It’s true, even a short disco nap or shower dash can spell disaster. We’re talking about possible irritation, infection, and irreparable damage. Those magical little plastic pellets which life would be a lot duller without, deserve a ton of TLC. Whether you wear contacts to improve your sight glasses-free or to cheat your natural eye color, to protect both them and your eyes, you should always….
1. Wash your hands before handling them
Whether your colored eye contacts are going in or coming out, make sure your hands are completely clean and dry. Diving in with dirty or damp digits runs the risk of giving bacteria, viruses, and other grubby germs easy access to their own private swimming pools.
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2. Take them out before bathing
The same goes for showering, swimming, hot-tubbing, washing your face, having a water fight - you get the gist. Basically, if goggles aren’t part of your fit, keep your contacts away from water otherwise you could be looking at a nasty infection caused by an Acanthamoeba microbe that sticks to their surfaces. Ugh!
3. Clean your contacts every day
Cost aside, it’s worth taking care of your colored contacts because the benefits they bestow are priceless - better sight, color switching, etc… It pays to look after them. Remove makeup and any daily debris build-up by gently rubbing cleaning solution-soaked lenses with your finger. Under no circumstances be tempted to give them a quick lick and stick… unless you planned to pop Petri dishes of bacteria into your eyes.
4. Keep your contacts case clean and dry
It’s a constant battle against bacteria which if allowed, will seek out any moisture, multiply and then do its worst when your contacts go back in your eyes. Get into the habit of cleaning the case after every use. Pour away the old solution, clean it with a new solution (never tap or even distilled water) then let it air-dry open. Oh, and replace your case approximately every three months. That’s a non-negotiable, even if it doesn’t look battered.
5. Keep your open case away from the bathroom
It might seem logical to keep your contacts case by the bathroom sink but a humid environment, plus one that’s close to a potentially E.Coli-emitting toilet is a bad idea, especially if you tend to leave the caps of your case open. Maybe next to your bed is a better and safer idea, talking of which….
6. Pop them out before hitting the sack!
Did you hear about the eye-watering case of a doctor discovering 27 congealed contact lenses behind one woman’s eye? Apparently, she had no idea (but admitted to a lazy bedtime routine…) At best, sleeping in your contacts will cause dry eyes as your peepers are being deprived of precious oxygen. At worst, it will cause infection and future vision problems. If you do slip up, just remove them as soon as you realize it. Give your eyes a rinse and gentle rub with a solution if they seem stuck then leave your contacts out for a day or so.
7. Take them out if your eyes feel irritated
Chances are, they’re irritated for a reason so don’t persevere and make matters sorer. If you haven’t got their proper case, it’s okay to drop them into the water as long as you don’t put them back in your eyes without cleaning them properly in contact-care solution first. In addition, don’t wear contacts when you’re ill, even if it’s just a cold. It’s better to be safe than sorry about spreading germs from your hands to your eyes.
8. Put in your contacts before applying makeup
The same goes for skincare, then make sure your hands are clean and dry before you carry on. Opt for hypoallergenic or products created for sensitive eyes. Avoid anything that’s glittery or oil-based. Never share makeup and replace anything that goes close to your eyes regularly to avoid infection. When it comes to taking it all off, pop out your lenses first.
9. Check that your prescription is correct
If sight issues are your reason for wearing contacts, it’s important not to sway from your prescription. Kilala follows the FCLCA (Fairness to Contact Lens Consumer Law.) Working with either your optician or using your prescription, once verified they will advise on the safest and most comfortable colored contacts that meet your vision needs. If you’re looking to convert your glasses prescription to contacts, they can help with that too.
10. Replace them as recommended
Never be tempted to wear your colored contacts longer than indicated. All contacts are designed to allow a constant flow of oxygen during their lifespan. After that date, their quality can be severely compromised. Even if you only wear your monthly lenses for a couple of weeks and your daily lenses for a few hours, throw them out. Daily disposables may be your best option if you don’t tend to wear contacts seven days a week. If you are a steady wearer, Kilala offers monthly, half-yearly and even yearly lenses, whether you’re on prescription or simply looking for a color change. It’s worth checking which option suits you and your needs here…