Contact Lens Do's and Don'ts: Wearing Lenses Safely

Contact lenses are a wonderful alternative to glasses — freeing for sport, convenient for work, and confidence-boosting for many. But a contact lens sits directly on the surface of your eye, so it deserves respect. Most contact-lens complications we see are entirely preventable.

The do’s

• Do wash and dry your hands thoroughly before touching your lenses — every single time.
• Do use fresh solution for cleaning and storing. Rub and rinse the lens even with “no-rub” solutions.
• Do replace lenses on schedule — daily, fortnightly or monthly as prescribed. The date matters.
• Do replace your lens case regularly, and let it air-dry face-down between uses.
• Do follow the wearing hours your eye doctor recommends, and give your eyes lens-free days.

The don’ts

• Don’t sleep in your lenses unless they’re specifically approved for it. This is one of the biggest causes of serious infection.
• Don’t use tap water or saliva on lenses, ever. Water carries organisms that can cause severe, sight-threatening infections.
• Don’t shower or swim in your lenses without protection, for the same reason.
• Don’t “top up” old solution — always discard and use fresh.
• Don’t push through pain. Redness, pain, watering or blurred vision means lenses out, and a call to your eye doctor.

The golden rule

If an eye is red, painful or watering while wearing lenses, remove the lens immediately and have it checked. A minor irritation caught early is nothing; the same problem ignored for two days can become serious.

A proper fitting matters too — lenses that fit well and suit your eyes are far more comfortable and safer. You can read about our contact lens service here.

Contact lenses are as safe as the habits of the person wearing them. Good habits, good eyes.

This article is general information, not a substitute for a personal consultation. If you have concerns about your eyes, please get in touch.