Contact lenses offer wonderful convenience and clear vision but they require proper care to keep your eyes healthy.
Wearing contact lenses can be liberating (no foggy glasses or obstructed peripheral vision), but it also means taking on the responsibility of diligent eye care. Without the right habits, contacts lenses can lead to discomfort or even serious eye issues. The good news is that a few simple practices make a world of difference in keeping your eyes safe, comfortable and seeing clearly.
As specialists in the industry, we genuinely care about your eye health and want to help you enjoy the benefits of your lenses without problems. Here are 10 expert-approved, quick eye care tips every contact lens wearer should know:
1. Always Start with Clean Hands
Your contact lens routine should begin and end with clean hands. Before touching your lenses (or your eyes), wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, then dry them with a clean, lint-free towel. This basic step prevents transferring germs or debris from your fingers onto your lens. Even invisible dirt or oils can cling to a lens and cause irritation or infection.
In short, if you wouldn’t put it in your eye, make sure it’s not on your hands when handling your contacts. Clean hands set a hygienic foundation for all the other lens care steps.
2. Use Proper Lens Solution! Never Water or Saliva
Always clean and store your contacts with an appropriate sterile lens solution, never tap water or other liquids. Tap water (or saliva) is not safe for rinsing lenses as it can harbor microbes and impurities that damage lenses or infect your eye. Use the multipurpose disinfecting solution recommended by your eye care provider to rinse, clean, and store your lenses.
Also, be sure to rub and rinse your contacts with the solution each time, even if you use a “no-rub” solution. Gently rubbing the lens helps remove protein deposits and germs, leading to cleaner lenses and healthier eyes. Always use a fresh solution in your lens case (never “top off” old solution) and recap the bottle tightly to keep it sterile. By sticking to approved lens solutions and techniques, you’ll minimize irritation and greatly reduce the risk of infection.
3. Keep Your Lens Case Clean (and Replace It Regularly)
Your lens case is an often-overlooked part of good eye care. After all, it’s where your contacts live when you’re not wearing them, so it needs to be clean and germ-free. Empty out the old solution from the case each morning, rinse the case with fresh contact lens solution (not water), and let it air dry fully while you wear your lenses during the day.
Wiping it with a clean tissue can help remove residual moisture before air-drying. Importantly, replace your lens case every 3 months (or even sooner) with a new one. Old cases can develop biofilm and bacterial growth that’s invisible to the eye. Mark your calendar or set reminders to get a fresh case regularly.
For convenience, consider using an all-in-one lens care kit that includes a new lens case and multipurpose solution. This ensures you always have the proper tools on hand for safe cleaning and storage. A clean case paired with a fresh solution is key to avoiding contamination and keeping your lenses as clean as possible.
4. Stick to the Recommended Replacement Schedule
All contact lenses have a recommended lifespan, whether they are daily disposables, bi-weekly, or monthly lenses. Adhere strictly to the schedule prescribed for your lens type and don’t try to eke out extra days from your lenses beyond their replacement date.
Over time, lens materials begin to break down and accumulate deposits of proteins, lipids, and microbes from your tears. Wearing them longer than intended can lead to reduced oxygen flow to your cornea and a higher chance of eye irritation or infection. For example, a monthly lens should be discarded after 30 days of opening the package, even if it feels “fine” as it’s about the material integrity and hygiene, not just comfort on day 31.
Likewise, do not wear any lens (even “daily” lenses) for more hours per day than recommended by your eye doctor. By replacing your contacts on schedule, you’ll always have a fresh, clean lens in your eye, which means better comfort and healthier eyes in the long run.
5. Never Sleep in Your Contact Lenses
One of the most important rules for contact lens wearers: remove your lenses before sleep, every single time, unless your doctor explicitly prescribed lenses approved for overnight wear.
Keeping lenses on while napping or sleeping can severely reduce oxygen supply to your cornea, essentially suffocating your eye and creating a breeding ground for bacteria. The risk of a serious corneal infection goes up dramatically if you sleep in contacts; studies have shown it can increase the chance of an infection by 6 to 8 times. Even “extended wear” lenses carry significantly higher risks when worn overnight. No matter how tired you are, take a minute to remove and store your contacts properly before you doze off.
And if you do accidentally fall asleep with contacts in, don’t tug them out immediately; upon waking, lubricate your eyes with sterile drops, then gently remove the lenses and give your eyes a break for the rest of the day.)
6. Keep Lenses Away from All Water
Never swim or shower while wearing contact lenses; water can introduce harmful microbes to your eyes.
Water and contact lenses are a dangerous combination. Whether it’s the shower, swimming pool, hot tub, or even rinsing lenses in tap water, avoid exposing your contacts to water. Water is not sterile and can be full of microorganisms. In fact, a particularly dangerous microbe called Acanthamoeba is commonly found in tap water, lake water, and other sources, and it can latch onto your lens and cause a severe eye infection. This infection (Acanthamoeba keratitis) is painful, very difficult to treat, and can even lead to permanent vision loss or the need for a corneal transplant in extreme cases. Water can also cause soft lenses to swell or warp, which might scratch your eye and let germs in more easily.
If your contacts do come into contact with water (for example, you accidentally wear them in the shower or you swim in them), remove them as soon as possible. Clean and disinfect the lenses thoroughly before wearing them again, or discard them if they were daily disposables. It’s better to use a fresh lens than risk an infection. And if you’re a swimmer or frequently around water, consider investing in prescription swim goggles or diving masks to protect your eyes, or wear daily disposable contacts and throw them out right after swimming.
The bottom line: keep your lenses dry and use contact lens solution only, no water, no exceptions.
7. Keep Your Eyes Moist and Combat Dryness
Dry, irritated eyes can make contact lens wear miserable. Lens wearers often experience dryness, especially if they work at a computer for long hours or spend time in air-conditioned or heated environments that lower humidity.
To keep your eyes comfortable, use lubricating eye drops (artificial tears) that are specifically formulated for contact lenses. A few drops throughout the day can re-wet your lenses and relieve that dry, gritty feeling. It’s important to choose drops that are labeled “for contact lens use” – using the wrong kind of eye drops can temporarily discolor or warp your lenses. Ask your eye doctor if you’re not sure which drops to use; they can recommend a good preservative-free lubricating drop compatible with your lenses.
Additionally, remember to blink frequently, especially when staring at screens, to help refresh your eyes naturally. If the air is very dry, a humidifier in your room or office can also help. By keeping your eyes hydrated, you’ll not only feel better but also help maintain a healthy tear film between your lens and your eye.
8. Give Your Eyes Regular Breaks
Your eyes need some off-duty time from contacts. Schedule breaks from lens wear to let your eyes breathe and recover, especially if you’ve had a long day. Overwearing contact lenses, even the best breathable ones, can deprive your corneas of oxygen and lead to redness or irritation.
Eye doctors recommend following the wearing schedule strictly: for instance, if advised to wear lenses no more than 8-10 hours per day, don’t exceed that. Whenever possible, take out your contacts in the evening and switch to glasses for a few hours before bedtime to give your eyes a rest. Better yet, try to have at least one day a week where you wear glasses instead of contacts for most of the day, allowing your eyes a full break. This “contact lens holiday” helps your corneas stay healthy. If you spend long stretches on the computer or reading, practice the 20-20-20 rule to reduce eye strain (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds).
The key point is to listen to your eyes; if they’re feeling tired or dry, give them a breather by removing your lenses for a while. Consistent breaks will keep your eyes more comfortable, and wearing contacts will ultimately be more enjoyable.
9. Pay Attention to Warning Signs and Be Gentle with Your Eyes
Your eyes are very good at telling you when something’s wrong; don’t ignore those signals. If you experience redness, pain, excessive tearing, light sensitivity, or blurry vision while your contacts are in, remove them immediately. These could be signs of an emerging infection or that a lens is scratched/dirty and irritating your eye.
Never try to “power through” discomfort with your lenses. Continuing to wear a lens when your eye is irritated can rapidly make a small problem much worse. One golden rule: when in doubt, take them out. Give your eyes a rest for the remainder of the day if they become irritated. If symptoms are severe or don’t improve after removing the lenses, contact your eye care professional right away. Prompt treatment can save your vision if an infection is starting. Also, be very gentle whenever you insert or remove your lenses – avoid poking or scraping your cornea. If your eye feels scratched or you cannot remove a stuck lens, don’t panic; put some rewetting drops and try again in a few minutes, or seek assistance from an eye care provider.
By respecting your eyes’ signals and handling lenses carefully, you’ll prevent most mishaps. Remember, you should never wear your contacts when your eyes are red or irritated – it’s simply not worth the risk.
10. Schedule Regular Eye Exams and Follow Professional Advice
Even if your contacts feel perfectly comfortable, don’t skip your routine eye exam appointments. Regular check-ups (at least once a year, or as advised) are vital to ensure your lenses are fitting well and your eyes are staying healthy. During an eye exam, your optometrist or ophthalmologist will check your vision prescription and also examine your corneas for any early signs of contact lens-related issues (like blood vessel growth, dryness spots, or subtle infections). They can catch and address problems before you might notice symptoms.
Eye exams are also a great opportunity to ask questions about your lens wear or to mention any minor discomfort; your doctor may adjust your lens type or cleaning regimen to better suit your needs. Always follow the advice of your eye care professional regarding lens care, lens brands, and wear time. They might recommend a specific type of lens material if you have dry eyes or suggest switching to daily disposables if hygiene is a concern. (For example, modern silicone hydrogel lenses allow much more oxygen to reach the eye than older lens materials, which can improve comfort and eye health. Your doctor can determine if such lenses are appropriate for you.)
If you ever want to try a new contact lens brand or solution, consult your eye doctor first to make sure it’s compatible and safe in your case. Think of your eye care provider as your partner in keeping your eyes healthy: regular visits and open communication will help you continue wearing contacts safely for years to come.
Care for Your Contacts, Care for Your Eyes
By incorporating these quick eye care tips into your daily routine, you can enjoy all the advantages of contact lenses with peace of mind. A little extra care goes a long way toward preventing irritation and serious complications. At Global Lens, we truly care about your eyes and are here to support you in your vision journey. We hope these expert tips help you keep your eyes feeling great and seeing clearly. Remember, if you ever have any questions or concerns about your contact lenses or eye health, don’t hesitate to reach out to your eye care professional (or our team) for guidance. Your eyes are worth it! Here’s to many years of happy, healthy contact lens wear ahead.
Disclaimer: Proper lens care guidelines and tips were compiled from eye care professionals and organizations to ensure accuracy and effectiveness. For further reading, you may refer to resources like the CDC’s Healthy Contact Lens Wear and Care guides. Stay informed and keep taking good care of those eyes.
