Contact Lens Care
More than 30 million Americans enjoy the unfettered comfort of contact lenses. Unfortunately, a significant number of contact lens wearers suffer from dry eye syndrome. Characterized by burning, perpetually desiccated eyes, these sufferers must work to enjoy the freedom of contact lenses.
Effective contact lens care entails vigilant handling and cleaning procedures. These procedures, tantamount to cardinal rules, can help minimize the effects of dry eye syndrome:
- Wash your hands with soap and water before handling your contacts.
- Rub your contact lenses when using cleaning solutions, regardless of whether or not they are “no-rub” solutions. The FDA maintains rubbing your contacts removes more protein build and prolongs the life of your contacts.
- Store your contacts in a sterile, airtight case. Be sure they are adequately covered with a hydrating storage solution.
- Never sleep with your contacts on. This can cause a number of infections.
The common denominator with any effective cleaning procedure is a viable contact lens cleaner. What constitutes an effective cleaning solution is one that balances the need to clean with the need to hydrate. Finding the right solution is a matter of trial and error. The key is to take stock of how your contacts feel once they have been rinsed and put on.
A burning sensation is a clear indication that your cleaning solution is too harsh. The active ingredient in most multi-purpose solutions is boric acid, or a derivative thereof. Solutions positioned to appeal to sufferers of dry eye syndrome typically contain lower doses of boric acid and higher concentrations of polyvinylpyrrolidone (known as PVP), which is an effective lubricant.
If, on the other hand, your contact are still cloudy or quickly begin to dry out your eyes, this could mean your cleaning solution is too weak. Repeat your cleaning process, using an index finger to rub your contacts in the palm of your hand. Rinse your lenses, and then try them once again. If they are still cloudy, you will need a solution that has at least 0.1% of boric acid.