Can I Wear My Contacts…?

Contact lenses have been proven great lifestyle enhancers and now come in various kinds and styles to accommodate almost any vision condition. Yet, with all the information available concerning contacts, there are times when questions pop up in regard to whether or not a person should wear them in certain situations. The following will hopefully answer some of these questions and clarify any uncertainty.

Can I wear my contact lenses while applying eye makeup? Yes, in fact it is preferable that you insert your contacts before the application if makeup products as a means to minimize the contamination of the lenses. Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your contacts. Use only non-allergenic makeup; water-based cream eye shadows are recommended instead of oil-based and powders. If you are a stickler for powder, keep your eyes closed during application and brush away any excess before opening them. Keep eyeliner away from the part of the lashes that are closest to the eye. When removing makeup, wash and dry your hands and take out your lenses first—always being careful not to bring them into contact with any makeup.

What about beach and water activities, or sunbathing? Care must be taken when wearing your contacts in lakes, pools, hot tubs, or the ocean. Water in the eyes leaves your lenses subject to infection-causing pathogens. It is recommended that you remove your contacts before going into the water or protect them by wearing swim goggles. Lenses that are splashed with water must be removed immediately and thoroughly cleaned, rinsed, and stored using proper solution. For water activities, daily disposable contact lenses are the best option since they can be removed, thrown away, and replaced with a fresh pair. As for sunbathing, since the corneas may swell, the tighter lens fit could cause temporary irritation and redness. If you insist on wearing your lenses, put a safe lubricating drop in yours eyes before lying in the sun (your eye doctor can help you choose the right kind). Whether your contacts are in or out during tanning, always use a good pair of UV-blocking sunglasses to protect all portions of your eyes.

Can contact lenses be worn in airplanes? Are solutions barred from carry-on items? The air in plane cabins tends to be of lower humidity, which can lead to dry eye issues. Lubricating eye drops may help, but in the event of persistent symptoms it is best to do without lenses and wear eyeglasses during flights. But of course individual comfort levels vary. The Transportation Security Administration’s rules for carry-on liquids* require that saline solutions and eye drops must be in 3-ounce or smaller containers carried in a 1-quart zip-top clear plastic bag. Any amounts larger than three ounces or not in the 1-quart bag must be declared to security officers at airport checkpoints.

Never feel uncomfortable about asking questions concerning your contact lenses or their wear. Consulting your eye doctor can provide you with the best and most complete information regarding your personal eye health.


*Website found at www.tsa.gov.