How to avoid ripping contact lenses

Ripping a contact lens is an inevitable but frustrating part of wearing contact lenses. You might be tempted to soldier on and just wear your torn lens anyway, especially if you’re trying to save money, but there are a number of reasons why that’s a bad idea. Read on to learn more about torn lenses, what to do about them, and how to prevent your lenses from tearing.

Why ripped contact lenses are a problem

Torn contact lenses should always be disposed of immediately. They can not only cause discomfort and blurry vision, but they can also trap debris and bacteria, which can lead to potential eye infections and damage.

Common reasons contact lenses rip

There are many reasons why your contact lenses might rip. Knowing the causes can help you prevent tears from happening in the future. Knowing how to put in contact lenses the correct way is the first big step to prolonging their lifespan and preventing rips. But there are some other things you can do to help keep them in the best condition.

Handling lenses too roughly

Your contact lenses are delicate so gentle handling is essential to preventing tears and rips. Don’t be too rough or forceful when inserting or removing your lenses to keep them in the best condition.

Using dry fingers

Before you touch your eyes at all, and especially when you’re putting in or removing contact lenses, you should wash your hands with soap and water. Doing so ensures no dust or debris can affect your lenses and will reduce friction which can cause tears. Additionally,dry fingers can cause friction, which can tear your lenses. Therefore, it’s best to keep your hands slightly damp when handling your contacts.

Long fingernails

Your nails can easily catch on your lenses which can damage them. Make sure you keep them short and filed to get rid of any sharp edges that can scratch or tear your lenses.

Wearing lenses beyond their lifespan

Overuse of your lenses weakens them and makes them more susceptible to tears. Make sure you’re sticking to a regular replacement schedule to help minimise the risks of ripped lenses.

Incorrect lens cleaning

Just like gentle handling, cleaning your lenses correctly will help them last as long as possible. Rubbing too hard and using the wrong cleaning or storage solution can wear down your lenses over time, making them easier to tear. Make sure you take proper care of your lenses and use the correct solutions to clean and store them (where applicable). It’s advisable to rub your contact lens clean with the flat part of your finger (where your fingerprint would be found), not the end of your finger, as that makes it easier for your fingernail to inadvertently slice or tear the lens.

What to do if your contact lens rips

Should you notice that your contact lens rips, please ensure you follow the key information below:

Never wear a ripped lens

It’s important to never wear your torn lens. Not only will the ripped lens not stay in place in your eyes, it can also cause discomfort or damage to your eye. It can also potentially introduce bacteria to your eye which can cause infection. Always dispose of a torn lens and replace them with a fresh pair of lenses.

Remove the lens immediately

If your lens tears while you’re wearing it or you only notice the rip once you’ve put the lens in, remove it immediately. Make sure you’re gentle to make sure you don’t scratch your eye or tear the lens even further.

Check for any leftover fragments

Gently examine your eyes for any leftover pieces of lens. If some small fragments remain, rinse your eyes with saline solution and blink to help dislodge them. If you’re not sure you’ve successfully removed all lens fragments, please contact your closest Leightons Opticians to arrange an urgent appointment for this to be checked.

Replace the lens or swap to glasses

Always replace torn lenses with a fresh pair, especially if you wear disposable dailies. Make sure you have your glasses with you just in case a lens rips unexpectedly and you don’t have a replacement pair.

Which lenses are the most durable?

There are many different types of contact lenses. Softer lenses such as dailies can be more prone to ripping whereas more stiff varieties such as Rigid Gas Permeable types are more sturdy. However, the type you use will depend on your prescription, eye health, and personal preferences. A thicker lens might be more durable but may be a bit less comfortable because it's thicker. Your optometrist will be able to help you find the best option to suit your needs and lifestyle.

When to see an optician

If you are experiencing any ongoing discomfort, redness, or irritation after wearing a torn lens, it’s time to book an eye test.

Takeaways

Finding a rip or tear in your contact lenses can be really frustrating and unfortunately, most contact lens wearers will experience it at some point in their lens journey. It’s important not to wear a torn lens, remove ripped lenses right away, and take proper care of your lenses to prevent rips in the future.

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Are contact lenses and glasses prescriptions the same?
Are contact lenses and glasses prescriptions the same?
While both glasses and contact lenses do the same job in correcting your eyesight, there are some obvious differences in how each is worn. Glasses rest on the nose and are positioned away from the eyes, whereas contact lenses are in direct contact with your eyeball. These differences are the fundamental reasons why contact lenses and glasses prescriptions are absolutely not the same. In this article, we’ll explain why in more detail. Contact lens vs glasses prescription – what’s the difference? Quite simply, the lenses in your glasses will be very different to your contact lenses. That’s because each type of lens refracts light differently and therefore during an eye test, different measurements have to be made. The measurements from one eye test are not compatible with the other. So, is the prescription for contacts the same as glasses? The answer is NO because you need to have 2 separate eye tests, which will result in 2 different prescriptions. Contact lens prescription A contact lens prescription comprises a set of measurements relating to the curvature, size and power of the contact lens along with other relevant information. These measurements are carried out by an optometrist, also known as an ophthalmic optician. Glasses prescription An optometrist or ophthalmic optician is also responsible for carrying out the actual eye tests for glasses and lenses. The tests are to determine the strength of the lenses you require, along with other factors such as eye dominance, pupillary distance and axis number. All this information will be included in your glasses prescription. Learn how to read your glasses prescription How to read your contact lens prescription Have you ever wondered what all the abbreviations and letters on your contact lens prescription mean? Read on to find out. What does Base Curve (BC) mean? Base Curve (BC) refers to the specific curve with which a contact lens is made. Different corneal curves will need different base curve lenses, although with modern more flexible contact lens materials, there is some lea way in this. What does Diameter (DIA) mean? This measurement refers to the Diameter (DIA) of the contact lens itself and corresponds with the size of your cornea. It is the measurement from one edge of the lens to the other and is measured in millimetres. What does Power/Sphere (PWR/SPH) mean? The term Power (PWR) together with Sphere (SPH) refers to the strength of the lens. For long-sightedness this figure will show a plus sign (+) and for short-sightedness, it will begin with a minus sign (-). Other contact lens prescription figures People who have an eye defect such as astigmatism, will need to wear toric lenses and therefore will see additional words or abbreviations on their prescription. The same applies to people who might have presbyopia or short-sightedness, and have a prescription for varifocal or multifocal contact lenses. Other contact lens prescription figures are Prism, which refers to a lens or lenses that are designed to correct double vision. Also, Pupillary Distance (PD), which is a term that relates to the distance between the centre of your pupils. It is measured in millimetres and it is important that this measurement is accurate to ensure clear and comfortable vision. OD - Stands for Oculus Dexter, which means ‘right eye’ OS - Stands for Oculus Sinister, which means ‘left eye’ BAL - Stands for Balance, which means both eyes are prescribed the same lenses. DS - Stands for Dioptres Sphere, which means the eyes are spherical in shape. VA - Stands for Visual Acuity, which is a measurement of how clearly a person can see with corrective lenses. This measurement is expressed as a fraction. Your contact lens prescription might also include the brand or manufacturer’s name. What does Cylinder (CYL) mean? The term Cylinder (CYL) refers to an astigmatic prescription. if you have astigmatism then your eye will be more oval-shaped as opposed to globe-shaped. With this condition, you would need specially designed contact lenses called Toric lenses. What does Axis (AX) mean? Axis (AX) refers to the angle that the cylinder or astigmatic correction is placed in order to provide clear vision. This is a number, which is measured in degrees from 0 to 179. What does Addition (ADD) mean? The term Addition (ADD) refers to the amount of additional correction required to see clearly nearby and is given over and above the distance contact lens prescription. Multifocal contact lenses will have an ‘add’ in their prescription. An ‘add’ is generally only required when you develop presbyopia (an age related inflexibility of the intraocular lens, that typically starts between age 40and 45) What does Dominant mean? Most people have a Dominant eye which they unconsciously favour slightly, and a non-dominant eye. Certain contact lenses are best fitted taking this into account (generally multifocal contact lenses). Typically the dominant eye is fitted with the D lens (for better Distance vision) and the non-dominant eye is for better Near vision (this would be the N lens). Can you convert a glasses prescription to a contact lens prescription? No, it’s not possible to do this because the optics of the lenses are different. Likewise, you cannot convert a contact lens prescription to a glasses prescription. How to get a contact lens prescription If you would like to know how to get contact lenses then you will first need to make an appointment with your optician for a contact lens prescription. Your appointment with your optician will include an assessment and a contact lens eye test. This is a different eye test to the type you would need for glasses. After your initial assessment and test, you will then need to have a contact lens fitting. Your optician will demonstrate how to safely insert and remove your lenses and how to care for them. Finally, you will receive your free written contact lens prescription. You can buy your contact lenses from the optician that carried out your eye test or you can buy them from another optician or an online supplier. Contact lenses need to be reviewed more frequently You should be aware that your eyesight can change over time so it’s important you get your eyes retested at least every 2 years. If you notice any changes in your vision at any time before that period then contact your optician for a check-up. Book a contact lens consultation today.
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