Wearing contact lenses can be a very freeing experience for people with vision problems, since contacts are typically more comfortable to wear and eliminate the need for additional products, like prescription sunglasses. However, since contact lenses are designed to be worn on the surface of the eye, taking care of your lenses is even more important. Here are three vital contact lens maintenance tips you should be aware of. 

The Ways to Take Care of Contact Lenses

1. Wash Your Hands Before Handling Contacts

You never know what kind of grime, bacteria, and viruses are living on your hands, which is why washing carefully is important before handling a contact lens. Without proper hand washing, it is possible to introduce pathogens directly to your eye, creating eye infections that could threaten your vision. Before you handle contact lenses, wash your hands thoroughly with anti-bacterial soap, and dry your hands with a lint-free cloth. 

2. Clean Lenses Properly 

While soaking your lenses in a disinfecting solution is important, it isn’t the only step necessary to clean your lenses. The FDA recommends using a rub-and-rinse solution when caring for contacts to remove deposits that may have formed on the surface of your lenses. Clean your contacts thoroughly by rubbing them for at least 20 seconds with a few drops of a rub-and-rinse solution before overnight storage. 

3. Avoid Using Alternative Liquids as Solutions

While it can be tempting to use other liquids as alternative contact solutions when you are out and about, doing so could be severely damaging to your eye health. For instance, many people are tempted to wet lenses with saliva, which could cause problems like corneal ulcers. To make sure you always have an eye-safe solution available, keep an extra bottle of contact solution in your desk and car. 

Whether you are new to contact lenses or you are thinking about making the switch, turn to Cook Inlet Eyewear to learn more about your options. With an incredible variety of contact lenses and eyeglass frames, you can customize your vision solutions for your everyday needs. Learn more about the products they carry by visiting their website or by giving their Anchorage, AK, office a call at (907) 276-1021.