Contact lenses are a convenient way to correct your vision, but proper care is critical to keeping your eyes healthy and avoiding infections. Here’s a quick guide to the 7 most important tips for safe and effective lens use:
- Wash and dry your hands before touching your lenses to prevent bacteria transfer.
- Use the right cleaning solution – never water or saliva – and follow your eye doctor’s recommendations.
- Clean and disinfect lenses properly, using fresh solution every time.
- Replace lenses and cases on schedule to minimize bacteria buildup.
- Keep lenses away from water, including tap water, pools, and hot tubs.
- Don’t sleep in lenses unless specifically prescribed for overnight use.
- Schedule regular eye exams to ensure your lenses fit well and your eyes stay healthy.
1. Wash and Dry Your Hands Before Handling Lenses
Hygiene Practices
Your hands come into contact with bacteria, oils, and debris throughout the day, even if they look clean. These can easily transfer to your lenses and potentially cause infections. To minimize this risk, washing your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds is essential. This simple habit is the first step in ensuring safe lens handling and keeping your eyes healthy.
Use warm water and antibacterial soap to clean your hands. Pay special attention to your fingertips and the area under your nails, as these spots often trap dirt and bacteria. Avoid soaps with strong fragrances, moisturizers, or oils, as they can leave behind residues that might transfer to your lenses.
After washing, dry your hands completely with a lint-free towel or paper towel. Paper towels are a great choice since they don’t leave fibers that could stick to your lenses. Remember, handling lenses with damp hands increases the risk of transferring bacteria.
Safe Usage Guidelines
Make it a strict rule to wash your hands every time you insert, remove, or adjust your lenses. Keep your nails trimmed to avoid scratching your lenses or trapping dirt. If soap and water aren’t available, hand sanitizer can be a temporary substitute, but prioritize washing with soap whenever possible.
Contact lens habits you NEED to have | Optometrist Explains
2. Use Only Recommended Contact Lens Solutions
Once you’ve handled your lenses correctly, the next crucial step is choosing the right cleaning solution.
Proper Cleaning and Storage
Stick to the cleaning solutions recommended by your eye care provider. These products are specifically designed to clean, disinfect, and store your lenses while protecting both their quality and your eye health. For soft contact lenses, multipurpose solutions are a popular option since they handle all three tasks in one bottle. However, your provider might suggest a particular brand or type tailored to your lens material or specific needs.
Avoid using tap water, saliva, or homemade saline solutions at all costs. Tap water can contain Acanthamoeba, a parasite that poses a serious risk of eye infections and even vision loss. Saline solutions, while useful for rinsing, don’t disinfect. Always check the expiration date on your solution and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure proper use.
Safe Usage Guidelines
Don’t mix different brands of solutions without consulting your provider first. Switching without guidance can lead to chemical reactions that may reduce effectiveness or irritate your eyes. If you’re traveling, pack enough of your regular solution to avoid relying on unfamiliar brands that might not suit your lenses or eyes.
Hydrogen peroxide-based systems are another option for disinfecting lenses, but they require careful handling. These systems must be fully neutralized before you wear your lenses, so follow the instructions precisely.
Professional Eye Care Recommendations
When recommending a solution, your eye care provider considers factors like your lens type, wearing schedule, and any sensitivities you might have. Even if you wear daily disposable lenses, keeping a small bottle of solution handy can be helpful in emergencies, such as when a lens gets dislodged or needs a quick rinse.
If you notice persistent redness, irritation, or discomfort, your current solution might not be working well for you. Keep track of any symptoms and bring them up during your next appointment. Additionally, certain lenses, like silicone hydrogel types, may perform better with solutions designed to preserve their material properties and minimize protein buildup.
Using the right solutions consistently is a key part of maintaining healthy eyes and keeping your lenses in top shape. Pair this with proper handling to ensure effective and safe lens care.
3. Clean and Disinfect Lenses as Directed
Keeping your contact lenses clean and disinfected is essential to prevent eye infections. Both proper cleaning techniques and the right solutions play a key role in maintaining eye health.
Hygiene Practices
Always use the rub and rinse method, even if your solution is labeled "no-rub." Here’s how: place the lens in your palm, apply fresh solution, and gently rub it for about 20 seconds. This step helps remove protein deposits, lipids, and debris that disinfection alone might miss. The rubbing action is especially effective at breaking down biofilms – those thin layers of bacteria that can cling to your lenses.
Once you’ve rubbed the lenses, rinse them thoroughly with fresh solution before putting them into your case. Avoid reusing old solution, as it loses its disinfecting ability and can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Proper storage and careful handling of both lenses and cases are just as important as cleaning.
Proper Cleaning and Storage
Your lens case is a critical part of your lens care routine. Make sure each lens is fully submerged in fresh solution – about ½ inch deep is ideal. Follow the instructions on your solution bottle, which typically recommend soaking lenses for at least 6 hours to ensure complete disinfection.
Store your lens case in a clean, dry area, away from the bathroom sink to avoid contamination from splashes. After putting in your lenses each morning, empty the case, rinse it with fresh solution (never water), and let it air dry upside down with the caps off. This simple habit helps prevent bacterial growth inside the case.
Safe Usage Guidelines
Stick to your lens replacement schedule. Older lenses are harder to clean and can accumulate more deposits. For example, weekly lenses tend to collect more buildup than daily disposables, and monthly lenses may require an additional enzyme cleaning halfway through their cycle.
Also, store your lenses and solution at room temperature – ideally between 68°F and 77°F.
Professional Eye Care Recommendations
If your eyes feel irritated despite following proper cleaning steps, it might be time to adjust your routine. Some people find that using separate cleaning and disinfecting solutions works better than multipurpose formulas, especially if they have sensitive eyes or deal with heavy protein deposits.
If you experience unusual symptoms like discharge, redness, or pain, contact your eye care provider immediately. These could be signs of an infection that needs prompt treatment. Your doctor might suggest switching to daily disposable lenses while your eyes recover or recommend a different cleaning system tailored to your needs.
4. Replace Lenses and Cases on Schedule
Sticking to a regular replacement schedule for your contact lenses and storage cases is essential for maintaining eye health and preventing infections. Many people don’t realize just how quickly bacteria can accumulate on older lenses and cases, putting their eyes at risk.
Safe Usage Guidelines
The clock on your contact lenses starts ticking the moment you open the package, not when you first wear them.
"The timer on your contact lenses begins as soon as the package is open."
For monthly lenses, this means replacing them 30 days after opening, even if you haven’t worn them every day. Daily disposable lenses should be discarded after each use, while bi-weekly lenses need to be replaced every 14 days. To stay on track, use a calendar or set phone reminders to note when you opened a new pair. Overwearing lenses can lead to protein buildup, reduced oxygen flow to your eyes, and a higher chance of infections.
Proper Cleaning and Storage
Your contact lens case also needs regular replacement. Even with daily cleaning, cases can develop tiny scratches over time, creating a breeding ground for bacteria.
"Your lens case ceases to be a sterile place to house your contacts."
Experts recommend replacing your lens case every three months. Some suggest going even further and replacing it monthly for extra safety. Set reminders on your phone to help you keep track of when it’s time for a new case.
Professional Eye Care Recommendations
Daily disposable lenses offer a hassle-free option since they eliminate the need to monitor replacement schedules. Research shows that daily disposables are linked to fewer complications, such as infections, compared to lenses with longer replacement intervals. They’re particularly convenient for part-time lens wearers, as you always start with a fresh, sterile pair.
If you use lenses that require a longer replacement cycle, consider using automatic reminders or apps to help you stay on schedule. If you find yourself frequently stretching replacement timelines, it might be worth discussing daily disposables or other lens options with your eye care provider to find a better fit for your routine.
Following these schedules is key to keeping your lenses clean and your eyes healthy.
sbb-itb-246add9
5. Keep Lenses Away from Water
Tap water, swimming pools, and hot tubs might seem harmless, but they can hide microorganisms that pose serious risks to your eyes. Water and contact lenses are a bad combination, yet it’s a mistake many lens wearers continue to make.
Safe Usage Guidelines
Never use tap water to rinse your contact lenses – not even in an emergency. Tap water can carry bacteria, viruses, and parasites that may lead to severe eye infections. One of the most dangerous is Acanthamoeba, a microscopic organism that can cause Acanthamoeba keratitis. This painful infection can result in permanent vision damage or even blindness.
Swimming with contact lenses is another risky habit. Whether it’s a pool, lake, ocean, or hot tub, the water contains microorganisms that can stick to your lenses and stay trapped against your eyes. Hot tubs are particularly risky due to the warm water, which encourages bacteria to thrive. If you need vision correction while swimming, try prescription goggles or use daily disposable lenses that you can toss immediately after your swim.
Hygiene Practices
Before showering, always remove your contact lenses. Tap water and soap residue can expose your lenses to harmful bacteria. Even steam and water droplets in the shower can carry germs to your eyes, increasing the risk of infection.
If you’re washing your face while wearing lenses, take extra care to keep water away from your eyes. Dry your face gently with a clean towel, steering clear of the eye area. If water does touch your lenses, remove them right away, disinfect them with fresh solution, and wait before reinserting them.
Act quickly anytime water comes into contact with your lenses to reduce the risk of infection.
Professional Eye Care Recommendations
If your lenses are exposed to water, here’s what to do: Remove them immediately. For daily disposables, throw them away. For reusable lenses, clean and disinfect them thoroughly with fresh contact solution before wearing them again.
Some people think distilled or sterile water is a safe substitute for contact solution, but that’s a myth. Even sterile water doesn’t have the correct salt balance for your eyes and can cause lenses to warp or irritate your eyes.
To avoid emergencies, keep a small bottle of contact solution in your bag, car, or gym locker. That way, you won’t be tempted to use water as a quick fix when you’re on the go.
These practices can go a long way in protecting your eyes and ensuring your contact lens routine stays safe and effective.
6. Do Not Sleep in Lenses Unless Prescribed
Taking care of your eyes goes beyond cleaning your contact lenses – avoiding sleeping in them is just as important. Why? Because your eyes need oxygen, and contact lenses naturally reduce how much oxygen reaches your cornea. During sleep, oxygen levels to your eyes drop even further, and wearing lenses during this time can dramatically increase your risk of serious eye infections.
Safe Usage Guidelines
Make it a habit to remove your contact lenses before going to bed. This single step can significantly lower the chances of complications. For instance, microbial keratitis – a severe eye infection – affects 3–5 out of every 10,000 daily lens users, but that number jumps to over 20 per 10,000 for those who wear lenses overnight. Skipping overnight use reduces this risk by 60–70%. Despite these risks, around 6% of contact lens users still choose to sleep in lenses that aren’t designed for it, putting their eye health at unnecessary risk.
Professional Eye Care Recommendations
Although some contact lenses are FDA-approved for extended wear, they still come with added risks compared to lenses removed daily. Your eye care provider can help you decide if extended wear lenses are suitable for you, based on your eye health and lifestyle.
"Your eyes really do need some time when they don’t have a piece of plastic over them – when they are getting oxygen." – Chantal Cousineau-Krieger, M.D., Ophthalmologist, National Eye Institute
7. Schedule Regular Eye Exams
If you wear contact lenses, regular eye exams are a must. Your eyes can change gradually over time, and these changes often go unnoticed. Just like cleaning and handling your lenses properly, routine exams are a key part of keeping your contact lens routine safe and effective. A professional eye exam ensures your lenses fit well and your eyes stay healthy, catching any potential issues before they become serious.
Safe Usage Guidelines
Contact lens wearers typically need more frequent eye exams than those who only wear glasses. Most eye care professionals suggest annual comprehensive exams, but depending on your eye health history, you might need to visit every six months. These checkups can help spot problems like dry eye, protein buildup, or changes to your cornea early on. The good news? Many contact lens-related issues are completely treatable when caught early. However, if ignored, they can lead to lasting vision problems.
Professional Eye Care Recommendations
Beyond scheduling regular exams, professional evaluations play a vital role in fine-tuning your contact lens care. During an exam, your eye care provider will assess how well your lenses fit, check the health of your corneas, and suggest any necessary adjustments to your lens type or wearing schedule.
At Cheyenne Eye Clinic and Surgery Center, board-certified specialists conduct thorough exams to catch potential problems early. They also provide personalized recommendations tailored to your specific needs. Their full-service optical center offers access to advanced lens technologies and expert fitting services, ensuring your lenses are always just right for you.
Keep a record of your exam dates and any recommendations from your provider. It’s a simple way to stay on top of your eye health and ensure your lenses continue to work safely and comfortably.
Conclusion
Taking proper care of your contact lenses is essential for safeguarding your vision over the long term. The seven tips outlined in this guide provide a solid foundation for maintaining both lens hygiene and overall eye health. Simple steps like washing your hands before handling lenses and scheduling regular eye exams are vital in preventing potential complications.
Contact lenses, classified as medical devices by the FDA, come with inherent risks. Serious issues, such as microbial keratitis, can arise if proper care isn’t taken. Unfortunately, many contact lens users engage in risky habits without realizing it, which underscores the importance of ongoing education and professional guidance.
This is where your eye care provider plays a critical role. Regular checkups ensure your prescription is up-to-date, allow for thorough eye exams, and provide an opportunity for personalized advice to catch and address problems early.
At Cheyenne Eye Clinic and Surgery Center, board-certified specialists are dedicated to preserving your vision. They offer personalized exams, precise lens fittings, and access to advanced lens technology. Their full-service optical center is designed to support your needs, ensuring your lenses remain safe and comfortable.
It’s worth noting that patients can forget up to 50% of the information shared during a medical visit. Keep these tips handy, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your provider with any questions. Prioritizing proper lens care is the key to safe and effective use.
FAQs
Why should I avoid using tap water or saliva to clean my contact lenses?
Using tap water or saliva to clean your contact lenses is a risky move for your eye health. Both can introduce harmful microorganisms, like bacteria and parasites, that may cause serious infections. Tap water isn’t sterile and often carries contaminants, while saliva is loaded with bacteria that should never come into contact with your eyes.
To keep your eyes safe, always stick to contact lens solutions specifically designed for cleaning, disinfecting, and storing your lenses. These solutions are carefully formulated to maintain the cleanliness of your lenses and the health of your eyes.
Is it safe to sleep while wearing contact lenses, and are any lenses approved for overnight use?
Sleeping with contact lenses in can greatly raise the chances of developing eye infections and other problems. Even though some lenses are labeled for extended or overnight use, that doesn’t mean they’re entirely risk-free for everyone. Your eyes rely on oxygen to stay healthy, and wearing lenses while you sleep limits oxygen flow. This can cause irritation or even lead to more serious complications.
If you’re thinking about wearing lenses overnight, it’s crucial to talk to your eye doctor first. They can assess whether your eyes are suitable for this type of use and provide tailored advice. Always stick to their guidance and prioritize proper lens hygiene to protect your eye health.
How often should I replace my contact lens case, and why is it important?
You should swap out your contact lens case at least every three months – or sooner if it shows cracks, damage, or visible dirt. This simple step helps reduce the risk of harmful bacteria and other microorganisms building up, which can cause eye infections or irritation.
Taking care of your lens case is just as crucial as taking care of your lenses. Always rinse the case with fresh contact lens solution (not water), let it air dry completely, and avoid reusing or "topping off" old solution. By sticking to these habits and replacing your case regularly, you’ll keep your lenses cleaner and your eyes healthier.