b'ADVERTORIALHEALTHY AGINGNew toContact Lenses? Start With These Eye-Healthy Habitsby RYAN PEARDON, O.D.C lenses, when2. Avoid water nea. Lack of oxygenation to the cornea ontact usedproperly,areSwimming and showering while wearingsignals your body to grow new blood ves-asafeandeffectiveyour contact lenses can have drastic con- sels within the cornea, which can obscure methodtoprovidesequences, potentially leading to perma- vision. (*You should only sleep in contact goodvisionforthosenently reduced vision. The wear of con- lensesiftheyarespecificallymadefor whorequirevisiontact lenses can cause microtrauma to thesleeping in such as certain specialty con-correction.However,RYAN PEARDON, O.D. outer surface of the clear front of the eye,tact lenses and your optometrist has di-poorcompliancecanthecornea.Thesemicrotraumaspres- rectly told you to sleep in them). wreak havoc on your eyes and vision. Hereent an opportunity for infections as mostThe key to having a long relationship with aresometipstoprotectyoureyesandwater is not germ-free. Additionally, youyour contacts is to develop healthy contact maximize your vision with contact lenses: should avoid rinsing your contact lenseslens habits early on. However, if you are a 1. Follow your replacement schedule with water as this can contaminate yourlongtimecontactlenswearer,itisnever Allcontactlensesareapprovedbythelenses and cause them to harbor bacteria. too late to implement healthy habits. If you 3. Do not sleep with your contact lenseshave questions about your contact lenses or FoodandDrugAdministrationforap-propriate lengths of wear and when theyin* ways to keep your eyes safe while wearing shouldbereplaced.Wearingyourcon- The cornea receives most of its oxygencontact lenses, contact your eye care pro-tact lenses beyond these approved peri- from the surrounding air while the eye isvider. ods can compromise their integrity andopen. When your eyes are closed whileOurteamofdoctorsatEyeSpecialistsof possiblyleadtoirritationorinfection.sleeping,theamountofoxygenthatMid-Florida will gladly assist you with any of Contact your eye care provider if you arereaches your eye is already reduced. Con- your vision needs. We have several locations unsure of the appropriate wear scheduletact lens wear adds an additional barrierto serve you better; contact us at 800-282-and when you should replace them. preventing oxygen from reaching the cor- 3937 or EYESFL.COM. This column is sponsored by Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida, and the opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of CFHN or of its advertisers. Dr. Ryan Peardon is a board-certified optometrist who sees patients at the Lake Wales and Winter Haven locations for Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida. He specializes in primary care optometry and contact lenses and is currently accepting new patients.centralfloridahealthnews.com CFHN | 21'