Colds, flu, and any other seasonal illness force us to make changes in our daily routine. One way or another, the rhythm of life slows down. You need to listen to your body and, of course, follow the recommendations of your doctor. And also – wrap yourself in the softest blanket and slowly drink the most delicious tea.
But it is worth remembering that on the way to recovery, you will have to give up some ordinary things. For example, limit meetings with family and colleagues, avoid excessive physical exertion. But for those who wear soft contact lenses (MCL), it is better to replace them with glasses during illness.
How does ARVI affect the health of the eyes in contact lenses and what to do if you are sick, and there are no glasses at hand? Read on for more details!
Why can’t you wear contact lenses when you are sick?
Ophthalmologists advise against using contact lenses even if you have at least one of the symptoms of a cold or flu (runny nose, sore throat, fever, etc.). There are several reasons for this.
1. RISK OF EYE INFECTION.
One of the most common symptoms of ARVI is a runny nose. In this case, the mucus that is secreted from the nose may contain bacteria and viruses. If in the process of sneezing they get into the eyes, there is a possibility of conjunctivitis or other infectious diseases. And this risk increases significantly if you continue to use MCL for vision correction during illness.
2. RISK OF INFECTION.
Against the background of increased body temperature or the use of vasoconstrictor drugs, your mucous membrane dries up, which means it becomes less protected from bacteria. Temporary replacement of lenses with glasses, in this case, will also help to avoid unwanted complications.
3. RISK OF CORNEAL DAMAGE.
Due to the lack of tear fluid, you may feel itching and burning. The eyes turn red because the mucous membrane is dry. If these symptoms are not given proper attention, they can worsen, and in difficult cases, even lead to inflammation of the cornea.
4. RISK OF INCREASING SIDE EFFECTS FROM MEDICINES.
Some medications given for colds can cause dry eyes and decreased visual acuity. Continuing to wear contact lenses while doing this may only worsen your eye discomfort.
5. RISK OF CONTAINING MICROBES UNDER THE LENS.
You probably well know that high-quality contact lenses are distinguished by their ability to retain tears under their surface. Thus, they provide visual comfort all day long. And this is great with good health.
With ARVI, there is a possibility of microbes entering through the eye canals and retaining them under the lens. In other words, bacteria and viruses enter a favorable environment for development and cause inflammation of the mucous membrane, and in some cases, problems with the retina or cornea.
6. RISK OF DECREASING VISION IN LENSES.
The clarity of vision in contact lenses may differ from what it was before the illness. This is easily explained by insufficient moisture in the eyes, as well as a decrease in the oxygen permeability of the lenses.
In addition to all the above, do not forget about reduced immunity. The body resists less, which means that the likelihood of developing an infection before our eyes is greater. Here we are already talking about an infection that is not originally associated with your cold.
What to do when you get sick and can’t give up contact lenses?
The most convenient solution for vision correction is a combination of contact lenses and glasses. If you get sick, but for some reason cannot replace MCL with glasses, consider the following tips:
- Consider using daily lenses. They do not require additional maintenance. In the evening, you throw away the used steam, and the next day you put on new, sterile ones.
- Observe hand hygiene before changing lenses. In addition to washing thoroughly, use an antiseptic.
- If you are wearing scheduled replacement MCL, follow all the rules for disinfecting and replacing the solution. Use peroxide systems daily, they reliably clean and disinfect contact lenses.
- To prevent dry eyes, use moisturizing drops. Your ophthalmologist will help you choose them. Give preference to non-preservative forms of moisturizers.
Remember, in case of prolonged eye discomfort or infection, you should urgently seek the advice of a specialist.
Within a couple of days after your recovery, you can return to your favorite contact lenses again!
Take care of yourself and enjoy good eyesight in all circumstances.