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Taking proper care of contact lenses is important in order to prevent eye infections and take good care of the eye.

When lenses are old or don’t fit, they can scratch the eye and/or cause blood vessels to grow into the cornea. These are dangerous conditions that can cause permanent changes to your vision. Eye drops can also cause issues with contacts lenses, so it is important to only use drops that are approved for contact lenses. If your eyes are in pain, watery, red, or sensitive to light, remove the contact lenses and contact your eye care provider immediately.

Choosing the right cleaning solution for your lenses is important as well. Don’t let the various options overwhelm you. Talk to your doctor and see which type of cleaning solution is best suited for you and the type of contacts you use. In order to safely wear contact lenses, you must commit to regular and proper care, cleaning, and replacement.

Some tips for keeping lenses clean include:

• Washing and drying hands before handling contacts
• Following care instructions from the doctor, contact manufacturer and cleaning solution manufacturer
• Following up with regular annual eye exams
• Not showering, swimming or using a hot tub with contacts; water and lenses don’t mix
• Don’t use water to lubricate contact lenses
• Throw away any contact lenses that have been sitting for over 30 days or are past their replacement date

Contact lenses have been a significant remedy for many people with glasses, but contacts aren’t ideal for every person or every situation. Situations that could limit someone wearing contacts may include having many eye infections, having severe allergies, having dry eye, and living or working in a dusty environment. Talk to your eye doctor and see if contacts are right for you and learn about the steps you need to take to properly care for them if they are.

PRO TIP: Always carry your back-up glasses just in case you have any issues throughout the day with your contact lenses.