Chapter 10- Contact lenses II

Question 1

What are the main things that every contact lens wearer should do?

Answer 1

1- Have regular check-ups as advised by your practitioner

2- Always wash and dry your hands prior to handling your lenses

3- Always rub, rinse and store your lenses in the recommended solution.

4- Replace your lens case regularly

Question 2

What are some of the things that contact lens wearers should not do?

Answer 2

1- Use tap water, or any other water, on your lenses or lens case

2- Sleep in your lenses, unless specifically advised by your practitioner.

3- Share contact lenses or wear any lenses not specified by your practitioner

4- Wear your lenses when showering, swimming

5- Put a lens on the eye if it falls on the floor or other surface without cleaning and storing again

Question 3

Why do contact lenses need to be cleaned?

Answer 3

1- Lipid deposits can build up on the lens. Excessive amounts of lipid deposits can cause issues with the lens performance, causing blurry vision.

2- Protein deposits can build up if the lenses are not cleaned properly and this can lead to discomfort.

3- Infection risk- bacterial

4- Risk of acanthamoeba

Question 4

What is acanthamoeba and why is it risky?

Answer 4

This is found in soil, air, sewage, swimming pools, bottled water, etc.

• If someone rinses their lenses in water, acanthamoeba can just live off contact lenses
• This is risky because if there is a scratch or an abrasion on the front of the eye and the contact lens is contaminated, then the acanthamoeba can get past the protective barrier at the front of the eye.
• This can result in acanthamoeba feeding on the corneal nerves which can have serious side effects.

Question 5

What are the symptoms of acanthamoeba keratitis?

Answer 5

1- Sensitivity to light
2- Red eye
3- Reduced vision

Question 6

What should you wash your hands with before applying and removing a contact lens and what shouldn’t you use?

Answer 6

Hands need to be washed with soap and water before application and removal.

Do not use alcohol gels- alcohol gels are toxic to the eye surface

Question 7

The contact lens solutions and their properties for soft lenses are:

Answer 7

1- Multipurpose solutions- Simple and convenient. Can be used for cleaning, disinfecting and storing lenses.

2- Hydrogen peroxide- consists of a metallic disc in a case to neutralise the disinfectant before wear.

• Has no preservatives in it. Suits a patient that may have allergies.

Question 8

The contact lens solutions and their properties for RGP (Rigid gas permeable) lenses are:

Answer 8

1- An abrasive cleanser- to remove lipids and mucus

2- Protein removing tablets- to get rid of protein deposits

3- Peroxide- leave the lens in this solution for a minimum of 6 hours. Rinse with saline in the morning

4- RGP cleaner- you rub the lenses with the cleaner. Rinse with saline and store in case with conditioning solution

Question 9

A contact lens teach aims to teach a new wearer:

Answer 9

1- How to handle lenses

2- How to know whether a lens is inside out

3 - How to safely apply/insert the lens

4- How to safely remove the lens

5- How to clean lenses

Question 10

What is the technique of how to apply and remove contact lenses?

Answer 10

Good control of eye lid is needed- hold lashes.

Lens applied to the cornea- when teaching the public we refer to it as the coloured part of the eye.

Once the lens touches the eye, don’t blink straight away. Have your patient look up, down, left and right.

Let go of the lashes slowly

Removal- slide the lens part off the cornea and pinch the lens off the sclera.

Control of lashes needed in early stages.