Contact lenses are one of the most popular options for corrective eyewear because of their ease of use and convenience. Since they go directly in your eyes, though, wearing contacts calls for a little more care and attention than wearing glasses does. Below, the friendly team at Northern Lights Eye Care in Anchorage, AK, shares five tips for protecting your eye health when wearing contact lenses.

How to Wear Contact Lenses Safely

1. Replace Them Often

If your lenses are designed to last for 30 days, make sure you replace them once a month, even if you don’t necessarily wear them every day of the month. If you wear your lenses for longer than you should, you run the risk of developing an eye infection.

2. Handle With Care

Always wash your hands before touching your contact lenses. This will prevent them from accumulating bacteria and then transferring it to your eyes, which could result in an infection.

3. Clean & Store Them Properly

Use a multipurpose solution to clean, rinse, and store your contact lenses whenever you are not wearing them. After taking out your lenses, place them in the palm of your hand with a few drops of the solution, rub it around gently, and then store the lenses in a small container with more of the same solution.

4. Carry Eye Drops With You

Carry a travel-size container of lens solution and some eye drops designed for contacts wherever you go. You never know when you might need to rinse your lenses or refresh your eyes, and you should not use regular water to do so because it can contain dangerous microbes.

5. Replace Your Lens Case Often

Multipurpose solution comes with a lens case for a reason; you need to replace yours often. Replace the case that you are storing your contacts in every three months. Otherwise, it will accumulate bacteria and end up leaving your lenses dirtier than they were when you put them in.

If you’re considering getting contact lenses or you need a new prescription for your current ones, turn to Northern Lights Eye Care in Anchorage. You can learn more about their eye care services by visiting their website. To schedule an eye exam, call (907) 276-3937 today.