Comfort Tips for Contact Wearers

Summertime can bring special problems for people who wear contact lenses, particularly in Southern California where the air is dry and the sky is smoggy.

“The environmental effects on contact lenses may be greater in the summer,” said Dr. Rodger Kame, a Los Angeles optometrist and associate professor of optometry at the Southern California College of Optometry, Fullerton. Moving from intense summer heat outdoors to an air-conditioned indoors can dry out lenses, for instance.

But there are steps lens wearers can take to keep their lenses comfortable on even the hottest and haziest days of summer.

Soft lens wearers might consider an enzyme cleaner on their lenses twice a week instead of just once, said Dr. Joe Vehige, an optometrist and spokesman for Allergan Inc., an Irvine-based contact lens manufacturer.

Most eye-care experts also recommend removing contact lenses while swimming. That not only reduces the risk of losing the lens, but also of contracting waterborne bacterial infections.

If lens removal is not feasible, goggles are a good alternative, said Kame and Vehige. The best goggles are not necessarily the most expensive, said Vehige. The most important consideration, he said, is how snugly the goggles fit around the eyes.

But even with well-fitting goggles, swimmers should not dive deeper than six feet to avoid dislodging both goggles and lenses, said Vehige. Removing and disinfecting lenses after a swim will further reduce the risk of eye infection, experts said.

Sunglasses are another good investment for lens wearers. “Wearing sunglasses, particularly the wrap-around style, will act as a wind buffer and keep eyes from drying out,” Vehige said.

Artificial tears, available over-the-counter, can help keep eyes moist. “Be sure the tears you buy are suitable for the type of lenses you wear,” Vehige said. Labels specify use for soft or hard lenses.

“When traveling, especially internationally, it’s a good idea to take along enough lens care products to last the entire trip,” Vehige said. “Some products are not available abroad. And remember to pack your spare pair of lenses.”