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SHORT STUFF
Sounding the Alarm on Improper Contact Lens Use
By Adam Pope
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Adults of all ages and some older children are contact lens wearers. All eye doctors train you when you get contacts, but how many of us adhere to that training?
Optometrists with the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences are answering questions to help save one’s sight and know the do’s and don’ts of proper contact lens use.
What kinds of issues/consequences can occur if contact lenses and cases are not used or cleaned properly? “Improper use or cleaning of contact lenses can have serious repercussions for the health of the eye,” says Carrie Smith, O.D., an optometrist at the UAB Callahan Eye Pelham Clinic. Smith recommends not sleeping in contacts, not wearing lenses past the appropriate replacement schedule, and not swimming or showering in lenses. She also says not washing hands before handling contacts can increase the risk of contact lens-related infections. At the very least, these infections are painful and require treatment; but if severe, they can result in permanent vision loss.
What is the best way to maintain clean contacts/contact cases for those with biweekly or monthly contact lenses? “Always make sure to remove and clean contact lenses daily, wash and dry hands thoroughly prior to handling lenses, and only use fresh contact lens solutions and a clean contact lens case for storage,” Smith says. “Also, consider switching to a hydrogen peroxide-based contact lens cleaning system a few nights per week to keep lenses cleaner and feeling their best.”
Is water safe to use for cleaning contacts? “It is never safe to use water, homemade cleaning solutions or non-sterile solutions with your contact lenses,” Smith says. “Allowing your contacts to come into contact with water and non-approved solutions will not only cause contacts to be uncomfortable but will also increase the risk of eye infection.”
Smith says that even though water may look clean, there are germs lurking in water sources that can be harmful to the eye. Of particular concern is a condition known as Acanthamoeba keratitis, which is a rare but serious eye infection that can result from water contamination in contact lens wearers. “It can lead to permanent damage to the cornea and vision loss, so it’s best to play it safe,” she says.
How safe is reusing old solution? “While it may be tempting to ‘top off’ old solution instead of replacing it every day, you definitely shouldn’t,” Smith says. “Over time, used contact lens solutions and cases can become a breeding ground for germs.”
Contact lens wearers should dispose of used solution daily, rinse the case with fresh solution, and allow the case to air-dry upside down on a clean tissue. Contact lens cases should be replaced every three months, even if they look clean, as germs can build up in your case over time.
New Picture Book Helps Soon-To-Be Parents Prepare their Pets for a Baby
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When you’re a mama to fur babies, it can be tricky when an actual baby comes into the mix.
Think about it. Your new bundle of joy smells, sounds and moves like nothing your pet has ever seen before. And suddenly this strange, loud baby is taking up all your time and attention. And safety is a big factor in the mix, as well.
Rescue volunteer and new mom, Kara Venus, has created a delightful, vividly illustrated picture book, Harper and her Dogs: A tale about introducing your fur babies to your new baby that tackles this vexing problem. A family of four – two parents and two dogs – is about to welcome a new addition. But the parents worry their four-legged loves won’t be too thrilled to live with a new baby – a girl named Harper. This is every dog owner’s fear: How will our beloved pets adjust to a newborn?
The unique, realistic book gives soon-to-be parents important suggestions about how to prepare their dogs for this life-changing event. For example, it’s important to introduce fur-babies to the new baby’s sounds and equipment. That way, the dog can become familiar with some of the changes long before the baby arrives.
In Harper’s story, the dogs adjust beautifully, protecting, playing, and cleaning up after Harper. The dogs and Harper eventually become best friends.
The book includes these tips:
»Freshen up on dog training. If the dog has never been to obedience school, it’s time to get an education. They need to learn to listen to commands, starting with simple ones like sit and stay.
»Prepare your pet for new sights and sounds. Turn on the infant swing, put up baby gates around the house and go for walks with the stroller. Play baby sounds like crying and cooing.
»Set boundaries. Let your dog become familiar with the new things, but also teach them boundaries. The bassinet and crib are off limits.
»Set in place new routines before baby comes. If your pets have certain routines that you would like to shift, do so before baby arrives.
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