How to Properly Care for Your Contact Lenses

Most people prefer contact lenses for convenience, comfort, and better peripheral view than eyeglasses for vision correction. They have grown in popularity worldwide due to their many benefits. However, caring for them is vital to avoid infections and other problems due to poor hygiene. 

Wash Your Hands Before Handling Your Contact Lenses

Every contact lens wearer should know that the first step to handling their lenses is ensuring their hands are clean. Use mild soap and water to wash your hands before handling your lenses. Ensure your hands are clean and dry, then touch your contacts.
 

Doing so will remove bacteria, oil, or dirt that could transfer to your contact lenses and increase the risk of eye infection. Dry your hands using a lint-free towel to avoid leaving lint or fibers on the lenses. It is vital to avoid touching the lenses with wet hands.
 

Use the Right Contact Lens Solution

Use the right solution for cleaning and storing your contact lenses. There are two types of solutions—multipurpose and hydrogen peroxide solutions. Multipurpose solutions can clean, disinfect, and store contact lenses. 
 

Hydrogen peroxide solutions, on the other hand, are ideal for deep cleaning and disinfecting contact lenses. Ensure you always use the solution your eye care professional recommends. Consult them first before you switch to another brand.

Clean Your Contact Lenses Daily

One effective way to maintain eye health for contact lens wearers is to clean contact lenses daily. Use a multipurpose cleaning solution daily. Rub the lenses gently with your fingers to remove protein deposits, debris, and dirt that accumulate on them. Do it gently, then rinse the lenses with a solution to remove the loosened debris.
 

Store Your Contact Lenses Properly 

Proper storage of contact lenses is crucial. It keeps them free from bacteria and clean. Always use a fresh solution and clean case to store your lenses. Ensure you replace the solution daily and clean the case using soap and hot water weekly. Do not store your contact lenses in homemade saline solutions, saliva, or tap water. They can introduce harmful bacteria to the lenses, causing complications.
 

Replace Your Contact Lenses on Time

Replace your contact lenses on time to avoid developing problems like eye infections. Follow what your eye care professional recommends, even if your contacts feel clean and comfortable. Doing so will reduce the risk of eye problems like corneal ulcers and eye infections.
 

Avoid Sleeping With Your Contact Lenses

You increase your risk for complications such as eye infections when you sleep with your contact lenses. You accumulate debris and bacteria on the contacts the longer you wear them. This leads to eye discomfort, redness, and irritation. Ensure you remove your contact lenses before going to bed. Ask your eye doctor for advice on extended-wear contact lenses designed for wearing while you sleep.
 

Avoid Wetting Your Contact Lenses 
 

Water introduces harmful microorganisms and bacteria to contact lenses. This leads to issues such as infections. Avoid wearing your contact lenses while you shower or swim. Do not use water to rinse them. Instead, remove them before getting into the water.

At Tri-City Optometry, we help our patients regain good eye health with the latest, most effective eye care products and treatments. Feel free to visit our clinic in Fremont, California, for an in-person consultation. Please call 510-602-2020 to set an appointment or ask about how to properly care for your contact lenses.