As health experts around the world continually research coronavirus (COVID-19), we’re learning more about basic precautions that can limit possible exposure and infection. Among these is a recommendation to temporarily replace use of extended wear contact lenses with daily disposable contact lenses.
Studies show coronavirus (COVID-19) can live on some surfaces for days. And, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it may be possible to contract coronavirus (COVID-19) through touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching your eyes.
The repeated process of taking out and putting in extended wear contact lenses, placing those same lenses down on surfaces, cleaning them to varying levels of thoroughness and then placing them back into your eyes with your fingers introduces unnecessary risk of virus transmission. That risk is reduced with daily disposable contact lenses, as they are introduced to the eye directly after being removed from sterile packaging. Then, at the end of each day, following thorough hand washing, those contacts can be removed and disposed of.
Contact Lens & Anterior Eye: The Journal of the British Contact Lens Association recently published an article recommending eye doctors should, “consider the option of moving patients to daily disposable lenses.”
Daily disposable contact lenses have been a preferred choice among some contact lens wearers and eye care professionals for years. Many appreciate the convenience of not needing to deal with cleanings, while others point to the reduced health risks associated with day-to-day accumulation of lens deposits and overnight wear. In fact, in their coronavirus (COVID-19) article, Contact Lens & Anterior Eye went on to add, “the use of daily disposable contact lenses substantially reduces the risks of many inflammatory complications.”
If you or someone you love wears extended wear contacts, now might be a good time to switch over to daily disposables…at least for the short-term.
North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care can help you quickly get the best disposable contact lenses for your vision needs. To assist patients during this time, we currently have a variety of disposable lenses in stock and ready to pick up. To get yours, contact us today at 352-373-4300.