NEW NORMAL and Wearing Contact Lenses

In the situation of an epidemic, especially COVID-19, we have to adapt for survival. The most important thing is hygiene to take care of ourselves to reduce risk. There has been a warning that the ‘eyes’ are one of the channels that need special caution.

Dr. Kittikamon Wongpaisansin, an ophthalmologist at Phyathai 3 Hospital, explained that wearing contact lenses carries a risk of COVID-19 infection through 3 mechanisms, including:

1. Hands that have touched the virus then directly touch the eyes when removing or putting on contact lenses.
2. Virus from droplets, saliva, coughs, sneezes from infected people within a 1.5-meter radius landing on the contact lenses.
3. Virus entering directly through the conjunctiva of the eyes.
   The doctor gave the following advice for regular contact lens users:

5 Recommendations for Those Who Need to Wear Contact Lenses

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap for at least 20 seconds before putting on contact lenses or
• when switching to the other eye, and wash hands again after finishing putting on contact lenses. After washing hands, dry them with a clean paper towel. If using alcohol-based hand gel, wait until hands are dry before touching contact lenses or eyes. Avoid nail polish and long nails as they can harbor viruses. Use daily disposable contact lenses to minimize contamination and do not wear them past the expiration date or overnight, as this increases irritation and risk of infection.
• If using weekly or monthly contact lenses, clean them properly with standard cleaning solution, rinse with the solution, and soak for at least 6 hours without using tap water or saline.

Regarding contact lens cleaning solutions, there is a group proven to kill COVID-19, including hydrogen peroxide-based systems, but these solutions must not be introduced directly into the eyes as they can cause irritation. Multipurpose solutions popular in Thailand have no clear evidence or proof of killing the COVID-19 virus.

Contact lens cases should be cleaned with contact lens solution and dried on tissue paper. Change the soaking solution daily and replace the case more frequently. Enzyme tablets to break down protein deposits can be used once a week.

• Contact lens wearers who need to enter crowded or high-risk areas should wear protective glasses or an additional face shield that covers all sides, preferably with side coverage. Polycarbonate material offers good protection. Use single-dose artificial tears during the day.
• If experiencing cold symptoms, fever, cough, or sneezing, avoid wearing contact lenses.

How to Check Your Eyes Before Wearing Contact Lenses for Good Eye Health

• Look in the mirror before putting on contact lenses to check for redness or tearing.
• Test vision by covering one eye at a time to see if vision remains the same compared to the other eye.
• After putting on contact lenses, check for comfort. If irritation occurs, remove them immediately.

For those with vision problems, another option is laser correction of the corneal curvature called FEMTO LASIK, PRK, or Trans-PRK, which can improve quality of life and vision in the New Normal era where extra caution is necessary.