On behalf of contact lens wearers, I had one final question for my Vancouver-based optometrist, Dr. Janey Yee. I do not wear contacts myself. I’ve given birth, considered the challenge of walking on coals, and did successfully certify as a scuba diver. Putting a little disc into my eye area, myself? Can’t. Here’s what I found out for you though.
Dr. Yee, are there special precautions for contact lens wearers in these COVID care times? Any advice for all of us with prescriptive eyewear?
With the COVID-19 pandemic, contact lens wearers must be more diligent with respect to hand hygiene and handling their contact lenses. Failure to do so increases the risk of conjunctivitis infection in the eyes.
Switching to glasses during the pandemic is recommended for 3 reasons:
People who wear contact lenses tend to touch their eyes and face more often than those who wear glasses – at least twice daily to insert and remove the lenses and throughout the day if the lenses get uncomfortable or dry while staring at a computer.
Eyeglasses can serve as a protective barrier, preventing you from touching your eyes and shielding them from any airborne droplets. It doesn’t hurt to have an extra layer of defense.
Discontinue contact lens wear if sick. Consistent with recommendations for other types of illness, those who feel ill with cold or flu-like symptoms should cease contact lens wear.
Our vision care expert, Dr. Janey Yee, can be reached through her website.
Her practice location is 180 Optometry & Eyewear in Kitsilano, on 4th at MacDonald.
Remember: You are a handle with care person. If you have contacts then take the hints offered and be careful not to introduce this virus or other things into your eyes. If you are a non or eye-glass-wearing person like me, then you have my permission to take good care of yourself overall. It’s “global health” and also my new favourite phrase to replace frying my eyeballs. I’m exchanging it to make care of my eyes part of my whole health plan from toe to head.
Missed the first installments? You’ll want to read the helpful and actionable tips on eye care here:
Part 1 – Help for workers, learners and the socially connected on best eye care tips for surviving the screen time of our continuously connected lives.
Part 2 – The ‘Boost Zone’ Edition with great reasons to escape the blue light we are magnetized to, and how to do it!
Be well, and take good care.
Helena Kaufman
