Instructions For Contact Lens

Inserting:

1. Wash and rinse hands thoroughly
2. Start with your right eye
3. Remove the lens from the package and shake off any excess solution
4. Place the lens on the tip of your pointer finger. Be sure that your finger is dry first
5. Check the edges of the lens to ensure that it is not inside out
6. Keeping the lens on your pointer finger, pull down the lower lid with the middle finger of the same hand. Use the middle finger of the opposite hand to elevate the upper lid
7. While looking straight ahead, place the lens on the colored part of your eye. DO NOT PRESS IT IN!
8. Continue to hold the lids in position while looking down and then up. Once the lens has settled then you may release your lids
9. If the lens is not centered or feels uncomfortable you may gently massage your upper lids to center it

Removing:

1. Use the left middle finger to elevate the top lid and the right middle finger to lower the bottom lid
2. Take your pointer finger and thumb of your right hand and pinch the lens out at the lower edge of the colored part in your eye. Immediately store the lens in solution.

Cleaning:

1. Place the lens in the palm of your hand. The lens must be sitting in the shape of a bowl
2. Put 3-4 drops of solution in the center of the lens
3. Gently rub the lens against the palm of your hand by taking a finger and placing it in the center of the lens
4. Rinse the lens of any loose debris and store in clean solution

Wear Time:

Day 1:	Day 2:	Day 3:	Day 4:	Day 5:
4 hours	6 hours	6 hours	8 hours	10 hours

DO NOT EXCEED 10 Hours!

Warnings:

Problems with contact lenses and lens care products could result in serious injury to the eye.  It is essential that you follow your eye care practitioner’s directions and all labeling instructions for proper use and care of your lenses and lens care products, including the lens case.  Eye problems, including corneal ulcers, can develop rapidly and lead to loss of vision.

Daily wear lenses are not indicated for overnight wear and should not be worn while sleeping. Clinical studies have shown that the risk of serious adverse reactions is increased when these lenses are worn overnight.

Extended wear lenses should be regularly removed for cleaning and disinfecting or for disposal and replacement on the schedule prescribed by your eye care practitioner.

Clinical studies have shown that there is an increased incidence of serious adverse reactions in extended wear contact lens users as compared to daily wear contact lens users. Studies have also shown that the risk of serious adverse reactions increases the longer extended wear lenses are worn before removal for cleaning and disinfecting or for disposal and replacement.

Studies have also shown that smokers had a higher incidence of adverse reactions.

It is recommended that contact lens wearers see their eye care practitioner twice each year or if directed, more frequently.

Possible Contact Lens Complications

Wearing contact lenses is a reasonable method of attaining good vision as an alternative to glasses. However, wearing contact lenses is not without risk. The following conditions are possible complications of contact lenses. You must be aware of the potential hazards and accept these relative risks in addition to the benefits of contact lenses.

1. Contact Lens Overwear. This occurs when the contact is worn longer than the cornea can tolerate. Not enough oxygen gets to the cornea resulting in temporary discomfort and blurred vision. The treatment is to discontinue wearing the contact lenses for a few days.

2. Corneal Abrasion. This is a "scratch" on the surface of the cornea resulting from a poorly-fitting contact lens, foreign material under the contact lens or overwear. The treatments include antibiotics and possible patching of the eye. Infection may result from this condition.

3. Allergic Reaction. In this condition the eye becomes red and irritated in response to the cleaning and/or storage solutions. It is most often seen with soft contact lenses and is usually a reaction to the preservatives in these solutions. Treatment includes changing to different solutions and storage methods as directed by your doctor.

4. Tight Lens Condition. This is mot often seen with soft and extended wear contact lenses. The lens, which previously had fit well, "tightens up" and does not allow teas and oxygen to the cornea. This results in pain, redness, and swelling of the cornea and can lead to a corneal abrasion. The treatment is to refit the lens.

5. Corneal Warpage. This is most often seen with hard and gas permeable contact lenses. In this condition, the shape of the cornea becomes altered in response to the contact lenses. If severe warpage occurs, the lenses may no longer fit well and discomfort results. The treatment is to discontinue wearing the contact lenses until the warpage resolves, which may take weeks to months. During this healing time, the vision may fluctuate, requiring a change in the glasses prescription one or more times. Occasionally, the warpage may not resolve and the astigmatism created may persist.

6. Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC). In this condition, there is itching, lens intolerance, and redness while wearing the contact lenses. It is more often seen with soft lenses and is generally caused by a buildup of protein on the surface of the lens. Treatments include discontinuing lens wear for a period of time, switching lens types, and switching solutions.

7. Corneal Ulcer. This is the most severe complication of contact lenses and is more often seen with extended wear soft lenses. In this condition, trauma or contamination to the cornea from the contact lens results in an infection. This sometimes requires hospitalization for treatment and can lead to extensive corneal scarring. Corneal transplant surgery may be required to regain good vision. Although very rare, it is possible that a patient could lose an eye from a severe corneal ulcer.

Soft Contact Lens Instructions

Never let soft contact lenses become dry. Never soak them in tap or distilled water. If lenses dry out, they will become brittle. Should this occur, however, soak the lenses in saline for two to three hours. Then, if the lenses do not appear damaged, continue with your disinfecting regimen. If the lenses are uncomfortable after you insert them, remove them immediately and call us.

You will be given solutions and instructions to care for your lenses. Always clean the lenses first and then disinfect them. To clean, put a small amount of solution in the palm of the hand and rub the lenses to remove any loose debris on the surface. After rubbing the lenses, rinse thoroughly with saline and continue with the disinfecting segment of the care system. Store the lenses in the disinfecting solution until you are ready to reinsert them. Take them directly from the storage solution and insert them in the eyes. A lens should never be inserted that has not been disinfected by the system provided.

Rigid Contact Lens Instructions

It is important that you clean your lenses immediately upon removal rather than just prior to inserting the lens. After removing your lens, use a daily cleaner on the surface of the lens. Rub the lens in the palm of your hand and rinse thoroughly with saline. The lens should then be stored in soaking solution and left overnight. To insert, simply rinse the solution off with fresh saline and apply wetting solution prior to insertion.

Use enzymatic cleaner once a week. If enzyming is not done every week, deposits may form on the lenses that cannot be removed. Always clean lenses before enzyming. Dissolve one tablet in saline per lens in each vial. While the cleaner is still actively "fizzing," soak your lenses in the solution. They should be left in this solution for two to twelve hours. After the enzyme soak, clean the lenses with your daily cleaner, rinse with saline, and store in your soaking solution for at least four hours to disinfect them. They will then be ready for you to wear again. Rinse the enzyme cups with saline and let them air dry. Lenses not worn for one week or longer should be stored dry, then cleaned and disinfected before wearing.

These lenses are custom designed and fitted for your eyes. Exceptional care is taken in their fabrication. They are extremely thin to provide maximum comfort; however, this factor makes the lenses more fragile than thicker lenses. Do not hold the lens by its edges and do not put too much pressure on the lens. Flexing the lens between the fingers can cause permanent warpage or break the lens.

Do not panic if you encounter difficulty removing your lenses. A drop of rewetting solution in the eye will generally float the lens sufficiently to make removal easier. A lens on the white of the eye can stay there for long periods and does not irritate the eye. Stay calm when removing your lenses. If you feel upset by the inability to remove the lens, stop trying to remove it and return to it when calmer