Contact lenses are convenient, unobtrusive, and comfortable. In fact, there are so many advantages of wearing them even people who prefer eyeglasses will opt for contacts on occasion. To protect your eye health, though, there are certain tips you must follow. Below, Daniel J. Kroger, OD, of West Chester, OH, shares a few of them.

3 Rules for Wearing & Caring for Contact Lenses

1. Take Them Out Before Bed

Although it is perfectly safe to wear contacts all day, your eyes will need a break from their thin plastic covering at some point. Since contacts prevent the cornea from getting much-needed oxygen, you should never wear them for more than 12 or so consecutive hours. For most people, that means taking them out before bed, although some switch to glasses as soon as they get home from work.

Taking out your lenses every night allows your eyes to flush themselves of any dust, dirt, and bacteria that accumulated over the course of the day. It also gives you the chance to rinse and disinfect the contacts so they are clean and fresh in the morning.

2. Keep an Extra Bottle of Lens Solution on Hand

You should rinse and store contacts in fresh solution every night. If you only have one bottle of lens cleaner in the house, though, you might consider reusing the solution in your contacts case when you run out. Since doing so is never a good idea and can result in an infection, always keep an extra bottle of solution in the medicine cabinet.

If you’re in a pinch, you can use saline solution or saltwater; however, these liquids will merely prevent your lenses from drying out until you can run to the store. At the end of the day, they are not a long-term solution because they will not remove any mineral deposits like traditional contact lens solution does.

3. Replace the Case Every 3 Months

Every bottle of lens solution typically comes with a small plastic case, which should serve as a reminder you must replace yours regularly. Bacteria can accumulate in these small plastic cases over time, which can lead to dangerous infections and other complications.

If you wear contact lenses and your supply is running low, turn to Daniel J. Kroger, OD, in West Chester, OH. Dr. Kroger has been providing quality eye care for more than 25 years and is proud to offer convenient contact lens fittings for his patients. You can learn more about the optical services he offers by visiting the practice online. To schedule your next eye exam, call (513) 777-3936.