Once the doctor diagnoses a person with bad vision, there is no other alternative than to take corrective measures. The most preferred and safest option is prescribed glasses, say doctors. But depending on one’s lifestyle, comfort, convenience and aesthetics, people prefer using contact lenses to correct refractive errors. Contact lenses, however, require more care than glasses as they are thin lenses placed directly on the surface of the eye.

“The major motivation for a majority of people to use contact lenses is aesthetic and cosmetic,” says Dr Purnima Rajkarnikar Sthapit, ocular oncologist and oculoplastic surgeon at Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology. “But I reiterate that for the healthy use of contacts, people need to be extra careful.”

Due to the high risk of infection when a hygiene regimen is not carefully followed and also due to the increasing air pollution, especially in the cities, Sthapit says that she refrains from prescribing contact lenses to young students.

“I have many patients who come with an infection because of the prolonged use of contact lenses,” says Sthapit. “If these infections aren’t treated quickly and effectively, people can even suffer from an ulcer in the cornea of the eye.”

But for some people, lenses can be more functional and comfortable than glasses and it is not just for cosmetic purposes.

“I have been using contact lenses for the last eight years on a daily basis,” says Saruna Limbu, a mixed media artist. “I always despised wearing glasses as they felt uncomfortable. They always used to slide down from my nose and I had to keep pushing them back.”

But Limbu agrees with Sthapit, she is mindful of her eye health and takes special care, from purchasing the right lens solutions, carrying a portable bag with all the essentials and being extra careful when engaging in outdoor activities.

At the end of a long day, one may be left with dry eyes because of lenses, which according to Sthapit is normal. But to follow up with aftercare is a must.

Here is a basic care regimen you should follow if you’re a contact lens user or are looking to try one:

Choosing the right lens

According to Sthapit, the most popular type of lens that is readily available in Nepal is the eight-hour daily-use lens with one-year expiry. But for people with dryer eyes, doctors also prescribe daily, monthly or weekly disposable lenses. Unlike the yearly-disposable lenses, these aren’t readily available in the market and one may have to wait for a week after ordering it.

Handling contact lenses

Cleanliness is an important aspect of proper contact lens care and handling of new lenses. Touching lenses with dirty hands or rubbing eyes should be avoided at all costs, says Sthapit. Before you handle your lenses, you need to wash your hands with an oil-free soap and dry them properly. The lenses should also be delicately rubbed using the lens solution to get rid of any deposits.

“The lenses may look clean but they can have minute deposits, so they need to be thoroughly cleaned before you put them in your eyes,” says Sthapit. “You need to rinse the lenses at least two times before applying them.”

You need to repeat the same steps while taking them off as well, to avoid any infections or complications.

Lens solution and case replacement

“Many people carelessly use tap water or saline water to clean lenses, which is very harmful,” says Sthapit. “You should only use the prescribed lens solution to store and clean contacts.”

There are a number of lens solutions available in the market. Medical practitioners recommend that one should not think of cutting costs while purchasing such solutions. It is also important to check the expiry date of the solution if you are not a regular user. It is usually recommended to dispose of lens solution once it is more than three months old.

The same goes for lens cases as well. Although it may look clean to the naked eye, doctors recommend to replace the cases frequently to be on the safe side.

“Many people are also careless when it comes to replacing lens cases or solution used to store lenses in those cases,” says Sthapit. “You need to change the solution every day and replace the cases at least every three months.”

Makeup regime

For people who use eye makeup, it is recommended that contact lenses are applied before putting on makeup. To avoid further complications, it is best to use only non-allergenic makeup. Using water-based creams instead of oil-based ones is also a good option.

To remove eye makeup, you need to follow the same steps as taking off lenses—wash and dry your hands, and only use your eye makeup remover once you have taken off your lenses.

It is also important to replace your eye makeup frequently. Using old eye makeup is harmful in general because over time bacteria will get into the product and then into your eyes, where it can cause an infection.

Refrain usage

“In case there is any irritation or discomfort in your eye during the day, remove the lenses immediately,” says Sthapit.

There may be various reasons for irritation but continuing to wear the lenses despite such discomfort, while enduring it for long hours can cause more complications. So, it is important to carry your lens case and solution wherever you go. In case of prolonged irritation, it is best to see a medical doctor.