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Forget the Contact Lens Solution, Here’s Beer in Your Eye

ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Baby oil, beer, Coke, petroleum jelly, lemonade, fruit juice and butter are among the substances some contact lens wearers occasionally use instead of contact lens solution, a new Bausch + Lomb study revealed.

The study, which polled 2,000 adults in the U.K. in August 2011, found that 20 percent reported using these and other unconventional and dangerous lubricants when putting lenses in their eyes. In addition, an overwhelming proportion of respondents reported using saliva or tap water as a solution when putting lenses in their eyes. The average adult mouth contains 500 to 650 different types of bacteria. Both tap and distilled water may contain micro-organisms that can cause damage to the eye and have been associated with Acanthamoeba keratitis, a corneal infection that is resistant to treatment, according to B+L.

“It’s crucial for contact lens wearers to follow proper contact lens hygiene to maintain eye health and to keep their lenses clean and comfortable,” said Michael Pier, OD, director of professional relations, Bausch + Lomb, makers of Biotrue, a multi-purpose contact lens solution. “To take the best care possible of your lenses, avoid methods of cleaning disinfection and lubrication that have not been approved for use with contact lenses and recommended by your eyecare professional. It is important to stick with the multi-purpose solution you’ve discussed with your doctor.”

Sunglasses Are The Smart Choice For Summer

It’s common knowledge to lather on sunscreen before going outside to protect yourself from harmful UV rays, but an unfortunately lesser known fact is that UV damage can also occur to your eyes. Sunglasses are the best means to protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet light, and they can leave you looking ‘cool’ at the same time.

UV exposure has been linked to many eye diseases, such as an increased risk of developing cataracts, growths on the eye or full-blown cancers that can devastate your vision.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money on fancy lenses to block the rays, a cheap pair of sunglasses may be adequate. Just make sure the glasses block both UVA and UVB rays. Extra protection can come from a larger frame or a wrap design, which will give more coverage.

You might also look for polarized lenses, which have the added benefit of blocking the sun’s reflections and decreasing blinding glare. By blocking light in the horizontal plane, any glare from a non-metallic surface will be filtered out, allowing you to see more – and more comfortably.

Since most sun damage occurs before your 18th birthday, it’s important to make sure your child has proper sun protection. There are so many children’s sunglasses being sold, with great designs from their favorite movies or TV shows. Just make sure to see the sticker claiming the UVA and UVB protection.

A common misconception is that the darkness of the lens is indicative of the level of UV protection – a statement that could not be further from the truth. You may, however, want to choose a lens color based on your activities. For instance, a gray-tinted lens will decrease the overall light coming in for all colors. But a brown or amber lens blocks only light in the lower wavelengths, so these lenses are not as dark but they improve contrast.

In the end, just wearing a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes is the smart choice. It’s easy to spot who is taking their eye health seriously, and looking good at the same time.

Tags: cataracts, eye doctor, eye health, optometrist, sunglasses, uv protection

Posted in: Eye Health, Eyeglasses

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