Eye problems remain prevalent worldwide, with the World Health Organization reporting that at least 2.2 billion people have near or distant vision impairment. These ocular conditions can get in the way of daily life and tasks, especially for college students who need to juggle tons of academic tasks like research papers, exams, and theses. This underscores the need for vision correction to improve quality of life.
While glasses are usually the go-to tool for vision correction, contact lenses are a popular option that many people tend to prefer for a variety of reasons. Research published by the National Institutes of Health estimates that there are about 140 million contact lens users around the world. Like prescription glasses, these small, discreet lenses can be used to correct common vision impairments like astigmatism, myopia, and hypermetropia. Below, we take a look at why contacts are a popular alternative and how you can use them safely and hygienically.
Why contact lenses?
College students, in particular, might prefer to use contact lenses because, unlike glasses, these lenses can be worn during strenuous activities like playing sports or exercising. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that contact lenses do not fog up like glasses, allowing for a clearer and more comfortable studying experience in low-temperature environments. Their popularity can be attributed to how accessible they are since you can now conveniently order contact lenses online, as online retailers allow you to choose from a wide variety of options and ship directly to your home. Contacts Direct offers various contacts from brands like Acuvue and Biofinity that you can purchase with insurance, and the site also allows you to upload your prescription with ease for your vision correction needs.
Similarly, contact lenses are also easily accessible through physical stores like Target Optical, where you can choose from a diverse range of brands like Air Optix and PRECISION1 and even take a physical eye exam for a more accurate and updated prescription. While contacts are easily available in most areas, it’s important to note that a lack of proper lens care can lead to problems like eye infections. To avoid these risks, follow these tips below for safe and hygienic contact lens use:
How to properly use contact lenses
Wash your hands
College students handle several objects daily like phones, books, classroom door knobs, and other surfaces without consciously thinking about the germs on them. Some of these bacteria are infectious to the eyes and could cause pink eye or trachoma, a bacterial infection that can lead to blindness. Avoid these risks by washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water before you touch your contact lenses. This can help you avoid any transmission of harmful bacteria from your hands to your eyes.
Never sleep with contacts on
Sleep deprivation is common among college students, especially during finals or midterms when the school load gets heavier. But sleeping can offer many benefits for students, like improved memory and a well-rested body. However, before you get your well-deserved rest, make sure to remove your contacts first to avoid eye infections. When you’re asleep, your eyes are deprived of oxygen, which limits your cornea’s ability to fight bacteria. Sleeping with contacts can cause corneal infections like bacterial keratitis. Be safe and remove your contacts before dozing off, but remember to wash your hands first!
Use a lens-cleaning solution
A busy college schedule can sometimes make you overlook some of the most basic yet important things to do, like cleaning your contact lenses properly. To keep your contacts clean and safe to use, disinfect them with a lens cleaning solution through the “rub and rinse” method: rub your lenses with your clean fingers to remove small debris and rinse them with the solution before soaking them. Never use water or saliva to clean your lenses, as they are not sterile.
Contact lenses are a convenient option for vision correction among college students. Just be sure to follow this guide to avoid harmful eye infections. For more tips like this, visit The Education Magazine website for other articles on education and student life.
