![]() 1. Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them well with a clean cloth before touching your contact lenses every time. Not washing hands with soap and water prior to touching your contact lenses is a risk factor for complications related to contact lens wear because germs from the hands are transferred to the contact lenses and the lens case. Washing hands with soap and water, and drying them with a clean, lint-free cloth, is essential each time that contact lenses are inserted and removed. 2. Do NOT sleep in your contact lenses! Several companies make contact lenses that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to wear during the day and to sleep in; however, sleeping in any type of contact lenses increases the risk of serious eye infections (microbial keratitis) by 4 to 5 times. 3. Keep water away from your contact lenses! Avoid showering in contact lenses, and remove them before using a hot tub or swimming. Never store your contact lenses in water. Contact lenses are a known risk factor for Acanthamoeba Keratitis. This is a severe type of eye infection caused by a free-living amoeba that is commonly found in water. This is a rare infection (1-21 infections per million contact lens wearers), but it is difficult to treat, extremely painful, and can cause blindness. 4. Rub and rinse your contact lenses with contact lens disinfecting solution—never water or saliva—to clean them each time you remove them. Improper cleaning of contact lenses raises the risk of complications among contact lens wearers. Rubbing contact lenses with a clean finger and rinsing them with disinfecting solution is the most effective way to remove deposits and microbes from soft contact lenses. 5. Rub and rinse your contact lens case with contact lens solution—never water—and then empty and dry with a clean tissue. Store upside down with the caps off after each use. Replace your contact lens case at least once every three months. Contaminated contact lens cases have been linked to rare but serious eye infections in contact lens wearers. An invisible layer in the case called a biofilm can become a breeding ground for microscopic germs that can cause infections. These biofilms can be best removed by rubbing and rinsing the case with disinfecting solution, wiping dry with a tissue, and then allowing to air-dry face down with the caps off. The number of moderate to severe contact lens-related infections could be cut in half through implementing this contact lens case cleaning procedure. 6. Replace your contact lenses as often as recommended by your eye doctor. Studies have shown that contact lens wearers who do not follow recommended replacement schedules have more complications, self-reported discomfort, and poorer vision than contact lens wearers who follow the replacement recommendations. 7. Don’t “top off” solution. Use only fresh contact lens disinfecting solution in your case—never mix fresh solution with old or used solution. Topping off solution—or mixing fresh solution with used solution in the case for storing contact lenses—has been an important risk factor in serious outbreaks of contact lens-associated infections. Used solution in the case can become contaminated by germs that are on contact lenses or in the contact lens case. An invisible layer called a biofilm can grow in the case and make contact lens disinfecting solution less effective at killing germs. 8. Visit your eye doctor yearly or as often as he or she recommends. The eye care community generally agrees that yearly eye exams are recommended for contact lens wearers in order to keep their eyes as healthy as possible while wearing contact lenses —particularly given that wearing contact lenses increases the risk for eye infections and complications. Additionally, contact lens wearers often need to have a yearly exam to confirm their prescription so that they may order new supplies of contact lenses. 9. Remove your contact lenses immediately and call your eye doctor if you have eye pain, discomfort, redness, or blurred vision. 10. Carry a backup pair of glasses with a current prescription—just in case you have to take out your contact lenses. Modified From: http://www.cdc.gov/contactlenses/protect-your-eyes.html
41 Comments
5/2/2016 09:39:43 am
Not sleeping while you have contact lenses in is a really important one to remember. They are great during they day, but do nothing but harm you when you sleep. Also, not rinsing them in water is good to know too. I have a friend who did that and ruined his contacts.
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Derek Wiles
7/13/2016 04:30:06 pm
Yes, I agree. Thank you for the comments :)
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7/13/2016 10:00:26 am
My husband just got his first pair of contacts and he LOVES them! He said it's so nice not to have to worry about losing his glasses. I really like the last tip, though, about carrying a backup pair of glasses just in case. I'm going to tell my husband to keep an extra pair in his car or something! I would hate for him to have to take his contacts out one day and then have fuzzy vision for the rest of the day.
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Derek Wiles
7/13/2016 04:35:54 pm
Glad to hear he enjoys them so much! Thank you for the comment :)
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12/5/2016 05:12:42 pm
Thank you for the tips on taking care of your contact lenses when traveling. I didn't realize that it is not good to mix used solution with fresh solution. I will be careful to keep this in mind as I get ready to use contacts.
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Derek Wiles
12/6/2016 03:09:04 pm
You're welcome. Thank you for the comment :)
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5/1/2017 02:45:05 pm
Thanks for the tips about contact lenses! I am going to get contacts for the first time soon, and I want to ensure that I can take care of them properly. I appreciate you mentioning to remove your lenses before you shower or swim so you can avoid infection. I didn't know that was a risk, but I will be sure to remember it.
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Derek Wiles
5/2/2017 12:40:30 pm
Thank you!
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Janet Laut
6/16/2017 04:46:55 pm
Do you have hours on Saturdays in Leadington. I didn't get to pick up my glasses today & wondered if I could come tomorrow?
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Derek Wiles
6/16/2017 05:26:42 pm
Yes. We are open from 7:30am-12:00pm on Saturdays in Leadington.
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10/16/2017 08:29:16 am
Hi, I've been thinking for some time about getting a pair or two of contact lenses as I keep losing my prescription glasses. I remember a few months ago, there was someone who talked to me about extended-wear contact lenses. Are they any safe? Thanks!
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Derek Wiles
10/16/2017 08:37:10 am
Contact lenses are a great option, but I do not recommend sleeping in them, even if they are "extended wear." See point 2 below:
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I never knew that you should change the whole fluid between wearing your contact lenses! I have always just "topped it off" like you said! That is really nice to know, I would hate the idea of having an eye infection! I am going to go clean my case out right now!
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Derek Wiles
3/16/2018 04:42:27 pm
Yes, never top off your solution and throw away your case at least every three months.
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4/18/2018 01:15:42 am
I have been considering getting contact lenses for a while now because I am having eye problems. The only concern is that I usually fall asleep without knowing, and I want to know if sleeping with the contacts on will have adverse effects on my eyes. It was good that I read this article and learned that doing so will increase the risk of serious eye infections. Question answered then. I'll be sure to be careful. Thanks!
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Derek Wiles
4/18/2018 08:09:34 am
You're welcome :)
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5/22/2018 05:12:59 pm
I appreciate all your tips on how to wear contacts and keep them clean. My whole life I have worn glasses, but I have always wanted to try out contacts, so I think that I should find an optometrist to go to and get a contact lens exam. I also like your advice to carry backup glasses with you, just in case something causes you to have to take out your contacts, I will have to keep all your advice in mind when I get contacts in the future.
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6/13/2018 12:58:36 pm
I didn't realize that water could cause such a severe eye infection. I have been wearing contacts for a while and I usually throw my contacts away after they've come in contact with water, since they don't work quite as well afterwards. I will be sure to take better care to keep them out of the way of water so I don't have any risk of this infection.
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Derek Wiles
6/20/2018 10:32:04 am
Great idea :)
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8/7/2018 09:28:46 pm
Thanks for the tip about washing your contacts with solution, not water. It would be smart to consider what type of solution you use if you are sensitive to some of the ingredients. My husband wants to get contacts so that he can wear them while he plays soccer, so he'll have to consider what solution to use.
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Derek Wiles
8/8/2018 07:35:50 am
You're welcome.
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10/9/2018 08:51:37 am
I wanted to thank you for this advice contact lenses. It's good to know that the lens should be cleaned properly so it doesn't lead to complications. I'm interested to learn if there's a way someone could practice cleaning some contact lenses so they know what to do before they get them.
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Derek Wiles
10/9/2018 09:11:28 am
Yes, we teach you how to clean your lenses during the initial fitting process and provide you with samples to practice with. Thank you for your comment.
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6/17/2019 06:24:40 am
Helpful Blog! I have just started wearing lens, your blog is sharing very helpful tips of wearing it. Contact lens should be of the best brand and must be efficient for your eyes. Thanks for sharing this..:)
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Derek Wiles
6/17/2019 07:47:35 am
You're welcome. Thank you for commenting.
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7/9/2019 12:47:11 pm
Thanks for explaining that contact lenses wearers should have a yearly eye exam before they order a new supply of lenses. I've been thinking about going to an eye doctor soon to get contact lenses, since I recently started working out and am not comfortable doing so in glasses. I'm glad I read your article because you helped me feel a lot more prepared to be a responsible contact lens wearer!
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Derek Wiles
7/9/2019 01:25:16 pm
That's great. We look forward to helping you with contact lenses. Thank you for the comment.
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7/29/2019 10:44:57 am
Thanks for the suggestion to visit my eye doctor yearly to ensure my eyes are as healthy as possible. I've started to participate in more sports, so I want to invest in contacts. Hopefully I can find a great eye doctor in my new area.
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Derek Wiles
7/29/2019 11:59:25 am
We hope so too. Thank you for your comment.
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8/28/2019 02:19:42 am
Thanks for posting such a impressive tip for contact lens wearer. Being a contactlens wearer I can correlate every point.
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Derek Wiles
8/28/2019 10:02:18 am
Wonderful. Thank you for your comment.
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10/24/2019 07:00:25 pm
I love your tip about rinsing the contact lenses with a disinfecting solution made specifically for contact lenses and how improper cleaning raises risk of complications. My husband recently invested in contact lenses since we moved to Jefferson, GA and his new eye doctor recommended them to him. We will keep these tips in mind after he buys them from a professional.
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1/1/2020 11:25:56 pm
These 10 tips are amazing and one should really practise them if they require a good hygiene as that is important .I was a glass user before and its 10 days now that i have switched to contact lenses but util now i was not aware that i need to carry all those activities that you have mentioned but i am really glad and thankful to you that you shared this article atleast now through your article i am aware now and ill follow your tips.Thank you so much.
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4/27/2020 09:44:12 am
My teenage son needs to find an optometrist in Dingley since we just moved there. He is considering switching from glasses to contact lenses since he plays a lot of sports. I will let him know that he shouldn't use old or stagnant solution to store them in nor use water to clean them since this promotes bacteria.
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6/1/2020 02:54:45 pm
I'm glad you explained that we should avoid using water to clean contact because it's not as effective as a disinfecting solution at removing things like bacteria. I want to visit an optometrist and get a prescription for contact lenses because I don't want to be limited to wear eyeglasses all the time. Thanks for sharing these tips I can keep in mind to avoid potential issues once I have the contacts!
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9/25/2020 12:41:14 pm
Thanks for explaining why it's smart to wash your hands to avoid germs transferring to the contact lenses. Additionally, it's a good idea to use eyelid wipes after you remove your contacts to help with issues like dryness. My sister is thinking about getting contact lenses soon, so this info should be helpful to pass along to her!
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10/1/2020 03:00:48 am
My mom is experiencing blurry vision these past few months, which is why we're currently looking for an eye doctor that may address this concern. Well, thank you for informing us that sleeping with contacts is dangerous. I'll also keep in mind to remind my mother that she must clean her contacts regularly if ever she'll wear these because failure to do so may damage her eyes.
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Helen
12/11/2020 08:47:18 pm
Hi I just got contact lenses I do not know what to do with them can someone give me help
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Derek Wiles
12/12/2020 07:35:45 am
Yes, we can help you.
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5/14/2021 03:40:26 pm
It's good to know that you shouldn't wash your contacts with water. My sister recently told me about how she is wanting to look into getting contacts in a couple of weeks so that she can stop using glasses, and she wants to make sure that she can take care of them properly since it will be her first time using them. I'll make sure to pass these tips along to her once she gets contact lenses!
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