Contact lenses are a very popular form of corrective eyewear. Contact lenses offer vision correction without the need for eyeglasses that may be inconvenient or not fit with an individual’s style. Contact lenses are also highly convenient during summer, as non-prescription sunglasses can be worn over contact lenses. While this normally offers great ease, contact lenses can be harder to wear in the summer months. Eye irritation as a result of the contact lenses becoming dry from the hot temperatures and wind is very common. The lenses are more likely to trap particles, such as pollen floating through the breeze, against the cornea. Here are some tips to make contact lenses more comfortable in the summer.
4 Ways To Protect Your Contact Lenses In Summer
1. Wear UV Blocking Sunglasses
These will help protect you twofold: the glasses themselves will keep wind, sand, and other elements away from your contact lenses and the UV blocking will protect your eye health. In the summer, wearing sunglasses will help to avoid eye strain, since being in the sun causes us to naturally squint and strain our eye muscles. Sunglasses will help your eyes relax and be more comfortable. UV blocking sunglasses will also protect your eyes from harmful UV rays that can cause sunburn of the eye as well as increase your risk of developing other, long-term eye conditions. Sunglasses protect your contact lenses by keeping the wind off of your eyes, which helps prevent your contact lenses from drying out. Sunglasses also help keep debris such as sand and dust out of your eyes, making your contact lens-wearing experience more comfortable after a day out in the elements. And, as an added bonus, sunglasses are a practical yet stylish accessory!
2. Use Disposable Contact Lenses
Daily disposable contact lenses are easy to use and help keep your eyes free of irritants. Although weekly or monthly contact lenses are cleaned every night, daily disposable contact lenses are more likely to ensure your eyes remain comfortable after being exposed to the elements. If your contact lenses tend to dry up during a day in the wind and heat, if particles get into the contacts and they are not thoroughly cleaned, or the contacts develop scratches, wearing them for another day, week, or even month can increase discomfort. With daily disposable contacts, you use a new pair every day and don’t have to worry about the comfort of your eyes. These contacts can be especially helpful for people with allergies, as pollen can get onto contact lenses after a day of wear, and starting from fresh each day can greatly reduce allergy symptoms.
3. Don’t Swim With Contacts In
Contacts will soak up the water you are swimming in. This can cause your contact lenses to make your eyes less comfortable but it can also trap chemicals and bacteria in the contact lens. Whether you’re swimming in natural bodies of water, chlorinated water, or even tap water in your backyard pool, any of these could carry pathogens that can cause infections, damage to the cornea, or ulcers in the eye.
4. Use Eye Drops
Either lubricating eye drops or contact lens rewetting drops should be used several times a day to maintain comfortable eyes and hydrated contact lenses. Maintaining a healthy tear consistency is an important part of eye comfort, and this can be difficult to achieve in the summertime while wearing contact lenses. Remember that you must use rewetting drops or lubricating eye drops and not tap water, as it will not relieve your eye discomfort and could cause eye infections. Speak to your optometrist about which type of eye drops you should use.
Contact Lenses From My Optometrist
When well cared for, contact lenses are incredibly convenient. They offer clear vision without the need for eyeglasses. At My Optometrist in Calgary and Three Hills, our skilled eye doctors can help you find the right contact lenses for you and our highly trained staff can show you how to put them in and remove them safely. Have your prescription updated with an eye exam and then discuss your contact options with our eye doctors at My Optometrist. To book an eye exam with one of our eye doctors, contact My Optometrist at one of our three locations at Health First in SE Calgary, Sunridge in NE Calgary, or Three Hills, AB. You can also call us or fill out the online contact form.
FAQ
Q: Do contact lenses hurt?
A: Contact lenses may cause discomfort as your eyes adjust, but they should never hurt. When you use contact lenses for the first few times your eyes may be irritated and watery, so remember to keep using eye drops until your eyes can fully adjust to wearing them. If you have any concerns about wearing contact lenses, address them with your Calgary eye doctor.
Q: Are contact lenses better than glasses?
A: Whether to choose contact lenses or glasses is a personal decision, but there are some clear benefits to choosing contacts such as:
- Contact lenses are more natural feeling once placed properly in the eye
- Contacts do not get foggy or steam up throughout the day like regular eyeglasses do
- Contacts are better for sports and other physical activities
- Glasses can distort around the edges, whereas contact lenses do not
- Contact lenses look and feel invisible so you do not have to consider style when purchasing them
If you are trying to decide between contact lenses and eyeglasses book a consultation with your Calgary Optometrist to weigh out the pros and cons for your lifestyle.
Q: How do I know if my child is ready for contact lenses?
A: Many people prefer to wear contact lenses because of the sheer appeal of not having to wear eyeglasses anymore. But it is important to know that contact lenses need to be taken care of properly to maintain proper eye health. Some important things to note before considering contacts for your child are:
- Contact lenses are small and easily dropped/lost
- Hands must be cleaned well before handling contact lenses and they must be cleaned regularly, so good hygiene is important
- There will be an adjustment while getting used to new contact lenses, so they must be able to communicate with you and their optometrist if any issues arise
- If your child has seasonal allergies contact lenses may not be a good fit as they can irritate the eyes
- Contact lenses are not safe for people with certain medical conditions
If you are thinking about the option of contact lenses for your child, reach out to your Calgary eye doctor to discuss the risks and benefits for you.