INDIANA – Eyes are the window to your overall health.
They can reveal important information about your general health and whether you need vision correction.
#SaveYourVisionMonth is observed every March to increase awareness about eye health and encourage regular eye exams with your eye care professional.
Why are eye exams essential? You can find eye diseases or issues in their early stages.
Get updates to prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses to make sure you are seeing your best
Make sure to:
- Get regular eye exams to assure the continued health of your eyes.
- Always have a back-up pair of glasses with a current prescription in the event that you have problems with your contact lenses.
- Always ask your eye care professional before using any medicine or using topical eye products, even those you buy without a prescription. Some medicines may affect your vision or irritate your eyes.
- Ask your eye care professional about wearing glasses or contact lenses during sports activities to minimize your chance of injury.
- Apply cosmetics after inserting lenses and remove your lenses before removing makeup.
- Apply any aerosol products (hairspray, cologne, and deodorant) before inserting lenses.
- Always inform your employer if you wear contact lenses. Some jobs may require the use of eye protection equipment or may require that you not wear lenses.
- Follow and save the directions that come with your lenses. If you didn’t get a patient information booklet, request one from your eye care professional or look for one on the manufacturer’s website.
- Replace contacts as recommended by your eye care professional. Throw away disposable lenses after recommended wearing period.
Do Not:
- Sleep in daily wear lenses because it may increase your chance of infection or irritation.
- Purchase contact lenses from gas stations, video stores, record shops, or any other vendor not authorized by law to dispense contact lenses. Contact lenses are medical devices that require a prescription. See Buying Contact Lenses to help you take simple precautions to make your purchase safe and effective.
- Swap contact lens with another person. Swapping provides a way to transfer germs between people. Contact lenses are individually fitted. Incorrectly fitted lenses may cause permanent eye injury, infection and may potentially lead to blindness.
- Smoke. Studies show that smokers who wear contact lenses have a higher rate of problems (adverse reactions) than nonsmokers.
- Swim while wearing contact lenses. There is a risk of eye infection from bacteria in swimming pool water, hot tubs, lakes and the ocean
To view more information on caring for your contact lenses, go to: American Optometric AssociationExternal Link Disclaimer.
For more tips on how to care for your lenses, see Contact Lens Solutions and Products.
