Contact lenses
WARNINGS ON THE USE AND MAINTENANCE OF CONTACT LENSES
Caution! Due to the high number of viruses circulating (such as Covid-19), we recommend washing your hands with disinfectant and rinsing thoroughly before putting them in contact with your eyes!
1. Always wash and dry your hands thoroughly before using or removing contact lenses.
2. Insert contact lenses one hour after waking up to allow for corneal reoxygenation. You can remove them mid-day for one to two hours. Remove them at least one hour before going to sleep. Ideally, wear lenses for no more than 8-12 hours a day, following the recommendations above.
3. Do not wear contact lenses if they have breaks in the center or along the edge.
4. Do not use contact lenses for longer than recommended by the manufacturer to avoid serious eye damage (corneal transplant): this is the date the blister pack is opened.
5. Always respect the shelf life of contact lens care products. These products must never be expired. The shelf life depends on the date the package was opened, regardless of actual use. The single-use solution should not be used for more than 3 months from the date of opening.
6. Remember to change the lens case approximately every 3 to 6 months.
7. Never touch the bottle nozzle with your hands and always close the cap after using contact lens solution.
8. Always discard the solution contained in the lens case after use by rinsing it with the solution itself or under running water and allowing it to air dry. Following good hygiene practices is essential to avoid contracting potentially dangerous infectious agents such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acanthamoeba (which destroys the cornea within 12-24 hours). To avoid Acanthamoeba, never come into contact with running water, whether from a pool or the sea, and always dry your hands thoroughly before applying contact lenses. If you need to wear lenses in the pool (prescription swimming goggles are best), it’s best to use daily disposable lenses, discarding them immediately after use, as even swimming goggles worn over the lenses do not guarantee a perfect seal.
9. Do not wear contact lenses on irritated or red eyes.
10. Apply makeup after inserting the contact lens and remove it after removing it.
11. Wear contact lenses for two hours initially, increasing the duration by one hour per day. If you haven’t worn contact lenses for several days, it’s not recommended to wear them for a full day.
12. It’s not recommended to wear contact lenses while traveling by plane.
13. Don’t doze or sleep with contact lenses that aren’t suitable for this purpose.
14. Avoid sharing contact lenses with other people.
15. Each time you insert your contact lenses, check their condition and that of the blister pack containing them. Make sure the contact lens is immersed in the solution.
MINISTERIAL DECREE PUBLISHED IN THE G.U. N. 64 OF 18/03/03, ART. 1 PARAGRAPH 3
Contact lenses should only be fitted and worn when the patient’s anatomical and functional conditions allow. There are, in fact, certain risk factors, detectable by a specialist, that may lead to complications or the onset of intolerance.
. The specialist and the optician fitting the lenses are aware of these problems and can only recommend contact lenses after a thorough examination of the patient.
. To use contact lenses safely, it is necessary to carefully follow the instructions for proper application, removal, cleaning, and maintenance.
. To avoid eye damage, it is important to check with your ophthalmologist for any contraindications and undergo periodic check-ups.
. Use sterile contact lenses for no longer than the recommended period.
. At the end of the recommended period of use (daily, biweekly, monthly, etc.), the lenses should be replaced with a new pair.
Remove your lenses and consult your doctor if you experience redness, burning, a foreign body sensation, excessive tearing, blurred vision, or other visual disturbances.
. Diuretics, antihistamines, decongestants, and tranquilizers can cause dry eyes; if so, consult your eye doctor.
. If a chemical comes into contact with your eyes, rinse immediately and seek medical attention immediately.
. Avoid exposure to harmful vapors or hairspray.
. Always use contact lens solution, checking the expiration date (see package insert) each time you store your lenses. Never use tap water to rinse them.
. Never put your lenses in your mouth to moisten them.
. Consult your doctor for instructions on how to use them during sports.
. Avoid wearing contact lenses when swimming in the sea, swimming pools, or showering in public places.
. Avoid using soaps containing creams, lotions, or cosmetic oils before using contact lenses.
. Failure to follow the instructions for proper use of contact lenses can cause serious eye damage.
. Rarely, corneal ulcers may occur, resulting in vision loss.
. The risk of ulcerative keratitis increases if hygiene and contact lens wear are not followed properly.
. The risk of ulcerative keratitis increases significantly in smokers.
. Contact lenses with UV protection are not a substitute for sunglasses because they do not completely cover the entire anterior segment. Therefore, contact lens wearers should continue to wear sunglasses when exposed to UV rays.
