If you enjoy cooking up a storm while wearing contact lenses, you might have wondered how the heat, steam and strong odours in the kitchen can affect your eyes. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or an enthusiastic home cook, cooking in contact lenses can raise some common concerns. The good news? With the right precautions and hygiene practices, you can safely and comfortably wear your lenses while cooking with gusto.
In this blog, we’ll explore the potential challenges of cooking in contact lenses, share practical tips to help you avoid eye irritation and highlight why daysoft’s daily disposable contact lenses are the perfect option for kitchen enthusiasts. Bon appetit!
Can you cook in contact lenses?
Absolutely! Cooking while wearing contact lenses is perfectly safe when you follow a few simple guidelines. The kitchen environment can present some risks for lens wearers – think of the heat from the stove, steam rising from a boiling pot or even chopping pungent onions – but these issues are easily managed with the right care and attention.
Let’s break down some common concerns and how to handle them.
1. Heat and steam: a recipe for dry eyes?
One of the most frequent worries about cooking in contact lenses is the heat. When you’re standing over a hot stove or opening the oven door, the warmth can cause your lenses to dry out. Steam, in particular, can create a temporary clouding effect on your lenses, making it difficult to see clearly and leaving your eyes feeling dry or irritated.
Tips for avoiding dryness and steam irritation
- Blink often. It might sound simple, but blinking keeps your eyes lubricated, preventing lenses from drying out.
- Use artificial tears. If you’re prone to dry eyes, keep preservative-free artificial tears nearby. A few drops can help refresh your lenses during long cooking sessions.
- Stand back from steam. When opening a pot or oven door, step back to avoid the steam hitting your face directly. Not only will this protect your eyes, but it’s also safer when handling hot food!
- Ventilation is key. Turn on the exhaust fan or open a window while cooking to keep the kitchen air circulating and minimise heat and steam build-up.
- Use a humidifier. If you frequently cook in a dry environment, consider using a humidifier to add moisture to the air, which can help keep your eyes from drying out.
2. Strong odours and irritants: how to avoid the tears
Chopping onions or cooking with strong spices can send your tear ducts into overdrive, which may make you uncomfortable if you’re wearing lenses. Irritants from the air can also settle on your lenses, causing discomfort or irritation.
Tips for dealing with strong odours
- Wear onion goggles. Yes, they exist! If chopping onions tends to make your eyes water, you can wear specialised goggles to protect your eyes from the fumes.
- Chop onions in water. A handy trick is to chop onions under running water or close to the sink to reduce the release of tear-inducing chemicals into the air.
- Wear your lenses after chopping. If you know you’re about to deal with a strong-smelling ingredient, try to do the prep work first, wash your hands thoroughly and then insert your lenses.
- Be cautious with spices. Spices like chilli or pepper can easily get on your hands and irritate your eyes. Be extra careful when handling spicy ingredients and avoid touching your lenses afterward.
3. Eye hygiene: keeping your lenses clean in the kitchen
The kitchen is full of contaminants – think oil splashes, dust from flour or seasoning particles – that can stick to your hands and accidentally get transferred to your eyes. Proper hygiene is crucial for preventing irritation and keeping your contact lenses clean.
Tips for maintaining eye hygiene while cooking
- Wash your hands thoroughly. Always wash your hands before touching your eyes or handling your lenses. Make sure to rinse off any soap or food residue completely.
- Avoid touching your eyes. Cooking can sometimes get messy, and it’s tempting to rub your eyes if they start to itch. Resist the urge to touch your face unless you’ve washed your hands.
- Keep your glasses nearby. If you’re cooking something particularly messy or prone to splashing, wear your glasses while prepping and switch to your lenses after cleanup.
Why daysoft daily disposables are perfect for cooking
When it comes to maintaining eye hygiene and comfort in the kitchen, daysoft’s daily disposable contact lenses are a game-changer. Here’s why:
Fresh lenses every day
With daily disposables, you get a new, sterile pair of lenses every day. This eliminates the need for cleaning solutions and minimises the risk of contamination from cooking-related irritants.
Convenient and hassle-free
After a long day in the kitchen, the last thing you want to do is clean and store your lenses. Simply toss your used lenses and enjoy the convenience of a fresh pair the next morning.
Comfortable and breathable
daysoft lenses are designed with your comfort in mind. Their breathable material helps keep your eyes hydrated, even in challenging environments like a hot, steamy kitchen. Read about why daysoft is the most comfortable option.
Affordable and eco-friendly
Not only are daysoft lenses cost-effective – discover why we provide the best-value daily disposable contact lenses – but their packaging is also designed to reduce waste, making them a great choice for environmentally conscious cooks. Learn about daysoft’s commitment to sustainability.
Enjoy cooking with confidence
Cooking in contact lenses doesn’t have to be a challenge. By following these simple tips, you can continue creating delicious meals without any discomfort:
- blink often
- stand back from steam
- practice proper eye hygiene
- choose the right lenses like daysoft daily disposable contact lenses.
Cooking should be an enjoyable experience and, with the right precautions, you and your eyes can remain happy and healthy in the kitchen. So, slip in your lenses, tie on your apron and get cooking with confidence!
Ready to try daysoft’s daily disposables and find out how they can help keep your eyes comfortable in the kitchen and beyond? Explore our range.
