Key Takeaways
- Washing your hands frequently helps stop the spread of bacteria to your face.
- Proper contact lens hygiene helps reduce the risk of eye infections.
- Replacing pillowcases and towels regularly is an important habit.
- Personal items like makeup and eye drops shouldn’t be shared.
- A visit to an eye doctor in La Quinta can help manage uncomfortable symptoms.
You wake up and notice your eyes feel sticky and look noticeably red. A mild itch quickly turns into constant discomfort that distracts you from your morning coffee. If eye irritations pop up unexpectedly and disrupt your entire routine, you might wonder what you can do to keep your eyes clear and comfortable year-round. At Total Vision La Quinta, we’re here to provide some tips on preventing eye infections.
You can help prevent eye infections by washing your hands often, keeping contact lenses clean, and not sharing personal items. Simple daily adjustments to your hygiene routine go a long way in supporting healthy vision for your entire family.
Common Signs and Symptoms
If you have an active eye infection, you may notice a few key signs. In some cases, these issues start small before becoming harder to ignore. Red, irritated eyes can have many causes, including infections. Some symptoms that can occur with an eye infection include:
- Redness and intense itching or pain.
- Thick or sticky discharge throughout the day.
- Eyelashes that are stuck together after you wake up.
Daily Habits for Healthy Eyes
Wash Your Hands Often
Germs travel from doorknobs and keyboards straight to your fingertips, which is why hand hygiene is so important. Rinsing your fingertips under a cold faucet isn’t enough. Be sure to scrub your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
You could also use a hand sanitizer with 60 percent alcohol when a sink is unavailable. Always remember to wash your hands thoroughly before you touch your face or adjust your glasses.
Keep Hands Away From Eyes
Your natural reaction is to rub itchy or watery eyes. However, that quick rub transfers invisible germs directly to sensitive tissues.
Keeping your hands away from your face helps prevent outside bacteria or germs from getting into your eyes. Wipe any tears or debris with a clean washcloth instead of your bare fingers, and avoid rubbing your eyes.
Proper Contact Lens Care
Clean Your Lenses Daily
Contact lenses sit directly on your eye from morning until night. They can collect tiny pieces of dust from the wind and proteins from your own tears. Proper cleaning helps maintain comfortable vision.
Follow these contact lens care tips:
- Follow the exact daily care instructions provided by your eye doctor.
- Always take out your contact lenses before you go to sleep.
- Keep your lenses away from water, including pools or showering, and never store or rinse your lenses in water.
- Throw away disposable lenses right on schedule instead of stretching their use.
Replace Your Storage Case
A clean lens inside a dirty case defeats the entire purpose of your hygiene routine. Germs can easily build up inside the tiny plastic wells over time.
A fresh case helps keep your lenses ready for wear, so make sure to:
- Get a brand new storage case every 3 months, or as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Fill the clean case with fresh solution every single time you store your contacts.
- Never top off old solution.
Personal Items to Keep Private
Wash Pillows and Towels
You rest your face on your pillow for several hours every single night. That fabric absorbs sweat and oils while you sleep, so it’s a good idea to wash your pillowcase regularly in hot water. Towels can also hold onto lots of germs, so make sure to wash them frequently and avoid sharing them with others.
Don’t Share Your Makeup
Makeup sits right on the edge of your eyelids. Sharing these products means sharing whatever germs happen to live on the applicator wand. Avoid sharing any products that touch your face, including mascara, makeup brushes, and eyeliner. It’s also a good idea to replace your eye makeup after you recover from an infection to avoid getting sick again.
When to See an Eye Doctor in La Quinta
Sometimes home care isn’t enough to clear up red, irritated eyes. Persistent discomfort requires a closer look from an experienced professional. If your symptoms persist or worsen, it’s a good idea to schedule an eye exam with our team so we can assess your eyes and determine what may be happening.
If you wear contact lenses and develop eye pain, significant redness, light sensitivity or blurred vision, remove your lenses and contact an eye care professional promptly.
Schedule Your Eye Exam
Total Vision La Quinta is here to support your family with comprehensive care. Our eye doctor in La Quinta can help you manage uncomfortable symptoms and support your long-term vision. If you think you may have an eye infection that won’t go away, we recommend booking an appointment.
