Contact lenses are an attractive solution for individuals who need corrective lenses but prefer not to wear glasses. Establishing a strong daily eye care routine is especially important for contact lens wearers. Neglecting proper hygiene could impact your eyes, leading to potentially serious infections. By following a few practical tips, you can wear your contacts while also supporting optimal eye health.

5 Eye Care Recommendations for Contact Wearers

1. Wash Your Hands Often

Everything we touch, from computer keyboards to door handles, could have harmful bacteria that cause infections like pinkeye and styes. Any time you touch your contact to remove, insert, or adjust them, germs can be transferred to your eye. To prevent the spread of this bacteria, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly using warm water and a mild soap.

2. Don’t Reuse Contact Solution

Contact solution that has already been used to store contacts can be contaminated with germs. Be sure to change your contact solution after each use to eliminate any lingering bacteria. Additionally, clean your contact case regularly with a sterilizing solution instead of water, as tap water could contain harmful microbes.

3. Remove Contacts Before Sleeping

Unless your doctor states otherwise, don’t sleep with your contact lenses in. The risk of developing an eye infection increases dramatically if contacts are kept in while asleep. Be sure to remove contact lenses and wash your face before sleeping in order to prevent the spread of bacteria.

4. Avoid Rubbing Your Eyes

While your eyes may become itchy from time to time, resist rubbing your eyes. Doing so could transfer germs or tiny particles into your eye. Moreover, it’s easy to accidentally tear a contact lens by moving the eyelid, which could result in further irritation. If your eyes are often itchy, ask your doctor for eye drop recommendations.

5. Practice a Healthy Lens Care Regimen

Be sure to follow your doctor’s recommendations for replacing and cleaning your contact lenses. Rub and rinse your contact lenses after each use to remove protein, which could deposit a haze on the lens and cause discomfort. If you’d prefer a more convenient routine, consider using disposable contacts for daily wear instead. Replace your contact case every three months, even if you disinfect it regularly.

Whether you wear contact lenses, glasses, or both, it’s important to make sure you’re also seeing an eye doctor regularly to promote vision care and keep eye problems at bay. If you’re located in the greater Cincinnati area or Northern Kentucky, your best choice for quality eye care is MidWest Eye Center: A Division of TriState Centers for Sight. With multiple office locations, this experienced team makes vision care convenient and accessible for members of the local community. To schedule an appointment, call (859) 525-6215, or browse through their locations online.