“Contact lenses will get lost in your eye!”

“Contact lenses make your eyesight worse!”

These are some of the comment statements people hear or might even think when it comes to contact lenses. In this article, we would like to help you understand your contact lenses better. We’ll address some of the assumptions associated with wearing contact lenses. We’ll then give you the truths behind wearing them. We’ll also provide you with some tips on how to maintain your contact lenses. 

The Myths Surrounding Contact Lenses and The Reality

Myth: Contact lenses are meant for young people

Fact: An assumption that people have is that contact lenses are meant for young people. The truth is that contact lenses are meant for everyone. If you have trouble with your vision, then contact lenses can help you see better. Additionally, if you would like to enhance your image, cosmetic contacts can help you change your eye color. With cosmetic lenses, you can also change your look. 

Myth: Contact lenses are uncomfortable

Fact: Contact lenses are thin and lightweight, thereby making wearing them more comfortable. Additionally, with technological and scientific advances, contact lenses come in many different forms. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the FDA), there are soft contact lenses, rigid gas permeable lenses, extended wear contact lenses, and disposable contact lenses. Read more about each type here. What this means for you is that you have many options when it comes to what you want to wear. It also means that you can choose lenses that suit your needs. If you’re concerned with comfort, then this is something that you should mention to your ophthalmologist (eye doctor). 

Myth: Contact lenses take a long time to get used to

Fact: With the proper directions, you’ll quickly learn how to put your contacts on and off. Contact lenses shouldn’t be difficult to put in and take off if you keep practicing and wearing them on a regular basis. 

Myth: Contact lenses aren’t safe

Fact: Contact lenses were created with safety in mind. So, that means that they won’t get lost in your eye. They also shouldn’t become an issue if you take care of both your eyes and your contact lenses. 

Taking Care of Your Contacts

Now that we’ve debunked some myths associated with contact lenses, here are some ways that you can take care of your contact lenses:

• Follow your eye doctor’s directions. If your eye doctor tells you to wear a certain type of lenses but you prefer another set, talk to your doctor about your concerns. Additionally, make sure that you’re following contact replacement guidelines and ask questions if the guidelines don’t make sense to you.
• Disinfect your contacts using the right solution. It’s very important that you disinfect your contacts on a  frequent basis so that they’re good to use. 
• Avoiding water sports or activities that involve water. Activities that involve water can make you lose your contacts. 

In addition to these tips, remember basic things like washing your hands before and after putting your contacts on. Remember to also place your contacts in solution so that they don’t harden and are useable. 

Choose the Right Contact Lenses in Utah With Wolcott Optical

At Wolcott Optical, we can help you get the right contact lenses meant for your eyes. We will factor in different eye conditions and your eye’s overall health during your contact lense exam. 

Contact us to schedule a contact lense exam. You can also contact us if you have any questions or concerns about your contacts. Our eye doctors can help you. 

Eye shadow, mascara, eyeliner, brow pencil, kohl, and even fake lashes. These are all common eye makeup people use or things that enhance your eyes. In this article, we provide 3 different ways that eye makeup can harm your eyes. We also go over some strategies that can help you with issues caused by makeup on your eyes.

Eye Makeup-Is It Really Safe?

In some makeup tutorials, you’ll see social media influencers putting lipstick or other products not meant for their eyes on their eyes. For example, some influencers use lipstick as an eyeshadow so that there’s a glittery and smooth effect on their eyelids. But this and other things like sharing makeup, using the same makeup for many months, and other common behaviors can cause a host of issues. 

So, as for whether eye makeup is safe, the questions you should be asking yourself are:

• What ingredients does my makeup contain? 
• Is it safe to use these ingredients on my eyes?
• Am I using the makeup as it was intended? 
• Am I using the same makeup beyond its expiration date?

Doing the research by looking at the ingredients in your makeup can help you stay safe. It’s also important to use the makeup as it was intended. For example, if you have some sort of infection in your mouth or a cold sore on your lips, using lipstick as an eyeshadow can make the infection or cold sore spread to other parts of your body such as your eyes. You can stay safe by following the directions on the makeup. You can also stay safe by monitoring any eye issues as they arise. You should discontinue using a product if you notice issues with your eyes. 

3 Ways Eye Makeup Can Harm Your Eyes

Now that you have a basic understanding of what to look for before applying makeup to your eyes, here are 3 ways that eye makeup can harm your eyes. 

1. Allergic reactions

If you aren’t monitoring the ingredients in your makeup, it’s possible for you to have an allergic reaction. This is especially true if you’re unaware of being allergic to certain ingredients. For example, WebMD, a leader in health information, outlines two types of allergic reactions. One is your skin reacting negatively to a product. This is called irritant contact dermatitis. The other is allergic contact dermatitis which is when your immune system is affected by the reaction. 

In both cases, you’ll feel extremely uncomfortable and may need to see an ophthalmologist. If you notice any immune reactions, you may need to go to a hospital. 

2. Eye or Skin Irritation

If you’ve ever had liquid eyeliner seep into your eyes or had mascara get into your eyes, then you’ve probably experienced eye irritation. Irritation can be caused by the product getting into your eyes, or in the case of allergic reactions, the makeup having contact with your skin. If you’re constantly experiencing irritation on your eyes, it’s important that you stop using the product that’s causing the irritation. If the irritation continues or gets worse, you may need to seek professional help. It’s very important that you address any irritation before it gets worse. Ignoring any signs of eye issues can be harmful to your eyes. 

3. Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is when portions of your eye or even your whole eye turns pink. Conjunctivitis is contagious and can spread. So for example, if you’re using a product in one eye and it becomes pink, it’s important to avoid using that makeup on other areas of your body. This is especially true if the other eye has yet to be exposed to that product. Conjunctivitis tends to be a major issue if the makeup has expired. That’s why it’s important to not use expired makeup. 

Maintaining Healthy Eyes 

The best way to maintain healthy eyes is by following the directions on your makeup. It’s also important to stop using makeup once it’s expired or if it has been used for an extended period of time. That being said, if you’re experiencing issues with your eyes, here are some other crucial tips:

• Make sure that you’re getting regular eye exams. During an eye exam, your ophthalmologist will be able to identify any issues with your eyes. Your eye doctor will also ask you questions about what you’re using on your eyes, including eye makeup. If you’re in the state of Utah, we, at Wolcott Optical, can help you. 

• Make sure to remove eye makeup every day. Don’t leave your makeup on while you sleep. Remove it before going to bed. 

• Make sure that you’re aware of any allergies before you use certain products. Using products that you’re allergic to can have serious consequences as we mentioned before.

Remember, maintaining healthy eyes is possible! 

Regular eye exams are important in protecting your vision and identifying health problems in the early stages. At Wolcott Optical, we offer eye exams to ensure that you can take effective care of your eyes. We recommend that you have eye exams every year, but understanding the signs can help you to determine when it is particularly important to have an eye exam. Here are a few signs that it is time for an eye exam.

You are Squinting More Often

If you find that you are squinting often to see clearly, or that this squinting isn’t improving your sight, it is likely time for an eye exam. This indicates that there are changes in your vision that may require treatment. In addition, squinting can result in discomfort and tension headaches. Frequent squinting indicates that it is time to schedule an eye exam.

Frequent Headaches

Frequent headaches are another indication that it is time for an eye exam. When you regularly experience headaches, especially with the sensation of pressure around the eyes, they may be caused by vision problems.

Your Eyes Have an Infection

Eye infections may clear up on their own, but you don’t want to take a chance when it comes to your vision. If you think you have an infection in your eyes, it is important to schedule an eye exam for the appropriate treatment and care.

Dry Eyes

Particularly dry eyes often indicate an underlying health problem with your eyes. When your eyes feel dried out, it may be important to schedule an eye exam to diagnose any underlying problems.

Difficulty Seeing at Night

Difficulty seeing at night is another indication that it is time for an eye exam. It is important that you are able to see clearly throughout the day. Difficulty seeing at night, for example, can result in unsafe driving or other problems.

Your Last Eye Exam was More than a Year Ago

If you can’t remember that last time you had an eye exam, you are overdue for one. You should ensure that you have eye exams every year. By obtaining these annual eye exams, you will be able to find problems early on, before they are allowed to have a substantial impact on your ocular health.

You are at High Risk for Eye Problems

There are some factors that may increase your chances of having problems with your eyes. If you have a family history of vision problems, it may be necessary to schedule eye exams more often. Certain health conditions, such as diabetes, will also increase the chances that you will experience ocular problems. If you wear contacts, you will want to have your eyes checked regularly to ensure they aren’t impacting the health of your eyes.

Changes in Vision

Are you unable to see clearly with your existing prescription? Then it is time to schedule an eye exam! An eye exam will help you to ensure that your prescription is effective and up to date.

If you notice these signs, it is likely time to schedule an eye exam. This can help you to minimize problems with your vision and protect the health of your eyes. Schedule an eye exam with us to ensure that you provide this protection. To learn more about the signs that you need an eye exam, contact us at Wolcott Optical today!