Contact lenses are a convenient way to see clearly without glasses, but they can increase your risk of serious eye infections if you don’t care for them properly. To protect your vision and eye health, follow these vital care and safety tips.

How to Prevent Contact Lenses-Related Infections 

1. Wash Your Hands

Before putting in or taking out your contact lenses, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use a fragrance-free, mild soap to prevent eye irritation. Any time you need to touch your eyes, such as removing an eyelash, wash your hands to prevent the transfer of bacteria and viruses.

2. Clean Your Contacts Properly

When you remove your contact lenses for the day, gently rub them with fresh saline solution to remove debris before storing them. Although many saline solutions say “no-rub” on the packaging, taking a few seconds to clean the lenses can reduce your risk of infection. Always use fresh, store-bought solutions, not homemade solutions that could be harmful to your eyes. Never use water or saliva to clean your lenses, as they can contain high levels of harmful bacteria. 

3. Replace Cases & Lenses Regularly

Keeping your contact lenses case clean by rinsing it with hot tap water every day can reduce your risk of infection, but you should also plan to replace it every three months. If you get an eye infection, such as conjunctivitis, replace your case right away. Also, follow your eye doctor’s recommendations for replacing your lenses. Never wear your lenses longer than recommended.

4. Give Your Eyes a Break

Taking your lenses out and letting your eyes “breathe” helps keep them healthy and reduces the risk of irritation or infection. Even if you’re prescribed “extended wear” lenses designed to be slept in, it’s a good idea to take them out occasionally. Sleeping with your contacts reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches your eyes and gives bacteria more time to infect your eyes. 

5. Wear Glasses When Your Eyes Are Irritated

If you experience any irritation or discomfort when you wear your contact lenses, take them out and call your eye doctor. If you experience itching, redness, pain, or other signs of infection, discontinue wearing your lenses, so the condition doesn’t get worse. If you have an infection, throw your contacts away and replace them with a fresh pair once you have completed treatment and been cleared by your doctor.

If you’re having problems with your contact lenses, the professionals at Eyewear Express in Rhinelander, WI, can help. For almost 30 years, the optometrists and board-certified opticians at this local business have provided comprehensive vision care services, including regular exams and treatment for eye disease. To schedule an eye doctor appointment, call (715) 365-1515. You can also learn more about their practice and browse their selection of glasses frames and contacts online.