How to care for your contact lenses
The biggest culprits for blurry contacts are protein buildup, dirt and dryness. Proper care and maintenance will greatly reduce the likelihood of your contacts becoming blurry.
If your contacts are dry, there are a few things you can do to rehydrate them.
- Place some approved rewetting drops into your eyes and blink. If this doesn’t resolve the issue, proceed to the next step.
- Remove your contacts and soak them in solution until they’re sufficiently rehydrated.
- If your contact lenses are still uncomfortable to wear, discard them and opt for a fresh pair of lenses.
There is no “best” solution — it depends on your personal preference and what your ECP has recommended.
Contact lens solution is made of a blend of chemicals that safely remove buildup from contacts without causing damage. Contact lens solution also moisturizes the lenses for comfortable wear. They also disinfect the lenses prior to reinsertion.
Only clean your contact lenses with an approved contact lens solution as recommended by your ECP.
Contact lenses should only be stored in a proper contact lens case with fresh lens solution. Take care of your contact lens case by rinsing it with hot water after every use, then letting it air dry. Once a week, clean your case with detergent, boil it, and then air-dry it. Replace your case every month or so, or when you start a new bottle of storage solution.
Most soft lenses today can be cleaned with a multi-purpose disinfecting solution. Cleaning soft contact lenses is a step by step process. It’s important to do it the same way every time, so it becomes a safe habit:
- Wash and dry your hands.
- Pour fresh contact solution into the well of the left lens case.
- Remove your left contact lens from your eye.
- Place the contact lens in your palm for cleaning.
- Squirt a small amount of solution onto the lens. Lightly rub the lens on both sides with your contact lens solution. Be sure to rinse the lens thoroughly to remove any debris you may have loosened with the procedure. (Note: Unless you use a “no-rub” solution, it’s essential that you complete this step every time to keep your contacts as clean as possible.)
- After you’ve completed the rub and rinse, it’s safe to place your left contact lens in the disinfecting solution in the left case.
Repeat for the right eye.
Caring for your contact lenses incorporates:
- Properly cleaning and storing your lenses with an approved contact lens solution.
- Regularly cleaning and changing your contact lens case.
- Following your eye care practitioner’s recommendations on when to change your lenses.
In addition, practicing proper hand washing and drying will reduce the likelihood of contamination.
Your contact lenses can stay soaked in solution overnight. You must change the solution daily.
Yes, you can. Be cautious though, as tap water, shampoo or soap can get into your eyes and contaminate your lenses. Close your eyes when washing your hair to reduce the risk of water or soaps getting into your eyes.
No. This is a terrible idea. Water is full of microorganisms. Some, such as Acanthamoeba, can cause Microbial Keratitis, a serious infection that can result in blindness and scarring. Only use proper contact lens solution to clean your contacts.
No, however there are special hydrogen peroxide contact lens cleaners on the market designed for use with contact lenses.
