Not! While contact lens solution can freeze at a temperature around 30 degrees F or –1 degree C, contact lenses themselves are safe to wear during the cold weather. There are points to take note of so, here are some list of the itemized considerations, in which you may learn a thing or two.
Sunny Or Cold Weather
The sunny and cold weather could dry out your eyes, most especially if you are wearing contact lenses. While it’s called “sun” glasses, it can protect you during both weather conditions as it serves as a block against elements such as wind which is the main culprit of dry spells together with humidity. Snow glare is also one thing that it protects you from even if there’s not much sun. As it reflects rays towards your eyes, it can leave your eyes strained and blurred for a few days after prolonged exposure to it. If it’s for protective use, the ones that cover until the side where the outer cantus extends is the ideal to get. Also, choose the one that could you protection from UV rays.
Hydrogel Contact Lenses
The hydrogel contact lenses, with 38 per cent hydration, and the most commonly used, won’t freeze while worn. Thanks to the tears and corneal temperature of 35 degrees C, assuring it of warmth, even if it is 8 degrees C outside or below. You will not lose its qualities even if you are out, enjoying snow for a holiday trip or experiencing frost.
Solution Will Freeze
Contact lenses in solutions will freeze at a temperature ranging between –10 to –15 degrees C. If it does at a certain point, the frozen solution would continue to protect the lens from damage as it freezes leaving your cheap coloured contacts intact with its quality even after defrosting. However, it is better to get checked first before wearing a thawed pair again, to be sure. However, if without a solution, lenses will freeze. Although, they will dry out first probably before they are to be labelled frozen lenses. Be extra careful when you are on holiday and or travelling to a cold place as your solution might freeze along the way if the temperature is –10 degrees C all the way.
Cold Weather Decreases Cleanliness
Remember the solution must be kept at room temperature, as indicated, in every leaflet it comes within the box. Extreme weather, such as frost, may alter the solution, decreasing its cleansing capabilities and leaving your lenses insufficiently clean. But did you know that the solution for contact lenses may only get damaged if it gets exposed to extreme weather for several hours. You need not worry if you did not put it out that long, during the entire trip. Be vigilant when you also climb atop a mountain. This precaution goes the same for the hot weather.
Contact Lenses And The Wind
It becomes undeniably uncomfortable and inconvenient to wear coloured eye contacts when the wind blows strong enough to dry it out. As this happens most often during freezing temperatures or as frequent as weather changes, say when you walk in and out overheated establishments while, it is negative degrees outdoors, your eyes would more likely dry out. When this happens, moisturize with eye drops as often as you must to keep wearing the contact lenses without much disturbance.
As we know, technology nowadays is unstoppable. Still, further research may be needed, but a ‘smart contact lens’ is rising. Tohoku University could be marking history with its revolutionary invention should these wearable devices become successful overall. It runs a self-moisturizing system, maintaining a sheathe of fluid between the eye and the contact lens, described in the journal, Advanced Materials Technologies. With the use of a unique mechanism, somehow, it has massive potential, posing a possible solution for dry eye syndrome, resulting from both extreme weather conditions.
