Contact lenses, convenient and inconspicuous, successfully replace many glasses. But, unlike standard optics, they are more moody and demanding of themselves. That's why the question "What to do if the lens is dry?" Topical for many product owners. In the article we will analyze not only this problem, but also others that will be relevant for the wearer of contact lenses.
Indications and contraindications for wearing
The indication will be optical vision correction for:
- astigmatism;
- farsightedness;
- lazy eye syndrome;
- myopia (myopia);
- low vision;
- keratoconus;
- after cataract removal and so on.
Contraindications are as follows:
- blepharitis;
- keratitis;
- inflammatory processes;
- hay fever;
- asthmatic conditions;
- xerophthalmia;
- subluxation of the lens and so on.
Can I wear dried lenses?
The lens has dried without a solution. Can I wear it further?
Contact lenses are more than 35% water, which, as we know from school, has the ability to evaporate. Therefore, the matrix must be provided with proper care so that this does not happen. Optometrists say that the lens can only be on the eye or only in a special solution.
What to do if the lens is dry? Unfortunately, the product is best disposed of. A completely dried lens is dangerous for your eyes! It can cause visual impairment, damage the cornea. This effect is provoked by microcracks that form on the surface of this correction tool.
The consequences of wearing dried lenses
What will happen if a person puts on a dried lens? The mucous membrane of the eye in most cases "will not accept" the product and will respond to it in a similar way:
- Small eye hemorrhages will occur in the eyeball.
- As a result of severe irritation of the cornea, profuse lacrimation will begin.
- The subsequent effects are photophobia, severe pain in the eyes.
The lens has dried in the container
Here is a case when an optical product can still be saved without harming itself and its vision.
What to do if the lens in the container is dry? Pour the product with the proper volume of storage solution. Be sure to leave for some time to disinfect. But what absolutely can not be done is to touch the dried correction tool with your fingers. You can easily damage it, contributing to the formation of the same microcracks.
One more problem. The lens has dried in the container and stuck to one of the walls of the container. What to do in this case? Fill the matrix with a solution for storage and disinfection so that it completely covers the product. Wait about 10 minutes. The product will move away from the wall itself. Otherwise, help him with a flick of your fingers.
With a problem, you need to contact your ophthalmologist so that he writes you the most suitable solution for storing lenses. The most acceptable means are those whose acid-base balance is similar to the composition of a human tear. They have sufficient moisturizing properties that will prevent the product from drying out.
The lens has dried in the eye
But what if the lens has dried in the eye? This problem is a good cause for concern. The most important thing here is to keep calm. Do not attempt to remove the dried lens with your fingers. This is not only unpleasant and painful, but can also lead to injury to the organs of vision.
You need to go to an optician, pharmacy and purchase special moisturizing drops for such cases. Only after the product has worked can you start removing the lens.
To avoid a problem, never go to bed with your lenses left! Most products are not designed for such a long wear, so this neglect of the rules of use is fraught with drying out of the matrix and its adhesion to the cornea.
Lens lost and withered
Suppose you drop the matrix on the floor, on the bed and did not find it right away. And the lens dried out without a solution. What to do? It is safer for your health and priceless vision to throw such a product.
If you accidentally drop a lens, then the following steps must be taken to save it:
- Carefully lift the product off the floor immediately.
- Inspect for debris, dust, and other visible contaminants.
- Be sure to rinse the optical product.
- If no more dirt remains on the lens, then it can be sent to a container with a filled solution.
- Leave the product in the container for a while to disinfect.
If you did not find the lens immediately after the loss, then you need to take it with your fingers with great care - the slightest drying makes the product very fragile, it is easy to break. Moreover, if the remedy was not found within 10-15 minutes after the loss, its use will already be unsafe for you.
What do you need for lens care?
If you plan to switch from glasses to lenses or immediately choose this method of vision correction for yourself, then take care of purchasing the necessary care products for this fragile optical product:
- Cleaning solution. We advise you to buy the product "in reserve" so that at a crucial moment you do not have to face a problem when there is nothing to fill the lenses in the container.
- Liquid or special tablets that are needed to disinfect the matrix.
- A special container in which you will store lenses.
- A glass or other container where the disinfectant will be prepared.
- Sterile wipes.
- A special clean cloth or oilcloth that you will lay in front of the mirror when putting on your lenses. It is advisable to choose a product of this color and contrast, which is easy to see accidentally dropped product.
If you are going on a trip, be sure to bring along a container for the lenses, as well as the proper amount of solution for storing them. Is it possible to replace it with water in case of emergency? Yes, such a way out of the situation is possible. Only when wearing lenses after storage in water will you experience an unpleasant sensation - as if sand were poured into your eyes. However, water will help keep the lens safe and sound. To make her wearing comfortable again, ophthalmologists advise holding the product before putting it on in a special solution.
Rules for care and storage
The basic requirements are easy to remember and simple:
- Wear lenses only in front of the mirror.
- Be sure to store the product in a special container with the solution.
- Do not remove by clutching your nails like tweezers.
- In case of emergency, replace the solution with water, but do not store the product in a container without liquid.
- If the operating rules require it, remove the lenses at night, disinfect them before placing them in a container.
- Do not rub or scratch your eyes with lenses on.
Contact lens care is necessary, but simple. And it is he who does not allow the matrix to dry out.