How To Tell When Contacts Need To Be Replaced

It’s no secret that contact lenses can be a bit of a hassle. They always seem to need cleaning and replacing, and it can be hard to know when they need to be replaced. In this blog post, we’ll outline the signs that indicate your contacts need to be replaced and provide instructions on how to do it yourself. 

When Should You Replace Contacts?

1. You're having a hard time seeing through your contacts: 

If you're having difficulty seeing through your contacts, it's time to replace them. Contact lenses can get dirty and tired, making them difficult to see.

2. Your contact lenses are falling out:

If your contact lenses constantly fall out, it's time to replace them. Likewise, if your eyes are constantly tearing up, it's also a sign that you need to replace your contacts.

3. You've been wearing your contacts for too long:

If you've worn your contacts for over two weeks, it's time to replace them. Contact lenses should be replaced every two weeks if they're being worn correctly and if the eyes are healthy.

4. Your contacts cause pain:

If your contacts cause pain when you wear them, it's time to replace them. If the pain is constant or lasts for more than an hour, it's likely a sign that you need new contacts.

5. You have red eyes:

If you have red eyes when you wear your contacts, it's time to replace them. If the redness is constant or lasts more than a day, it's likely a sign that you need new contacts.

6. Your contact lenses feel gritty and dirty:

If your contact lenses feel gritty and dirty, it's time to replace them. Likewise, they may need to be replaced if you're having difficulty cleaning your lenses.

7. You have allergies to contact lenses:

If you have allergies to contact lenses, it's time to replace them. Likewise, if you experience hives or anaphylactic shock when you wear your contacts, it's time to replace them.

8. You notice that the colour of your contacts has changed, most likely becoming darker or more yellowed over time.
9. When you remove your contacts, little pieces of them often come off with them - this is a sign that the adhesive holding the lenses in place is starting to weaken.
10. If you wear glasses and use contacts, you may notice that when you take your glasses off after wearing contacts for an extended time, your eyes feel tired and strained - This is because contact lenses put pressure on the surrounding structures of the eye, including the eyeball itself!
11. If you start experiencing redness or discomfort around the eyes (especially at night), getting a new set of contacts is a good idea.
12. If any of these symptoms persist for more than two weeks, it's time to see a doctor and replace your contact lenses!

How Often Do Contacts Need To Be Replaced

When it comes to contact lenses, sometimes you just know their time to be replaced. But is that always the case? Here are four ways to tell if your contacts need to be replaced:

1. You can’t see through them as clearly as before.
2. They start to feel uncomfortable when worn for an extended period.
3. There are noticeable wear marks on the lens surface.
4. The contact lens case or container is starting to look dirty or stained.

How To Replace Contacts

When contacts start to malfunction, they must be replaced as soon as possible to maintain proper communication. However, there are a few signs that you should pay attention to before returning your contacts:

• The contacts become brittle when wet and often break when touched or bent.
• The surface of the contact becomes discoloured and shiny - this indicates that the contact's protective coating has been worn away.
• The contacts may produce strange noises or smell when moved or squeezed.

How To Store Contacts

When your contacts start to wear down, it's time to replace them. Here are a few tips on how to tell when connections need to be replaced:

• If the contacts start to turn black or look worn, they need to be replaced.
• If liquid leaks out of the contact lenses, they must be replaced.
• They need to be replaced if the contact feels stiff or uncomfortable when you blink.

How To Clean And Disinfect Contacts

Cleaning and disinfecting contacts is an essential part of preventing infection. Here are tips on how to do it:

To clean contacts:

• Wash your hands with soap and water.
• Dry them thoroughly.
• Remove any jewellery or eyeglasses.
• Use a new soft cloth to clean the surface of the contact lenses.
• If you have artificial lenses, rinse them with warm water and mild soap before putting them back in your eye.
• Clean the area around the eyes with a soft cloth dampened with sterile saline solution (0.9%). Apply gentle pressure from outside the eye toward the centre of the eyelid for 3 minutes, then rinse well with a clean saline solution.
• If you have any dark circles or shadows under your eyes, treat them now with appropriate ophthalmic medication such as oxytetracycline (Otacitinib, Novartis) or doxycycline (Vibramycin).

To disinfect contacts: 

• Rinse them in sterile water for 2 minutes at room temperature or in boiling water for 5 minutes. If they are reusable, soak them in 1% chlorine solution for 30 minutes before rinsing them three times with sterile water. Sterile saline solution can also be used; just make sure it is 0.9% if using artificial contact lenses.

What To Do If You Are Unable To Replace Contacts

If you cannot replace your contacts, there are a few things you can do to correct the problem. First, clean old contact solutions and dust them with a tissue or cloth. If something else is needed, you may need to purchase new contacts. 

Once you have purchased your new contacts, remove the old contacts from your phone and place the new connections in their respective slots. Next, insert and ensure the contacts are correctly aligned by gently pressing down on each one. Finally, close your phone’s case and turn it on.

How To Clean And Store Contacts

 

When it comes to contacts, it’s essential to keep them clean and prepared for when they need to be used again. Here are a few tips on how to clean and store contacts:

• To clean your contact lenses, fill a pot with lukewarm water and add two teaspoons of household detergent. Swish the contacts around in the water for about 30 seconds. Then rinse them off with cold water.
• When cleaning in the dishwasher, load the dishwasher with hot water and add one teaspoon of household detergent. Close the dishwasher’s door and wait 10 minutes. Then remove the contact lenses and rinse them with cold water.
• To store your contacts, put them in a case or container. Close the container tightly to keep the contacts fresh.
• When disposing of old contact lenses, put them in the trash

Be proactive regarding your contacts. If you notice they're starting to look tired or worn, it's time to replace them.