What is an important aspect of patient education regarding contact lenses?

Proper hygiene and care of contact lenses is a critical aspect of patient education because it directly impacts the health and safety of the patient's eyes. Educating patients on how to clean, store, and handle their lenses can help prevent infections, corneal ulcers, and other serious complications that can arise from poor lens care practices. This includes emphasizing the importance of washing hands before touching lenses, regularly replacing contact lens solution, and not wearing lenses longer than recommended.

While choosing the right brand of lenses is important, it is secondary to ensuring that patients understand how to maintain the lenses they have. Wearing contact lenses for longer periods than recommended or using over-the-counter eye drops without proper guidance can lead to discomfort and eye health issues. Therefore, consistent education on proper hygiene and care is essential for preserving the patient's ocular health while using contact lenses.