Six Common Contact Lens Myths Busted

There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding contact lenses wear. In this article, we debunk some of the most common contact lens myths and share tips on contact lens wear.

#1: You can swim with your contact lenses in

A common myth is that it is safe to swim with contact lenses on. Eye care professionals recommend that swimming with contacts can result in eye infections, owing to the possibility that the pool water can be contaminated with bacterial and pathogens. Contact lens can allow chemical, bacterial and pathogens to lodge within the cornea, causing it to become infected and increasing the chances of ulceration. It is best to take out your contacts while you take a swim and put them back on after cleaning them using sterile solution, when you are out of the water.

#2: You can wash your contact lenses in water

Although safe to drink, water can contain germs that could be harmful to your eyes and could cause potentially sight-threatening conditions. According to the FDA, contact lenses should not be exposed to any type of water, including tap water, bottled, lake or ocean water.

#3: You can use saliva as your lens cleaning solution

Even if you remove the risk of infection or irritation, saliva is still not advised. It has no innate qualities that would make it a good lens cleaning solution. Eye care professionals recommend using sterile contact lens solution to clean and moisten your contact lenses. Lens cleaning solutions are designed to completely clean and disinfect your contact lens.

#4: You can sleep in your contact lenses

On the contrary, you shouldn’t sleep in lenses that aren’t designed for continuous use. Although there are overnight use lenses that are worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea, wearing contact lenses for an extended time increases the risk of infection and other complications as your eyes can become irritated if the contacts are not routinely removed and cleaned.

#5: Children cannot wear contact lenses

Many parents wonder if it is a good idea to give contact lenses to their children. There is currently no evidence to suggest that contact lenses aren’t good for children. Contact lens can be beneficial for children, provided they learn appropriate care and handling of contact lenses. According to the FDA, children can begin wearing the lenses between the ages of 8 and 12 years old; that’s typically when children have developed healthy habits around their eye health.

#6: You can’t wear contact lenses if you have Astigmatism

Astigmatism makes it hard for traditional contact lenses to fit the eyes and therefore requires specialized contact lenses such as Toric lenses or rigid gas permeable lenses (RGPs), which are designed to correct astigmatism and are custom made to fit the eyes of the wearer. An optometrist or eye care specialist will be able to recommend some of these products based on the condition of the eye.

Take Your Free M Test

It’s best to get in touch with your optometrist to learn more about what type of contact lenses you should wear. Take a walk-in appointment for an eye test with an optometrist at a MAGRABi store near you contact us ahead of time to schedule an appointment. Our optometrist will make recommendations with regards to reviewing the strength of your lenses and help you find the right lenses for your eyes.