Getting your first pair of contact lenses can be a massive relief – along with sharper vision, you finally get freedom from glasses. But lenses also come with responsibilities. You need to take care of them properly to avoid discomfort, infections, and long-term eye problems.
If you’re new to contact lenses or just need a refresher, here are some practical tips on how to keep your eyes healthy and your lenses in top shape.
Clean lenses start with clean hands
Before even touching your lenses to put them in, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, then dry them with a lint-free towel. It’s a simple step, but it will significantly reduce the risk of transferring bacteria, dirt, or oils (both natural skin oils and from products) to your eyes.
Use a lens solution that is specifically formulated for the type of contact lenses that you purchased. Use fresh solution – reusing old solution can allow bacteria and other microorganisms to build up. And never use tap water or saliva, not only is this unhygienic, but it can lead to serious infections.
Clean your lens case
Your contact lens case needs regular attention too. Use fresh lens solution to clean it after every use, rather than just rinsing with tap water. Leave it open to dry in a clean area. However, no matter how well you clean the case, you will still need to replace it every three months to avoid contamination. Bacteria can build up quickly, even if your lenses are perfectly clean. But you don’t need to throw it out – there are creative ways to repurpose old contact lens cases to give them a new life.
Protect lenses from waterborne risks
Water and contact lenses definitely don’t mix. You should never swim, shower, or sleep while wearing them. Water can contain harmful microbes that cling to your lenses and cause serious infections, such as Acanthamoeba keratitis, a painful and potentially vision-threatening condition caused by a microorganism found in tap water, swimming pools, hot tubs, and even bottled water. If this organism attaches to your lenses, it can enter the cornea and lead to blurring, light sensitivity, and loss of vision.
Don’t skip optician visits
Your vision will change over time, so you need to get your lenses checked regularly by an optometrist to ensure that they still fit properly and aren’t harming your eyes. Your prescription or corneal shape may have changed without you even noticing. Also, regular eye check-ups are critical to spot early signs of irritation, inflammation, or infection, even if you don’t notice any symptoms.
Good habits for great vision
Contact lenses take more work than just wearing glasses. But with just a few good health and hygiene habits, you can enjoy the convenience that they bring while keeping your eyes healthy, comfortable, and safe.
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