Contact lens use is first and foremost about hygiene and responsibility. Even the safest contact lens should be put in with clean hands, with trimmed fingernails, in a dust and pet-free environment. All care materials (solutions, suction cups, tissues) should be kept in a clean, airtight container. Respect the expiration date, change the lens care solution daily and replace the container with a new one each time you open a new bottle of solution. Peroxide-based systems are available for deep cleaning of protein deposits. These solutions activate automatically within 30 minutes to 6 hours while the lenses are in the solution, and by the time the solution is ready to use, it becomes chemically neutral. It is very important, however, that the lens is mechanically cleaned in the palm of the hand, using the navel of the finger, after each use. It is necessary to prepare a comfortable mirror, have good lighting and place a clean tissue on the table. To make the process easier and to support the young patient at the beginning, it may be necessary to have an adult present and helping to put in and take out the night lenses. In the case of sensitive eyes, anesthetic drops may be given for the first few days of use to increase comfort and help the ocular surface to adapt. Night lenses are hard, and for successful application it is necessary to open both eyes wide, fixing your gaze on a point with the unaided eye. The eyes are paired organs, and in the absence of strabismus, both eyes look in one direction. Then, with a smooth, steady movement, position the lens on the cornea. After a few blinks, it will fix itself in the correct position. A useful aid for better fixation and comfort are moisturizing drops, which can be applied before use or directly on the lens. After the lens has been placed on the eye, it is necessary to lie flat and rest. Sleeping with your face in the pillow should be avoided, as this can displace the lens and affect the correct position. Intense rubbing of the eyes is also contraindicated for the same reason. Trying to stay awake with night lenses can cause discomfort. It is important to sleep for at least 8 hours with lenses. Only then will the technology work effectively and stabilize myopia. In the morning, before removing the lenses, apply moisturizing drops and gently move the lens across the eyelid to prevent it from sticking to the surface of the eye. The lens can only be removed with a special suction cup. You need to touch the lens perpendicular to the center of the lens, without exerting too much pressure, and gently pull the lens off.
At first, you need to learn how to detach the lens from the suction cup without dropping it. This is why it is necessary to have a clean tissue on the table. Next, place the lens on your palm like a cup, pour a little solution and rub it with the tip of your finger for 30 seconds. After that, place the lenses in the container, respecting the color coding of the right and left lens compartments.
This is essential as eyes can have different diopters. Usually the manufacturer colors the right and left lenses in slightly different shades, but sometimes they are completely clear. When using orthokeratologic night lenses, regular medical check-ups are necessary to rule out inflammation of the mucous membrane, injury to the corneal epithelium or incorrect positioning of the lenses. The doctor will check your vision after the first night of use, carry out a corneal topography and assess the changes produced on the corneal surface by the lens. In cases of mild myopia, the maximum effect can be seen as early as the next morning. For severe myopia, a period of several days may be needed to achieve maximum acuity. By following these rules, the use of night lenses becomes a simple daily routine, which is not time-consuming and, most importantly, safe for the user. Remember that in case of a cold it is strictly forbidden to use any contact lenses, because under the contact lens conditions are favorable for the development of viruses and bacteria, which can lead to serious inflammation of the cornea and make it impossible to use the lenses in the future.
