Healthy Contact Lens Wear and Care

Contact lenses can provide a comfortable and convenient way to work, play, and live for those who wear them. While contact lenses are usually a safe and effective form of vision correction, they are not entirely risk-free, especially if they are not cared for properly. Contact lens-related eye infections and other injuries can lead to long-lasting damage but often are preventable. Clean and safe handling of contact lenses is one of the easiest and most important measures patients can take to protect their vision. Hygiene is the most critical aspect of successful long-term contact lens wear.

Here are some tips to keep your eyes healthy while wearing contact lenses. 

Don’t Sleep in Your Contact Lenses

• Don’t sleep in your contact lenses unless prescribed by your eye care provider. Sleeping while wearing contact lenses has been shown to cause a greater risk of an eye infection.

Wash Your Hands

• Always wash your hands with soap and water before handling your lenses.
• Dry your hands well with a clean cloth before touching your contact lenses every time.

Keep Contact Lenses Away from All Water

• Water can introduce germs and bacteria to the eyes through contact lenses. Remove contact lenses before swimming and avoid showering in them.

Properly Clean Your Lenses

• Rub and rinse your contact lenses with contact lens disinfecting solution—never water or saliva—to clean them each time you remove them.
• Don’t “top off” solution. Use only fresh contact lens disinfecting solution in your case—never mix fresh solution with old or used solution.

Take Care of Your Contact Lens Case

• Replace your contact lens case at least once every three months

Be Prepared

• Carry a backup pair of glasses with a current prescription—just in case you have to take out your contact lenses.

Eye Makeup and Contact Lenses

• Put your contact lenses on before applying makeup. And, always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your contacts, so you won't transfer any oils, creams or lotions to the lenses.
• Replace your eye makeup frequently, at least every three months. Don't use old eye makeup, because over time bacteria will get into the product and then into your eyes, where it can cause an infection.

Follow up with your Optometrist

• Visit your eye care provider yearly or as often as he or she recommends.
• Remove your contact lenses immediately and call your eye care provider if you have eye pain, discomfort, redness, or blurred vision.

The Contact Lens Center at The Eye Institute (TEI) of Salus University offers a full range of traditional and specialty contact lens services. If you are interested in contact lenses, contact us today for an exam and complete evaluation.