By Staff Reports
(Hawaii)– From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.
Contact lenses can help people see better, but using them incorrectly or not taking good care of them can lead to painful—and potentially blinding—infections. At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Jennifer Cope:
“Wash and dry your hands well before inserting or removing your contacts. Don’t sleep in your contacts unless they are specifically prescribed for overnight wear. And keep water away from your contacts at all times.”
This includes the shower, as well as the swimming pool or hot tub.
Dr. Cope advises rubbing and rinsing contact lenses and lens cases with disinfecting solution daily, storing lenses overnight only in fresh solution, and replacing lens cases every three months. She also reminds contact lens wearers to get an eye exam every year.
Learn more at healthfinder.gov.
HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.