While eye glasses are beneficial in improving peripheral vision, they’re not handy when doing something strenuous like sports. Neither are they convenient when you want to plop face down on your bed, only to be poked by metal or plastic wires holding your corrective lenses. It’s no wonder that eye glasses wearers often shift to contact lenses, with nearly 9 percent of Canadians preferring this convenient option.

If you’re one of those interested in making the switch, just recall these tips for better eye health and vision:

Practice Cleanliness

Always wash your hands before placing or even holding contact lenses to prevent eye infections and clean your lenses. Putting in contacts requires placing the lens on your finger and inserting it into your eye. With just a quick visit to our office, our staff will show you how to do this so you’ll be prepared once you reach home.

Go Slow

We know you’re excited to try out your new contacts, but take it easy! If you’re not used to wearing them, start with shorter periods and work to longer durations. This will help your eyes get used to the sensation and avoid discomfort.

If you want to slowly get used to wearing contacts, start wearing them for a few hours each day. Then, take them out and wear your glasses. Add another hour of wearing time each day until you’re comfortable wearing lenses for an entire workday.

This might be a challenge if you stare at a computer screen for eight to ten hours a day since your eyes may feel dry. If so, use rewetting drops.

Let the Contact Lenses Settle

Take your time with things. Give yourself enough time before work or another activity so your contact lenses have time to feel comfortable, and you have the best possible vision. After putting wearing your contacts, give them a few minutes to settle. This will help you see more clearly and avoid any discomfort.

Label Them Properly

Be careful when switching between glasses and contacts to keep your right and left lenses the same. This is because even if the difference in vision prescription is small, it can still cause problems with your vision and lead to headaches.

To keep your lenses from getting mixed up, make sure to put the right lens on the right side of the case and the left lens on the left side. It can also help to establish a routine, like always putting the right lens in first and then the left, so you don’t accidentally mix them up.

Wear Sunglasses

Perfect vision isn’t just down to the corrective lenses you use. It also has to do with protection! Even when wearing contacts, you should always have a pair of sunglasses. This is because the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays can damage your eyes, even on cloudy days!

Ensure you have a pair of sunglasses in your car or desk, so you can put them on when you’re outside and need to protect your eyes from the sun. Wearing sunglasses also makes you look cool, so it’s a win-win!

In Closing, Remember the Above Tips

While the new can sometimes be exciting, it can also be dangerous if one doesn’t ease into it properly. It’s best to transition slowly from eye glasses to contact lenses while protecting your vision from harsh lights for optimal health.

Find Your Contact Lenses at Optiko

At Optiko Eyewear, we’ve got your vision covered with eye exams and contact lenses custom-made for your needs. Learn more about our gas-permeable, multifocal, and colour contact variations by visiting our website right now!