N.F. Burnett Hodd
Synergeyes Lenses
Synergeyes have produced excellent instruction videos on how to insert and remove their lenses, click on the relevant link to watch the video:
Removal
Wearing Time
As your eyes are not accustomed to having a lens in, they will take time to adapt to contact lenses. Start with a maximum of 4-5 hours on the first day, and then increase this by an hour or two every day. You can eventually build a maximum wearing time of 12-14+ hours (depending on the oxygen permeability of your specific lenses).
We will want to see you quite regularly initially, to ensure you are getting on with the lenses, that they fit well and are the optimal prescription, that you are handling them properly and that they are not adversely doing any harm to your eyes. Sometimes during the first few weeks of fitting, when your prescription is still being finalised, we may change certain parameters of the lenses and order you new ones, in order to achieve optimum vision and comfort.
What Sort Of Problems Could Arise?
- Misty or Hazy Vision, particularly towards the end of the lens wearing time. If this occurs make a note of when it happens (e.g. indoors, when driving etc) and when it clears again. Make an appointment with the practice to get advice.
- Red eyes after wearing lenses. This could be a normal reaction but is usually a sign that you are over wearing the lenses or that your eyes are dry. Make an appointment for a check up.
- Red eyes before you put the lenses in. Combined with yellow mucus, this could be an eye infection and should be treated by your doctor. You should consult your Optometrist before resuming lens wear and throw away the current lenses (usually), solution and case.
- White spot on the cornea and redness. This is likely to be a corneal ulcer and you should see your optometrist on the same day for advice. You may need referral to a doctor for treatment. If you can’t get to your optometrist, go to the nearest eye casualty. Stop lens wear immediately.
- Frequent red eye reactions. This could be caused by an allergy or a toxic reaction to your solution. Consult your Optometrist.
Serious Potential Problems:
- Corneal infection
Severe corneal ulcers caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or acanthamoeba. This can result from licking your lenses, storing your lenses in tap water, not washing your hands before touching your lenses, and sleeping in your lenses. The symptoms include extreme sharp pain, redness, watering, sensitivity to light, and blurring of vision. If you experience any of these symptoms you should come in to the practice immediately or preferably go to Eye Casualty.
- Serious corneal abrasion
This can result from careless insertion/removal of the lens, from a foreign body caught between your eyes and the lens, or from inserting a lens that has not had a peroxide-based cleaning solution rinsed off/neutralised properly. The eye will feel scratchy and sore, probably quite red and watery too. You should remove the lens and come into the practice as soon as possible.
It is important to stress that these problems can occur with any type of lens, but are rare. Figures from eye hospitals suggest that the incidence of serious damage to the eye from contact lenses is about 1 in 100,000. Obviously it pays to be careful and if you are worried about any suspicious symptoms consults your practitioner urgently.
8 Golden Rules:
- NEVER sleep in your lenses (unless we says it’s ok!)
- NEVER lick your lenses! Yuk!
- NEVER let your lenses get in contact with tap water!
- ALWAYS wash your hands before inserting and removing your lenses!
- NEVER swim in your lenses without a mask or goggles! Even then it’s best to use dailies if possible.
- ALWAYS keep your lens case pristinely clean and replace it every month!
- ALWAYS clean and care for your lenses as advised by your practioner!
- NEVER wear your lenses if your eyes feel sore or are very red!