10 Things You Can Do to Improve the Way You Use Contact Lenses

Getting the Most From Your Contact Lens Use

Contact Lens Cleaning, Handling, and More

1. Discard your lenses when they expire. Some lenses are designed for daily use, some weekly, some monthly, some longer. Those replacement schedules are in place for a reason. Don’t try to stretch your lens wearing time to save money, because it could result in impaired vision or damage to your eye.
2. Wash your hands properly whenever you handle your lenses. Wash thoroughly with a mild soap and water, and dry with a lint free towel to make sure no debris gets on your lenses, which could then get into your eyes.
3. Try to only handle your lenses with your fingertips. Avoid contact with fingernails, as they may tear your lens. If possible, make sure your fingernails are cut short before handling contact lenses.
4. Follow your doctor’s lens care plan exactly. Use cleaning solution, rinsing solution, saline and disinfectant as and when directed. Make sure all the solutions you use are approved by your eye doctor.

Contact Lenses and Tap Water, Storage and Disinfectant

5. Never rinse your lenses with tap water. There might be substances in the water that could contaminate your lenses or eyes. Also, you run the risk of washing your lens down the drain. Do not wet your lenses to put into them your eyes with anything other than an approved saline solution.
6. Clean your lens storage case regularly, and make sure your lenses are not in it when you do. Let the case air dry and add more saline before putting the lenses back in. Replace the case periodically.
7. Always store your disinfected lenses in a closed case with saline until you are ready to use them.
8. Clean one lens first, going through the entire procedure and placing it in its correct chamber in the case, then close the case before proceeding to the other lens. Always do the left lens first. You can always do the right one first instead, but whichever you choose, be consistent.
9. If you experience any discomfort after placing your lens in, such as burning, redness, itching or eye pain, remove the lens immediately. Check it carefully to see if an eyelash or debris somewhere on it, or if there is a tear in it – which will necessitate replacing it. If there is a foreign body, remove it and thoroughly clean the lens. Once you put it back in, if you experience discomfort again, remove the lens and consult your eye care professional.
10. Make sure to get regular eye examinations. This will allow the doctor to make sure you have the right prescription and fit for your eyes, and that the lenses are not having any adverse effect on your eyes.