Newswise — DALLAS – Nov. 03, 2022 – A recent viral video showing a California ophthalmologist removing 23 contact lenses from an elderly patient’s eye has drawn attention to the importance of properly using disposable lenses to ensure the health of your eyes.

Katrina Parker, O. D. , a good optometrist and Faculty Associate in the  Department of Ophthalmology   at UT  Southwestern Medical Center, said wearing lenses requires special daily care to keep them clean and avoid infection.

Contacts should be cleaned daily but never with tap water because of chemicals plus bacteria that can irritate and infect the eyes. Only use cleaning/disinfecting solutions recommended by eye care professionals for the particular specific lens material plus avoid expired products.

Dr . Parker stated it’s important to follow manufacturers’ guidelines with regard to appropriate disposal of contacts. Studies show that patients have fewer complications when lenses are replaced more frequently, and wearers are more compliant plus experience less problems when using daily disposable lenses.

Although many people sleep in their for the purpose of, Dr. Parker advises against it. Overnight contact lens wear can increase ocular health risks, she said.

Dr. Parker also offers these recommendations:

• Do not swim in contacts. Water can alter lenses’ shape, causing them to swell and adhere to the eye. This can scratch the vision surface, causing pain plus infection.
• Carry out not share contact lenses. All contacts, even regarding cosmetic purposes, are considered medical devices and require an evaluation plus prescription from an attention care professional.
• Before using prescribed or over-the-counter eyesight drops, consult a professional in order to determine if the lenses need to be removed prior to insertion.
• A healthy contact lens-wearing experience should not cause redness, pain, or even blurred vision. Contact an eye care expert immediately if experiencing these symptoms.

About UT  Southwestern Medical Center

UT  Southwestern, one of the nation’s premier academic healthcare centers, integrates pioneering biomedical research with exceptional clinical care and education. The institution’s faculty has received six Nobel Prizes, plus includes 24 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 18 members of the National School of Medicine, and 14 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators. The particular full-time teachers of more than 2, 900 is responsible intended for groundbreaking medical advances and is committed to translating science-driven research quickly to new clinical treatments. UT  Southwestern physicians provide care in more than 80 specialties to more than 100, 000 hospitalized patients, more than 360, 000 emergency room cases, and oversee nearly 4 million outpatient visits a year.