How to Properly Care for Contacts

• Make sure your prescription is accurate and up to date. your vision may change from time to time, and as a result, it's important to have regular checkups. Make sure the current lenses you're wearing match your prescription. Learn how to read your prescription measurements to make sure your lenses are the right size as prescribed.


• Never wear non-prescription contact lenses. Contacts worn without prescription may irritate your eyes due to being the wrong size, or simply the wrong type of contact. Wearing the wrong contacts can lead to eye discomfort, inflammation, and health problems.


• Avoid using standard tap water on your contacts. Contact lens solutions are designed to wash your contacts in the most effective manner, and will prevent any bacteria buildup. While tap water is great for drinking, it easily will host bacteria, and is not practical for lens cleaning or storage.


• Make sure your hands are clean when you cleaning your contacts. Dirty hands may leave debris and oil on your contacts, leading to discomfort or potential infection. The less contact your lenses have with dirty surfaces, the less chance they have of picking up harmful contaminants.


• Unless you're wearing extended-wear contacts, do not sleep with your contacts in. Wearing contacts while sleeping may deprive your eyes of oxygen, leaving them very irritated and unhealthy. Even for contacts that are compatible with overnight wear, many suggest nightly removal to experience maximum comfort.


• Change or clean your contact lens cases each month. Contact lens cases can host bacteria nearly as easily as your lenses themselves will. Replacing your case regularly prevents the transfer of dirt and bacteria. This will increase the comfort longevity of your lenses, while also reducing risks of infection.


• Make sure to wash your contacts daily. Daily washing ensure that protein and bacteria can't build up on your lenses, and will keep the lens surface lubricated and glossy so that you can see clearly.


• Apply makeup after putting contacts in. Makeup is a frequent host for bacteria, and putting makeup on after putting your contacts in will prevent your contacts from getting residue on them.


• Make it a point to regularly see your eye doctor, and be sure to contact your doctor if you experience any eye pain, discomfort, or vision complication.


• Apply rewetting solution whenever you feel discomfort. Dry, irritated eyes are not only less comfortable, but also easier targets for bacteria.


• Don't use disposable contacts longer than they're designed to be used. Many people set a calendar for lens disposition to remind them when they need to replace their disposable lenses.