Contact Lens Care

Always wash your hands before touching your contact lenses or your eyes

Look at the contact lens before putting it in to make sure it is not inside out, also check the lens for any rips, debris or buildup

Some people may need to wear glasses to do this

If you see a rip in the lens, the contact lens will not be as comfortable to wear (replace it)

If you see debris or buildup, try cleaning it (as described below), but if the deposits won't clean off, it is time to replace the lens

Pull your eyelids out of the way and put your contact lens in place

Close your eyes and lightly rub your eyelids to be sure your contact settles in place

If you feel a painful scratching sensation with each blink, it is possible that there is a piece of dust or lint between your contact and your eye

Slide the contact to the side of the white part of your eye and blink

If the pain remains, remove the contact lens, rinse it in contact lens solution, and check the lens for any rips or debris (you may need to wear glasses to see any debris)

If your eye hurts each time you put your contact lens in, call your eye doctor for an exam before wearing contact lenses again

You can wear your contacts as long as your eyes feel comfortable and your vision is clear (within the limits of the FDA approved wearing time)

Remove your contacts before sleeping (remember to wash your hands carefully first)

Cleaning your lenses

If you are using a multipurpose solution (OptiFree, Bio True), when you remove your first contact, place it in the palm of your hand, open upwards

Fill the lens with solution, then rub the lens between your finger and palm, being careful to rub the lenses thoroughly for 20 seconds

Next rinse the contact with fresh solution and put it into the cleaned, dry case, making sure to put the right contact in the side with the R (and left in the side with the L)

If you are using a hydrogen peroxide system (Clear Care), when you remove your first contact lens, place it into the basket with the R or L label, for right or left

Fill the clear container up to the fill line with the solution

Screw the parts together without splashing the solution into the lid top

Wait for at least 6 hours for the solution to stop bubbling before putting the lenses back on (otherwise you may get a chemical burn which will be extremely uncomfortable for a few hours)

When you put the contacts back in, you need to pour out the solution that was soaking the contacts overnight (DO NOT recycle or top off this used solution)

When you get down to your last month's supply of contacts, call to order more, or schedule an appointment if the prescription is expired

To prevent eye infections, the CDC advises wearers to:

Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, and dry well before touching contact lenses

Take contacts out before bed, showering or swimming

Rub and rinse contact lenses in disinfecting solution each time you remove them

Rub and rinse the case with contact lens solution, dry with a clean tissue and store upside down with the caps off after each use

Replace contact lens cases at least once every 3 months

Do not top off solution in the lens case

Replace lenses as recommended by your eye doctor

Visit your eye doctor yearly unless advised otherwise

If you experience any persistent eye pain, discomfort, redness or blurred vision, remove lenses immediately and call your eye doctor

Carry a back-up pair of lenses and glasses, as well as your prescription, with you at all times

Risk Factors for Infection of the Cornea

3 patients in 10,000 who wear contact lenses only during the day (without overnight wear) will develop an infection

20 patients in 10,000 who wear contact lenses while sleeping (overnight) will develop an infection

Water and Contact Lenses Don't Mix

Avoid all water exposure, including handling contact lenses with wet hands, rinsing or storing contact lenses or storage cases in tap water, and showering in contact lenses

Swimming with contact lenses should be done with protective goggles or using daily disposable (one day) contact lenses, which can be thrown out immediately after swimming

Very Detailed Slideshow for Contact Lens Complications