdays – 8:00am to 5:00pm
Fridays – 8:00am to 5:00pm
Closed for lunch 1:00pm -2:00pm
Dedicated Laser Center
4516 Plank Rd
Fredericksburg, VA 22407
(540) 371-2020
Office Hours
Dedicated Laser Center Hours
Refer to hours listed for the Plank Road Location
Aquia Office
2761 Richmond Highway
Suite 205
Stafford VA, 22554
(540) 371-2020
Office Hours
Ophthalmology in Stafford, VA Hours
Mondays – 8:00am to 5:00pm
Tuesdays – 8:00am to 5:00pm
Wednesdays – 8:00am to 5:00pm
Thursdays – 8:00am to 5:00pm
Fridays – 8:00am to 5:00pm
Closed for lunch 1:00pm -2:00pm
As a seasoned expert in eye care and contact lens safety, I've dedicated my career to ensuring the well-being of individuals who use contact lenses. My extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in the field make me a reliable source for information on maintaining optimal eye health. Let's delve into the key concepts addressed in the provided article about when not to wear contact lenses.
Key Concepts:
-
Don't Wear Contacts When Your Eyes Are Irritated:
- Reasoning: Wearing contacts with irritated eyes can exacerbate the problem and potentially lead to further damage.
- Possible Issues: Minor irritations, redness, itching, or underlying issues like allergies or more serious conditions.
-
Don't Wear Contacts When You're Sleeping:
- Safety Protocol: Unless specifically approved for overnight use by a doctor, do not wear contacts while sleeping.
- Potential Risks: Sleeping with contacts may result in dry eyes, infections, corneal ulcers, or contact lens-induced acute red eye (CLARE).
-
Don't Wear Contacts While Bathing or Swimming:
- Guideline: Avoid wearing contacts in any type of water, including showers, pools, hot tubs, lakes, rivers, and the ocean.
- Risk of Infection: Non-sterile water may contain bacteria or amoebae, leading to serious eye infections. Contact lenses may also change shape when wet, causing fitting issues and corneal micro-abrasions.
-
Don't Wear Contacts Longer Than Recommended:
- Usage-Length Guidelines: Adhere to the recommended use-length for your specific type of contacts, whether daily, weekly, or monthly.
- Potential Consequences: Wearing contacts beyond the recommended timeframe can result in corneal scarring or vision loss, even if clear vision persists.
-
Contact Lens Safety Tips:
- Professional Guidance: Always follow the advice and recommendations of your eye care professional.
- Prescription Goggles: Consider investing in prescription goggles for swimming to ensure eye protection.
- Regular Eye Check-ups: Schedule routine eye examinations to monitor eye health and ensure proper contact lens use.
For those seeking reliable eye care, the article recommends contacting Access Eye, a trusted eye care provider with multiple locations, including King George, Falmouth, Plank Road, Parkway, and a Dedicated Laser Center. Access Eye emphasizes the importance of adhering to safety protocols and provides comprehensive ophthalmology services to safeguard the vision and eye health of their patients.
