If you wear contact lenses, it’s important to practice proper care and maintenance. Doing so doesn’t just save you money by protecting your lenses from damage — it also guards against eye health problems. If you don’t keep your lenses clean, you may transfer contaminants to your eyes when you insert them. That’s why eye care specialists recommend the following essential tips.

3 Things to Know About Contact Lens Care

1. Follow the Directions

Different types of contact lenses require you to follow different schedules regarding how often you can wear them. Some can be disposed of after one day. Others can be used for up to two weeks before you need to replace them. There are even new lenses that you can use for a month.

Adhering to the recommended schedule is important. If you wear your lenses for too long, their ability to transmit oxygen to your eyes diminishes, depriving your eyes of key nutrients.

2. Clean Them

After removing your lenses for the day, make sure you clean them. Start by washing your own hands thoroughly. Next, place a few drops of cleaning solution on them. Ask your eye doctor to recommend the ideal brand for your lenses.

Rub the lenses in your palm to remove contaminants, then follow the instructions on the cleaning solution packaging and rinse them for the specified amount of time. Finally, store the lenses in fresh solution.

3. Be Honest With Yourself

When your eye doctor asks you what type of lenses you want, be honest with yourself about how likely you are to care for them. For instance, lenses that you dispose of at the end of the day may be more expensive than lenses you can use for weeks at a time, but they’re much better suited to the kind of person who isn’t diligent about upkeep.

Remember, you’re not just caring for your lenses — you’re also caring for your eyes.

Interested in making the switch to contact lenses? Get in touch with Kato & Shoji Optometrists, with two locations in Honolulu, HI. They’ll equip you with the right lenses for your needs, and they’ll answer any questions you may have about caring for them. Contact the office online for more information, or call (808) 735-8080.