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The Do’s and Don’ts of Contact Lens Care
The Do’s and Don’ts of Contact Lens Care: Keep Your Eyes Healthy and Your Vision Clear
Carol Rosenstiel, OD
Contact lenses offer a convenient and effective way to correct vision, but improper care can put your eye health at risk. Many people have questions about how to properly care for their lenses, and it’s crucial to clear up any misconceptions. Keeping your contacts clean is essential for maintaining good vision and healthy eyes.
So, how can you ensure you’re taking the best care of your contact lenses—and your eyes? Here are the must-know tips for every contact lens wearer:
Essential Contact Lens Care Tips
- Always Keep Your Lenses Clean
Every time you handle your contact lenses, they must be properly cleaned. If you take a lens out of your eye, you must clean it before reinserting it.
- Never Use Tap Water, Bottled Water, or Saliva
It may seem harmless, but rinsing your lenses with anything other than sterile saline or contact lens solution can introduce bacteria and harmful microorganisms that can cause serious infections.
- Fresh Solution Every Time
When storing your contacts, always use fresh solution. Never “top off” old solution in your case—dump it out and replace it with new, sterile saline or multi-purpose disinfecting solution.
- Avoid Sleeping, Showering, or Swimming in Contacts
Sleeping in your contacts (unless prescribed for extended wear) can significantly increase your risk of infection. Water from showers, pools, and lakes can introduce harmful bacteria that can lead to eye infections or even vision loss.
- Wash Your Hands Before Handling Contacts
Always wash your hands with soap and water before touching your lenses. Dry them with a lint-free towel to avoid any debris transferring onto the lenses.
- Use the “Rub and Rinse” Cleaning Method
Even if your contact lens brand claims to be “no-rub,” always use the rub-and-rinse technique. This extra step helps remove buildup and ensures a more thorough clean.
- Keep Your Contact Lens Case Clean
Your contact lens case can be a breeding ground for bacteria if not cleaned regularly. Rinse it with sterile solution and let it air dry. Replace the case every three months to reduce contamination risk.
- Follow Your Eye Doctor’s Instructions
Your eye doctor provides specific guidelines for your lenses based on your eye health and lifestyle. Always follow their recommendations for wear time, cleaning solutions, and lens replacement schedules.
Why Proper Lens Care Matters
Keeping your contact lenses clean isn’t just about comfort—it’s about protecting your eyes from infections, irritation, and long-term damage. Improper care can lead to conditions like keratitis (a painful corneal infection), dry eyes, and corneal ulcers. Additionally, wearing damaged or expired lenses can cause discomfort and even harm your vision.
Have Questions About Your Eye Health?
If you have concerns about your vision, contact lenses, or eye health, the team at TriaVision is here to help! Whether you need a contact lens fitting, an updated prescription, or expert advice on maintaining eye health, we’re just a call away.
Schedule an appointment today by calling 833-SEE-TRIA, and let’s keep your vision crystal clear!
