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Take part in Love Your Lenses Week

Love Your Lenses activity is orchestrated by the General Optical Council with involvement and support from industry partners, manufacturers and opticians around the UK.

Love Your Lenses Week is a time for everyone who has anything to do with contact lenses – from wearers to opticians to manufacturers – to remember that if you love your eyes, love your lenses.

It will take place between 25-31 March 2017.

If you wear contact lenses, don’t lose sight of your optician. If you haven’t had an aftercare appointment in a while, book an appointment to get your eyes checked out.

Opticians, manufacturers and professional organisations are joining forces during the week to run offers and events and to inform contact lens wearers of the steps they need to follow to keep their eyes healthy.

How to Love Your Lenses
Contact lenses are enjoyed safely and loved by millions of people.

Most wearers won’t ever experience problems, however, if contact lenses are not treated with the love and respect they need, there is a small risk of developing potentially serious problems.

If you love your eyes, love your lenses. Stick to the tips below to keep your eyes healthy:

Do:
Have regular check-ups as advised by your practitioner
Always wash and dry your hands prior to handling your lenses
Always rub, rinse and store your lenses in the recommended solution before and after each use (except single-use lenses, which should be discarded after each wear)
Always clean the lens case with solution, wipe with a clean tissue then air-dry after each use by placing the case and lids face down on a tissue
Always apply the same lens first to avoid mixing them up
Check the lens is not inside out before applying
Check the lens is not damaged before applying
Handle carefully to avoid damaging the lens
Apply your lenses before putting on make-up
Remove lenses then remove make-up
Keep your eyes closed when using hairspray or other aerosols
Replace your lens case at least monthly
Discard lenses and solutions that are past their expiry date
Wear only the lenses specified by your contact lens practitioner
Stick strictly to the recommended wearing schedule and replacement frequency
Make sure you have an adequate supply of replacement lenses or a spare pair
Have an up-to-date pair of spectacles for when you need to remove your lenses

Don’t:
Use tap water, or any other water, on your lenses or lens case
Sleep in your lenses unless specifically advised to by your practitioner
Use your lenses for swimming, hot tubs or water sports, unless wearing goggles
Share contact lenses or wear any lenses not specified by your practitioner
Wet your lenses with saliva
Put a lens on the eye if it falls on the floor or other surface, without cleaning and storing again
Re-use or top up solution – discard and replace with fresh solution each time lenses are stored
Decant solution into smaller containers
Wear lenses left in the case for more than seven days without cleaning and storing them in fresh solution
Wear any lens overnight if you are unwell
Wear your lenses when showering unless you keep your eyes firmly closed
Switch the solution you use, except on the advice of your practitioner
Use any eye drops without advice from your contact lens practitioner
Apply a lens if it is dirty, dusty or damaged
Continue to wear your lenses if your eyes don’t feel good, look good, or see well

Love Your Lenses Week