Q: Can I go scuba diving with my contacts on?
A: You may go for scuba diving with daily disposable contacts and water tight goggles. The fit may become a little tight while under the water, so a few lubricating drops before going down can help.
Q: I think I dropped one of my lenses, but I cannot find it. Should I automatically put in a new one in my eye?
A: While dropping contact lenses on the floor is very common, the lenses can occasionally get trapped under the upper eyelid. If you cannot find your lenses, be sure to consult a doctor to make sure that it has not slipped under the eyelid. A contact lens that has not been removed can lead to infections in the eye.
Q: Can my lenses go behind the eye and into the brain?
A: No, they cannot. They can only slip deep under the upper or lower lid. There is no route to the brain.
Q: If I accidentally drop a contact lens on the floor, can I use it again?
A: If it is anyway nearing its replacement time period, it is best to replace the lens. If it is fairly new, then it should be cleaned, rinsed and soaked for 4-6 hours in the storage case. (You have to re-disinfect the lens).
Q: Why is such a rigorous schedule of rubbing and cleaning the lenses required?
A: Your lenses accumulate protein, lipids, mucous, debris and microorganisms. If these are not removed, it can lead to abrasion and infection of the cornea, which can be potentially sight threatening.
Q: Can I transfer a part of my cleaning solution into a smaller bottle for the purpose of air travel, as there is restriction on the quantity of liquids that I can carry?
A: No, you may not. Such transfers result in contamination and may predispose to eye infections. Buy a contact lens solution in a size that is permitted for air travel. Alternately, you may use daily disposables for the duration of the flight, and carry your regular solution in your check-in.
Q: If I am travelling and have no access to water, can I use hand sanitizer to clean my hands prior to handling my lenses?
A: Yes, you may use hand sanitizer or wet wipes to clean your hands. However, you will have to use a little bit of the contact lens solution to rinse your fingertips to get rid of the alcohol from these commodities, otherwise your eyes will burn.
Q: I use contact lenses only occasionally. Do I have to keep disinfecting my lenses regularly even if I do not use them?
A: Yes, lenses should not be stored for more than 3-7 days without cleaning them. Daily disposables are better if you use contact lenses occasionally.
Q: What are the advantages of daily disposable lenses?
A: These are contact lenses that are used for one day and then disposed. They are not kept for storage, and are not reused. These lenses are considered the safest in terms of comfort and least chances of infection.
Q: I do not have any problem with my contact lenses, but I would like to know if there are any lenses which have greater wearing comfort?
A: Yes. You can either go in for daily disposable contact lenses where you use a fresh pair of lenses every day, so there is no question of build-up of deposits or alternately, you can go for extended wear contact lenses (meant for continuous wear for a longer time without removing) and use it on a daily basis. You can also try a contact lens of a different material. You can discuss these options with your eye doctor.
Q: What are rewetting drops?
A: Rewetting drops are eye drops that you instil in your eyes while you are wearing your contacts, when there is dryness of the lens or your eyes. However, if you are experiencing these symptoms, first contact your eye doctor to make sure there is no other problem.
Q: I do not want to go through the daily chore of cleaning my lenses. Is there any other option?
A: Yes. You can opt for daily disposable contact lenses or you can use extended wear.
Q: Can I go in for extended wear lenses and for how long can they be kept in the eye?
A: Extended wear lenses can be worn in the eye for one month continuously. However, this long duration of continuous use is associated with a greater risk of complications, especially serious sight threatening infections. So they are not recommended for routine use; they are usually used in special situations where daily removal is not possible; for example, in young children who have undergone cataract surgery without an intraocular lens. However, when used on a daily wear basis (removed at the end of the day and disinfected overnight), they can be very comfortable and you can go in for these for that purpose.
Q: I accidentally slept in my contact lenses. What do I do?
A: Put in a couple of drops of lubricating eye drops (always have these on hand). Wait for a couple of minutes and gently remove your lenses. Disinfect them in the usual way. You will have to wear glasses till then. Your vision may be blurry and eyes may be slightly red. If this does not clear after a couple of hours, or if there is severe pain, consult your eye doctor immediately.
Q: If I develop “red eye” (that is an outbreak of conjunctivitis in the community ) while I am using my contacts, can I continue to wear the same contacts after the infection is controlled?
A: No, you will have to discard the contacts and use a fresh set. Contact lens solutions are not very effective in killing the organisms that are responsible for the outbreaks of conjunctivitis, so these organisms will continue to be present on your lenses and can cause problems in your eye.
Q: How often should I go for a check-up if I am wearing contact lenses?
A: You should visit your eye doctor one week after you first start wearing lenses. If you are wearing soft daily wear lenses and have no problems, you can visit our doctor after one year. However, if you are wearing extended wear lenses or rigid lenses, you will have to consult your doctor after one month and every 6-12 months after that.
Q: I am 40 years old and now require glasses for reading. Can I use contact lenses for both distance and near vision?
A: Yes, you can. Either you can opt for monovision (one eye is corrected for distance and the other for near), or you can go for multifocal contact lenses. Remember, it take a greater amount of time (up to 15 days) to get used to these types of lenses. Some people cannot adjust to either of these, and just prefer to wear glasses over their contacts during periods of reading.
Q: When I go for a follow up visit to my eye doctor, should I have my contact lenses on or off?
A: If you are not having any problem in your eyes, and are going for a routine check-up, then you should visit with your contact lenses on. Your doctor needs to assess the fit and vision with your lenses. You may also have to take your lenses off while in the clinic, so be sure to take along your lens case and solution with you. Also, if you are going for a routine check-up, go towards the end of your lens replacement cycle, so that your doctor can evaluate your lenses and eyes to this schedule. If required, he may recommend a shorter replacement cycle.
Q: My eyes are blurry even after I wear contact lenses. What may be the reason?
A: There are many reasons for continued blurriness after wearing contacts; some of them are –
- Dryness of eyes
- Wrong power of the contacts
- A small degree of astigmatism which has not been corrected
- Change in refractive power
- Lens displacement, rotation or warpage
- Corneal swelling or infection
Q: When should I not wear contact lenses?
A: You should not wear contact lenses if you are exposed to chemical fumes and vapors, chemical splash, dust in the atmosphere and areas of intense heat or dryness.
