Proper contact lens hygiene is crucial for maintaining healthy eyes and preventing eye infections.
Here are some important guidelines to follow as a contact lens wearer:
- Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling contact lenses. Dry your hands with a lint-free towel to avoid transferring lint or other debris to the lenses
- Adhere to the wearing schedule prescribed by your optometrist. Avoid wearing the lenses longer than recommended unless they are specifically designed for extended wear
- Use only recommended contact lens solutions to clean and disinfect your lenses and follow manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Rub and rinse your lenses with the solution before soaking them in a clean lens case filled with fresh solution overnight (for non-daily lenses)
- Replace your contact lenses according to the schedule prescribed by your optometrist. Using lenses beyond their recommended replacement schedule can increase the risk of eye infections and complications
- Rinse your contact lens case with fresh solution daily and let it air dry with the caps off. Replace your lens case regularly, ideally every 3 months to minimize risk of contamination.
- Remove your contact lenses before swimming or entering hot tubs, showers or bodies of water. Water can harbour microorganisms that can cause serious eye infections.
- Remove your contact lenses always before sleeping. Sleeping in lenses increases the risk of eye infections and complications as it reduces oxygen flow to the cornea and promotes bacterial growth.
- See your optometrist regularly for comprehensive eye exams to monitor your eye health and ensure your contact lens prescription is up to date.
By following these guidelines for contact lens hygiene, you can help minimize the risk of eye infections and maintain healthy eyes. If you ever experience any discomfort, redness, reduced vision while wearing contacts, remove them immediately and consult your optometrist.
If you are interested in contact lenses, or have any questions about your current lenses, book an appointment with your Stoney Creek eye doctor at 289-309-1090.
