There is a lot of false information surrounding contact lenses, so you need to contact reputable sources to ensure what you’re hearing is accurate and true. Some people believe that contacts can melt if you wear them too long in the sun, while others think that lenses can get stuck behind their eyes. These are just two examples of rumours surrounding contacts, and if you’ve ever heard that you cannot cook while wearing contact lenses, you’ll be happy to know that this, too, is false. While you may face a few challenges, you can absolutely cook while wearing contacts, so don’t let this rumour scare you out of the kitchen.
Some people think it’s unsafe to cook while wearing contact lenses because they believe their contacts will melt if they were to look at something hot like their stove, for example. The good news is that this cannot happen, so you can cook with peace of mind knowing you and your contacts are safe. The reality is that a temperature that is high enough to melt your contacts would already be giving you severe burns before affecting your contacts, so don’t fall for this rumour because it is perfectly fine and safe to wear contact lenses while cooking.
While your contacts will not melt, you may come across a few unique challenges, and if you’re cooking with onions, you will shed some tears. It’s common knowledge that cutting onions will make you cry, but the process is a lot more annoying while wearing contacts because the added liquid in your eye can make your contacts looser. You won’t experience any lasting damage, but your contacts may fall out, so don’t be alarmed if this happens. It’s also important to note that the urge to rub your eyes will be much stronger with contacts in, so you have to be very careful and must stop yourself from doing this regardless of how irresistible the urge may be.
Certain things that are already irritating to your eyes may be even worse when wearing contacts, so make sure you wash your hands after cooking with spicy foods, pepper and other ingredients that can get into your eyes. Never rub your eyes while cooking, and if you feel any sort of irritation, wash your hands and remove your contacts right away.
Cooking with contacts is not any different than cooking without them, and if you cook safely and properly, your contacts will be perfectly fine. If you love to cook, you don’t have to worry about contacts, so don’t let this be a concern.
If you have questions regarding contact lenses, Orangeville Optometric Centre can help. Whether you need an eye exam, eyeglass frames, laser eye surgery or an eye test, our optometrists can help. If you are in the Orangeville area, contact us for all of your eye care needs today!
