Tips for hard contact lens wearers

Hard, gas permeable contact lenses (RGP) are made of a material that allows oxygen to pass through much more easily and reach the surface of the eye. They provide clear vision and are ideal for correcting various eye conditions such as astigmatism. They are easy to handle and care for and are much more durable than soft lenses.

Proper care and use of lenses gives comfort to the eye and maintains both lens health and eye health. So, because every step in the lens use and care process is relevant, here is a list of suggestions of what to do and what not to do when handling hard lenses.

Hard contact lens hygiene:

There is a minimal risk of eye infections if wearing lenses of any type, as is to be expected when foreign bodies are introduced into the eye. It is therefore advisable to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching your eyes or contact lenses.

Be careful what type of soap you use! Odourless soap is recommended, and then wipe your hands with a clean, lint-free towel.

By paying attention to hygiene and having regular check-ups, you can ensure that your risk of eye infections is low.

Inserting hard contact lenses:

To avoid confusion, always insert the same contact lens first.

Check that the lens is not damaged. Use a drop of moistening solution or saline on both sides of the lens. Hold the lower eyelid with one finger and the upper eyelid with a finger from the other hand. Take the lens on the fingertip and then gently place it in the centre of the eye.

If the lens falls towards the edge of the eyelid, try to gently move it back towards the centre of the eye.

Blink several times to make sure the lens stays in the correct location, this also allows tears to flow under the lens, adding a cushion of comfort.

Removing hard contact lenses:

When removing lenses, be careful where you remove them so that if you drop them, they are easily found. Try as far as possible not to remove them over a sink.

To avoid confusion, always remove the same contact lens first. To make it easier to remember, you can always choose one lens with which to start the process of putting in and taking out lenses.

There are two methods of lens removal:

1. The blinking method:

• Look straight ahead.
• Open your eyes so that your eyelids are above and below your contact lenses.
• Firmly pull the skin at the outer corners of the eyes with your middle finger.
• Slowly close your eyelids and you may feel the eyelid catch the edge of the lens.
• Blink slowly until the lens comes out.
• Be prepared to catch the lens with a clean white towel or tissue.
• The lens may fall onto your cheek or another surface.

2. Two-finger method:

• Hold your upper eyelid to your eyebrow with the middle finger of one hand to keep your lashes from getting in the way.
• Pull your lower eyelid down with the middle finger of your other hand.
• Gently pull your eyelids together, forcing the lens out, starting at the outer corner of your eye and working toward your nose.
• Place the hard lens in a clear storage box filled with fresh saline after removing it.

Cleaning hard contact lenses:

• Hard contact lenses require cleaning every time they are used. Apply the hard contact lens solution recommended by your eye care professional to both sides of your lenses and clean them by gently rubbing them with your fingers or in the palm of your hand.
• Depending on the doctor's recommendation, enzymatic cleaners may be used occasionally to remove protein and deposits from the lenses.

Disinfection of hard contact lenses:

After cleaning, place the contact lenses in their own case and cover them completely with a fresh layer of storage solution.

The solution should always be discarded each time the lenses are used (e.g. when taking the lenses out of the holder the existing liquid can be discarded, and when you want to put the lenses back in the case, cover them with fresh liquid).

The case should be cleaned weekly, using fresh storage solutions, wiping with a tissue and allowing to air dry.

Change the lens housing every time the care solution is renewed.

If you wear make-up when wearing hard contact lenses:

Makeup may be applied after the contact lens has been placed on the eye. Also, make-up removal should only be done after the lens has been removed from the eye.

Use non-greasy make-up to avoid protein deposits on the lens and also avoid putting make-up in the eye.

Hand cream can only be applied after the hard contact lenses have been handled.

If spray or hairspray is used to fix make-up or hair, it is ideal to keep the eyes closed.

Daily vision when wearing hard contact lenses:

Check your eyes every day before and after inserting the lenses into your eyes.

If you see blurry, have red eyes, the lenses don't feel comfortable on your eyes, feel your eyes are tired, remove the lenses from your eyes.

Do not wear contact lenses that cause discomfort to the eye. Consult your eye doctor about possible solutions.

General tips for when you wear hard contact lenses:

• Never use tap water to clean lenses. This could lead to serious problems, including eye infections or corneal disease. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning, disinfecting and wearing your lenses.
• If you want to change your lens solutions, see your eye doctor first.
• Do not wear hard contact lenses on your eyes for longer than the time recommended by your ophthalmologist, which is always less than 16 hours a day.
• Do not sleep with contact lenses in any form unless they are specially designed to be worn at night.
• Do not bathe or shower and do not go swimming with contact lenses in your eyes. This significantly increases the risk of developing a potentially sight-threatening eye infection.
• Do not change your contact lenses for someone else's.
• Go for regular visits to your ophthalmologist, at least once a year, or more often depending on your doctor's recommendation or problems.
• Ideally, you should always carry your glasses with you in case your vision becomes blurred, your eyes become irritated or your contact lenses cause discomfort and you need to remove them.

So by following the steps and tips above, you will have comfortable wearing of your hard contact lenses and the clearest and healthiest vision possible. If you follow the rules of hygiene and your ophthalmologist's instructions, wearing hard lenses will certainly give your eyes a pleasant sensation.