6 days ago
The One Thing You Should Never, Ever Do Right After Putting in Contact Lenses, According to Ophthalmologists
When you put in your contact lens and it doesn't end up in the right spot, you might be tempted to rub your eye. It seems like a natural way to slide the lens where it needs to be. But eye health experts say rubbing your eyes right after putting in your contacts is a bad idea. 'From an ophthalmologist's perspective, rubbing your eyes immediately after inserting contact lenses can dislodge or misalign the lens, leading to discomfort, blurred vision or even corneal abrasions,' says Dr. Ashley Brissette, MD, MSC, FRCSC, an ophthalmologist at Kelly Vision in New York City. 🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊Still, rubbing your eyes can feel pretty good, especially when you're tired or have been staring at your laptop screen all day. But, there's actually no instance where doing so is a good idea, Dr. Brissette says. Here's why and some tips for breaking the habit.
Along with getting your contact lens out of whack, rubbing your eyes while wearing contacts also raises the risk that you'll tear them or scratch the surface of your eye, says Artis Beatty, OD, an optometrist and chief medical officer at MyEyeDr. Plus, he adds, 'Anything on your hands—like dirt, oils or bacteria—can also get trapped under the lens and cause discomfort or infection.'
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Excessive eye rubbing when you're wearing contacts can irritate the surface of your cornea, which is the outer dome-shaped layer of your eye, especially if your hands aren't sterile or the contact lens hasn't fully settled, Dr. Brissette says. It's possible this could lead to inflammation or long-term complications, such as pain or ulcers on your cornea. It may also worsen astigmatism, which is an imperfection in your cornea or lens' normal curvature, or a condition called keratoconus, when the cornea thins and bulges like a cone, she adds. 'Over time, frequent rubbing can also lead to changes in the shape of your cornea, causing it to steepen or develop irregularities that may distort your vision,' Dr. Beatty says.
When your contacts shift in your eyes, blinking is the best way for your eyes to adjust naturally and help them settle, Dr. Beatty says.
To get rid of a speck of dust or debris that's gotten into your eye with your contacts in, Dr. Brissette suggests using artificial tears to flush the eye.
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If that doesn't work, wash your hands, carefully remove the contact lens and clean it with a multipurpose contact lens solution, Dr. Beatty says. Then, gently rinse your eye with sterile saline solution or artificial tears. 'This helps flush out the irritant without causing additional irritation,' he adds.
Any time your contacts feel uncomfortable or irritate your eyes, call your eye doctor, he also stresses.
Rubbing your eyes can feel soothing. It's related to the oculocardiac reflex—when you put pressure on your eyeballs, nerves send a signal down your spine to your heart, which lowers your heart rate and blood pressure, according to Cleveland Clinic. This helps you feel relaxed.
So you may rub your eyes without realizing it as a calming mechanism. It's a habit you should break, though. Here are some tips to help:
Being aware that you rub your eyes is a crucial first step. Try to keep your hands occupied or away from your face, or consider wearing glasses as a physical barrier to your eyes, Dr. Brissette says. Related: People Who Never Need Glasses Do This One Thing Every Day, According to Optometrists'Consciously remind yourself of the risks, like infection or corneal damage, and place visual cues, such as sticky notes, around common environments to reinforce the habit change,' she adds.
Lubricating eye drops can help soothe dry, irritated eyes without rubbing, Dr. Beatty says. You can also use a cold compress on your eyes. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends artificial tear products and avoiding items that advertise 'red eye relief.' It's also usually best to check with your eye doctor about the best drops for your situation.
When your eyes feel tired or strained, especially from screen time, blink more often, Dr. Beatty says. He also suggests following the 20-20-20 rule: 'Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.' This minimizes digital eye fatigue, 'a common reason people rub their eyes,' he explains.
If you've tried these things and you still seem to rub your eyes often, see your eye doctor. An eye exam can help identify (and address) the cause of your eye irritation that's prompting you to rub them, Dr. Brissette says. The urge to rub could be due to allergies, dryness, ill-fitting contact lenses or other problems, and your doctor can help, Dr. Beatty explains. This may involve switching contacts, prescription eye drops or allergy treatments to protect your eyes long-term.
Up Next: Artis Beatty, OD, an optometrist and chief medical officer at MyEyeDr
Ashley Brissette, MD, MSC, FRCSC, an ophthalmologist at Kelly Vision
Corneal Abrasion, Cleveland Clinic
Astigmatism, American Academy of Ophthalmology
What Is Keratoconus?, American Academy of Ophthalmology
The Dangers of Rubbing Itchy Eyes, Cleveland Clinic
