Wearing contact lenses is a convenient way to correct your vision, but it’s important to take proper care of your lenses to avoid eye irritation or worse, serious eye infections. Here are some tips on how to care for your contact lenses.
Wash your hands before handling your contact lenses
It is important to always wash your hands with soap and water and dry them thoroughly before handling your lenses. This will help to remove any dirt, bacteria, or other contaminants that could cause an infection.
Store your contact lenses properly
If you aren’t wearing a one-time, daily-use contact lens, it’s essential to store your contact lenses properly. Always keep your lenses in a clean case with fresh contact lens solution—do not reuse contact lens solution. Your contact lens case should also be replaced at least every three months.
Never use water to store your contact lenses. Water contains microorganisms that can contaminate your contact lenses and cause an eye infection.
Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes
Once your lenses are in, try to avoid touching or rubbing your eyes throughout the day. This can cause irritation and increase your risk of developing an infection. If you must touch your eyes, be sure to wash your hands first.
Remove your contact lenses before going to sleep
You should always remove your lenses before going to sleep. Sleeping in contact lenses overnight increases your risk of developing an eye infection. If you must wear lenses overnight, be sure to consult with your eye doctor first.
Have a “backup” pair of eyeglasses on hand
Even if you only wear contact lenses for vision correction, you should have a pair of eyeglasses on hand in case you are ill, your eyes are tired or red, you have seasonal allergies, or simply feel fatigued. It’s important to give your eyes a break from contact lenses from time to time!
Replace your contact lenses as directed by your optometrist
Even if you take good care of them, there will come a time when you need to replace your contact lenses. Follow the recommended replacement schedule for your lenses. Wearing old or damaged lenses can increase your risk of eye irritation and even a serious eye infection.
Conclusion
Contact lens wear is a convenient way to improve vision, but it’s important to take proper care of your contact lenses. Taking care of your contact lenses is important for maintaining healthy eyes and clear vision. Be sure to clean and store your lenses properly and replace them as often as recommended by your eye doctor.
If you have questions about contact lens care or safety, don’t hesitate to ask during your next contact lens exam. We can help!
