Articles

Wearing Contact Lenses

So, you’ve made the switch from wearing glasses to the ease of inserting a small lens into your eye every day, contact lenses. This switch probably made life a little easier, putting on your football helmet or maybe changing the appearance of your eye color.

Contact lenses are considered medical devices that are worn directly on the eye to help correct your vision. They are obtained by visiting your optometrist for a contact lens exam (which is different from a comprehensive eye exam, make sure you mention to your eye doctor if you are interested in trying contact lenses). As a contact lens wearer, there is also a profound level of responsibility to maintain the health of your eyes. Here are a few facts about contact lenses:

  • 45% of people wear lenses longer than they are supposed to
  • 33% are guilty of sleeping in their lenses

  • 35% of contact lenses wearers don’t wash their hands before applying the lenses

  • 53% of consumers who wear decorative lenses purchase them illegally

All of these unhealthy habits can lead to bacterial infections that can leave scars on your eye and can even lead to vision loss if not corrected immediately! To steer yourself clear of those risk, here are some reminders about taking care of your contact lenses and first and foremost, your eyes:

  • Always wash your hands before handling contact lenses; if you have acrylic nails, never use your nails, always use your fingertips!
  • Always replace your contact lens cases every 3 months and make sure to store them dry when not in use
  • Never put your lenses in your mouth or use tap water. Carry a small lens solution in your backpack, gym bag, or locker for emergencies. Most stores now carry inexpensive travel sizes suitable for emergencies
  • Never use the same solution from the night before, always dump out the old solution and replace with a fresh solution
  • Never sleep or swim with your contact lenses
  • Make sure to follow the replacement schedule; most contact lenses are discarded monthly, every two-weeks or daily. Make sure you know your replacement schedule approved by your eye doctor
  • Always remove your makeup each night to keep your eyes healthy for next day wear
  • Don’t forget about your old glasses! Always have them accessible and repaired (if need be) to act as a back-up pair when your eyes need a break, or an infection or discomfort occur
  • Don’t buy contact lenses without a prescription during the Halloween season, fitting contact lenses generally take more than one visit and are done by eye doctors. Skipping this can cause more harm to the eye if the contact lens is not fitted properly.

Wearing contact lenses has many benefits that can help everyone in their everyday lives. The use of contact lenses also gives your eyes and eyelids even more protection because you can now wear sunglasses to avoid the harmful sun rays in your region.

Remember, if you ever experience eye discomfort, a lot of tearing, vision changes, or redness that does not go away after a few hours, contact your optometrist right away!

For more information about contact lenses visit the American Optometric Association. Also learn more about Contact Lens Health Week here.

Acknowledgement: Kaydee L. McCray (Navajo), MSMS, Doctor of Optometry Candidate at Western University of Health Sciences

Does Size Really Matter?

As a teenager, we’re all consumed with similar worries. From wanting to...

Preparing for Your Driver’s Test

Getting your driver’s license is an exciting and life-changing experience! There is...

Anatomy: Assigned Sex at Birth (Male)

How to Help a Friend Who Drank Too Much

Being around a friend who drank too much can be scary, especially...

How to Face Your Bully When You Go Back to School

Going back to school after a break, whether summer or Christmas, can...

Seven Generations

Young American Indian men, especially in the Northern Plains, face a greater...

Establishing Healthy Boundaries with Family

Family relationships can be beautiful but tricky to navigate at times. Learning...

Ways to Help a Friend Who is Being Bullied

Bullying is never fun or funny, especially when it’s happening to a...

Anatomy: Assigned Sex at Birth (Female)

Stocking Your Pantry: A Guide to Pantry Necessities

Whether you’re new to cooking or just moved into your own place,...

Financial Aid – Getting Money for College

Going to college can be expensive, but financial aid and scholarships can...

Does Breast Size Really Matter?

What Does Disability Really Mean?

How Do You Define Disability? “Disability” can mean different things to different...

Heads Up: Sex Must Start with Consent

The idea of having sex can be both exciting and nerve-wracking! You...

I Strengthen My Nation: Sierra

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), in partnership with We R...

How to Swap in Healthier Foods for Junk Food

With our busy schedules, from school to sports to work, it can...

How to Access Free or Low-Cost Birth Control

When it comes to birth control, there are many different options available...

I Strengthen My Nation: Caitlin

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), in partnership with We R...

My Abortion Story

Acknowledgment: We R Native would like to thank the author for sharing...

Tips for Teens with Diabetes

Diabetes can happen to anyone at any age.   Type 1 diabetes (T1D)...

Sexual Orientation: A Spectrum Of Attraction

How to Stay Safe from COVID-19

Going to school in person can be super fun. You get to...

How to Protect Yourself from the Flu

The fall season is an exciting time! There are fun activities to...

Sex Assigned at Birth and Gender Identity: What Is The Difference?

What is Roe v. Wade?

You might have heard about Roe v. Wade being “overturned.” This article...

How To Prepare for Your First Date

First dates can be both exciting and nerve-racking, whether it’s your first...

Sexual Orientations Explained: Lesbian, Gay, Heterosexual and Bisexual

HPV Vaccine

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections...

Real Talk About Sexual Pleasure

Sexual pleasure comes from understanding how your body works and what feels...

Becoming Jane Doe

Alara, an Athabaskan and Tlingit transwoman, found her gender identity through drag....

Thinking About Having Sex

It’s important that you think through your decision to have sex with...

Wait what?! That’s what you do with lube?

A little-known fact is that lube can be a real game-changer when...

There’s Heart Here

Roller derby champion. Activist. Cyclist. Follow three indigenous members of the Two...

Sex 101

People define “sex” in different ways. The dictionary defines it as “sexually...

Oral Sex

Oral sex is using one’s mouth to stimulate a partner’s genitals. Just...

Saying Yes or No: What Is Consent?

Protecting Yourself During Oral Sex

It is possible to get HIV and other STDs during oral sex...

Protecting Yourself During Anal Sex

Anal sex involves inserting one partner’۪s penis into another partner’۪s anus. It...

Consent And Communication

Protecting Yourself During Vaginal Sex

Vaginal sex happens when a partner’s penis is inserted into another partner’s...

Withdrawal – Pulling Out

Withdrawal is when the man pulls his penis out of the vagina...

Consent Explained: What Is It?

The Real Story about Dental Dams

Giving and receiving oral sex can be fun and feel good. But...

Internal Condom Instructions

***Remember to always check the expiration date and package of any condom...

Top Signs Boys are in Puberty

How to Use an External (Male) Condom

If you choose to have sex, condoms can protect you and your...

Top 10 Sex Myths

MYTH #10: If I use birth control, I don’t need to worry...

Top Signs Girls are in Puberty

I Don’t Have Health Insurance – Now What?

There are plenty of reasons why you might not have health insurance....

Take Notes: How to Not Misgender Your New Friend Crush

Understanding Pronouns & Misgendering Misgendering is when you refer to someone using...

Taking Care of Your Body During Puberty

Tips for Saving

So, you’re thinking about getting that car you’ve been eyeing, or you...

How to Stay Safe When Traveling

Whether you’re going somewhere a couple of hours away or outside the...

Puberty: What Is Doctor Confidentiality?

History of the Sterilization of Native Women

It is no secret that the federal government has tried for centuries...

How to Use Ride Sharing Services Safely

Rideshare services, like Uber and Lyft, are good options when walking or...

Accessing Sexual Health Care for Minors

Getting a Career in STEM

The fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (or STEM) are incredibly...

Condom Shopping Guide

Get the facts!

Bodies: Different Shapes and Sizes. All Beautiful!

How to Stay Connected with Old Friends

A major part of growing up is experiencing new things in life....

Opening a Bank Account

Are you starting your first job? Going to college soon? Or just...

Does Penis Size Really Matter?

Safer Chest Compression Brands

New to chest binding or been doing it for years? The retailers...

Chest Binding 101

Chest binding is a way to create a flatter chest using undergarments...

Menstruation: What To Expect

Healthy Habits for Chest Bindings

Whether you’re new to chest binding or have been doing it for...

Establishing Healthy Boundaries with Your Significant Other

Whether you’re at the start of a new relationship or in the...

Period Hygiene: Tampons, Pads and Menstrual Cups

Why Medical Racism = Genocide

Racism is real. It influences all aspects of our lives, including whose...

What I Love About My Indigenous Features

As an Indigenous adult, I want to do everything I can to...

How the Boner Grows

How to Study Effectively

When you think of studying, you might feel a sense of dread....

Best Studying Hacks

For many of us studying is on the top of our to-do...

All About Getting Your Period

Being a Strong Indigenous Leader

Indigenous leadership is a hot topic these days. The truth is that...

Our Stories Connect Us to Place and People

Indigenous people have always been some of the best storytellers, and recently...

Masturbation: Totally Normal

6 Anthems by Queer and Two-Spirit Indigenous Artists to Pump You Up

Music is powerful medicine – especially when it’s coming from people who...

Humor is Sexy (Sometimes)

There are many qualities that can make someone sexy or attractive. Physical...

Puberty and Finding Out Who You Are

Real Talk About Getting What You Need From Your Boo

In a healthy relationship, we should be appreciated, listened to, and have...

Level Up Your Self-Love Game

We’ve all heard the phrase “love yourself.” But, what does loving yourself...

The Plants of Your Place

Environmental Change and Our Mental Health

As Indigenous people, we know that connecting to our land is connecting...

When and How to Quit a Job

If you have a job, you’ve probably dreaded going in at least...

Culture is Prevention

Types of Abortion

Abortion is a safe and effective medical procedure that ends a pregnancy.  ...

Tips for Forming Deeper Relationships

Relationships, whether they are romantic or platonic, impact our daily lives.  This...

Culture is Prevention – Sarah

What I Love About My Body

When I was a teenager there was little to no information about...

Who is Deer Woman from Reservation Dogs?

In “Come and Get Your Love” (Season 1, Episode 5) of the...

BRAVE: Episode 7

Staying Balanced in College

Keeping a healthy balance between life, school, and work is what everyone...

Talking to Your Partner About Protection

The thought of talking to a partner about sex makes a lot...

BRAVE: Episode 6

Abstinence

Abstinence means not having sex (that means NO vaginal, oral, or anal...

Condoms 101

If you are having sex, condoms are the only method that provides...

BRAVE: Episode 5

Emergency Contraception: The Morning After Pill

Emergency contraception is a special type of oral contraceptive that can be...

Dual Method

Many people, who have vagina-penis sex, use dual protection. Dual protection means:...

Brave: Episode 4

The Shot – Depo

The Shot, or Depo- Provera®, contains a large dose of a progestin...

Pill, Patch or Ring

What is it and how does it work to prevent pregnancy? Hormones...

BRAVE: Episode 3

Sponge

The Sponge is a soft plastic (polyurethane) sponge that is worn in...

Fertility Awareness: Rhythm Method

How does it work to prevent pregnancy? A woman identifies the days...

BRAVE: Episode 2

Sterilization

For women sterilization includes a surgical procedure that permanently blocks her fallopian...

6 Tips for Applying for Scholarships

Applying to scholarships for college, graduate school, or even summer programs can...

BRAVE: Episode 1

How Dancing can Teach you to Love your Body

When it comes to our bodies, dancing can provide confidence and a...

Using Culture to Cope with COVID

COVID has brought more than just physical illness to our communities. It’s...

Sunhawk / Managing Stress

Weird (but normal) Body Facts

Our bodies are amazing and house many secrets! Are you curious to...

6 Questions to Help You Find the Right Birth Control for You

Are you curious about what birth control options are out there? Here...

Olivia / Keeping It All Inside

How to Navigate Health Insurance

Medical visits and procedures, like x-rays, can be expensive. That is why...

PSA This Relationship Advice is Actually Genius

Relationships – whether they are with our family members, friends, or significant...

Nadira / Reaching Out for Help at College

How to Stay Safe on Social Media

Like many things in life, social media can be used for good...

How to Pick the Right College For You

Deciding to go to college is a big decision and one that...

Maiya / Dealing with Anxiety Attacks

How to Lease Your First Apartment

6 Tips for Renting Your First Apartment  On the lookout for your...

Connecting to Our Land is Connecting to Our Culture

Our relationship with the land is a huge part of our culture...

Kennedy / Seeing Kindness

How to Expand Your Networks

Have you ever heard the saying, “It doesn’t matter what you know,...

Native Women Just Can’t Anymore

Sex can be fun and empowering. However, some of us – especially...

Kaytlynn / Combatting Stressors

What’s PrEP

PrEP makes preventing HIV easy. But, what is PrEP, and who is...

How to Make Peace With Your Body

Just like plants need sunshine, nutrients, water, and connection to other beings...

Jowun / Self-Care For Me

Shutting Down Slut Shamers

Enjoying sex or openly expressing your sexuality doesn’t make you a “slut.”...

What you Need to know about your Vagina and Vulva

Have you ever looked at your body and wondered, “Is this normal?”...

Isis / School Stressors

Access to Abortion

The overturning of Roe v. Wade has caused concern about safe access...

How to Use the Pill

The birth control pill (“the pill”) is simple to use and can...

Aurora / Connection

Getting Tested for HIV

If you’re thinking about getting tested for HIV, it’s normal to have...

Here’s What You Should Know About Body Sovereignty

You may have heard that Tribal Nations have sovereignty. This means that...

Ashley / Self-Care Looks Different For Everyone

Why is fentanyl dangerous?

Everyone is talking about fentanyl, and for good reason; it’s more common...

Tribal Sovereignty is Everything

Tribal sovereignty is important to who we are as Indigenous people, but...

#Indigilove Recap Video

An Advocate Within

Advice from a Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Member Working in Congress...

The Land & Ancestral Wellness Wisdom

Much of our knowledge as Indigenous people comes from the land: our...

Siletz DVPI PSA

Be The Change: Tips for Being an Advocate in Your Tribal Community

Getting involved in local politics and advocating to your tribal government is...

Self-Love Made Me Do It

When a candle is lit, the fire comes from another source- whether...

MMIWG (Murdered Missing Indigenous Women and Girls)

Why would the spirits of Native Americans visit me every night as a child? Every night before my parents moved us they came from my closet and would surround my bed and touch my ears or my mouth. They looked as real to me as my parents. Why???

see answer

Find Us

Follow Us

Enter Phone Number to Subscribe:

Msg & Data Rates May Apply.
Text STOP to opt out. No purchase necessary.
Expect 4 msgs/mo.Terms and Conditions

Menu