As we continue to learn more about the Coronavirus, one common concern among our patients is about the safety of contact lens wear. Many fear that wearing contact lenses will increase the risk for disease transmission. Although this is ever-changing, current research suggests that human tears are not a vehicle for transmission of the virus. Contact lenses are and will continue to be a safe and important part of vision correction, so long as we continue to take the proper steps to ensure good hygiene while applying, wearing, and removing contact lenses. These steps are not new, but this pandemic is an important time to review proper contact lens care. Here is a list of the things you should be doing.
- Wash your hands
Remember to wash your hands with soap and water before AND after applying your contact lenses. Use soap, scrubbing for 20 seconds before rinsing off with warm water. Use a clean or disposable towel to dry your hands before touching your eyes.
- Consider daily replacement contact lenses
From a hygienic standpoint, daily disposable contact lenses are the gold standard. These lenses are disposed of at the end of the day, and require a new, fresh lens to begin every day.
- If the replacement schedule for your lenses is longer than a day, clean your lenses daily
Be sure to clean your lenses after you remove your contacts every night. Use proper disinfecting solution and rub the contact lenses between fingers to break up any build up from that day. This allows the disinfecting solution to work more efficiently overnight.
- Replace your disinfecting solution nightly
Never top off a solution in a case, but rather empty the case entirely and refill it with fresh disinfecting solution daily.
- Clean your contact lens case
The case needs to be cleaned every morning after contact lenses are applied. Rinse the case with soapy water and allow to air dry on a clean surface. Replace your case every time you open a new bottle of solution.
- Don’t wear contact lenses if you are sick
If you are sick, you should avoid wearing contact lenses, as some viruses and bacteria can be spread through tear film. Ask your doctor before wearing your contact lenses if you are sick.
The CDC has done a great job of providing tips on how to keep yourself healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. We encourage you to follow the CDC’s guidelines while we all work through these trying times. You can also refer to the American Optometric Association for more information on contact lens care. If you have any questions you would like to discuss with our doctors, please call our office!
