FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

There’s much to know about contact lenses, so we’ve answered the most frequently asked questions on this page. If you have any queries or concerns regarding contact lenses, you’ve come to the right place. Our comprehensive FAQ section will provide you with the necessary information to make informed decisions and ensure optimal eye care.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Enjoy Everyday Comfort With 100% Authentic and Best Price Contact Lenses From CITYLENS.

Browse our shop and select contact lenses with your desired quantity. If you find any trouble, please contact our customer services team, and we will be happy to help.
1)Select your contact lenses from our CityLens.my’s product page
2)Add your prescription information
Get your contact lenses prescription from your optician or contact lenses box. If you are not clear, please take a photo and send an email ([email protected]) or WhatsApp (+6012 770 1660) to us.
3)Fill in shipping information & make payment. You can pay for your order using all major credit cards or PayPal.
And your order will be dispatched within 24 hours. If there is a shortage of contact lenses, it will take around 3-5 working days to re-stock.

In order to cancel an order, or any portion of an order, you need to contact our Customer Service Department and our Customer Service Representatives. In any event whereby cancellation is allowed, the transaction commission fees (example by PayPal) being charged will be borne by the buyer. Custom Lenses, including made-to-order lenses, can not be cancelled, returned, or exchanged once the Order has been Received.

Yes, we deliver worldwide! Please note that delivery timeframes quoted do not include any delays experienced with customs clearance at the border or local carriers.

We accept a variety of payment methods, such as Bank Transfer, Paylah, and Credit cards by PayPal.
Unfortunately, we aren’t able to accept checks or cash on delivery (COD) at this time.

Absolutely! We have security measures in place to protect the misuse or alteration of the information under our control. Your information is fully encrypted to ensure complete privacy. For more information about our internet privacy, please read our Privacy Policy.

Upon payment confirmation, we will dispatch your order within 3 to 14 days depending on stock availability. If there is out of stocks, we will contact and update you the estimated delivery date. Generally, it will have an additional 4-8 weeks.

Once your order dispatched, we will send a tracking number to your email address. If you are member, just login My Account and check it at order history for shipping status.

No worry. Send your Order ID by email ([email protected]) to us or WhatsApp (+6012 770 1660) to us. We will get back you the status with a short time.

Our Return Policy is listed in Website Terms & Conditions Of Use. Please click here to read the CityLens Website Terms & Conditions Of Use.

Your returned item(s) must be in the same condition as it was received and must be adequately packed to ensure safe shipping. Making sure it is in a state that it can be sold again and that the original package is intact.
Your returned item(s) will be rejected if your item(s) did not meet the requirements of CityLens’ Return Policy. Please click here to read the CityLens Website Terms & Conditions Of Use.

The expiry dates of the contact lenses vary depending on the brand. They usually vary from 2 years to 5 years.

If you have an up to date contact lens prescription this should be enough information to buy your lenses online.

Making sure you have the right prescription is key to having your very best vission. That’s why we ask that you use separate prescriptions for contact lenses.

Coloured contact lenses come in different sizes and must be fit to your eye by an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist. As a replacement centre, we can only sell you contact lenses that you are already wearing successfully. Once you have a prescription for coloured contact lenses, visit our web site and save up to 30%.

Yes, of course, you can. You have to purchase 2 boxes of different prescriptions.

Contact lenses are available for a wide range of prescriptions than ever before so that more and more people can wear them.
Your optician will advise you if contact lenses are suitable for you, and will recommend the type you should wear.
You’ll also have the opportunity to try out contact lenses before you purchase them, as part of your contact lens consultation.
Visit us at Taman Johor Jaya, Johor Bahru, Johor and do make an appointment with us by sending an email ([email protected]) or WhatsApp (+6012 770 1660) us.

Step 1: Wash your hands with soap, rinse them thoroughly and dry them with a clean towel.

Step 2: Place the contact lens on the palm of your hand; check that it is clean and not torn.

Step 3: Ensure that the contact lens is not inside out (if it is the edges will flare up slightly) and place it on your forefinger (your pointing finger).

Step 4: Insert the lens. Use the forefinger on your opposite hand, hold up your upper eyelid to prevent you from blinking. Use the third finger on the hand in which you have the contact lens to hold down your lower eyelid. Look up and place the contact lens onto the white of your eye. Look downwards to allow the lens to slip into position. Remove your fingers and close your eye momentarily. Your lens should be in place.

Step 1: Make sure the contact lens is in the middle of your eye before trying to remove it. To check the lens is centred cover your other eye. If your vision is blurred, your lens is not in the correct place. Look into a mirror and centre the lens with your finger.**

Step 2: Pull down your lower eyelid

Step 3: While you have your eyelid pulled down, place your finger on the bottom edge of your lens and slide it down to the white part of your eye.

Step 4: Squeeze the contact lens gently between your finger and your thumb and remove the contact lens from your eye.
** Helpful Tip: get into the habit of removing your right eye’s lens first. It’ll reduce the chances of mixing up your contact lenses.

Step 1: Place the contact lens in the palm of your hand and apply a few drops of the recommended contact lens solution to the lens. Use your opposite hand’s forefinger (pointing finger) to rub the lens gently on both sides.

Step 2: Rinse the lens thoroughly using plenty of contact lens solution.

Step 3: Fill your lens case with plenty of contact lens solution and place the cleaned and rinsed contact lens in the appropriate compartment. Secure the cap of the lens case and repeat with your other contact lens. Leave your contact lenses in the lens case for at least four hours. Letting it soak in the solution will disinfect the contact lens.

Step 4: After putting your contact lenses back in your eyes, pour the remaining solution out of the lens case. Rinse the lens case with fresh solution and let the inside of the case dry out in the open air.** Warning: please never use water to clean or store your contact lenses. Water does not have the necessary contents to disinfect your contact lens correctly. In fact, cleaning your contact lenses with water may lead to contamination of your lenses and has been known to cause irreparable harm to the eye. If you wear daily disposables, you do not have to worry about storing your contact lenses as outlined above. However, if you drop your lens or something gets caught in your eye, you may have to clean it in which case you should follow the procedure outlined in Steps 1 and 2 above.

The base curve or BC is the back curvature of a contact lens. It’s used to match the curvature of the lens to your eye to provide the best fit and comfort. The lower the number, the steeper the curve of your cornea.

A base curve measurement represents how curved your contact lens is. This measurement affects how a contact lens sits on the front surface of your eye and is quite essential. Changing this value, even by a small amount, can cause blurred vision and discomfort if it’s not suitable for you.
If you’re thinking of changing lens type (e.g. from a clear to a coloured contact lens), you will need to have a contact lens fitting with your optician. They will make sure that it’s the right fit for you, even if all the other numbers on your prescription match those of the new lens.
There are several factors that your optician will take into consideration and discuss with you before deciding whether a contact lens is suitable for you. Your contact lens material, wearing schedules and contact lens care may be all factor into this.

It depends on how they fit.
That’s why most Optician will give you a trial pair to wear for a week or so and then recheck when you try a new brand. He or she needs to ensure that the new fit (in this case, the differing base curvature of the lens) is ok. Switching base curves can mean the contacts could be too curved and pop off easier, or too loose and slide around on your eye.
We should add that the lens diameter and, more importantly, the material should also be considered when switching base curves.

Manufacturers often offer one or two base curves for their soft disposable contact lenses. These values will typically range from 8.1-9.0mm and will vary depending on the manufacturer. Different base curves are available because everyone’s eyes are different, and lenses which are comfortable for one person may not be suitable for someone else.
When you have an eye test, your Optician will measure the front surface of your eye and select the correct base curve for you. The base curve and contact lens brand will be included on your contact lens prescription.

Manufacturers often offer one or two base curves for their soft disposable contact lenses. These values will typically range from 8.1-9.0mm and will vary depending on the manufacturer. Different base curves are available because everyone’s eyes are different, and lenses which are comfortable for one person may not be suitable for someone else.
When you have an eye test, your Optician will measure the front surface of your eye and select the correct base curve for you. The base curve and contact lens brand will be included on your contact lens prescription.

Diameter or DIA is the distance across the surface of your lens, from edge to edge. Your eye doctor will determine the correct diameter for you during your exam.

Dk, or oxygen permeability, is the rate that oxygen can flow through a contact lens material. Dk/t, or oxygen transmissibility, determines how much oxygen gets through a lens of a particular thickness.

Today´s contact lenses are made from a number of different materials called polymers. These polymers ensure comfortable lens wear by allowing the eye to absorb oxygen from the air and maintain their shape on the eye. Modern soft lenses offer excellent comfort and are soft because they contain water. Typically, the water content of lenses varies from about 40% to 70%. If the lenses are worn on an extended (overnight) wear basis, then the eye can become short of oxygen (hypoxic) and its surface may become swollen reducing vision.

It can be very frustrating to tear a contact lens. You might wonder, why can’t they just make them out of a stronger material? Currently, more than 30 million Americans wear contact lenses and most of them choose soft contact lenses because the soft lens material is very comfortable and is able to let a great deal of oxygen to the cornea keeping them healthy. But this comfort comes with the price of the potential for damage. Read on to learn some tips for preventing rips in your contact lenses.
1. Avoid using fingernails–Contact lens tearing is commonly caused by using fingernails to handle lenses. When removing your lenses, use your thumb and forefinger to slide the lens to break the suction then remove. Never use your nails to pinch from the centre. Keep your nails short and filed to prevent accidental nicks.
2. Unfold in solution–If your lens gets folded by accident, pulling the edges apart with your fingers could result in a rip. Instead, place your lens in a pool of saline solution in the palm of your hand. Gently massage the submerged lens until the moisture helps it open without damage.
3. Keep them moist–A dry lens is an easily damaged lens. Never store your lenses dry, always store them in solution. If your lenses have become dry in your eyes, use rewetting drops before taking them out. Avoid using water or any other liquid than contact solution on your lenses.
4. Keep lens case full–Being conservative can be a virtue but not when it comes to filling your lens case with solution. If the case is only partially full, the lens can adhere to the dry wall, and when you go to take them out, it can cause a tear.
5. Ask about the modulus– All contacts may look roughly the same, but there are variations between contact lens styles–design, oxygen permeability, material. One of the main variations is something called the modulus which is the measurement of the material’s resistance to deformation under tension. A higher modulus number means a slightly stiffer lens which is easier to handle while a lower modulus lens would tend to be floppier requiring more handling and potential for tearing. However, these lower modulus lenses, such as the Coopervision Proclear line, have high water content and are associated with a higher comfort level. If you have an issue with your lenses tearing, ask your eye doctor about the best modulus for you.
6. What to do with a torn lens– If you have torn a lens, never keep wearing it, even if it’s just a small tear along the side. Any torn edge can scratch the cornea. To remove a torn lens, wash your hands then add some rewetting solution to fully lubricate the lens preventing any bits from sticking to the eye. Pull your lower eyelid down using your thumb and forefinger and use the index finger to slide the larges part of the torn lens down to the lower part of the eye. Use your thumb and forefinger to take the lens out of your eye then examine your eye for any pieces that may remain.

It can be very frustrating to tear a contact lens. You might wonder, why can’t they just make them out of a stronger material? Currently, more than 30 million Americans wear contact lenses and most of them choose soft contact lenses because the soft lens material is very comfortable and is able to let a great deal of oxygen to the cornea keeping them healthy. But this comfort comes with the price of the potential for damage. Read on to learn some tips for preventing rips in your contact lenses.
1. Avoid using fingernails–Contact lens tearing is commonly caused by using fingernails to handle lenses. When removing your lenses, use your thumb and forefinger to slide the lens to break the suction then remove. Never use your nails to pinch from the centre. Keep your nails short and filed to prevent accidental nicks.
2. Unfold in solution–If your lens gets folded by accident, pulling the edges apart with your fingers could result in a rip. Instead, place your lens in a pool of saline solution in the palm of your hand. Gently massage the submerged lens until the moisture helps it open without damage.
3. Keep them moist–A dry lens is an easily damaged lens. Never store your lenses dry, always store them in solution. If your lenses have become dry in your eyes, use rewetting drops before taking them out. Avoid using water or any other liquid than contact solution on your lenses.
4. Keep lens case full–Being conservative can be a virtue but not when it comes to filling your lens case with solution. If the case is only partially full, the lens can adhere to the dry wall, and when you go to take them out, it can cause a tear.
5. Ask about the modulus– All contacts may look roughly the same, but there are variations between contact lens styles–design, oxygen permeability, material. One of the main variations is something called the modulus which is the measurement of the material’s resistance to deformation under tension. A higher modulus number means a slightly stiffer lens which is easier to handle while a lower modulus lens would tend to be floppier requiring more handling and potential for tearing. However, these lower modulus lenses, such as the Coopervision Proclear line, have high water content and are associated with a higher comfort level. If you have an issue with your lenses tearing, ask your eye doctor about the best modulus for you.
6. What to do with a torn lens– If you have torn a lens, never keep wearing it, even if it’s just a small tear along the side. Any torn edge can scratch the cornea. To remove a torn lens, wash your hands then add some rewetting solution to fully lubricate the lens preventing any bits from sticking to the eye. Pull your lower eyelid down using your thumb and forefinger and use the index finger to slide the larges part of the torn lens down to the lower part of the eye. Use your thumb and forefinger to take the lens out of your eye then examine your eye for any pieces that may remain.

All reusable contact lenses need to be cleaned and disinfected, to prevent infection-causing bacteria and organisms building up on the contact lenses. You will need to rub, rinse and disinfect these lenses with the appropriate solution every day.

No, contacts do not make your eyes worse.This is a common concern because many contact lens wearers are nearsighted children or teenagers whose eyes are still changing. So when they are told they’ve become more nearsighted at their annual eye exams, it’s natural to suspect their myopia progression may be due to wearing contacts. But it’s not unusual for myopia to continue to progress throughout the school years and even into young adulthood — whether or not you wear contact lenses.

In general, most soft contact lenses have a recommended wearing time of not more than 10-12 hours continuously for up to 5 days a week. It’s recommended that you wear glasses for a couple of days a week to ensure that your eyes receive more than enough oxygen to stay healthy. Extended wear lenses can be worn whilst you are both awake and asleep for up to a week. However, it’s important to realize that the recommended wearing time for a contact lens will vary by the type of lens and the wearer. Contact lens manufacturers provide wearing guidelines for your lenses (usually found on the packaging). Please follow the wearing schedule suggested by your Optician as he/she is uniquely well placed to advice you.

Although many brands of contact lenses are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) for wearing overnight, sleeping in lenses does increase the risk of eye infection by approximately five times.Although newer generation silicone hydrogel lenses, which allow more oxygen through the lens to the eye, have not been found to significantly reduce the risk of infection with overnight wear, they have been shown to reduce the risk of other complications, such as corneal swelling.

“Mostly it depends on you.”Contact lenses have been popular for decades, and the risk of contact lens-related eye damage is very low if you follow your eye doctor’s advice and recommendations. Still, all contact lenses reduce the amount of oxygen reaching the cornea of the eye and thereby increase the risk of eye problems to some degree. Potentially serious contact lens complications include corneal abrasions, eye infection (including Acanthamoeba keratitis and fungal eye infections), dry eyes and corneal ulcers. Some of these complications can cause permanent vision loss.

It is difficult to recommend the best contact lens for extremely dry eyes, as it will vary from person to person.Typically, contact lenses made from a silicone hydrogel material are useful for people with dry eyes. They contain less water and do not dehydrate on the eye, unlike conventional hydrogel lenses. I would suggest talking to your optician about trialling these.You may find that you are more successful with contact lenses once your optician has found the cause of your dry eye and set up an action plan to resolve it. Your optician may be able to refer you to a specialist if necessary.It is important to bear in mind that some people with extremely dry eye may not be suitable for contact lens wear.

A dry eye becomes uncomfortable. The lens may feel gummy or sticky and your vision will become blurry or hazy. Ideally, with contact lens wear, you should blink approximately every 6 to 8 seconds. This, however, is difficult to do when you are concentrating on your computer, a book or a video game. You may use rewetting drops as often as you need to. You will not become addicted to rewetting drops. The trick to using your rewetting drops is to use them before your eyes become too dry. Once your lens is dry, it attracts deposits and gets dirty. Then most drops won’t help. You will need to remove the lens and rub it with your solution to clean and re-insert it.
If your lens moves onto the white of your eye:
*Don’t panic
*It’s okay to keep the lens in your eye. It may be uncomfortable, but it will not damage your eye.
*The lens cannot go behind the eye.
*Use rewetting drops frequently.
*Always use your lids to push the lens back onto your cornea so that you don’t scratch your cornea.

I wouldn’t recommend swimming with your contact lenses in.Firstly, the contact lenses are likely to fall out in the water, so you’ll end up with blurry vision anyway. Most importantly, water contains Acanthamoeba (tiny single cells) which can damage your eyes and lead to an eye infection. In very severe cases it can cause loss of vision.I would advise that you take the safer option and buy a pair of prescription goggles, which are widely available at Opticians.

It is recommended that if you are a soft contact lens wearer, that you put on your lenses before applying your makeup. If you wear gas permeable (GP) lenses, you can put your makeup on first and then apply your lenses.Some mascaras, especially solvent-based products, may lead to irritation of the skin around the eye. Avoid eyelash-extending mascara, which contains fibres that can irritate the eyes. Keep false eyelash cement, perfume, and cologne away from contact lenses as they can cause damage to the lenses.Application of eyeliner along the inside rim of the eyelid, behind the eyelashes, can lead to migration of makeup into the tear film. For this reason, eyeliner should always be placed below the lash line. Always remove your contact lenses before removing makeup.

Yes, all our contact lenses are safe to wear if used and stored correctly. Please read the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure that you are doing so. Do not use cosmetic contact lenses if you are experiencing discomfort, irritation or pain in the eye area. If you have concerns about wearing contact lenses, please consult an optician. If you have a previous eye-related condition or severe visual impairment please consult your optician before wearing cosmetic contact lenses. If you experience discomfort or pain while wearing cosmetic contact lenses remove them immediately. If discomfort persists consult an optician.

**Daily disposable For the ultimate in convenience because no cleaning is required, daily disposable lenses also offer maximum optical health as these contact lenses are replaced daily.
**Disposable (fortnightly/monthly) These are available in a wider range of contact lens designs, including monthly multifocal contact lenses.
**Coloured disposable (Daily / fortnightly / monthly) For when you want to enhance your existing eye colour, coloured disposable contact lenses are available with or without corrective prescription.
**Thirty-day continuous wear With no need to remove contact lenses daily, thirty-day continuous wear contact lenses are the ultimate in convenience; lenses you can truly ‘sleep in’.
**Conventional contact lenses Custom-made to suit your exact eye shape and generally replaced annually, conventional contact lenses are usually only recommended if your prescription falls outside the disposable contact lens prescription range.

Contact lenses should move on blink, or when you rotate your eye; however, this is a small movement and should not be noticeable.If your lenses are moving around too much, it may mean that it’s not suitable for the shape and curve of your eye. Thus cause blurred vision and discomfort. I would advise that you stop wearing these lenses and arrange an appointment with your optician to find out if any other lenses may be a better fit for you.

You should avoid wearing your contact lenses if you have conjunctivitis, or any other eye infection. The best advice would be to take a break from wearing them until the infection has fully cleared.Throw away any lenses you wore before the infection, and make sure you don’t re-use anything that touched your eye while you had conjunctivitis. If you continue wearing your lenses, -even for just an evening, you may re-infect your eyes with conjunctivitis.As strange as it may sound, the sooner you stop wearing your lenses, the sooner you can start wearing them again.

Glasses are strongly recommended for all contact lens wearers, regardless of your wear or replacement schedule. Glasses not only provide the opportunity to give your eyes a break from contact lens wear, but they may be required should you be unable to wear your contact lenses for any reason (such as a lost contact lens, an eye infection, etc). At minimum, your glasses should allow you to see 20/40 or better, which is the legal requirement to drive in most states.Overwearing contact lenses can increase your risk for complications from inflammation and/or infection. This is especially true for patients who sleep in their lenses—even those lenses approved for extended or overnight wear. Remember, if your eyes are irritated for any reason, it is recommended that you remove your contact lenses immediately and contact your optometrist for your next steps.

Commercial airline cabins expose passengers to reduced atmospheric pressure, reduced oxygen availability, reduced humidity, and dry air. These conditions can lead to discomfort with contact lens wear, especially on flights lasting longer than three hours.Instillation of lubricating eye drops approved for use with contact lenses may help relieve some eye dryness during your flight. Keep in mind that the United States Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) limits the size of any liquid container carried on board an airplane to a 3.4 ounce (100ml) bottle or less unless the liquids are medically necessary. Contact lens solution is considered a medically necessary liquid, so full-size bottles must be declared separately at entry to the security checkpoint. The solution is then subject to further screening. Solution manufacturers do tend to sell 2 oz. travel size containers of solution for those still wary of TSA restrictions. In the absence of a smaller manufacturer-supplied container of solution, do not attempt to transfer contact lens solution to a smaller container. This allows for contamination of the solution during transfer, which can lead to serious eye infection.You may find your eyes are most comfortable wearing glasses when traveling by plane, particularly on longer flights.

Acuvue Oasys contact lenses can be used for daily or extended wear.If worn as a daily wear lens (not overnight) these lenses need to be replaced every two weeks and stored and disinfected when not in use.If your optician has advised that you are suitable and you can wear the lenses for an extended wear period (overnight) the lenses can be worn up to a maximum of six nights/seven days after which you would need to replace the lens.It is important to know that your wearing schedule (daily or extended wear) will depend on what your optician has advised. This will be based on the health of your eyes. All contact lens wearers will not immediately be suitable for extended wear.

Why take the risk?Your monthly lenses should be thrown away 30 days after opening the contact lens blister pack, regardless of how many times you have worn them. Using lenses for longer than recommended can potentially cause an eye infection, irritation while wearing the contact lenses, and blurred vision.If you don’t wear your lenses much, I would suggest speaking to your Optician about daily disposables. These come in packs of 30pcs, so will most likely last you longer. Per pack, they are the more expensive, but better value if you don’t wear lenses that frequently.

Don’t worry – a contact lens can’t get lost behind your eye. There’s a muscle which makes it impossible for a lens to get lost. A lens can sometimes move out of position and get stuck underneath your eyelid, which sounds like the case in this instance. You should be able to shift the contact lens carefully back into it’s normal position to remove it.A contact lens can go beneath the eyelid if you rub your eyes, so it’s something to be aware of if it is happening frequently.

You should discard soft contact lenses when they expire. Soft contact lenses are medical devices that must be sterilized and packaged in sealed containers before being sold to eye doctors and consumers. Since they touch the eye, they have the potential to harm the eye if they are contaminated.Just as packaged foods display an expiration date, so do packaged medical devices, as a consumer protection measure.

It is recommended not to shower while wearing contact lenses. It would be preferable to apply your contact lenses after showering. The United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has recommended that contact lenses not be exposed to any form of water. Although rare, a sight-threatening eye complication known as Acanthamoeba keratitis is caused by an organism present in all forms of impure water (i.e., swimming pools, tap water, saunas, wells, and showers).If lenses are being worn while showering, it is recommended to keep the eyes firmly closed. If lenses are accidentally exposed to water, instill a lubricating drop to help loosen the lens on the eye then remove the lens with clean, dry hands. Next, clean and disinfect the lens before re-inserting, or discard the lens. Never sleep in a lens that has been exposed to water without first cleaning and disinfecting it.

Although pregnancy has been shown to result in many potential changes affecting the eye, contact lens wear during pregnancy is generally considered safe. One subset of pregnant women, those who have acquired herpes simplex viral infection (HSV) of the eye, may have a mild increase in the risk of recurrence of the condition with contact lens wear.While contact lens wear is generally safe, hormonal changes in pregnancy may lead to an increase in nearsightedness causing blurred vision. In addition, decreased tolerance to contact lens wear has been reported during pregnancy. This may be related to a reported increase in dry eye experienced by pregnant women. Conflicting information exists regarding changes to the shape of the cornea during pregnancy. Despite the variability in reports, there is reason to believe these changes may also contribute to contact lens discomfort during pregnancy.If you are pregnant and are experiencing vision fluctuations, it is best to visit your eyecare professional to determine if a change to your contact lenses is necessary and also to rule out other causes for the vision changes.

Some lenses on some patients may be safely worn for short naps. Ask your eyecare professional if it is appropriate for you and your lens type.The eye needs oxygen from the atmosphere to stay healthy. How much oxygen is needed varies from person to person. Closing the eye, as when napping, reduces the amount of oxygen supplied to the eye, resulting in swelling of the cornea. Additionally, contact lenses can further reduce this oxygen supply to the cornea, but some contact lens types are better than others at allowing oxygen through the lens to the eye.

No.Tap water contains micro-organisms which can lead to serious eye infections and loss of vision. One of the more well-known water-borne infections is caused by Acanthamoeba, a microscopic, free-living amoeba (single-celled organism). Acanthamoeba can cause an infection of the cornea, the transparent outer covering of the eye where a contact lens sits. These organisms are very common in nature and can be found in bodies of water (for example, lakes and oceans), hence the recommendation to avoid use of water with lenses.You should never use tap water in any area of your lens care, including rinsing the lenses and the lens case. Do not attempt to make your own homemade saline or contact lens solutions. Also, make sure your hands are completely dry before handling your lenses.

Any eye drops not approved for contact lens wear can cause damage to both the contact lens and the eye. Stay away from drops that claim to “get the red out,” as they typically contain chemicals that may be detrimental to your long-term eye health. Preservative free eye drops, in general, are very safe to use with contact lenses. Eye drops that contain preservatives can have a toxic effect on the eye and should be avoided. Consult your eyecare professional about which drops are best for your eyes and contact lens materials.

The industrial work environment may present several hazards to the eye including, but not limited to exposure to harmful agents and mechanical trauma from projectiles. Despite these risks, contact lenses can be worn safely and may offer some protective benefit.When working around toxic chemicals or vapours, a major concern is trapping harmful material underneath the lens and the inability to easily remove the lens from the eye. Studies have shown, however, that a contact lens may actually function as an additional barrier to the eye. When exposed to a toxic agent, the eye’s blink reflex causes the contact lens to form a tight seal, which reduces the amount of contact with the cornea. The contact lens can then be flushed out of the eye with proper irrigation.Another popular concern is that a contact lens may fuse to the cornea when exposed to the ultraviolet (UV) radiation and thermal energy from arc welding. However, there have been no studies or case reports published in the literature that demonstrate a mechanism for this to be possible. Heat or thermal energy can cause a contact lens to partially dehydrate, but arc flashes do not reach levels high enough to completely evaporate the entire tear layer, which would be required for fusion. Additionally, when wearing a welder’s shade number 10 tint, less than 0.0001% of ultraviolet radiation is transmitted, which further eliminates this risk.The general consensus of regulatory agencies and professional organizations, like the American Chemical Society and American Optometric Association, is that contact lenses alone cannot be considered protective equipment; however, when worn with approved safety eyewear they do not pose additional risk to the industrial worker.

There are no definitive contraindications to contact lens wear when taking prescription medication; however, certain types of medications may contribute to dry eye syndrome, a condition that can be worsened by contact lens wear. These medications include anti-histamines, decongestants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, anti-anxiety medications, blood pressure medications, diuretics, overactive bladder medications, heartburn medications, and oral contraceptives, just to name a few. These drugs can alter your tear film by reducing the amount of tears produced. This may impact the comfort level of your contact lenses. Be sure to notify your eyecare professional of any medications, both over-the-counter and prescription, that you are taking.If you are taking topical eyedrops, it is recommended they be instilled when the contact lenses are not on the eye. The medication or preservatives may be absorbed by the lens, which can cause prolonged exposure and toxicity. The general consensus is to wait 10 to 15 minutes between instillation of eyedrops and the insertion of a contact lens since most of the instilled drug will leave the ocular surface and enter the drainage system of the eye within minutes. Consult with your eyecare professional regarding any eyedrops you are taking or want to take to ensure they are compatible.

It has been reported that between 12 to 52% of soft-contact lens patients replace their contact lenses less frequently than recommended by their eyecare professional. This can be dangerous, as studies show there is a trend toward a higher rate of contact lens-related complications in those patients who are noncompliant with the recommended replacement frequency. Patients who do not replace their lenses as recommended have also shown increased rates of signs and symptoms consistent with potential contact lens complications in those patients that self-reported a replacement frequency longer than that recommended by their eyecare professionals. Patients who follow the recommended replacement schedule report better vision and are at a reduced risk of contact lens-related complications.

Despite an increase in oxygen delivery to the eye, newer silicone hydrogel lens materials have not significantly decreased the rates of corneal infection (microbial keratitis), compared to traditional hydrogel lenses. While studies have shown that the rate of microbial keratitis with silicone hydrogel lenses worn overnight is no different than that of extended-wear hydrogel lenses, silicone hydrogel lenses can be worn for a much longer period of time for the same level of risk (30 days of continuous use with certain silicone hydrogel lenses versus seven days of overnight use for certain hydrogel lenses).If you are interested in overnight wear or daily replacement of your contact lenses, discuss your lens type and options, including associated risks, with your eyecare professional.There are many potential complications associated with contact lens wear, which can include both inflammatory and infectious events. There is some evidence that daily disposable lenses decrease the overall rate of a corneal inflammatory response (termed corneal infiltrates), compared to reusable lenses. However, daily disposable lenses have not been shown to decrease the rate of infection (microbial keratitis) compared to reusable lenses. Although the rate of microbial keratitis is not reduced, daily disposable lenses reduce the risk of severe microbial keratitis (which results in vision loss) compared to reusable lenses.

Contact lens cases are at the most significant risk of becoming contaminated when stored in humid environments, such as bathrooms. Contact lens cases should also be stored away from toilets, which can generate contaminated spray droplets. A clean, low humidity area is best for storage of your lens case while your lenses are disinfecting.

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