Clarity about contact lenses, eye care and COVID-19 Corona Virus from an eye doctor.

There is a lot of misinformation floating around about not wearing contact lenses now that we are in a pandemic with COVID-19. This information is not correct. If you are not sick, wearing contact lenses is as safe as before. What is essential now, as always, is to wash and dry your hands properly before you handle your lenses or touch your face.

If you use one-day contact lenses, wash and dry your hands properly before you handle your lenses or touch your eyes. Dispose of your lenses after each use.

If you use contact lenses that need to be disinfected, make sure you are following the instructions properly and replace your contact lens case at least once a month. The strongest, yet safest contact lens solutions are preservative-free with 3% hydrogen peroxide (do not use brown bottle general use hydrogen peroxide). It would be best if you rubbed your lenses for several seconds with the solution before storing them. After the 6 hours disinfection time (or the next day) when ready to use the lenses again, please rinse the contact lenses with a preservative-free saline solution.

For those who sleep with overnight AOK (Advanced Orthokeratology) retainer molds, please follow the standard protocol. Rub with daily cleaner, rinse with Preservative-free saline solution, then store in preservative-free 3% hydrogen peroxide (do not use brown bottle general use hydrogen peroxide). After the 6 hours disinfection time (or the next night) when ready to use the molds again, please rinse them with a preservative-free saline solution.

For those who wear glasses, remember to wash your glasses with soap and water several times a day to keep them from building up organisms. Disinfecting solutions like alcohol may damage your frame and lenses over time.