Contact lenses have become a very popular option for vision correction, with an estimated 45 million people in the United States using them. That said, if they aren’t properly cared for, they could potentially increase your chances of experiencing a variety of eye issues such as infections. Below are 5 helpful tips for making sure that you’re practicing healthy contact lens habits.
1. Make Sure That Your Hands are Clean Before Touching the Lenses
Debris and harmful bacteria could easily be transferred from your finger to your contact lens. To minimize the risk of this happening, it’s highly recommended that you wash your hands before handling your lenses, whether it’s to put them in or take them out. Make sure that you dry your hands with a lint-free towel once you’re done washing them.
2. Keep Your Contact Lens Case Clean
It can be all too easy for bacteria to breed in your contact lens case, so you should get in the habit of cleaning it on a regular basis. The easiest way to do so is with a clean toothbrush and a small amount of contact lens solution. Once you’re done, rinse it off with fresh solution; then leave the caps off so that the case can air dry.
3. Replace Your Contact Lens Case Regularly
Even with regular cleanings, it’s best not to stick to the same contact lens case for too long if you want to avoid contamination. Ideally, you should switch to a new case every month.
4. Take Your Contact Lenses Out Before You Go to Bed
Leaving your contact lenses on when you go to bed can cause problems for your eyes in the long run. Notably, it can significantly increase the chances of developing keratitis and other types of infections. As such, it’s best to always remove your contact lenses before you go to sleep (with the only exception being lenses that were specifically prescribed to be worn overnight like Ortho K lenses).
5. Use the Right Contact Lens Solutions
Not all contact lens solutions are exactly the same. Multipurpose solutions are designed to clean, rinse, and disinfect your lenses all at once. In contrast, saline solutions are only used for rinsing and storage purposes. It’s important to make sure that you fully understand which type of solution is the right choice for your specific type of lenses.
These are just a few of the steps you should be following when it comes to contact lens care. Your optometrist may give you additional tips that can help you avoid unnecessary complications. As long as you’re practicing good maintenance, you can continue to enjoy improved vision thanks to convenient, comfortable contact lenses.
About the Author
Dr. Jordana Chettiparampil is a board-certified Therapeutic Optometrist. She holds membership with various professional organizations, including the American Optometric Association and the Texas Optometric Association. She is happy to be able to provide a wide range of contact lenses to help her patients overcome their vision challenges. If you’re interested in getting contact lenses, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Chettiparampil at Richmond Eye Experts by visiting her website, using her online booking tool, or calling (832) 685-2020.