Wearing contact lenses offer more convenience than glasses, they also come with greater responsibility.

Maintaining proper contact lens hygiene is crucial for eye health.

Neglecting hygiene can introduce harmful bacteria into the eyes, potentially leading to infections or even permanent vision damage. Keep reading for eight essential tips to ensure your contact lenses are as safe and comfortable as possible!

1. Always Wash Your Hands Properly

Thorough handwashing with soap and water is essential. Never handle your contact lenses—whether putting them in or taking them out without first washing your hands. Avoid touching your eyes if your hands haven’t been washed, as they can carry germs from touching countless surfaces throughout the day. Keeping your hands clean helps prevent bacteria from being transferred to your eyes.

2. Disinfect and Clean Your Lenses Properly

After removing your lenses, the cleaning process begins. Disinfecting and cleaning your lenses should become second nature for all contact lens users. This step ensures that any potential contaminants are removed, leaving your lenses safe and ready for use. Always use the correct cleaning and disinfecting solutions for your specific type of lenses to maintain their hygiene and integrity.

3. Proper Storage of Contact Lenses

Improper storage can create an environment for bacteria to thrive. Always clean your contact lens case thoroughly and avoid reusing old solution. Each time you store your lenses, make sure to refresh the solution and place your clean lenses in the case to prevent contamination.

4. Follow Wear Guidelines

Contact lenses are designed for specific wear schedules. For instance, daily wear lenses are meant for single use only, while other types are designed for extended wear. Always stick to the recommended duration for your lenses. Don’t attempt to reuse daily lenses, as doing so can compromise eye health.

5. Replace Lenses on Time

Even if your prescription hasn’t changed, contact lenses wear out over time. Don’t try to extend their use to save money. Worn-out lenses can increase the risk of infection and irritation. Replace them according to the manufacturer’s recommendations to maintain eye health and comfort.

6. Don’t Overwear Your Contacts

Your eyes need regular breaks from contact lenses. Wearing them for extended hours, especially beyond the recommended time, can strain your eyes. Giving your eyes a rest, like switching to glasses in the evening, allows them to recover. It’s especially important to remove your lenses before going to bed—never sleep in them. Doing so can dry out your eyes, cause irritation, and lead to discomfort or even damage when you remove them.

7. Never Share Your Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are tailored to fit your eyes and prescription. Sharing them with someone else is never a good idea, as it can cause irritation or discomfort. More importantly, sharing lenses increases the risk of transferring bacteria or infections, which can seriously harm your eyes.

8. Avoid Swimming With Contacts

Swimming with contact lenses is risky, even if you keep your head above water. Lenses can easily slip out or shift, and contaminants in the water may get underneath. Pool water, particularly with chlorine, can also damage your lenses, plus it can irritate your eyes.

7 Tips for Using Contact Lenses Safely

Video by U.S. Food and Drug Administration