Red-eye contacts can add a striking and dramatic touch to your look, perfect for cosplay, Halloween, or just making a bold fashion statement. However, like any contact lenses, they need to be used safely to protect your eye health. Here are essential tips and guidelines to ensure you wear red contacts safely.
1. Consult an Eye Care Professional
Before purchasing red contacts, schedule an appointment with an optometrist. Even if you don’t need vision correction, an eye care professional can measure your eyes to ensure you get lenses that fit properly. Ill-fitting lenses can cause discomfort, vision problems, and potentially serious eye damage.
2. Purchase from a Reputable Source
Always buy your red-eye contacts from a reputable source. Contacts sold without a prescription, often found at costume shops or online, may not meet safety standards. Look for lenses that are FDA-approved in the United States or CE-marked in Europe. These certifications indicate that the lenses meet specific health and safety standards.
3. Follow Proper Hygiene Practices
Maintaining good hygiene is crucial when handling contact lenses. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching your lenses. Use only sterile lens solution to clean and store your lenses never use tap water, saliva, or homemade solutions. Replace the lens case every three months to prevent bacterial contamination.
4. Adhere to the Recommended Wear Time
Colored contacts should not be worn for longer than the recommended duration, which is typically 8-12 hours a day. Overwearing contacts can deprive your eyes of oxygen, leading to dryness, redness, and potential infections. Follow your eye care professional’s advice on how long you can safely wear your lenses each day.
5. Avoid Sleeping in Your Contacts
Never sleep in red eye contacts unless they are specifically designed for overnight wear and your eye care professional has approved it. Sleeping in non-approved lenses can increase the risk of serious eye infections and other complications.
6. Monitor Your Eyes for Any Changes
Pay attention to how your eyes feel while wearing red eye contact. If you experience persistent discomfort, redness, blurry vision, or pain, remove the lenses immediately and consult your eye care professional. These symptoms can be signs of an infection or other eye problems.
7. Replace Your Lenses as Directed
Contact lenses have a specific lifespan. Whether they are daily, bi-weekly, or monthly lenses, adhere to the replacement schedule provided by the manufacturer. Using lenses beyond their intended use can increase the risk of eye infections and complications.
