The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone around the world, and many people are wondering if they are ever going to be able to go back to their normal lives. The good news is that as long as everyone follows the guidelines of healthcare professionals, we will come out of this on the other side with some semblance of normalcy. With that said, our optometry experts at Maple Ridge Eye Care have clients who are concerned about contracting COVID-19 through their contact lenses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no known evidence to say that you are more at risk of getting the coronavirus if you wear contact lenses. However, you should still practice proper contact lens hygiene. Here are some tips you can follow to prevent contracting eye infections.
Always Wash Your Hands
One of the most critical steps that everyone has to take during the COVID-19 pandemic and when wearing contact lenses, in general, involves handwashing. Washing your hands thoroughly before wearing the lenses limits the spreading of germs to the contacts and the eyes. The same applies when taking the contact lenses out. Make sure to wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds and ensure they are completely dry before inserting or removing the contact lenses.
Clean Your Contact Lenses Properly
Never clean your contact lenses with water or saliva as bacteria can be transmitted to the lenses and lead to an eye infection. Use a disinfecting solution recommended by our optometrists to clean your contact lenses. If you need instructions on how to clean them properly, ask our optometry professionals in Maple Ridge for guidance.
See Our Optometrists as Recommended
As a part of contact lens safety, you need to see an eye doctor regularly to check the health of your eyes and your vision. It is also the perfect time to address your concerns and have a conversation with an optometrist about your contact lens wear and care habits and ways to prevent infections in the eye.
Call Us for Any Contact Lens Questions or Concerns
At Maple Ridge Eye Care, our optometry team is closely following the guidelines that the BC Centre for Disease Control and WorkSafeBC, the Ministry of Health, and the Provincial Health Officer have provided. Your safety is our top priority. Due to the volume of calls that we are receiving, we are doing our best to answer questions our clients may have about contact lenses or any other service. For more information about how to take care of your contact lenses during COVID-19, visit the site of HealthLink BC or call us directly at 604-670-4434.