A Beginner's Guide to Contact Lens Care

If you've never liked wearing your glasses, switching to contact lenses is like opening up a whole new world. But caring for your lenses correctly is a critical part of maintaining your eye health and preventing infection, irritation, and other issues. Here's a beginner's guide to caring for your contact lenses.

First Things First

Before putting lenses in, wash your hands well with soap and water. Avoid scented soaps or lotion, which can create a film that may obstruct your vision or cause irritation. Dry your hands with a lint-free towel. If you use hair spray when styling your hair, apply the product before putting your contact lenses in, and wash your hands thoroughly after.

Avoid Contact with Water

Always take out your contacts before your eyes come in contact with water. According to All About Eyes, pool water, tap water or shower water can house microbes, viruses and bacteria that may cause eye problems and irritation. If these microbes or viruses get trapped in your contacts, they remain in your eye longer. As a result, your risk for eye infections and more serious conditions increases. That means you should always remove your lenses before swimming, showering or bathing, and washing your face.

Cleaning Your Lenses

While lens cleaning methods vary by the type of lenses you have, there are some general guidelines to keep in mind. First, you should always follow your eye doctor's cleaning instructions for your contact lenses. Only clean and disinfect your lenses with the disinfecting solution, eye drops, and enzymatic cleaners recommended by your doctor. Never clean your lenses with tap water or put them in your mouth. When cleaning lenses, place them in the palm of your hand and rub gently to remove surface debris. While some products may advertise as "no rub," it's important not to skip this step. And don't forget about your lens case, which should be cleaned with either sterile solution or hot water every time you use it.

Avoid Contamination and Complications

You should never share contact lenses with another person or leave them in for longer than recommended. In addition, sleeping with your lenses in deprives the eyes of oxygen, which can cause health issues. Don't touch the tip of your solution bottle to any other objects, as it can contaminate the product. Contracting an eye infection is not only painful, it can also put your vision at risk. Take the extra steps to properly disinfect and handle your contact lenses in order to avoid infection. By following this advice, you'll be ready to shine safely in your new contacts.