Contact Lenses and COVID-19: 5 Important Facts You Should Know

If you’ve been using contact lenses, you may be concerned how COVID-19 would impact your eye care needs. After all, unlike eyeglasses, contacts come in direct contact with the eyes. In today’s post, the eye care specialists at Six One Six Vision Center share important facts you should know about using contact lenses in the time of COVID-19.

1. Contact Lenses Themselves Will Not Give You COVID-19 — Contact lenses are no more likely to give you COVID-19 than any other item you’re wearing. What may lead to infection is handling the lenses without cleaning your hands first. Practicing good hygiene and avoiding touching your face and eyes when inserting and removing lenses can help reduce risks of infection.

2. Exercise Proper Hand Washing — Wash your hands carefully and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, then dry your hands with clean paper towels. If you do not have access to soap and water, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

3. You Can Keep Your Prescription Up to Date — Eye care centers like us are working to provide eye care services even during these times. You should be able to make an appointment with your eye doctor if your prescription is nearing expiration, or if you need help with your other eye care needs. We at Six One Six Vision Center have made changes to our procedures, such as utilizing mostly-electronic documentation and curbside pickups, to help ensure your safety.

4. Disinfect or Dispose of Contact Lenses — Dispose of your daily disposable contact lenses, or set a reminder to regularly clean your monthly or two-week lenses as instructed by the manufacturer or your optometrist.

5. Discontinue Wearing Contact Lenses if Sick — As with recommendations for other types of illnesses, discontinue wearing contact lenses if you feel ill with cold or flu-like symptoms. Per CDC guidelines, stay at home in a specific room, and call your doctor if you have symptoms associated with COVID-19.

Six One Six Vision Center continues to be open while practicing safe social distancing recommendations. Our office is open by appointment only, so if you need an optometrist or for your other eye care needs, give us a call at (208) 514-1858 or fill out our contact form. We serve clients in Eagle and Meridian, Idaho, as well as surrounding communities.