Coloured contact lenses can be super comfortable. But if you don't handle them with care, you could be at risk of suffering dryness, irritation, redness or other things you really don't want. But fear not, we're here to help! Our safety guide covers all the bases on how to best clean and care for your lenses.
If you do have a strict contact lens regime that you stick to, but still find them uncomfortable, then it might not be the maintenance process that causes irritation, but rather the lens you are wearing, or the solution you are using. If that's the case, it's good to try and branch out to a different type, brand or wearing pattern.
Here's why your lenses might not be the right fit for you.
Dry eyes are a common problem among both contact lens wearers and non-wearers. Air conditioning, humidity and stuffy environments and healthy, well-hydrated eyes generally don't get along all too well. So, if you start experiencing dryness when wearing coloured contact lenses, you might want to jump over to a more breathable lens.
If you've tried a few different types of lenses but your eyes still don't feel right, it might be good to visit your optician. They will look for the cause of irritation, and advise on how to maximise comfort with coloured contact lenses.
Last but not least, a few drops of artificial tears could really do the trick with relieving symptoms and rehydrating your eyes. But their soothing effect might be short-term, so you might still want to get to the bottom of what's behind the symptoms you might be experiencing.
Top tip: try a wide range of different products before you settle on the one that's right for you.
Do your eyes feel really irritated? This might be due to a bit of dirt on your lens. Contact lenses are made of liquid-absorbing materials, which means that face cream, makeup, or even bacteria can easily become trapped inside them.
It's important to follow a hygiene routine with your coloured contact lenses, to ensure you keep your eyes free from irritation. Wash your hands thoroughly any time you handle lenses, by using soaps without perfumes and moisturising agents - and always make sure to dry them with a clean towel. If you use monthly coloured lenses, make sure you follow your lens-cleaning ritual by putting them in solution every night. No exceptions!
Top tip: to avoid dirt building up, opt for daily coloured lenses. Being disposable, the chance of using dirty lenses is super low, as you throw them away after use.
While super rare, the cause of redness and discomfort from wearing coloured contact lenses might lie in the ingredients of the solution you use to clean them.
All contact lenses are made of hypoallergenic materials, meaning that it's really unlikely for them to cause an allergic reaction. But, the human body works in mysterious ways and you might still experience symptoms of an allergic reaction by either your lenses, the solution you use, or both. The important thing is to stop using them as soon as you experience discomfort and ask your optician for advice.
Monthly and two-weekly contact lens wearers could opt for a preservative-free solution - or better, switch to daily disposable contacts. You don't need any cleaning solution for them, which narrows down the possibility of having an allergic reaction.
Hey, it happens to the best of us! If you realise you have ripped or torn your lens, just remove it and throw it away as soon as you notice. It's no use to you in its torn form, and the sharp edges could scratch the surface of your eye so yeah, just swap it!
Top tip: To reduce the risk of putting a damaged lens in the eye, take the lens on the tip of your finger and carefully check that there are no cracks before inserting it.
If you're looking for inspiration for your next look, check out our tips on how to put on makeup with coloured lenses.
No matter how fashionably late you are to a party, or how excited you are to try your brand new eyeliner, but remember: it's so important to follow your hygiene routine. Firstly, but super importantly, always wash your hands before touching your lenses. It's easier to put your lenses on before doing your makeup, as you might get teary-eyed and need to go over all your hard work. Only use makeup products that are free from any harmful ingredients for your eyes: no oils, perfumes or parabens. If the product is labelled as hypoallergenic, then even better! And finally, do not hesitate to switch to a different product if it is causing you irritations or redness.
Top tip: Experiencing discomfort? Ditch your lenses and speak to your optician. Don't put it off, don't ‘hang in there', just act fast. Trust us, that's the easiest way to minimise any issues and avoid any eye conditions.