The American Optometric Association has just released guidelines on proper wear and care of contact lenses during the Coronavirus pandemic:
- Exercise Proper Hand Washing, Especially During Insertion and Removal. When handling contact lenses (before both insertion and removal), wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Dry your hands with unused paper towels when possible. If you can’t access soap and water use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Disinfect Contact Lenses. Dispose of your daily disposable lenses each evening (if applicable) or regularly disinfect your monthly or two-week lenses according to instructions from the manufacturer and your eye care professional.
- Stop Wearing Lenses if You Are Sick. As with other types of illness, if you feel sick with cold or flu-like symptoms you should stop wearing your contact lenses.
- Glasses are Not Proven to Offer Protection. There is no scientific evidence that wearing eyeglasses provides protection against COVID-19 or other viral transmissions.
If you remain healthy you can continue to use and take care of your contact lenses as prescribed by your eye care professional.
These new safety practices may take time to adjust to, but they are in place to protect all oFor more information, visit: https://www.aoa.org/contact-lens-wear-during-covid-19.