Health Tips for March 10

Health Tip: Safe Use of Contact Lenses

It can be difficult to see that cosmetics and contact lenses may not mix, especially if the cosmetics are misapplied. The University of Virginia Health System offers these suggestions for contact lens wearers who use makeup: Always wash your hands before putting contact lenses in or taking them out. Keep cosmetic brushes and other tools clean. Invest in hypoallergenic cosmetics without fragrance, sparkle, glitter or anything else that may contain irritants such as crushed oyster shell or tinsel. Put lenses in first, then put on your cosmetics. Never wear someone else's makeup, or let anyone else borrow yours. Never re-use an old mascara applicator. Be careful to keep creams and powders out of your eyes. Skip makeup when your eyes are irritated, infected, swollen or red. Health Tip: Eye Health for Diabetics Fluctuating blood sugar levels can affect diabetics' vision and eye health, so it's important to heed any warning signs of eye problems. If you're diabetic and have any of these symptoms, the American Diabetes Association says it's time to get them checked by your eye doctor: Blurred or double vision. Pain in one or both eyes. Difficulty reading. Persistent redness of the eyes. Difficulty seeing from the sides of your eyes. A sensation of pressure in one or both eyes. Seeing spots or floaters. If straight lines or objects look crooked.