Be Careful With Contact Lenses
Spring break often means heading to sand and surf!. We hear a lot about sun exposure, staying hydrated and avoiding too much alcohol but is it OK to wear your contacts while in the hot tub or sea? Contact lens are convenient but can expose you to serious conditions such as eye infections and corneal ulcers—something you don’t want to deal with on vacation.
To avoid problems, first make sure your contacts are prescribed by an eye care professional. Skip colored or decorative lenses sold in beauty supply stores and at the boardwalk, since they can damage your eyes. Second, wash your hands before touching lenses, and use sterile solution. Never expose your lenses to saliva or non-sterile water, including that from the tap, bottle or ocean. Non-sterile water can put you at risk for an eye infection. So remove your contacts before swimming or getting in the hot tub and follow your eye care professional’s other care and removal instructions. If your vision changes, your eyes get red, you have lots of tears, or your eyes hurt or feel itchy, take out your lenses and seek medical attention. Have fun!